January 5, 2026 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on January 5, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the council chambers of City Hall, 101 Allamakee Street and via Zoom technology. Mayor Arvid Hatlan presided. Council members present: Steve Wiedner, Tim Smedsrud, Cassie Handke, John Lydon, and Nick Engrav. Others present: City Manager Grayson Rowlet; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Interim Street Superintendent Pat Egan; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Finance Director Lana Snitker; Val Reinke Allamakee County Economic Development Director; Jeff Spence and Ben Garrett Tailwinds Capital Development; The Standard- Joe Moses; and citizens.

 

The mayor called the meeting to order.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav

To approve the consent agenda.

Approval of December 15, 2025

Resolution agreeing to change the mileage reimbursement allowance for use of private automobile on City business from seventy ($.70) cents per mile to seventy-two and one half ($.725) cents per mile, effective January 1, 2026. The city will update its rate each year, if necessary, based on the standard mileage rate issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The clerk assigned number 26-01 to the resolution.

Resolution agreeing to the transfer of $61,116.73 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Revenue Bond Sinking Fund for the principal/interest payments on the Sewer Revenue Improvement and Refunding Bond, Series 2022 ($52,305.03) and Series 2023 ($5,154.62) and Series 2021 ($3,657.08). The clerk assigned number 26-02 to the resolution.

Resolution approving subdivision plat to Lot 1 Fairgrounds Addition in the SW ¼ NE ¼, and Lot 2 of Lot 2 of Lot 3 in the SE ¼ NE ¼, all in Section 30, T98N, R5W of the 5th PM, in the City of Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa. The clerk assigned number 26-03 to the resolution.

Approval of appointing Duane Rogers to the Planning & Zoning Commission

Approval of Voltmer Inc. proposal of $10,961.28 for replacement of streetlights.

Approval of Olympic Fire Protection Corp quote of $11,964 for fire pump controller replacement.

Approval of pay application #5 to Skyline Construction for $31,508.70 for the 4th Ave. NW Addition.

Approval of claims

Payment of Claims for: January 5, 2026
Acentek Internet                      99.90
Allamakee County Sheriff Answering Services – December                    750.00
Allamakee Economic Development Contribution – 3rd Qtr 2025/2026                 3,109.25
Alliant Energy Electricity – December               19,643.34
Badger Meter Network Fees                    653.03
Benjegerdes Machine Repairs                    153.65
Bruening Rock Products Supplies                 1,509.09
Carquest Repairs                      50.78
Christiansen Electric Repairs                    838.71
Compass Minerals Supplies                 2,899.19
Continental Research Supplies                    162.71
Cunningham Hardware Supplies                        3.49
Dusty’s Cleaning Service Services                    435.00
Environmental Management Services Asbestos Testing                    695.00
Dustin Harrington Meals – Training                      36.26
Hawkins Supplies                    100.00
Hawks Full Service Fuel                 1,905.26
Matt Hawkins Southside Rentals Rent – January                 1,100.00
Iowa Dept. of Transportation Supplies                      58.08
Iowa Law Enforcement Academy Evaluation                      20.00
Iowa One Call Locates                      54.90
Ken Kerr Electric Repairs                    362.26
LNM Truck Repair Repairs                 2,166.91
Lynch Dallas Legal Services                 2,557.10
Mediacom Telephone/Internet 81.37
Midwest Patch / Hi-Viz Safety Uniforms 160
MSA Engineering Bresnahan / 4th Avenue NW 3,553.56
MSA Engineering General Engineering 640.00
NICC – Northeast Iowa Community College HR Coaching 1,523.00
Or-Tec Repairs 1,478.00
Otting Water Treatment Services                      82.75
Reel-Core Franchise Fees – 4th Qtr 2025                 8,949.86
RW Pladsen Repairs                      97.20
Hector Salinas Meals – Training                      83.91
Simmering-Cory – Iowa Codification Annual Web Hosting                    475.00
Stanard & Associates Testing                    164.00
Sun Life Life Insurance – January                    265.80
Test America Sewer Testing                 1,281.00
The Standard Subscription                      49.00
Tri-State Business Machines Maint. Agreement                    191.18
Tri-State Business Machines Maint. Agreement                      69.77
Verizon Telephone                    156.98
Viking Pest Control Services                      45.00
Waukon Area Fire Protection District 28E Agreement – Quarterly               23,750.00
Natasha Wilkes Postage                      33.73
Zoro Supplies                    316.99
 
     PAID CLAIMS:
Regular Payroll December 7 – 20, 2025               51,519.53
EFTPS Federal Withholding                 5,152.04
EFTPS SS/ Medicare Withholding               10,345.04
EBS – Employee Benefits Systems Admin & Doc Fees – January                    494.80
EBS – Employee Benefits Systems Safe-T Fund – December – part 2                      67.24
Republic Services Services               20,219.75
Wendy Smethurst – Happy Heifer Quilting Façade Grant – 606 Rossville Road                    727.00
Waukon Postmaster Postage – Section 7                    454.90
WSB-CC – King School Drone Lessons                      99.00
WSB-CC – Amazon Boots                    154.99
WSB-CC – Amazon Supplies                      19.97
Wellmark BCBS Insurance – January               31,183.23
 
General: 115,599.92   Economic Development: 727.00
Library: 6,167.02   Bresnahan / 4th Avenue NW: 3,553.56
RUT: 18,133.26   Wellness: 50.73
Employee Benefits: 21,372.14   Water: 18,501.90
T & A Insurance: 39.53   Debt Service: 19,104.44
      FUND TOTALS: 203,249.50

 

Yes: Lydon, Engrav, Handke, Smedsrud, Wiedner | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: none

 

Under Reports: Cooper they are still waiting on the contractors to come for the work on well #5. Strub stated there is free walking at the wellness center this week. Wagner mentioned he applied for a grant for an additional 3 bullet proof vests and that Officer Downey started academy training today.

 

Reinke was present to give background on the Allamakee County Childcare Coalition. The council asked some questions regarding how the funds were disbursed.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the 2nd year payment per the agreement.

Yes: Lydon, Smedsrud, Handke, Wiedner | No: Engrav

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the resolution authorizing an economic development grant to Allamakee Economic Development in the amount of $12,437.75 for the next fiscal year.

Yes: Lydon, Smedsrud, Handke, Engrav, Wiedner

The mayor declared the motion carried and the clerk assigned number 26-04 to the resolution.

Spence and Garrett were present to discuss some of their financial concerns with costs associated with the 4th Ave. NW Addition project. The council asked Rowlet for his recommendation with Rowlet noting he thinks the change orders should be denied in accordance with the guidance from our attorney.

Moved by: Smedsrud | Seconded by: Engrav

To deny change order #6 and #7 for 4th Ave. NW Addition.

Yes: Lydon, Smedsrud, Handke, Engrav | No: Wiedner

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

The council had discussion regarding changing how signs factor into the City Façade Improvements program.

Moved by: Handke | Seconded by: Lydon

To give direction to Rowlet and S. Snitker to change the verbiage to the City Façade Improvements Program application on signage based on the council discussion and to look into a possible geographical district. The application will be brought back with changes for consideration at the next council meeting. No new applications will be considered until the council has approved the program updates.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Smedsrud | Seconded by: Engrav

To adjourn the meeting.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

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