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1. How do I report a pothole.

The City's website allows for residents to report potholes using Request Tracker.

2. Who is responsible for replacement or repair of the sidewalk in front of my property?

The property owner is responsible for maintaining and repairing the broken or settled sidewalk in front of their property. City Ordinance - Title 12, Chapter 12.12

3. What happens if I don’t repair my sidewalk?

City will issue notices to those who have not completed their sidewalk repair independently. The City will then hire contractors on a case-by-case basis to repair the sidewalks. Once the repair has been completed, the homeowner has certain days to pay the bill and/or be assessed for the cost of the repair.

4. Why do we have a stormwater utility fee?

The City of Oskaloosa created a stormwater utility fee in September 2007. The utility fee raises the revenues needed to fund the stormwater and surface drainage system. This program brings us into compliance with federal regulations and safeguards our community through improved drainage and protection of local waters.
A stormwater utility fee charges properties in City of Oskaloosa based on that property's contribution to the need for stormwater management. The utility uses the amount of impervious surface on a property as the primary basis for the fee. Review the regulations that apply to stormwater utility fee. Title 8, Chapter 8.28

5. How can I determine the location of the right-of-way on a given roadway?

Our office has a listing of the right-of-ways for each street within the City of Oskaloosa. However, for your particular address, a survey or recorded deed documents would be the most accurate.

6. What is sealcoating?

This is a process of spreading liquid asphalt and chip rock on the paved roads. It is a relatively low cost method of preserving existing low-volume pavements. This “seal” prevents water from freezing in the cracks and breaking up the pavement. A sealcoat offers the best protection for the least amount of money, and makes a road last longer.
The peastone or chip rock that we use for cover material sticks to the emulsion and, after rolling and sweeping, provides a slightly roughened skid resistant surface to improve safety. Although sealcoating can preserve and extend the life of the pavement, it is only a surface treatment and does not fill any existing bumps, holes, or irregularities and thus does not improve the ride quality.

7. When will the loose rock be swept up after sealcoating?

To ensure that the rock is securely embedded in the liquid asphalt and the liquid asphalt has time to properly harden, two weeks later, the street sweeper will begin picking up the loose rock and will continue sweeping until all of the loose rock is removed

8. How does the City prioritize the snow removal effort during a storm?

During a snowstorm Street Maintenance crews are mobilized. The City's first priority is to plow and de-ice all major streets leading to emergency entrances and exits such as hospitals and police and fire stations. Providing all arterial streets are plowed and de-iced, efforts are then focused on feeder streets.

9. Why do city trucks push snow back into my driveway after I cleaned it out?

Throughout the winter months, our crews will be out clearing the roads during and after snowfalls. At the same time residents are clearing their driveways. Many times while this is going on, a snowplow truck will go by and fill in the end of a freshly-cleared driveway with snow from the road, causing frustration and more clearing for residents. Please understand that the City’s first priority is the safety of the traveling public and clearing the roads of snow and ice and pushing it off of the road and shoulders, and sometimes into driveways, is a necessary wintertime evil. Residents sometimes call and ask why we cannot pick up the blade when going by their driveway. This is not a practical solution and our drivers would never finish clearing the roads due to the multitude of driveways. There is, however, a method of clearing your driveway that can help minimize the amount of snow (and frustration) during the winter months:
1. If possible (not always practical), clear your driveway after we have finished plowing the roads.
2. When clearing your driveway, place as much snow as possible in the direction of travel, on the downstream side of the road.
3. Clear an area upstream from your driveway opening to form a pocket for the snow from the road to go into. The result? More of the snow from the road will go into the pocket and less will wind up in the end of your driveway.

10. Whose responsibility is it to trim trees?

In most cases, trees interfering with vehicle visibility must be trimmed by the property owner. All trees must be maintained to provide 8 feet of clearance above sidewalks and 15 feet above roadways. Title 12, Chapter 12.40, Section 12.40.080