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2008 a mixed bag for Keokuk
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
Last year was a mixed bag of blessings and curses for Keokuk, with a damaging flood, infrastructure rebuilding, successful fundraising efforts and the loss of a friend testing the city's mettle.
Volunteers, city workers and various business employees successfully held off the rampaging Mississippi River in June and early July, protecting the city's wastewater plant, water plant and Roquette America Inc., a large corn processing industry on the riverfront.
However, the George M. Verity Riverboat Museum, Southside Boat Club and additional riverside property owned by the city sustained serious flood damage.
“The flood was something we did not budget for,” said Keokuk Mayor David Gudgel.
Now the city is attempting to get federal dollars for repairs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“We will be appealing funding shortfalls with officials in Des Moines,” Gudgel said. “If we are unsuccessful, we will have financial concerns that we'll have to solve.
“But on a bright note is the affirmation that Keokuk is blessed with hundreds of volunteers who are willing to step up and make a positive effort.”
An ambitious city street project is well on its way, improving thoroughfares and byways alike.
The city rebuilt 16th Street from Main to Morgan at Keokuk Area Hospital in 2008, as well as North 15th from Fulton to Orleans. Concert Street from 10th to 16th has been rebuilt and ongoing work on Missouri Avenue will be finished in 2009.
“Also we have completed all the new sidewalks and period lighting from Fourth to Main, which was quite monumental,” Gudgel said. “What that signifies is we have had major renovation of Main from 35th Street to the bridge (Keokuk-Hamilton Bridge), almost 2 1/2 miles of renovation.”
That stretch of Main Street has new pavement and sidewalks have been replaced on Main from 14th Street to the bridge.
New concrete is appearing in other parts of the city. Construction of a new municipal aquatic center started in 2008. The pool will open in the spring.
“Of course, one of the highlights of 2008 in terms of recreation is construction of the new Rand Park Pavilion,” Gudgel said. “It is great for the city and this is being funded 100 percent with private donations.”
The city was involved in the pavilion project only by granting permission to build the structure and approval of the design. No city funds are involved.
“What it symbolizes is support by Keokuk and expatriate Keokuk citizens,” Gudgel said. “This is a project that is long overdue. In a matter of 10 months we've been able to raise sufficient funds to get the project under way.
“The other great thing about this is it's being built by Keokuk contractors - plumbing, electrical, suppliers and the construction - and all those working on the project are doing so on greatly reduced prices. It's a testament to the makeup of this town.
“We've been told it will be one of the most beautiful and useful park pavilions in the nation.”
In 2009 Gudgel plans to have two “great” celebrations for the opening of the new swimming pool and the pavilion ribbon cutting.
Those dreams are coming true for Keokuk, but the dreams of opening a new wind turbine tower plant and major river port is dimming.
“With the tragic death of Ken Hendricks on Dec. 21, 2007, 2008 was a disappointing year in terms of what we hoped would be in place,” Gudgel said. “The inactivity of those projects is understandable. He (Ken Hendricks of Beloit, Wis.) was a major force and without him, Hendricks Holdings has had to step back and reevaluate, also taking into consideration the economy.”
The financial base of Hendricks Holdings is ABC Supply, a nationwide roofing supply business that Gudgel believes is probably feeling the impact of a housing slowdown.
“I have accepted the situation but in 2009 it is my hope that regardless of any major initiatives on their part, Keokuk and Lee County will continue to attempt to entice investment. My optimism for 2009 is fairly high,” he said.
Some of Gudgel's optimism comes from anticipated results of a riverscape master plan initiative funded by the city council and carried out by the Riverfront Improvement Committee.
“The hope is we'll be able to take this plan and select parts of the plan with the ultimate goal to make the riverfront much more user-friendly and to beautify it for citizens and people traveling to the city,” Gudgel said. “We also have reason to believe that upon receiving the riverscape master plan, the city would move forward on certain facets of the plan in early 2009.”
Work and planning also continue for Keokuk's downtown business district.
A Main Street Streetscape Committee is using city funds and grants to take the main thoroughfare one more step with a beautification plan for trees, flowers and shrubbery.
Also, an Architectural Design and Review Commission is in the process of being put into place by city council ordinance. The commission will have guidelines for design and construction of new buildings on Main and/or renovation of building facades.
The blessings side of the ledger has two new Keokuk employees close to the top.
The city hired John Russell as finance director. Russell served as the city's accountant for almost 20 years. Gudgel describes Russell as a “valuable asset.”
