On the agenda: Keokuk Minutes of the City Council Meeting of September 3, 2026 — Data Center (Sep 3)

MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
September 3, 2026
501 Main Street
5:30 P.M.
The City Council of the City of Keokuk met in regular session on September 3, 2026, at 501 Main Street. Mayor Mark Smidt called
the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. There were seven council members present, two absent. Todd Marshall, Tyler Walker, Kathie
Mahoney, Doug Matlick, Steve Andrews, Michael Greenwald and Roger Bryant, were present. Devon Dade and Matt VanBerkum
were absent. Staff in attendance: City Administrator Jim Ferneau, City Clerk Celeste El Anfaoui, Community Development Director
Pam Broomhall, Police Chief Zeth Baum, Assistant Police Chief Andrew Whitaker, Waste Water Treatment Plant Manager Tom
Wills as well as other city staff.
MAYOR’S REPORT: The Mayor read a statement from Insight regarding grant funding requirements necessary to continue with
emergency care facility plans. Bruce Billings was sworn in as Sergeant with the Keokuk Police Department.
CITIZENS’ COMMENTS: Amanda Rogers, Project Director of The Best You Coalition, provided an update on upcoming events
and services. James Rauner expressed concerns regarding snow removal on City sidewalks and the bridge on South 7th Street.
Motion made by Mahoney, second by Andrews to approve the agenda, including the consent agenda. (7) AYES,
(0) NAYS. Motion carried.
● Minutes of the Regular Council meeting of August 20, 2026;
● Re-appointment of Risa Langedal and Sylvia Mills-Echols to the Keokuk Housing
Authority, term to expire September 5, 2028;
● Motion to pay bills and transfers listed in Register No.’s 5560-5561;
Motion made by Greenwald, second by Andrews to approve initial reading of an Ordinance establishing Chapter 11.20 in the Code
of Ordinances of the City of Keokuk, Iowa, regulating after-hours access and loitering on city owned property.
Roll Call Vote: (7) AYES – Marshall, Walker, Mahoney, Matlick, Andrews, Greenwald, and Bryant; (0) NAYS, (2) ABSENT –
Dade and VanBerkum. Motion carried.
Motion made by Mahoney, second by Marshall to waive the second and third reading of the Ordinance.
Roll Call Vote: (7) AYES – Marshall, Walker, Mahoney, Matlick, Andrews, Greenwald, and Bryant; (0) NAYS, (2) ABSENT –
Dade and VanBerkum. Motion carried.
Motion made by Greenwald, second by Mahoney to adopt & give final approval of ORDINANCE NO. 2066: Establishing Chapter
11.20 in the Code of Ordinances of the City of Keokuk, Iowa, regulating after-hours access and loitering on city owned property.
Roll Call Vote: (7) AYES – Marshall, Walker, Mahoney, Matlick, Andrews, Greenwald, and Bryant; (0) NAYS, (2) ABSENT –
Dade and VanBerkum. Motion carried.
Motion made by Bryant, second by Matlick to approve the following proposed RESOLUTION NO. 171-2026: “ A RESOLUTION
APPROVING AGREEMENT WITH MOJESKI & MASTERS TO PROVIDE ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE KEOKUK
MUNICIPAL BRIDGE.” (7) AYES, (0) NAYS. Motion carried.
Motion made by Mahoney, second by Walker to approve the following proposed RESOLUTION NO. 172-2026: “ A
RESOLUTION APPROVING HIRING OF A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AND SETTING THE WAGE FOR
THE POSITION.” (7) AYES, (0) NAYS. Motion carried.
STAFF REPORTS: Wills reported that a new operator has started at the plant and that Matt Briggs is training with the goal of
eventually filling the position previously held by Bell. Ferneau informed the Council of a Data Center town meeting scheduled for
Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Heritage Center. He noted the importance of tracking community members’
opinions to gauge public sentiment regarding the topic. Ferneau also provided an update on the Southeast Iowa Development
Center.
Motion made by Walker, second by Marshall to adjourn the meeting at 5:58 p.m.