The Iowa DOT is holding an information meeting for a proposed project on Highway 149 going from the Des Moines River to West Woodland Avenue.
The 2025 Citizens Police Academy applications are now available. Be sure to have them turned in by January 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
A lane of Highway 149 will be closed beginning Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
A portion of Arrison Street will be closed until mid-December for railroad work.
Firefighters responded to a fire at 730 South Moore Street on the evening of November 20, 2024.
Starting Monday October 28th, TK Concrete will have a crew working on the 2024 Street Patch Program.
Starting Monday, October 28th, TK Concrete will begin work on the Wapello Street Extension Trail.
The Ottumwa Public Library is excited to announce the availability of outdoor games to be checked out by library patrons.
As spring weather is approaching the Ottumwa Fire Department wants to remind all City of Ottumwa residents that the burning of yard waste such as leaves which are defined as leaves and twigs smaller than one inch in diameter and two feet in length shall be permitted on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., April 1 through April 30 and November 1 through November 30.
The Ottumwa/Wapello County Solid Waste Commission is cracking down on litter along roadways around the Landfill.
Inflated tire disposal costs have driven the Ottumwa/Wapello County Recycling Center to raise the fee for disposing of tires.
Ottumwa Trash and Recycling Customers are reminded that their weekly curbside collection allows for a maximum of one appliance or bulky item (like furniture) per week.
The Ottumwa Fire Department recently received grant funding from the local fire protection and emergency medical service providers grant program, which is established by the State Fire Marshal.
This past year new code adoptions were put in place in regards to outdoor burning. With the temperatures dropping and fall clean-up coming up, the Ottumwa Fire Department wants to remind residents of the following:
The Ottumwa Public Library Friends, Inc. is happy to announce grant funding to further their microfilm digitization project. This is the third funding gift in this digitization project of the library’s local history collection.
The City of Ottumwa Parks Department recently constructed new pickleball courts at Memorial and Bell Parks which are completed and open to the public.
On June 13, 2022, Governor Reynolds signed House File 2130 into law. HF 2130 pertains to the regulation and operation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off-road utility vehicles (UTVs).
Motorists are advised that beginning Thursday, August 11, 2022 Main St. will be closed from Iowa Ave. to Walnut.
The City of Ottumwa will now provide $10,000 to homebuilders or homeowners who complete a new single-family home.
On Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at approximately 4:24 p.m., Officers responded to the area of East Main and Brick Row on a report that a male was bleeding from his head and neck.
The Ottumwa Public Library is pleased to announce that starting this week they will be offering staff assistance in the Genealogy Room at the library.
The City of Ottumwa has compiled feedback on its most recent interest poll on pit-bull and breed specific restrictions.
The City of Ottumwa has been awarded a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) for the upper-story apartment project at 307 East Main Street.
On Thursday, April 28, 2022, at approximately 8:06 p.m., the Ottumwa Police Department received a report of a suspicious male who was attempting to lure a child into his car.
The Ottumwa Public Library is excited to announce that patrons can now use their website to search archived editions of local newspapers. This is the first phase in a digitization project of the library’s local history collection.
On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at approximately 8:11 p.m., the Ottumwa Police Department responded to 424 N. Court, Apartment 3, Ottumwa, on a report that a male had been shot at this address.
Shared electric scooter company Bird Rides has launched its app-based e-scooter program in Ottumwa.
The Ottumwa Police Department would like request the assistance of the public regarding a missing person investigation. On August 28, 2019, Timothy William-Michal Fortney was reported missing to the police department. At the time he was reported missing, Fortney had not been seen for over a year.
The Ottumwa Recycling Center now accepts printer cartridges for drop off only. Anyone looking to discard printer cartridges can drop them off at the Recycling Center during their normal working hours.
The City of Ottumwa currently has two openings on the Planning and Zoning Commission and is taking applications for those interested. Citizens that are interested in serving are encouraged to apply.
Ottumwa Trash and Recycling Customers are reminded that their weekly curbside collection allows for a maximum of one appliance or bulky item (like furniture) per week. Once the item is placed on the curb for collection, you must call Bridge City Sanitation at 682-1700 to schedule a pick-up. Or email residential@bridgecitysanitation.com.
Goals of the selection process include preserving and/or improving the overall condition of city streets, providing the best street condition for the largest number of drivers, reducing maintenance costs, using an objective and repeatable process, and coordinating street improvement in an efficient manner. More details can be found in this presentation.
Internet users interested in local historic preservation will have a new way to engage with the Historic Preservation Commission online. The Commission has expanded its online presence, offering new resources and a guided walking tour. The new webpage, www.cityofottumwa.com/preservation, includes a record of local nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, news about historic preservation in Ottumwa and a virtual guided tour. When the Commission launches its newsletter this summer, the webpage will also house current and past issues.
