Anamosa City Council votes to pursue in-place repair of Dillon Military Bridge, contingent on grants

Anamosa, Iowa — The Anamosa City Council voted June 29 to pursue repairing the Dillon Military Bridge in place, contingent on the availability of grant funding and approval from Jones County officials.

Mayor Rod Smith opened a special session at 5:30 p.m. at the Anamosa Library & Learning Center for an update on the Dillon Military Bridge Project. Melissa Clow of engineering firm HR Green presented technical findings and options for the bridge, framing repair and replacement alternatives for the council, the public, and representatives of the Board of Supervisors.

Sixteen Anamosa residents spoke during the public-comment period about the bridge. The transcript records that “the majority of the public comments heard were in favor of restoring the Dillon Military Bridge in place.” Those comments prompted council discussion about funding sources and coordination with county officials.

Council Member Dan Smith moved — and Council Member Todd Weimer seconded — a resolution to approve repairing the bridge in place provided all available grant money can be secured and that the same proposal be presented to the County for approval. A roll-call vote recorded ayes from Kay Smith, Teresa Tuetken, Todd Weimer, Dan Smith, Brooke Gombert and Rich Crump; there were no nays. The motion carried unanimously.

City Administrator Jeremiah Hoyt and Deputy City Clerk Kaylee Palmer were present; Mayor Smith noted the Council would pursue available grant funding and forward the proposal to county leadership as the next procedural step. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

The council did not specify which grants it would apply for in the transcript; details on funding sources, timelines and a county response were not specified and may appear at a future meeting or in subsequent staff reports.