OTTUMWA — Does the city plan to hire a grant writer? Is the City Council unhappy with Area 15 Regional Planning Commission (RPC)?

Whatever else is going on, one thing’s for sure: The council majority on Tuesday rejected a resolution for RPC’s financial support.

The resolution would have authorized paying the planning commission $9,999.60 for the city’s membership fee and financial support. The payment would have continued the availability of RPC’s development, grantsmanship and technical services to the city, according to Planning Director Dave Shafer.

Shafer told the council all city departments can use RPC’s services.

Councilwoman Shannon Addison asked how many grants RPC has worked on.

“Several, over the years,” Shafer said.

He noted an Economic Development Association grant for the city’s downtown parking ramp and the water treatment plant. RPC membership has also meant “better access” to grant sources for issues such as transportation, housing projects and historical preservation.

Mayor Dale Uehling mentioned Renewable Energy Development Initiative (REDI) grants and Shafer added information about loan assistance and enterprise zones.

Councilman Bob Meyers said he thought RPC had helped with trails system grants.

The mayor said RPC helped with part of the federal money for the highway bypass and with a newly received $100,000 grant for the trails system from Ottumwa to Eldon to Fairfield.

Councilman Gordon Aistrope said he’d “heard talk” at City Hall about the city hiring a grant writer.

“If so, does [the hiring] affect this [resolution]?” he said.

Shafer said RPC does charge fees for services not included in the membership.

“There’s a fee structure and it’s a long list. They can do total grant application and administration,” he added.

Aistrope wondered if it’s cheaper for the city to use RPC than to hire an employee.