OTTUMWA —
Though the mayor was not going to place it on the agenda, two council members requested that the ordinance regarding planting in the right-of-way be up for a vote on Tuesday.
Three councilmen came to a consensus that it would be best to change the ordinance to prohibit anyone from planting trees in the city right-of-way in the future.
“My concern is with it being all-encompassing like that; it’s too harsh,” said Mayor Frank Flanders. “I understand their intentions; they’re all well and good, but I think the measure is too harsh in spite of the fact that they intend the best with it.”
The council will vote whether to approve the first of three readings of the ordinance.
The council will also vote to purchase upgraded cameras and related switching equipment for televising City Council meetings from Electronic Communications Systems, of Davenport, for approximately $7,800.
“We’ve been putting off an upgrade for several years,” said city public information officer Tom Rodgers. “What we’re doing is replacing some 1995 consumer-grade camcorders with a more contemporary type of camera suitable for broadcast.”
Rodgers said the new equipment should improve the picture quality.
When the city priced the upgrade 10 years ago, it was cost-prohibitive, Rodgers said.
“But because technology has gotten better, smaller, lighter and cheaper, we’re getting a really good deal,” Rodgers said.
Also on the council’s agenda:
• The sewer separation agreement with Ottumwa Water and Hydro for Phase III, Division 1 of the sewer separation project.
• A time extension request for the 2009 Community Development Block Grant for Phase III, Division 1 of the South Ottumwa Sanitary Sewer Separation Project.
• Approval of a loan of $162,840 from the general fund to the Wildwood Drive/U.S. Highway 34 Urban Renewal Area for a qualified urban renewal project.
• Approval of a loan of $105,850 from the street projects fund to the Westgate TIF fund to finance an urban renewal project.
The council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at City Hall. The meeting will air live on GO-TV, cable channel 6.
Local News
Council to make final decision on right-of-way ordinance
City camera upgrades, sewer separation projects on agenda
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