Keokuk, IA –
Alcohol
The Keokuk City Council has spent the last six months debating whether a special event where alcohol is served should be allowed on public property.
The focus has been on Rand Park and Kilbourne Park because they are considered family-friendly and are in residential neighborhoods.
The city council approved the first reading of a measure, last week, that would allow special events in any public location as long as they receive city council approval.
Mayor Tom Marion favors that approach.
"Rather than specifically exempt some," says Marion, "you would have to come in and say you want to do this in a specific park and make a decision."
At-Large Alderman Dan Winn was not at last week's meeting.
He supports a plan where certain locations (Victory Park/Mr. Lucky's/Observation Deck) are pre-approved for such events.
"So these people can move on and plan their event," says Winn, "and they know from year to year that this area is an alcohol-approved area.
The Keokuk City Council could finalize the alcohol ordinance on Thursday, December 15.
Sewer Project
Iowa law now requires a home be connected to a sewer system or have a quality septic system before it can be sold.
There are believed to be dozens of homes in Keokuk that do not meet those standards.
The city has received requests from residents to run sewer lines to their properties.
The city council agreed in November 2010 to extend a sewer line, at the city's expense, to five homes along Fairway Drive.
The panel rescinded that resolution, last week, because of the cost and a lack of funding.
At-Large Alderman Dan Winn says the city should share the costs of extending the sewer lines with the homeowners.
"Meet those people halfway," says Winn, "or have those people pay a portion of it so the city does not have to cover the entire cost."
Mayor Tom Marion says the city should not spend money to extend sewer lines to residences on private roads or subdivisions.
"There are a lot of issues," says Marion, "I don't think we need to be taking money for a few when we need it for the entire town."
Several city council members said they want to develop a long-range plan for sewer line extensions.
Downtown
The three-story building at 528 Main Street collapsed on its own several years ago while crews are wrapping up the demolition of the two-story structure at 1028 Main Street
There are several more dilapidated buildings where demolition may be the only option.
That could cost the city tens of thousands of dollars if the owners are uninsured.
Mayor Tom Marion says that is why he would push for the development of an asbestos inspection program.
"If we can inspect and have the currently standing asbestos removed, it will cost a lot less than insuring the building," says Marion, "if there is a problem in the future, we have already taken care of that one big issue."
At-Large Alderman Dan Winn says he would support the creation of a fund that would be available to address dilapidated downtown buildings.
"To update them and get them where they are at least stable," says Winn, "so we can have some potential buyers or owners who can rent them out or sale them."