By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
KEOTA – During the May 6 meeting of the Keota City Council, City Administrator Alycia Horras publicly announced her resignation. Horras plans to take an HR Payroll job at L.L. Pelling in North Liberty, which will allow her to move closer to her family. Horras’s last day will be May 16.
“I appreciate the opportunity and the comradery for the last two years, and I wish Keota all the best as they continue with their mission,” said Horras.
The council approved posting ads for the now open city clerk position. The council also gave assistant clerk Kristen Clarke authority to sign checks. Mayor Tony Cansler stated that he hated to see Horras go and that she had done a heck of a job, bringing in a lot of money through grants and changing how the city is run. He stated that they were struggling when Horras was first hired two years ago and that she had made the city stronger.
“I’ve loved the position itself and what I did here. I’m proud of the work we’ve done in the past two years,” said Horras.
Also at the Monday meeting, Cansler discussed another dog attack which occurred one day before the meeting, where a pit bull seriously injured another dog. Cansler issued fines for Ownership of a Banned Breed and Dog Displaying Vicious Behavior, both first offenses, totalling $1,500 in fines. Cansler also ordered that the dog be surrendered to authorities so it may be euthanized. He stated that they have to be consistent and will handle the next dog attack in the same way.
“The last two incidents, another dog was attacked. At some point, it’s going to be a child. It’s going to be a person, and we can’t have that,” said Cansler.
During public comment, one woman stated she was sick of her neighbor not managing their yard, which has overgrown grass and is full of dandelions. She stated that the long grass is full of snakes, which petrify her. Councilman Heath McDonald stated that he had sent a letter to the property owner, giving them until the then upcoming Friday to mow their lawn, or else the city would mow it for them and bill $200. He stated that, by law, the city has to wait a certain amount of days before going in and mowing.
Public Works Director Micah Harmsen stated that a few citizens had asked him why their roads weren’t getting done and stated that the order roads are repaired is dependent on how much traffic roads receive and how many houses are on each street. He stated he would like to do more, but that the budget doesn’t allow as much road work as it used to, due to rising costs, and that the high traffic roads need to be repaired first.
The council approved a 50% reduction in water and sewer charges for the first year for the Keota Family Practice, a new medical clinic set to open this month.
