The Knoxville City Council this week approved final plans and cost for a sewer project which would install storm water collection lines between Highway 14 and Grant Street and between West Pleasant and the railroad tracks. The low-bid was Halbrook Construction of Yale, Iowa, for $272,699.35; city officials say the current economic conditions are creating a good climate for low-cost proposals from contractors eager to work.

In other news, the Council also approved an agreement with the VA Campus for the Knoxville Police Department to patrol and provide services on the campus property later this year as the VA transitions its services to Des Moines. Also this week the council adopted an ordinance which lessens the fines and court appearance for firt-time offenders of the city’s ‘animal at large’ ordinance. The city also approved a sanitary sewer connection fee district for the Newbold Drive Service Area, among other issues.