Council to discuss golf course, fire study

BY CINDY TOOPES COURIER STAFF WRITER

September 27, 2008 12:18 am

— OTTUMWA — Two requests for proposals most likely will spark a lot of discussion at the Ottumwa City Council’s special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday in council chambers, City Hall.
One request is about the golf course operating agreement. The other concerns a fire department study.
Late last year the council majority rejected the golf course agreement on a 3-2 vote. Councilmen Gordon Aistrope and Bob Meyers voted to approve the agreement, which would contract out the city’s golf operations to Greg Wilson, Cedar Creek’s golf pro since 2003.
Councilwoman Shannon Addison spoke first at the Jan. 15 meeting and said she was “still opposed” to the agreement because the changes she requested weren’t made.
“I’m also opposed to the fact that it was done locally and precluded any other entity from applying,” she said.
The city’s golf course operating agreement is 18 pages long and has several exhibits attached. Those interested is submitting a golf course proposal to the city clerk must do so by 4 p.m. Oct. 20.
The city is also seeking proposals “from qualified consultants to analyze the current and future operations of the Ottumwa Fire Department and overall provision of emergency services.”
The city’s request states “Ottumwa is a community of approximately 25,000 people” and “the community has determined the need to analyze its fire prevention and emergency response services, the level of service provided, its goals for the future, its response boundaries, the type and number of staff required, funding levels and financing options for future operations.”
During the action part of the special meeting, the council will consider approving:
• Payment of $7,018 for a 20-inch electromagnetic in-line flow meter for the Elm Street force main.
• A request from the Ottumwa school district’s Career Academy to waive construction permit fees for the latest project on West Mary Street.
• A subordination agreement between the city, River Community Credit Union and Cory W. House and Angela Scherer.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com