OTTUMWA — At this time of year, everyone is handling a wish list and city government is no exception.

The City Council recently conducted a public hearing on issuing $5 million in general obligation bonds to cover several city projects for the next two years and some of them for five.

Finance Director Mike Heffernan said proceeds from the bonds will be used to pay for the following projects: streets, $2.45 million; firetruck $440,000; park improvements, $218,000; airport improvements, $172,500; Dilapidated Building Program, $140,000; levee system, $100,000; all other city projects, $154,500.

That part of the bond list totals, $3,675,000. Two landfill items have been added for the Ottumwa/Wapello County Solid Waste Commission — landfill cell development, $500,000, and compactor, $625,000.

After adding those items, the bond issue totals $4.8 million. No council members or citizens protested and the council unanimously approved the resolution.

“This is the interim step before selling the bonds on Jan. 13, 2009,” Heffernan said.

Also related to the CIP action was transferring funds from the Street Projects Fund to other bond projects. The streets fund will cover $109,000 needed on these items: Concrete approach to the South Side Fire Station, $4,000; Bridge View Center improvements, $40,000; Ottumwa Public Library building maintenance, $15,000; and City Hall improvements and technology items, $50,000.

Heffernan said the transfer “was a method to simply the public hearing process — so multiple hearings weren’t needed.” Later, the streets fund will be reimbursed with bond proceeds.

In other action, the council acknowledged Mayor Dale Uehling’s appointment of:

• Larry Jackson to the Ottumwa Public Safety Advisory Committee, term to expire in October 2010.

• Clark Peterson to the Board of Library Trustees, term to expire July 1, 2013.

• Denise Shadonix to the Ottumwa Human Rights Commission, term to expire Jan. 1, 2010.

The council also approved these appointments: Wesley Blaine to operations maintenance worker at The Beach Ottumwa, effective Jan. 5, 2009; and, Officer Becky Strunk to the position of police supervisor, also effective Jan. 5, 2009.

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