Sigourney Buys New Street Sweeper

SIGOURNEY – During the Aug. 21 meeting of the Sigourney City Council, the council approved purchasing a new street sweeper. Public Works Director Don Northup explained that the current street sweeper was built in 2013 and was bought used in 2017. He explained that the city’s street sweeper was currently broken down and in the past month had needed $8,000 in repairs, due to constant problems with hydraulic and antifreeze hoses. He stated that it would be preferable to get rid of street sweepers after seven years, but that the city is at the mercy of road use funds and other cities having old street sweepers available for purchase. The new street sweeper will cost $155,000, $30,000 of which will be covered by trading in the old one.

The council approved sending a letter of support to KCED to help the organization receive an IEDA BOOST Grant for strategic planning for projects like a community recreation center. Councilman Gary Iosbaker explained that the $10,000 grant will be 2-1 matching, meaning KCED will need to put forward $5,000 for the project. He stated that KCED, Keokuk County Hospitals and Clinics, and County Bank had all agreed to provide $1,000 each and that KCED was looking at the city of Sigourney and MidwestOne Bank for the remaining money. Iosbaker noted that, while the grant was initially intended to be used to plan a community recreation center, it may also be used to plan improvements at memorial hall and on the square. The council tabled discussions of starting a city Strategic Planning Committee until after finding out if the KCED receives the grant. Iosbaker also explained that KCED currently plans to try and open a new daycare at a more limited capacity than originally intended this fall, as opposed to waiting until next summer to open it with proper government registration. He stated that there is a strong need for a daycare now.

The council discussed what to do about a property located at 614 East Washington Street. This property partially burned down in May of 2023 and has been deemed unlivable, but no action has been taken to tear it down or repair the damage. The city has received multiple complaints about the building. Code Enforcer Doug Glandon explained that he had sent two letters to the property’s owner, but received no response. The council approved sending a letter giving the owner 48 hours to take steps to repair or tear down the dangerous and dilapidated building; otherwise, the city will demolish the building, at the cost of the owner. The owner will have a chance to appeal this decision.

The council approved selling around a half of an acre of land next to the city’s gravel storage building for $9,000 to Gary and Loree Bain, who own property next to the patch of land. The patch of land is hilly and has not been used by the city in the past.