The Waukon City Council met in regular session on May 18, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Community Center at Robey Memorial Library 401 1st Ave. NW and via Zoom technology. Mayor Arvid Hatlan presided. Council members present: Steve Wiedner, Cassie Handke, John Lydon, and Nick Engrav. Council members absent Tim Smedsrud. Others present: City Manager Grayson Rowlet; Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Park, Rec & Wellness Center Director Jeremy Strub; Finance Director Lana Snitker; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Interim Street Superintendent Pat Egan; MSA Jake Huck; The Standard- Joe Moses; and citizens.
The mayor called the meeting to order.
Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Handke
To approve the consent agenda
Approval of May 4, 2026, minutes
Resolution approving the closure of HWY 9 from Allamakee County Courthouse South on Allamakee to Oakland Cemetery for the Memorial Day Parade on May 25, 2026. The clerk assigned number 26-40 to the resolution.
Resolution in support of an integrated roadside vegetation management plan for the City of Waukon. The clerk assigned number 26-41 to the resolution.
Resolution agreeing to the transfer of $6,000 from the Hotel/Motel (Park Improvements) Fund to the General Fund to pay for 2026 John Deere mower. The clerk assigned number 26-42 to the resolution.
Resolution agreeing to the transfer of $537,949.60 from the TIF Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the principal/interest due June 1, 2026, on the following: 2020 General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds: $74,095.00; 2021 General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds: $243,361.80; 2022 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds: $220,492.80. The clerk assigned number 26-43 to the resolution.
Resolution amending relative chapters as applicable in the City of Waukon Employee Handbook. The clerk assigned number 26-44 to the resolution.
Approving costs for The Northway Corporation for Well #5 of $117,242.50 and 41,148.51.
Approving pay application #6 to Skyline Construction for $89,355.92 for the 4th Ave NW Addition Project.
Approval of Park, Rec and Wellness Board appointment – Tyler Oder
Approval of liquor license for Town Theater
Approval of City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, April 2026
Approval of claims
Payment of Claims for: May 18, 2026
AC Skyways Internet 99.99
AC Skyways Internet 299.99
AC Skyways Internet 65.98
AgVantage FS Fuel 2,178.54
Allamakee Clayton Electric Electricity-April 120.49
Allamakee County Recorder Recording Fees 54.00
Allamakee County Sheriff Answering Services 750.00
Badger Meter Network Fees 587.51
Benjegerdes Machine Repairs 505.72
Black Hills Energy Services 2,011.19
Braun Intertec Corporation Geotechnical Evaluation 6,500.00
Bruening Rock Products Rock 519.99
Century Link Telephone 146.96
City Laundry Uniforms – April 1,116.18
Dakota Supply Groug – DSG Supplies 471.90
Decorah Leader Advertising 225.00
Electric Pump Repairs 2,985.23
Epic Wear Uniforms & DARE Program 447.00
Hach Supplies 566.20
Hausladen’s Auto Supply Repairs 1.00
Hawk’s Full Service Fuel 244.50
Hawkins Supplies 90.00
Iowa Department of Transportation Supplies 825.00
Iowa State University Conference 360.00
Keystone Laboratories Water Testing 126.00
Kirkwood Community College Training 560.00
Kwik Trip, Inc. Fuel 366.92
Luana Savings Bank 2020 GO Bond – Principal & Interest 181,843.75
Lydon Motors Repairs 506.36
Lynch Dallas Legal Legal Services 800.00
MARC – Mid-American Research Supplies 565.53
Mathis Field Services Hauling Services 2,500.00
Mediacom Telephone/Internet 82.47
Mulgrew Fuel 1,957.89
Ness Pumping Services 75.00
Northeast Iowa Community College HR Coaching – April 155.00
Or-Tec Repairs 347.50
Quillin’s Food Ranch Supplies & Shipping 221.94
Lana Snitker Meal – Conference 12.50
Sarah Snitker Meal – Conference 12.50
Grayson Rowlet Phone Reimbursement 100.00
State Hygienic Laboratory Sewer Testing 593.50
Streicher’s Supplies 93.99
Sun Life Insurance Life Insurance – June 252.00
US Cellular Telephone 47.59
US Cellular Telephone 239.18
Viking Pest Control Services 45.00
Village Farm & Home Supplies/Repairs 290.90
Waukon Feed Ranch Fuel 964.89
Waukon Feed Ranch Supplies 54.00
Wright Way Computers IT Services 49.00
Wright Way Computers IT Services 2,325.20
PAID CLAIMS:
IPERS Withholding -April – Police 9,168.67
IPERS Withholding – April – Regular 24,380.38
Treasurer-State of IA State Withholding -April 4,730.05
Regular Payroll April 26-May 9, 2026 54,784.30
EFTPS Federal Withholding 4,899.67
EFTPS SS/Medicare Withholding 10,909.98
AFLAC Insurance – May 808.36
EBS – Employee Benefits Systems Admin Fees – May 244.80
EBS – Employee Benefits Systems SafeT Fund – April 2,577.05
Paymentech Credit Card Processing Fee – April 247.27
Treasurer-State of IA Sales Tax – April 4,091.76
Treasurer-State of IA WET Tax – April 2,395.97
WSB-CC-Amazon Belt – Police 32.05
WSB-CC-Nextiva Telephone — Police, Finance & Street 466.72
Wellmark BCBS Insurance – May 29,840.90