Improved permitting software will now allow Ottumwa residents and contractors to make payments for permits online. City Hall Departments adopted the new software, iWorQ, in March. In addition to improving recordkeeping and coordination between departments, the software has a number of features available to the public via the Public Portal. Residents and contractors can use the Public Portal to complete permit applications, search active permits, check the status of open code enforcement files and, beginning this week, make permit payments. The Public Portal supports licenses issued by the City Clerk, building and rental permits issued by Building and Code Enforcement and fence and sign permits issued by the Planning Department.
Due to the COVID-19 Virus concerns, the City’s Water Pollution Control Facility has seen an increase in wipes labeled “flushable” being flushed into the City’s sewer mains. The City of Ottumwa wants residents to be aware that wipes that are sold as “flushable” are in fact not flushable for the City’s sewer pipes. Flushing of wipes causes cities to spend thousands of dollars on premature equipment repair and replacement. Wipes snag on any imperfection in sewer pipes, catch passing debris and grease, and create a “ball” that will grow to eventually plug the pipe.
With the weather warming up, it’s important to remember the rules regarding open burning. Below are the regulations for burning which are applicable in the City of Ottumwa. A permit shall be obtained from the fire code official (Fire Marshal) in accordance with section 105.6 prior to kindling a fire for recognized silvicultural, range or wildlife management practices, prevention or control of disease or pests, bonfire, construction clearing, disaster or storm damage removal by city request, other open burning permits allowed by adopted fire code. Application for such approval shall only be presented by and permits issued to the owner of the land upon which the fire is to be kindled, or company hired to conduct such open burning.
Preservation Iowa has designated 9 properties across the state for the 2020 Most Endangered Properties List including the historic Daum House at 513 N Court in Ottumwa.
In a very short amount of time, the blue wheeled Recycling carts that will be available next week have already been spoken for. However, if you need a larger recycling container, you may purchase a cart no bigger than 35-gallons, and mark it so it’s identifiable as recycling.
The Ottumwa Public Library is starting the New Year with an exciting new policy. As of January 6, 2020, the library will no longer charge fines on overdue materials. Current fines on accounts will be waived as the library staff adjusts their procedures.
Residents are reminded that on your day of garbage and recycling pick-up, to have your containers on the curb by 4:00 a.m. and to not place containers on the curb no more than 18 hours before pick-up.
The Ottumwa Police Department has dedicated and professional men and women who strive to deliver the best possible law enforcement service to the citizens of Ottumwa. The Police Department is authorized to have 42 sworn positions. Five of these positions are ancillary and are not fully funded by the city’s general fund. These positions include two investigators assigned to the southeast Iowa Inter-Agency drug Task Force and three officers assigned as School Resource Officers. Currently there are 39 sworn officers working for the department, two officers attending the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and one officer beginning the Patrol Training Program.
Ottumwa is fortunate to have a large extensive park system that meets the recreational interests of almost anyone. The City’s various public properties and 22 parks total approximately 600 acres. Ottumwa Park, Wildwood Park and Memorial Park are the largest within our park system.
Residents are reminded that for curbside collection of appliances, you will need to affix a pink $5 appliance tag to the appliance. The tags are available for purchase at major retailers.
The Ottumwa Fire Department is a 32 member department that handles many type of emergencies including, fire, hazmat, emergency medical services, confined space and many others. All the officers attend the National Fire Academy at least once and most have attended twice. Members have taught hazmat classes to seven of the nine counties that Ottumwa covers for hazmat emergencies.
Residents and business owners are reminded that blowing grass into the street is prohibited. Though a seemingly harmless act, grass clippings eventually make their way into the sewer system. Over time this material can build up and lead to the sewer plugging, causing sewer backups into nearby homes.
The Ottumwa Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of Brainfuse JobNowTM – a versatile online service designed to support every step of the job search process. JobNow features live online coaches who, among other things, assist in resume/cover letter preparation, and help patrons prepare for job interviews.
The Ottumwa Recycling Center opened in June of 1992. Recycling operations have remained relatively unchanged. The communities we serve were the same then as now, with the exception of Eddyville leaving our planning area to join Mahaska Counties planning area. All but the very smallest communities had curbside collection then, and still do. T
Residents are reminded propane and other cylinders used to hold gases, pesticides, and etc. cannot be disposed of in the recycling bin or trash cart.
There are areas within the Ottumwa City Limits where multiple households are served by a private, common sewer line that may extend some distance before connecting with a public sewer. Private sewers are the responsibility of the property owners and are not maintained by the City of Ottumwa. It is not uncommon for property owners to be unaware that they are connected to a private sewer line.
The Ottumwa Municipal Code allows residents to legally keep rabbits and chickens within the city limits of Ottumwa under a permit issued by the Ottumwa Police Department. Persons wishing to keep chickens and rabbits must meet certain requirements in order to receive a permit.
Following recent City Council code updates, parking of motor vehicles and trailers in the front yard portion of any residential lot, except on an improved, hard-surfaced area or driveway, is now prohibited.