In addition, Gerald Moughler was hired as public works director.
“He is not only extremely accomplished as an engineer, but has been involved with many city projects and came on board with great knowledge of infrastructure and what we need now,” Gudgel said. “The city has in place two unique professionals that have the city's best in mind.”
Gudgel also noted:
Volunteer projects, such as new tree planting initiatives in city parks, planting and maintaining flowers at the city entrances and citizen turnout for boards, committees and commissions.
A new rocket slide has been purchased for Kilbourne Park and will be installed in the spring.
The city council funded work at Birge Fountain in the Rand Park flower beds.
Major concrete and stonework renovation was completed on the cook shack in Rand Park.
A Web page is being created for the city that will have links to other entities and eventually may be used by residents to pay bills.
A federally-mandated storm sewer separation project in Keokuk is being prepared for presentation to Iowa's congressional delegation for funding requests. Keokuk and the city of Ottumwa have hired John Hall and Associates, environmental attorneys, to fight the Environmental Protection Agency mandate. The aim is to have the requirements reduced and the completion date extended past 17 years.
The city bought two new garbage trucks and 95-gallon receptacles.
Keokuk had two successful citywide cleanups last year.
Gudgel is looking forward to the new year and has a list of to-do projects on the front burner.
“I think there is a good possibility the city council will want to investigate the need for a new city administrator,” he said. “At the least, I'm hoping we will budget for that in our upcoming budget hearings.
“City government has become so complicated over the years that Keokuk deserves a true professional versed in city administration to take care of the needs.”
Keokuk hired a city administrator in 2007, but he left town shortly after the budget process in 2008.
Gudgel said street construction plans for this year also include starting and completing work on Belknap Boulevard and South Second Street.
The city has been working with the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission on an environmental study on the property formerly known as Elkem.
“When the study is complete we'll hopefully assist in the transition of that property to a value-added industry in our industrial park,” Gudgel said.
Also, this year the city will put the old Coastal gas station property on the market and continue an inventory of property around town that needs to be remediated.
“The city council wishes all industrial partners success in 2009, knowing it's likely to be a tough year,” Gudgel said. “The city will meet on Jan. 10 to put together a budget certifiable by March. It's one of those years when we don't know what kind of dollar figures we're going to be facing. This probably will be a year for amending the budget.
“I am optimistic for 2009. We've put together a pretty good team.”
Volunteers, city workers and various business employees successfully held off the rampaging Mississippi River in June and early July, protecting the city's wastewater plant, water plant and Roquette America Inc., a large corn processing industry on the riverfront.
However, the George M. Verity Riverboat Museum, Southside Boat Club and additional riverside property owned by the city sustained serious flood damage.
“The flood was something we did not budget for,” said Keokuk Mayor David Gudgel.
Now the city is attempting to get federal dollars for repairs from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“We will be appealing funding shortfalls with officials in Des Moines,” Gudgel said. “If we are unsuccessful, we will have financial concerns that we'll have to solve.
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An ambitious city street project is well on its way, improving thoroughfares and byways alike.
The city rebuilt 16th Street from Main to Morgan at Keokuk Area Hospital in 2008, as well as North 15th from Fulton to Orleans. Concert Street from 10th to 16th has been rebuilt and ongoing work on Missouri Avenue will be finished in 2009.
“Also we have completed all the new sidewalks and period lighting from Fourth to Main, which was quite monumental,” Gudgel said. “What that signifies is we have had major renovation of Main from 35th Street to the bridge (Keokuk-Hamilton Bridge), almost 2 1/2 miles of renovation.”
That stretch of Main Street has new pavement and sidewalks have been replaced on Main from 14th Street to the bridge.
New concrete is appearing in other parts of the city. Construction of a new municipal aquatic center started in 2008. The pool will open in the spring.
“Of course, one of the highlights of 2008 in terms of recreation is construction of the new Rand Park Pavilion,” Gudgel said. “It is great for the city and this is being funded 100 percent with private donations.”
The city was involved in the pavilion project only by granting permission to build the structure and approval of the design. No city funds are involved.
“What it symbolizes is support by Keokuk and expatriate Keokuk citizens,” Gudgel said. “This is a project that is long overdue. In a matter of 10 months we've been able to raise sufficient funds to get the project under way.
“The other great thing about this is it's being built by Keokuk contractors - plumbing, electrical, suppliers and the construction - and all those working on the project are doing so on greatly reduced prices. It's a testament to the makeup of this town.
