By Sam Parsons

The Ottumwa City Council met last night and held a total of four public hearings for plans, specs, and form of contract for four different projects.

The first project discussed was the Albia Road North Quincy Avenue Roundabout Project, which stemmed from the city having received a $500,000 Traffic Safety Improvement Program Grant to address intersections with a high number of accidents. The project would implement a roundabout at the intersection between Albia Road and Quincy Avenue, an intersection which met the requirements for the grant. A representative from Shive Hattery gave a presentation on the safety benefits of roundabouts and the plan for one at that intersection. The plans, specs, and form of contract were approved unanimously by the council with bids to be received in late February and construction to begin in May.

One of the other public hearings pertained to the Greater Ottumwa Park Tennis Phase One Project. This project would entail the construction of either 8 or 12 post tension concrete tennis courts as part of the Greater Ottumwa Park Master Plan. Community Development Director Zach Simonson said that this was in response to complaints about the state of the current courts and that the fully completed project would allow for the high school to host more tournaments than they can at this time. The plans, specs, and form of contract were approved by the council with the understanding that from here, the Friends of the Ottumwa Park will begin fundraising efforts for amenities such as bathrooms and concession stands.

Also at the meeting, the Ottumwa Police Department requested the purchase of two K-9s, supported by donations raised by the department which currently total $38,000, as well as additional police emergency vehicle equipment. The purchases were approved unanimously.

The Ottumwa City Council will hold their next regular meeting on February 7.