By Casey Jarmes
The News-Review
KEOTA – During the Feb. 18 meeting of the Keota City Council, City Administrator Alycia Horras stated that the city had been awarded a $4,420 Aliant Energy Trees Forever grant, which the city plans to use to plant trees in the alleyway at Wilson park, to create separation with the planned RV park. Horras stated they also might plant trees at the small park to cover a potential dog park, if there are leftover funds. The council also approved applying for an AARP Flagship grant to add a pickleball court to the park.
The council approved creating a Main Street Committee, featuring a council liaison, to make Keota more business-friendly. The council approved allowing the BBQ cookoff and pie contest to use City Hall again during Keota Fun Days. Horras mentioned that 4-H group the Limecreek Livewire had requested to have a food stand at Fun Days; Horras requested they do it on Saturday to not take space from Keota businesses on Friday. The council approved allowing the 4-H group.
Josh Schreier from the water plant explained that the DNR was clamping down on standards for bacteria sampling in city water. Currently, city employees take two water samples once a month, from a few different public places in town. The DNR sent a letter instructing the city to follow a specific month-to-month schedule of where to take samples from, which could result in the city asking to take samples from residential homes.