“We've been told it will be one of the most beautiful and useful park pavilions in the nation.”
In 2009 Gudgel plans to have two “great” celebrations for the opening of the new swimming pool and the pavilion ribbon cutting.
Those dreams are coming true for Keokuk, but the dreams of opening a new wind turbine tower plant and major river port is dimming.
“With the tragic death of Ken Hendricks on Dec. 21, 2007, 2008 was a disappointing year in terms of what we hoped would be in place,” Gudgel said. “The inactivity of those projects is understandable. He (Ken Hendricks of Beloit, Wis.) was a major force and without him, Hendricks Holdings has had to step back and reevaluate, also taking into consideration the economy.”
The financial base of Hendricks Holdings is ABC Supply, a nationwide roofing supply business that Gudgel believes is probably feeling the impact of a housing slowdown.
“I have accepted the situation but in 2009 it is my hope that regardless of any major initiatives on their part, Keokuk and Lee County will continue to attempt to entice investment. My optimism for 2009 is fairly high,” he said.
Some of Gudgel's optimism comes from anticipated results of a riverscape master plan initiative funded by the city council and carried out by the Riverfront Improvement Committee.
“The hope is we'll be able to take this plan and select parts of the plan with the ultimate goal to make the riverfront much more user-friendly and to beautify it for citizens and people traveling to the city,” Gudgel said. “We also have reason to believe that upon receiving the riverscape master plan, the city would move forward on certain facets of the plan in early 2009.”
Work and planning also continue for Keokuk's downtown business district.
A Main Street Streetscape Committee is using city funds and grants to take the main thoroughfare one more step with a beautification plan for trees, flowers and shrubbery.
Also, an Architectural Design and Review Commission is in the process of being put into place by city council ordinance. The commission will have guidelines for design and construction of new buildings on Main and/or renovation of building facades.
The blessings side of the ledger has two new Keokuk employees close to the top.
The city hired John Russell as finance director. Russell served as the city's accountant for almost 20 years. Gudgel describes Russell as a “valuable asset.”
In addition, Gerald Moughler was hired as public works director.
“He is not only extremely accomplished as an engineer, but has been involved with many city projects and came on board with great knowledge of infrastructure and what we need now,” Gudgel said. “The city has in place two unique professionals that have the city's best in mind.”
Gudgel also noted:
Volunteer projects, such as new tree planting initiatives in city parks, planting and maintaining flowers at the city entrances and citizen turnout for boards, committees and commissions.
A new rocket slide has been purchased for Kilbourne Park and will be installed in the spring.
The city council funded work at Birge Fountain in the Rand Park flower beds.
Major concrete and stonework renovation was completed on the cook shack in Rand Park.
A Web page is being created for the city that will have links to other entities and eventually may be used by residents to pay bills.
A federally-mandated storm sewer separation project in Keokuk is being prepared for presentation to Iowa's congressional delegation for funding requests. Keokuk and the city of Ottumwa have hired John Hall and Associates, environmental attorneys, to fight the Environmental Protection Agency mandate. The aim is to have the requirements reduced and the completion date extended past 17 years.
The city bought two new garbage trucks and 95-gallon receptacles.
Keokuk had two successful citywide cleanups last year.
Gudgel is looking forward to the new year and has a list of to-do projects on the front burner.
“I think there is a good possibility the city council will want to investigate the need for a new city administrator,” he said. “At the least, I'm hoping we will budget for that in our upcoming budget hearings.
“City government has become so complicated over the years that Keokuk deserves a true professional versed in city administration to take care of the needs.”
Keokuk hired a city administrator in 2007, but he left town shortly after the budget process in 2008.
Gudgel said street construction plans for this year also include starting and completing work on Belknap Boulevard and South Second Street.
The city has been working with the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission on an environmental study on the property formerly known as Elkem.
“When the study is complete we'll hopefully assist in the transition of that property to a value-added industry in our industrial park,” Gudgel said.
Also, this year the city will put the old Coastal gas station property on the market and continue an inventory of property around town that needs to be remediated.
“The city council wishes all industrial partners success in 2009, knowing it's likely to be a tough year,” Gudgel said. “The city will meet on Jan. 10 to put together a budget certifiable by March. It's one of those years when we don't know what kind of dollar figures we're going to be facing. This probably will be a year for amending the budget.
“I am optimistic for 2009. We've put together a pretty good team.”
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| June flood rated top story in Tri-State Area; year also included championships, arson fires | Four Warsaw School Board seats on April ballot |
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