Keokuk council approves routine contracts and equipment purchases; rejects removal of building deadline for 604 Grand Avenue

The Keokuk City Council approved its consent agenda and several separate motions during the meeting.

Consent agenda: Council approved minutes, resolutions setting public hearings for the FY2026–27 budget and for street projects (Bel Air Street; South 10th Street mill and overlay), public-hearing date changes and contract documents for demolition and contaminated-soil removal at the former Elcom site (two parcels), liquor-license transfers and a new Class C license, and payment registers 5532 and 5533.

Grit channels (WRRF): Council approved a resolution to contract commercial services to clean two grit channels at the Water Resource Recovery Facility after staff explained grit buildup in a combined sewer system can overload equipment during large rain events; staff selected the lower of two bids.

Boom mower (street department): Council approved payment of $136,526 to Armstrong Tractor for a bonded FY26 tractor with a rear-mounted boom mower to replace an aging 1980s unit that is no longer supported with replacement parts.

Twin Rivers real-estate sale process: The council approved procedures under Iowa Code 403.8 to sell city-owned lots in the Twin Rivers urban renewal area and amended the resolution to accept sealed bids through Wednesday, May 6, to accommodate a holiday window. Council discussed 16 vacant lots and one rehabbable house being returned to market via sealed bids.

604 Grand Avenue deadline: Council considered but rejected a resolution to remove construction-deadline requirements for a single-family dwelling at 604 Grand Avenue. The buyers paid $1,000 on the lot in November 2023 and previously received a one-year extension in May 2025; council members cited expectations that the purchaser would construct a dwelling and declined to remove the deadline (motion failed).

Votes at a glance (as recorded in meeting):
- Consent agenda: motion passed (voice vote: aye recorded).
- WRRF grit channels contract: motion passed (voice vote: aye recorded).
- Boom mower purchase: motion passed (voice vote: aye recorded).
- Twin Rivers sealed-bid extension (to May 6): motion passed (voice vote: aye recorded).
- Remove construction deadline for 604 Grand Avenue: motion failed (nay recorded).

Notes: The transcript records voice votes and recorded 'aye' / 'nay' outcomes but does not include a roll-call tally for each motion in the text. Items will appear on future agendas as required by the council for formal adoption of related contracts or further extensions.