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Ottumwa council backs TAP grant application to extend West Second Street trail
Summary
The Ottumwa City Council unanimously approved a resolution backing a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) application to pave about 2,500 linear feet of levy trail on West Second Street and add a 30-foot bridge; the county trails commission will fund the 20% local match and staff will submit the application by the coming Monday.
The Ottumwa City Council voted unanimously to support a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant application to extend the city's trail system along West Second Street, including roughly 2,500 linear feet of new paved trail and a 30-foot bridge across Harros Branch.
Kim, a city staff member who presented the project to the council, said the application covers phase one of a larger effort that would ultimately add about 1.4 miles to the existing trail network. Kim said the bridge is "critical" to restoring use of a previously chip-sealed segment and reconnecting the West End neighborhoods to the main system.
The TAP grant requires an 80/20 match; the WLO County Trails Commission will fundraise for the 20% local match, Kim said. The project currently targets a 2027 construction date.
Council members raised questions about prior work on the corridor and outstanding railroad easement issues. Staff noted a prior chip-seal job in 2014 that left the crossing incomplete and said coordination with the railroad remains necessary for certain floodgate or easement work; a $50,000 line item related to that railroad work was mentioned as uncertain. The project route, staff said, crosses the railroad near the roundabout by the BP station, follows the levy past Midwest Little League, and will require some shared roadway or sidewalk connections before joining the levy trail.
Council members also asked about surface materials. Kim confirmed that the trail will be concrete, citing longevity and recent price shifts that have narrowed the cost advantage of asphalt.
The council also discussed a forthcoming written maintenance agreement between the city and the county trails commission. Mayor Johnson said staff and the city attorney will draft terms clarifying what the city will do to maintain new trail segments once the county builds them, because prior arrangements have been verbal.
After discussion, a motion to adopt the resolution authorizing submittal of the TAP application was moved and seconded. Clerk Chris conducted a roll-call vote; Council member Hoffman, Council member McIntyre, Council member Cavanis and Council member Reed were recorded as voting yes. The motion passed and staff were authorized to submit the application. Kim said staff would scan the packet and obtain the missing signature page so the application could be filed by the Monday deadline.
The meeting adjourned shortly afterward.
