Ottumwa council adopts fireworks changes, advances animal-code updates and approves multiple infrastructure and finance resolutions

The Ottumwa City Council on June 17 adopted an ordinance aligning the municipal fireworks code with recent state legislation and approved several other ordinances, resolutions and final-pay requests affecting infrastructure and city finance.

Ordinances and major votes - Fireworks code: Council adopted Ordinance No. 3244 (2025) to reform Chapter 25.10 (use of fireworks) so local code matches Senate File 303; the change allows consumer fireworks on July 3 and Dec. 31 within specified time windows consistent with state law. The ordinance was adopted after a motion to waive additional readings; recorded votes show four councilmembers in favor and one opposed. - Animals and fowl: Council held first consideration of Ordinance No. 3245 (2025) to clarify definitions for dangerous and vicious animals and to move many violations back to criminal penalties rather than civil fines; the first reading advanced and a fine schedule resolution will follow after subsequent readings.

Resolutions, contracts and final-pay approvals - Wave pool project: Council adopted a resolution to approve plans and specifications for the wave-pool painting project at the beach; staff estimated cost at $31,000 with $40,000 budgeted in the CIP and set a bidding date for June 24, 2025. - Fellows Avenue reconstruction: Council accepted final work and authorized a final payment (amount presented to Council was $35,641.15) to Jones Contract Inc. following completion of full-depth concrete reconstruction and associated sanitary/storm repairs. - Green Street Sewer Improvements (Group B): Council approved Change Order No. 1 to cover additional work addressing unexpected subsurface conditions; the contract increased from $185,760 to $219,260 and a final payment of $42,780 was authorized. Staff explained additional excavation and foundation work required for a gate-wall structure in the river.

Administrative action - Tobacco-permit violation: After an administrative hearing on a first violation at the Albia Road BP (Elliot Oil Company), Council authorized assessment of a $300 civil penalty under the cited Iowa code provisions; Ken Ham, director of store operations for Elliot Oil Company, addressed the Council, acknowledged the violation and provided the payment.

Financial rules and depositories - Council re-adopted purchase and financial policies and designated depositories for city funds; staff proposed increasing the deposit limit at Iowa State Bank to provide flexibility for higher-yield accounts. The Council also accepted the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for FY 2024 (see separate coverage of the audit presentation).

The City will proceed with the contract closeouts and ordinance filings as required. Several items (animal code fine schedule) will return to Council for final action after additional steps (third reading or a separate resolution).