Knoxville City Council authorizes application for Central Iowa housing trust grant with Habitat for Humanity

The Knoxville City Council unanimously voted on Jan. 19 to authorize the city to apply for a Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund Grant in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Marion County for 2026. Council Member Bridget Mohler moved the authorization, and Council Member Chris Nichols seconded; the motion passed with all ayes.

The action was taken during the Council’s regular meeting at the Knoxville Municipal Building. Mohler’s motion was recorded by the clerk as “authorize the application for a Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund Grant in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Marion County for 2026.”

The Council also approved routine consent agenda items, including minutes, commission meeting minutes, department reports, appointments and financial reports. Dawn Rankin moved to approve the consent agenda; Dan Losada seconded, and the Council voted unanimously. Later in the meeting, Council Member John Gotta moved, seconded by Rankin, to approve payment of claims; that motion also passed with all ayes.

City Manager Heather Ussery informed the Council that a bid opening for final packages on the Knoxville Public Safety Building Project is scheduled for 2 p.m. the following day. Economic Development Director Christopher Watkins reported that Origin Homes has purchased five additional lots in the VA District, with basements dug on three and two lots now presold, and said staff are working to bring two to three additional development projects forward within the city limits.

The Council set a public hearing for Feb. 2, 2026, at 6:15 p.m. to award the contract, bonds, and certificate of insurance for the 2026 Street Improvements Project. No funding amounts or detailed grant terms were discussed on the record at this meeting.