By Sam Parsons

The Oskaloosa City Council held a regular meeting last night and approved an agreement between the city and the Mahaska County YMCA for summer swimming lessons at the Edmundson Pool. The Mahaska County YMCA proposed for a summer swimming lesson program consisting of swim lesson instruction sessions between June 3 and August 14 of this year, to be held at the Edmundson Pool. Last year, the YMCA provided over 400 swim lessons to the youth of Mahaska County through a similar agreement. The agreement was approved unanimously by the council.

The council also approved a resolution in support of an application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority by Oskaloosa Multifamily, LLC, for a multi-residential housing development in the city of Oskaloosa. Hubbell Realty, a developer based in West Des Moines, has an option to purchase a site at the southwest corner of the Gateway Commercial Park and they are seeking to use workforce housing tax credits to build a multifamily residential development project containing approximately 50 townhouse units or a mix of 60 townhouse apartment units. City staff reported that Oskaloosa’s housing study indicated a shortage of approximately 700 rental housing units in the community. The resolution was approved 5-0, with councilmember Bob Drost abstaining from the vote.

A resolution was also approved by the council providing notice of intent to fill their At Large vacancy by appointment. Councilmember Charlie Comfort announced his resignation from the city council, effective May 14. The city announced that applications and resumes considered for appointment are due by May 27th at 4pm.

Additionally, the council held a proclamation signing recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

The next regular meeting for the Oskaloosa City Council will be held on June 2.