By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
KEOTA – During the Sept. 15 meeting of the Keota City Council, Public Works Director Micah Harmsen stated that there was an issue with trees hanging down too low over streets. He explained that Keota Fire Chief Ryan Sieren had told him he was worried about firetrucks not being able to get down side streets because of the trees. Harmsen stated that city ordinances require residents trim trees to have at least eight feet of ground clearance over sidewalks and at least fifteen feet of ground clearance over public streets. He noted that this problem was especially bad on Carpenter and Hamilton. Councilman Heath McDonald stated that it was already hard to get people to mow their rightaways and would be difficult to get them to trim trees. Mayor Tony Cansler instructed Harmsen to measure low hanging trees and send out letters.
Also at the Monday meeting, the council looked over sealed bids to demolish a dilapidated property at 108 West Keokuk Street. The project includes demolishing the house, filling in its basement, and potentially demolishing the garage on the property, if the city doesn’t find someone willing to purchase it. The council accepted a bid from James Waterhouse Construction of $8,200 for the house and $1,700 for the garage. This bid was significantly lower than the two other bids; one bid was $41,000 for the house and $9,500 for the garage, while the other was $25,000 for the house and $7,500 for the garage. Councilman Mike Bender stated the Waterhouse bid was a “no-brainer” and that they had been good to the city in the past. Councilman Keith Conrad agreed that they had done good work.
Councilman Matt Greiner asked if the council wanted to sell the garage. Harmsen stated that it was in good shape structurally, but was tall and would be awkward to move. He stated that he wouldn’t want to move the garage, but that he thought it was a good idea to put it open for bid. The council approved putting the garage up for bid. Bender noted that it would be costly for a purchaser to move the garage and that they would have to work with Alliant to get it past low-hanging electrical wires. Harmsen stated that he would prefer for the house to be demolished by May, so he can plant grass. A representative from James Waterhouse Construction stated they will start as soon as water and gas is cut to the house.
Josh Schreiber from Ion reported that the water plant had spent $500 to replace a phosphate injection pump. He noted that flow levels were normalizing in town. The council approved setting Halloween for Thursday, Oct. 30, to coincide with parties at the school. City Clerk Hunter Bruns stated she had received a phone offer to clean city hall windows for $300; Greiner stated he was fine with this, but that they would need a written quote to approve, and the council tabled the subject. The council approved setting Christmas in Keota for Saturday, Dec. 6.
