OTTUMWA — Golf is a game but the City Council didn’t have any fun at Monday’s meeting.

After several minutes of heated retorts, the council approved Greg Wilson’s bid to run the Cedar Creek Golf Course next season. However, the vote was 3-2, with Councilwoman Shannon Addison and Councilman Mitch Niner dissenting.

After City Administrator Joe Helfenberger said Wilson’s was the best, Mayor Dale Uehling asked for questions or comments.

Addison said she had questions for Finance Director Mike Heffernan, City Attorney Tom Kintigh and Helfenberger. She asked how many subcontractors the golf course has.

Helfenberger had said Wilson’s bid included retaining Chris Mock as superintendent of the golf course. Several golfers had told the city administrator the course “has never been in better shape than it is now,” which was “due to Mock.”

Heffernan said he “was involved” in hiring Mock and suggested Wilson’s offer to include Mock as his employee would “take the city off the hook.”

Addison asked if any of Wilson’s staff was paid more than $10,000. She said this “couldn’t be ignored.”

“If Health Director Jody Gates, wants a canvasser, she has to bring it to council,” Addison said. “If we’re paying the person over $10,000, they have to bring it to council.”

Uehling asked if her comments were “germane to making a decision” about the best bid for operating the golf course.

Addison said she questioned a piece of correspondence in the golf-course paperwork. She said Kintigh had told her the bids were sealed.

“These bids were altered — this isn’t you, Mike — but a sealed bid is a sealed bid. This is Joe,” she said.

Helfenberger said the golf papers were proposals, not contracts.

Addison said she wasn’t opposed to Wilson’s bid but was upset about “how we got to that decision.” The city “still owns the course” and she wondered why city staff is taking information but not doing it “in the sunshine.”

Helfenberger said he got the proposals and gave copies to council members. The Cedar Creek Golf Course Advisory Committee interviewed the applicants and did so “without anyone else there,” he added.

Councilman Keith Caviness said it’s “the responsibility of a council person to ask questions but to stay at arm’s length from an applicant.”

Councilman Bob Meyers said council members asked questions earlier and Addison agreed.

It’s the city administrator’s duty to oversee the process of bids and applicants, according to Councilman Gordon Aistrope.

“If you have questions, get them answered,” Aistrope said. “Why bring it to this meeting? Why didn’t you go to Heffernan?”

“I have asked and asked about renovations and how much they cost. I’ve asked questions but got no answers,” she said. “If I can’t get answers in private conversations, then I’ll do it in public and get it on the record. This isn’t fair to Greg and he should have fair play.”

Councilman Mitch Niner said he worked on the council packet Sunday.

“I work 10 hours a day. When do I have time to ask questions?” he said.

“I still have questions,” Addison said.

Uehling said the city may have to choose the golf advisory committee members. Addison said the city should disband the committee and start over.



Sewer rate

Should the city’s sanitary sewer rate be a flat fee or a pro-rated one?

Public Works Director Larry Seals said Ottumwa Water & Hydro currently pro-rates the sanitary sewer fee but he wanted to discuss the matter with council members.

Seals said if the city used a flat fee and charge the full amount, then the city’s debt service doesn’t change. He also said a rural water company charges a base rate whether the customer uses zero or 100 units, which is a “fixed cost.”

Uehling wondered about customers who don’t use water every day or are gone for weeks at a time.

Seals said using the sewer 20 days out of 30 is a standard number of days to qualify for base rate. But, for those who are gone several days, the usage could be pro-rated.

Uehling asked how many utility services would qualify for that situation.

Seals said the most common examples are apartment renters who move often and “snowbirds” who maintain a home here but spend the winter in southern climates.

On a 4-0 vote, the council approved the flat rate. Addison abstained.



Skywalk agreement

Parkview Plaza, Inc., is one step closer to having a skywalk agreement (pedestrian walkway) and a perpetual skyway easement with Parkview Plaza, Inc.

The council unanimously approved 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18, for a public hearing on the agreement.

Planning Director Dave Shafer told the council the easement would be from the Hofmann Building, corner of Second and Market streets, to the city’s parking ramp in the 100 block of East Second Street.

Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.