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Keokuk delegation returns hopeful from D.C.
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
Representatives from Keokuk and the Great River Region recently participated in a whirlwind lobbying trip to Washington, D.C., to promote area projects.
Keokuk Mayor David Gudgel's list was topped by a request for federal funds and more time for the city to comply with a $60 million-plus storm water and sewer separation project mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
During heavy downpours, excess rain water rushes into the sewers and overflows into rivers, notably the Mississippi and Des Moines.
“There are eight cities in Iowa that have that mandate: Keokuk, Spencer, Des Moines, Ottumwa, Fort Madison, Burlington, Wappello and Clinton,” Gudgel said.
Keokuk originally had a 15-year deadline for the storm water separation project, but so far has been able to get it extended by two years. Gudgel is pushing for a 30-year deadline.
“What this really means is if towns are forced to comply in the time given, it will have direct and catastrophic effect on those cities because the projects will be paid for by citizens,” he said. “It will have a major economic impact on economic development.”
The city had been planning to focus its efforts on infrastructure improvement and economic development incentives before the EPA crack down.
“However, that ability will take a major hit,” Gudgel said. “This financial obligation will be close to having the largest impact on the city it has ever faced and it comes at a very bad time.”
An attempt is being made to form a consortium with the other seven cities and meet with Sens. Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin and Rep. David Loebsack and other congressional elected officials, Gudgel said.
Another project important to Keokuk is the rehabilitation of Missouri Avenue in residential area south of Main Street.
“We will need $1.6 million to finish,” Gudgel said. “We received some money last fall, but it was partial. We will start construction there this fall.”
Shipley Construction, Burlington, has the reconstruction bid.
Funding for reconstruction of Grand Avenue, north of Main, was part of the roadwork list Gudgel carried to Washington, D.C.
“In the summer, thousands of people drive Grand Avenue and it's a reflection of our town,” he said. “Grand Avenue is in terrible shape, although it's not in as bad shape as many streets in the city.”
Keokuk's delegation also advocated for Keokuk Area Hospital, asking for legislation to include the hospital as part of the Critical Access System. The expansion of the program and inclusion of the hospital could mean $2 million to Keokuk.
“Every year when I come back, I'm always hopeful,” Gudgel said. “Almost every year we've received something.”
Keokuk Municipal Airport manager Greg Gobble was part of the Washington delegation. He lobbied with other delegates for reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Program without any reductions in funding.
“We presented our cases and got favorable responses to our position,” Gobble said. “There are procedural things going on at the Senate so we don't know when it's coming through. It's still being held up in Congress, but temporary funding measures are in place so projects can keep going.”
Gobble said the wildlife and security perimeter fencing at the airport is being completed and a taxi lane is being poured, a project that was the topic of his trip to Washington, D.C., last year.
“That project is already funded,” he said.
Gobble is looking for federal funding to help remove obstacles from Runway 1432, which are resulting in less of the runway being usable.
“Overall it was a good meeting,” he said. “Those trips are all worthwhile. It takes a lot of effort to get there and it's not the cheapest to get there and stay there.
“But over the years the amount we've been able to put back into the economy has been well worth it.”
Katie O'Brien, executive director of the Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce, said the delegation got positive feedback on the road projects and airport requests.
She attributes part of the success to the group's regional approach. The impact of a large group of people is greater and the projects are bigger in scope.
“We've had some fantastic results in the past, Main Street improvement funding, the airport and millions of dollars invested in our Lock 19,” she said.
Keokuk Mayor David Gudgel's list was topped by a request for federal funds and more time for the city to comply with a $60 million-plus storm water and sewer separation project mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
During heavy downpours, excess rain water rushes into the sewers and overflows into rivers, notably the Mississippi and Des Moines.
“There are eight cities in Iowa that have that mandate: Keokuk, Spencer, Des Moines, Ottumwa, Fort Madison, Burlington, Wappello and Clinton,” Gudgel said.
Keokuk originally had a 15-year deadline for the storm water separation project, but so far has been able to get it extended by two years. Gudgel is pushing for a 30-year deadline.
“What this really means is if towns are forced to comply in the time given, it will have direct and catastrophic effect on those cities because the projects will be paid for by citizens,” he said. “It will have a major economic impact on economic development.”
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“However, that ability will take a major hit,” Gudgel said. “This financial obligation will be close to having the largest impact on the city it has ever faced and it comes at a very bad time.”
An attempt is being made to form a consortium with the other seven cities and meet with Sens. Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin and Rep. David Loebsack and other congressional elected officials, Gudgel said.
Another project important to Keokuk is the rehabilitation of Missouri Avenue in residential area south of Main Street.
“We will need $1.6 million to finish,” Gudgel said. “We received some money last fall, but it was partial. We will start construction there this fall.”
Shipley Construction, Burlington, has the reconstruction bid.
Funding for reconstruction of Grand Avenue, north of Main, was part of the roadwork list Gudgel carried to Washington, D.C.
“In the summer, thousands of people drive Grand Avenue and it's a reflection of our town,” he said. “Grand Avenue is in terrible shape, although it's not in as bad shape as many streets in the city.”
Keokuk's delegation also advocated for Keokuk Area Hospital, asking for legislation to include the hospital as part of the Critical Access System. The expansion of the program and inclusion of the hospital could mean $2 million to Keokuk.
“Every year when I come back, I'm always hopeful,” Gudgel said. “Almost every year we've received something.”
Keokuk Municipal Airport manager Greg Gobble was part of the Washington delegation. He lobbied with other delegates for reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Program without any reductions in funding.
“We presented our cases and got favorable responses to our position,” Gobble said. “There are procedural things going on at the Senate so we don't know when it's coming through. It's still being held up in Congress, but temporary funding measures are in place so projects can keep going.”
Gobble said the wildlife and security perimeter fencing at the airport is being completed and a taxi lane is being poured, a project that was the topic of his trip to Washington, D.C., last year.
“That project is already funded,” he said.
Gobble is looking for federal funding to help remove obstacles from Runway 1432, which are resulting in less of the runway being usable.
“Overall it was a good meeting,” he said. “Those trips are all worthwhile. It takes a lot of effort to get there and it's not the cheapest to get there and stay there.
“But over the years the amount we've been able to put back into the economy has been well worth it.”
Katie O'Brien, executive director of the Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce, said the delegation got positive feedback on the road projects and airport requests.
She attributes part of the success to the group's regional approach. The impact of a large group of people is greater and the projects are bigger in scope.
“We've had some fantastic results in the past, Main Street improvement funding, the airport and millions of dollars invested in our Lock 19,” she said.
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