WELLNESS CLAIMS:
Alliant Energy Electricity – April 2,870.24
Black Hills Energy Services – April 1,654.11
Elan Financial Services Supplies / Concessions 811.10
Fastenal Supplies 455.48
Ken Kerr Electric Repairs 260.76
Mediacom Services 94.30
Storey Kenworthy Chair 594.80
PARK~REC~POOL CLAIMS:
AC Skyways Internet 111.97
Alliant Energy Electricity -April 789.24
Alliant Energy Electricity -April 623.68
Bodensteiner Implement Repairs 452.06
Carrico Aquatic Resources Water Chemical Agreement 3,175.00
City of Prairie du Chien Lifeguard Certification 1,400.00
Cunningham Hardware Repairs 109.01
Elan Financial Services Supplies 1,122.48
Epic Wear Park Staff Shirts 257.00
Hausladen’s Auto Supply Repairs 183.52
Iowa Surveillance Team Pool – Camera System 6,834.87
Palmer Repair Repairs 435.04
Quillin’s Food Ranch Fuel 340.59
US Cellular Telephone 220.30
Village Farm & Home Supplies 452.76
PARK TRUST CLAIM:
Plastic Recycling Benches 2,059.20
General: 81,553.73 TIF: 181,843.75
Library: 8,172.33 Park Trust: 2,059.20
RUT: 17,155.17 Wellness: 8,461.84
Employee Benefits: 35,463.24 Water: 22,349.52
T & A Insurance: 2,560.86 Sewer: 25,126.78
1st Avenue SW: 6,500.00 FUND TOTALS: 391,246.42
Yes: Lydon, Wiedner, Handke, Engrav | Absent: Smedsrud
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Under Public Comments: Joe Manning introduced himself and noted he was running for County Board of Supervisors. Mandy Halverson presented on a community picnic happening in the park on July 4th for the 250th anniversary. There were a few other residents who commented, one to not save the city hall building, one commenting on the trash out from the clean up day and one asking if the city will be compensated from Republic Services for the clean up day.
Under reports: Strub noted they hope to open the pool this Friday and that Music in the Park starts next Thursday. Cooper congratulated staff member Tyler Thesing on their lab as it was inspected and there were no notes on fixes. Egan stated weather permitting they plan to do crack fill in the municipal lot on Allamakee Street. Wagner mentioned one of their radios in the squad car went out. Huck gave an update on project status and that an agreement for the sidewalk program should be brought to the council soon. Rowlet noted two of the sirens are now operational and the city received the FEMA grant to install new storm sirens. Wiedner mentioned the parking south of VMH is not great and wondered if we could make changes. Handke, Lydon and Engrav all thanked the Street Department for helping with the spring cleanup. Hatlan gave an update on the spring cleanup and thanked the staff from the Street Department and Water/Sewer Department who assisted with the cleanup.
The mayor made a proclamation declaring May 17 – 23, 2026 as National Public Works Week.
The mayor opened the public hearing amending the current budget for the City of Waukon for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2026. There were no oral or written comments received, and the mayor closed the hearing.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav
Approving the resolution amending the current budget for the City of Waukon for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2026.
Yes: Lydon, Engrav, Wiedner, Handke | Absent: Smedsrud
The mayor declared the motion carried and the clerk assigned number 26-45 to the resolution.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner
To approve the 1st reading amending the code of ordinances by changing the rates for water service.
Yes: Lydon, Engrav, Wiedner, Handke | Absent: Smedsrud
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner
To approve the city façade improvement application for 12 Allamakee Street up to $10,000.
Yes: 4
The mayor declared the motion carried.
There was a lot of council discussion regarding changes to chapters in the ordinance that would change the supervision of the Police Chief and Police Department from the Mayor to the City Manager along with verbiage on adding the Police Chief into the hiring process. The council want the City Manager to make changes to the ordinances and bring back.
No action taken.
Lydon noted he would like public input on the art piece in the plaza area downtown.
No action taken.
Hatlan mentioned he thinks there needs to be changes regarding electric bicycles and electric scooters operating on sidewalks for safety reasons. The council would like our bicycle ordinance and possible ordinance changes for e-bicycles to be on a future agenda for discussion.
No action taken.
Rowlet mentioned Reel Core approached the city about a possible expansion on their site and he wanted the council’s thoughts on the matter before moving forward. A representative from Reel Core was present to discuss some of the expansion and mentioned they were willing to assist with the city legal fees that would incur as a result. The council is okay with Rowlet and staff moving forward to pursue this.
No action taken.
Moved by: Handke | Seconded by: Engrav
To adjourn the meeting.
Yes: 4
The mayor declared the motion carried.