Sigourney Updates Ordinances for Dog Bites and Dog Droppings

SIGOURNEY – During the Feb. 6 meeting of the Sigourney City Council, the council held the first reading for new Animal Control ordinances. Councilman Adam Clark explained the new ordinances allow the city code enforcer to issue fines for civil violations, like leaving dog waste on sidewalks and at the park, without going to court. These updated ordinances come after the city received numerous complaints about problems with dog feces throughout town. Mayor Jimmy Morlan noted that Code Enforcer Doug Glandon had identified the couple who had been leaving dog waste by the fountain and spoke to them, giving them a choice between paying a fine or cleaning the fountain. He stated that the couple chose the latter and filled up two grocery bags full of feces. Morlan brought up the idea of using the cameras at the town square park to find the source of the feces near Memorial Hall.

Clark also explained changes to vicious animal ordinances, which now state that, if a dog or cat bites someone and causes injury as a first-time offense, the owner must either pay a $150 fine or get rid of the animal. If the bite results in serious injury, the owner must pay a $250 fine and remove the animal. This changes previous ordinances, where pet bites were decided on a case-by-case basis by the city council. Councilman Randy Schultz asked if the city could be liable for having more lenient standards. Clark stated he did not believe these standards were more lenient than leaving it up to the counsel, and that all they did was clearly identify consequences.

Also at the Thursday meeting, Morlan informed the council of his conversations with the Keokuk County Board of Supervisors about renewing the city’s contract with the county’s recycling center. Currently, the city pays $1,900 a month to allow Sigourney residents to use the recycling center. Morlan stated that he had been told that only around 100 Sigourney households use the center. Morlan explained the supervisors told him that, if the contract is not renewed, Sigourney residents will not be allowed to use the center at all, even if they purchase Cox Recycling bags. He explained that other cities in the county are also not allowed to use the center and instead provide dumpsters for recycling. Clar stated he didn’t think the supervisors dictated who was able to use the center and that he believed it was up to Cox Recycling, who manages the center. Morlan stated he would talk with Cox. He stated he had been told that, if Sigourney didn’t renew its contract, the recycling center would likely close. Councilman Ed Conrad noted that the city is required to provide a 30-day notice on ending the recycling program, meaning this issue would need to be resolved by the end of May, due to the current contract ending at the end of June.

Councilman Gary Iosbaker gave information on the Jan. 30 visit from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, who evaluated buildings in town to see which would be eligible for improvements as part of a Community Development Block Grant, similar to the improvements the south side of the square received during the Façade Project. He explained that the city must improve at least eight buildings to be eligible for the maximum $650,000 grant and that twelve structures around the square potentially qualify. Buildings eligible must feature “blight,” which is defined as buildings that are damaged, decaying, structurally unsound, or a health, safety or environmental concern. It does not include buildings that are simply old, ugly or outdated. He noted that the first Façade Project was done as a Request for Proposal Project, meaning they were required to take the lowest bid, and that the new Façade Project could be done as a Request for Quotation Project, which would allow them to consider different factors and avoid the pitfalls of the last project. Iosbaker also discussed adding wayfinding signs around town, something recommended by the IEDA, and showed different potential styles.

The council discussed whether to repair or get rid of a city work truck that was damaged in a car crash. City Clerk Ashley Fry stated that an appraiser email stated that the truck could be sold for $3,075 and that insurance will pay out $2,925 for repairs. She stated that the repairs to the city truck will cost around $2,600 and that repairs to the other car involved in the accident will cost $4,500-$5,000. Clark brought up the idea of paying for the repairs to both cars out of pocket, to avoid impacting the city’s insurance rates, noting that Horak Insurance had recommended the city pay smaller repairs out of pocket to keep the insurance rate low. Councilwoman Connie McLaughlin stated the city should file an insurance claim, because she was unsure of where the $8,000 for repairs would come from. Morlan stated that insurance companies usually don’t come down hard for the first insurance claim, usually increasing rates after the second or third. Public Works employee Brent Gilliland stated there hadn’t been any claims in a few years. The council ultimately approved filing a claim and repairing the truck.

The council approved sending out letters with water bills asking for donations or sponsorships for the city 4th of July festivities. The council approved the 2025 pool staff, which featured one manager, three assistant managers, and nine other lifeguards. The council approved the 2025 pool rates, which will stay the same as they were in 2024. McLaughlin noted that there will not be Mommy and Me swim classes this year due to a lack of an instructor.