The Oskaloosa City Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night, and before the meeting a brief study session was held.

The study session included review and discussion regarding decreasing the span of sidewalks to be built in the near future with a Sidewalk Improvement project. The new plan is to leave off part of the project north of Orchard Street and on North 3rd street across from the high school.

Later in the regular meeting the decision was passed for the budget intended with the bid.

In the regular meeting, more topics were discussed. One being the change of The Oskaloosa Municipal code chapter 12.40 which narrowed the type of tree and where they are allowed to be planted in Oskaloosa.

The code also declares that Emerald Ash trees are to be taken down due to concerns of the Emerald Ash Borer beetle, and replaced with an acceptable species of tree, along with an agreement which states if any trees are to be taken down due to construction the equivalent amount of trees are to be replanted, such as the ones on 3rd Avenue East, where they hope to plant 50 more.

The “Oskaloosa Trees Forever” Association received a certificate of recognition for all of the hours put into tree inventory and the work they have done to hand trees out to Elementary kids along with planting trees on public property.

In other business the council:

– Set a public hearing for December 7th at 6:00pm for the proposed sale of the vacant lot owned by the city located at 204 North C Street

– Set another public hearing for December 21st to consider levying a special assessment against private property for weed cutting by the city

The next scheduled meeting of the Oskaloosa City Council is set for Monday, December 7th at 6 PM in the Council Chambers in City Hall.

Story provided by Kaylee Daniels