Keota Council Discusses Selling Lots

KEOTA – During the Oct. 7 meeting of the Keota City Council, the council discussed selling two lots owned by the city so they may be used for housing development. City Administrator Alycia Horras explained that she had been approached by a resident asking if the city had any empty lots for sale, who claimed they would build on the lot within two years. Horras brought up two lots the city owns across from the school, which sit next to two lots owned by the school. Councilman Heath McDonald explained that the lots had been purchased years ago, when the city was thinking about building a daycare with help of the school, but that nothing had come of it and that the lots had sat empty. He suggested selling the lots.

Councilman Curt Burroughs suggested reaching out to the school board first, to make sure they aren’t planning to do anything with the school’s lots, and having a contingency as part of the sale requiring a house be built on the lot within a year. Councilman Mike Bender recommended figuring out a minimum price for the lots. He noted that, if the city works with a realtor, they may try to raise the price to increase their share of the money, as opposed to the city’s desire to sell the lots to get tax revenue. The council agreed to table the discussion until the next meeting, where they will discuss a price in closed session.

The council approved spending $15,000-$18,000 to hire Garden & Associates to do survey and engineering work at the small park so it may be developed in the future.

The council approved sending in submissions for three grants: an Alliant Energy One Million Trees Grant to be used to plant trees at Wilson park, to provide shade and create a break between the park and housing; an Alliant Energy Giving for Good Grant to be used to add fencing, gravel parking and possibly a fountain at the planned dog park; and an IA Foundation for Parks and Rec. Mini Grant to be used to purchase a bolt bin and tools for the city shop.

Horras read an email she had received, thanking the city for putting stop signs on East McKinley; the letter stated the stop signs had made cars go slower and things be safer.

A concerned citizen stated there was a dumpster parked in the street on North Ellis, near the school, which was causing traffic problems now that the street is two-way. Mayor Tony Cansler instructed Horras to talk to the owner about moving it.