Lee County, IA –
Keokuk, IA
The Keokuk City Council is ready to sell some land to Keokuk Downtown Properties.
KDP wants to build garages on the property as part of the redevelopment of the former Eagles Building along Blondeau Street.
Mayor Tom Marion says the land, which is currently being used as parking for city employees, would have to be sold at fair market value.
The council reached an informal consensus to sell during its recent meeting based on the recommendations of its finance committee.
Keokuk, IA
Keokuk could start cracking down on loud noise, especially from outdoor concerts and vehicles.
The city's current noise ordinance restricts playing loud music from 2:00 A.M.-6:00 A.M. (Monday-Saturday) with tighter restrictions on Sundays.
A proposed noise ordinance from the code revision committee would require outdoor music or entertainment to stop at midnight.
It would also prohibit the use of vehicles that can be heard from 300' away and considers it disturbing the peace if someone cries or shouts loudly in public.
Lee County, IA
The Lee County Board of Supervisors is looking for public input on meeting locations. The panel has been meeting at the Lee County Correction Center along Highway 61.
Chairman Ernie Schiller says the jail is more secure and more centrally-located.
Supervisor Gary Folluo says he has been receiving phone calls from residents who want the meetings to return to Keokuk and Fort Madison.
Folluo wants residents to let the board know where they feel the meetings should be held.
Attendance at board meetings tends to be sparse, no matter the location, with crowds generally consisting of county employees and news reporters.
Keokuk, IA
The Keokuk City Council has signed off on the terms of a new 3-year contract with union workers from multiple departments.
Wages will be frozen for the General Unit for the upcoming fiscal year. They will be renegotiated during years 2 and 3.
The rest of the language from the current contract will stay the same in the new deal.
6th Ward Alderwoman Karole Smith objected, saying the language needs to be changed to give the city flexibility for cross-training or for budget-cutting measures.