OTTUMWA — At their July 1 meeting, City Council members questioned paying a $9,999.60 membership fee to Area 15 Regional Planning Commission (RPC).

The council majority rejected the item and members requested an update on RPC services. They got one Tuesday night.

Answering the call were Planning Director Dave Shafer, Ottumwa Transit Authority (OTA) Administrator Pam Ward and Area 15 Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Ellen Foudree.

Shafer said the proposed resolution would authorize paying RPC for the membership fee and financial support. The payment would continued the availability of RPC’s development, grantsmanship and technical services to the city.

The 40 cents per capita fee covers July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. All city departments can use RPC’s services, he added.

In his report, Shafer noted other services and assistance provided by RPC include assistance and review of grant application to the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Economic Development Administration and State Historic Preservation Office.

“RPC occasionally serves as liaison between the city and federal agencies and provides technical assistance to several departments,” Shafer said.

RPC also works with the city on housing projects, transportation planning, regional trails planning, Ottumwa Transit Authority capital improvement/operating projects and programming city projects into the transportation improvement program.

Pam Ward, administrator of Ottumwa Transit Authority (OTA) and 10-15 Transit, emphasized the importance of RPC’s assistance in transportation.

Ward said RPC helps with planning documents, such as for new work and updates on the long-range plan.

“These are documents specific to transportation. With these we can get money from buses every time we replace one,” she said. “We have a fleet of 64 vehicles. This money is critical to us.”

Through 10-15 Transit and its Job Access Program and OTA’s door-to-door program, Ward is able to access $1.3 million for the transportation programs in the city and other areas. She said she can do so “because of RPC staff members.”

Saying she didn’t want “to belabor a point,” Ward urged the council to consider approving the RPC membership.

“This is so important,” she added.

Foudree gave each council member printed information about RPC and its services. Items included a copy of the quarterly newsletter; and three brochures, one on the commission itself, another titled “Southern Iowa Home Ownership Program” and a third, “Regional Economic Development Investments, Inc.,” which pertains to financial assistance for business start-up, expansion and retention.