Local News
City wants ‘road map’ for the future
Council will look at strategic planning sessions
OTTUMWA — Once a destination has been determined, the journey will be made and it’s always great to have a road map.
City Administrator Joe Helfenberger wants “an overall road map” for the city’s future and he hopes citizens will help in deciding the destination and how to get there.
The strategic planning process is back on the City Council’s agenda for the special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday in council chambers, City Hall.
“Strategic planning is a long-term plan that’s based on community involvement,” Helfenberger said Friday. “Strategic planning is what the community wants the town to look like in the future.”
At the July 21 meeting, Helfenberger proposed a statistically valid phone survey of 378 Ottumwa residents “to determine their concerns and/or levels of satisfaction with certain city-related issues and service.”
The city administrator also proposed a strategic planning process to cover community planning with 80-100 “key stakeholders” within the community.
“We want people from all walks of life and to know what they want to see more or less of in their community,” Helfenberger said. “Where do they want to go in terms of planning and development for the next 10-20 years?”
He also said strategic planning “has been very successful in the past two communities” where he worked.
The first reading of the proposed nuisance ordinance is also on Monday’s agenda. The city code’s Chapter 24, titled “Nuisances Generally,” is the primary code the city health department uses to regulate nuisances.
In her staff report, Health Director Jody Gates said the proposed ordinance notes “more individual types of nuisances, which inspectors deal with regularly.” With more specific nuisances listed, an inspector doesn’t have as much need to interpret the meaning of the code.
“We patterned this ordinance on nuisance codes in other Iowa cities,” Gates noted.
The council will also consider approving:
• Emergency repairs to the Water Pollution Control Facility’s influent bar screen. The facility has one screen for removing trash and debris from water entering the plant. Due to this year’s numerous heavy rains, the screen is heavily damaged. Replacement cost is about $30,139.
• Emergency purchase and replacement of a portable storm-water pump for the WPCF.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.
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