Sigourney council approves Ringgold Street repairs, adopts animal-control ordinance

The Sigourney City Council approved multiple spending measures and an update to the city’s animal-control ordinance at a 6 p.m. meeting Wednesday, March 5, at City Hall.

Council members unanimously approved Renner’s Construction estimate #1522 for $64,320 to repair patches and complete work on the western portion of Ringgold Street, to be paid from the city’s TIF Urban Renewal Plan. Council member Schultz moved for approval, Council member Clark seconded, and the motion passed with all members voting aye.

Council member Schultz also presented Renner’s estimate #1523 for $30,150 to complete additional Ringgold Street patches not covered under the Urban Renewal Project. Council authorized using Local Option Sales and Services Tax (LOSST) funds to pay estimate #1523 after a motion from Council member Schultz and a second from Council member McLaughlin; the motion passed unanimously. Combined, the two approvals commit $94,470 for Ringgold Street repairs.

On the consent agenda, the council approved accounts payable claims totaling $15,115.92 and passed Resolution #2025-03-04 to temporarily close downtown streets for a Keokuk County Economic Development farmers market. The council also approved the minutes from the Feb. 19 meeting (Council member Clark abstained because he was not present at that earlier meeting).

Council member Schultz moved and Council member Conrad seconded Resolution #2025-03-05 to place and maintain a traffic control device (a handicap parking sign) at the Manor House, 1200 South Stuart Street, at the request of Manor House representatives. Brent Gilliland, Public Works Director II, reported that City staff inspected the site and told Manor House representative Larry Dietrich the city will provide the sign if Manor House completes required ADA compliance steps; the resolution passed unanimously.

The council adopted, on third reading, updates to Title IV — Mental and Physical Health, Chapter 1 (Animal Control). Council member Clark told the council the Public Safety committee revised Section 4-1-4 (animal nuisances and fees) and clarified language in Section 4-1-9 related to bodily and serious injury. The ordinance changes were reviewed by the city attorney before the third reading and were approved unanimously.

Council member Iosbaker, identified in the meeting as KCED director, said Keokuk County Economic Development worked with Sigourney High School to refurbish the Sigourney Industrial sign; the sign is stored and awaiting better weather for reinstallation. Iosbaker said KCED will join Steve Shettler Media Tuesday mornings at 7 a.m. and that an all-members KCED meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2025.

During public input, Schultz noted ongoing discussions at the Street and Sanitation committee covering the city’s container ordinance and recycling; the council did not take formal action on those topics at this meeting. Council member McLaughlin said a Park and Recreation meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

Council member Clark announced the Public Safety committee received a Keokuk County Endowment Grant and will order a second radar speed sign to be placed on East Pleasant Valley Street as drivers enter town from the east.

Council member McLaughlin moved to adjourn, Council member Lentz seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:16 p.m.

Next procedural steps: the Park and Recreation meeting on March 11 and the KCED all-members meeting on March 12 were the most immediate follow-ups noted at adjournment.