The Waukon City Council met in regular session on April 17, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. in the council room of City Hall, 101 Allamakee Street and via Zoom technology. Mayor Pat Stone presided. Council members present: Arvid Hatlan (arriving during reports), John Lydon, Kevin Johnson, Andy Sires and Steve Wiedner. Council members absent: None. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; City Attorney Jeff Swartz; The Standard – Joe Moses; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; and citizens.
The Mayor called the meeting to order.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner
To approve the agenda.
Yes: Wiedner, Lydon, Johnson, Sires | Absent: Hatlan | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Under Department Reports: Street Superintendent Keith Burrett asked the council for clarification regarding tree removal in the boulevards if someone contacts wanting to keep the tree. Council stated to move forward with removal how we have been. Council Member Hatlan joined the meeting. Burrett noted there are a couple of failing storm sewers with it being noted to discuss that at the next meeting. Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper mentioned a letter has been drafted by the attorney regarding a customer who has not been paying their water bill and the city installing a curb box at the owner’s expense since their curb box is not working. Cooper also noted hydrants were flushed last week and discussed a possible change in their department hours with council wanting that to be discussed at the next meeting. Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub stated the park crews are back for the season and if the weather stays warm, they will turn the water on in the bathrooms at the park next week. Strub has also been contacted by MSA regarding the park survey with them to have a meeting soon to discuss the report. Chief Wagner mentioned he is still working on storm siren info to present to council.
Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl noted there are six temporary easements they are still waiting on for the 4th Street NW project and asked City Attorney Swartz how they should proceed, with Swartz stating he would get in touch with Sam regarding it. They will be starting the preliminary design on West St. SW soon.
City Clerk Snitker mentioned she was contacted last week about the Farmers Market not being held at the Fairgrounds this year due to expenses and that one of the vendors plans to locate in the park the same day and time.
City Manager Boden noted he attended a couple of housing conferences last week and that the tax credit program will now allow for Cities to apply alongside developers.
Council Member Johnson wanted to thank the Presbyterian Church for putting on the Easter Egg Hunt.
Mayor Stone noted he made some changes to the agenda to allow for more public comment and that he attended another city council meeting and liked how theirs was formatted.
Under Public Comments: No comments
Snitker discussed the CDBG Upper Story Housing Program with the City needing to be the applicant for a building owner to move forward, with there being no costs to the City.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner
To move forward with the CDBG Upper Story Housing Program on behalf of a building owner.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Strub discussed a dump truck they have in their department that they planned to get rid of and that there has been a couple of interested parties in purchasing it.
Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon
For Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub to put the Park and Rec green dump truck out for sealed bid.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ertl discussed the additional scope for professional services for the 4th Street NW/8th Ave. NW Sidewalk project.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson
To approve the additional scope for professional services to Fehr Graham in the amount of $15,000 for the 4th St. NW Improvements and 8th Ave. NW Sidewalk project.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Johnson
To approve payment for Pladsen addition work to S&M Development for $26,537.50 for engineering fees.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ertl discussed an additional scope of work regarding the 7th Ave. SE Storm Sewer Project that Pladsen has signed and he is wanting to check what authorization needs to occur on the City side. City Attorney Swartz noted that there needs to be an addendum to the development agreement due to the specific geographical area that is listed in the agreement.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner
To approve an addendum being done to the Pladsen Development Agreement.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Regarding fees for the Veteran’s Memorial Hospital, Swartz noted that normally the abstract and clearing of title when selling a property is the seller’s expense, but the council can move forward differently if they choose. Discussion of payment on the abstract was had with Boden noting he recommends to waiting at this time.
No action taken.
Council Member Sires discussed a citizen request of a sign being placed on 16th Ave. NW.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires
To approve the placement of two children at play signs on 16th Ave. NW on each end of the street.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Boden noted he has had some meetings with developers with interest in the housing development in the Pladsen Addition. Stone asked Council if we could market the lots we want housing development on.
Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Wiedner
To have City Manager Gary Boden and Allamakee Economic Development Director Val Reinke draft a proposal for council review to market the land for housing development for the Pladsen addition and Bresnahan property.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Boden noted that the architect for the street maintenance garage is drafting two plans that he is costing out and will present that information at the next council meeting. Boden thinks council needs to review the design of the building to determine what they want and also what kind of site to locate the building on. Boden does not think we can make a commitment on the garage in the next 2-4 months due to the funding circumstance.
No action taken.
Stone noted he would like to see the City Parking Lot and alley project move forward and that the ARPA funding could be utilized towards that right now if we do not move forward with the street maintenance garage. Ertl discussed the bidding and noted he would have to get back to council on the timeline of when it could be bid depending on their schedule and he mentioned council would need to think about if they also want to address adding or changing the street lights.
Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon
To move forward with the City Parking Lot and Alley project behind Hartig Drug.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Cooper noted the company is coming Wednesday for one replacement item, the panel keeps getting pushed back, they sent a new motor for one of the ventilator fans but the big item is that there is an air exchange unit also mixed with the heater and we have not gone through a winter yet without those failing. Cooper said he does not want to sign off on anything until we go through a winter with those working.
No action taken.
Ertl noted that there was a meeting on site April 4th for the storm water quality improvements project regarding the seeding and that there are a few punch list items to be addressed.
No action taken.
Snitker noted the demolition work for 9 & 11 Allamakee Street is anticipated to start this Thursday.
No action taken.
Strub mentioned there will be a meeting with the Park and Rec Board next Monday for the Park Survey to go over a draft report and once that is completed, they will meet with MSA the end of the week to finalize the report.
No action taken.
Cooper noted that we are down to 55 water meters left to be installed. The final cost will not be known until the project is done since we will get funds back for what we return and there were also a couple of expenses that Cooper noted he was not aware would be occurring.
No action taken.
Stone wanted to discuss curb stops since we have so many in town that are not working and that we should follow the ordinance we have in place about installing them if we have issues with people not paying their water bill or not allowing the new water meters to be installed. Council was in agreement to follow the ordinance.
No action taken.
Discussion on the purchase of a 2nd car camera for the police department will be moved to next meeting.
No action taken.
Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon
To express support of the current Local Option Sales and Services Tax.
Yes: Hatlan, Lydon, Johnson, Wiedner, Sires | No: 0
The Mayor declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 23-45 to the resolution.
The Mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on budget for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024. The Clerk announced there were no oral or written comments received. The Mayor declared the hearing closed.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner
To approve the annual budget for the City of Waukon for FYE June 30, 2024.
Yes: Hatlan, Lydon, Johnson, Wiedner, Sires | No: 0
The Mayor declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 23-46 to the resolution.
The Mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on proposed contract documents and estimated cost for 4th St. NW Improvements and 8th Ave. NW Sidewalk Improvements Project. The Clerk announced there were no oral or written comments received. The Mayor declared the hearing closed.
Ertl discussed the bids that came in for the 4th St. NW and 8th Ave. NW Sidewalk Improvements Project and the cost for the alternate bid.
Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Wiedner
Finally approving and confirming plans, specifications and form of contract and awarding contract for 4th Street NW and 8th Ave. NW Sidewalk Project to Skyline Construction with the alternate bid included for a combined total of $1,365,663.59.
Yes: Hatlan, Lydon, Johnson, Wiedner, Sires | No: 0
The Mayor declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 23-47 to the resolution.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires
To approve the consent agenda.
- Minutes of April 3, 2023 regular session
- Set date for public hearing on FYE 23 Budget Amendment for May 15, 2023 @ 6PM.
- Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $269.50 from the Sewer Fund to the Water Resource Restoration Fund for engineering for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-48 to the resolution.
- Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $1,520.50 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund for engineering costs for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-49 to the resolution.
- Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $426.77 from the American Rescue Plan Fund to the 1st to 1st Storm Sewer Fund for storm sewer improvement project. The Clerk assigned number 23-50 to the resolution.
- Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $1,849.50 from the NEIRHTF Fund to the General Fund; and to close out the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund. The Clerk assigned number 23-51 to the resolution.
- Resolution – Agreeing to transfer twenty-five percent of the total ($14,179.47) (Hotel/Motel money received in February, 2023 and deposited into the General Fund) from the General Fund to the Hotel/Motel (Tourism/Economic Development) Fund in the amount of $3,294.87. The Clerk assigned number 23-52 to the resolution.
- Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $100,000 from the Capital Project Fund-Plaza/Tierney Redevelopment back to the General Fund. The original transfer was for a match to a grant. The match will instead come from TIF funds. The Clerk assigned number 23-53 to the resolution.
- Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $31,194.72 from the Capital Project Fund-Plaza/Tierney Redevelopment back to the Street Improvement/LOST Fund for unused internal advance funds. The Clerk assigned number 23-54 to the resolution.
- Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $2,211.44 from the Capital Project Fund-Plaza/Tierney Redevelopment to the General Fund to reimburse for project expenses to be paid by internal advance funds. The Clerk assigned number 23-55 to the resolution.
- Resolution – Establishing the City Façade Improvement Fund as a Special Revenue Fund. The Clerk assigned number 23-56 to the resolution.
Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $70,000 from the Capital Project Fund-City Façade Improvements to the Special Revenue Fund-City Façade Improvements. The original transfer was to establish the City Façade Improvement Fund. It should have been established as a Special Revenue Fund not Capital Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-57 to the resolution. - Approving Class E Retail Alcohol License for Casey’s Marketing Company d/b/a Casey’s General Store #1997, 516 Rossville Rd.
- Approving Class B Retail Alcohol License for Kwik Trip, Inc. d/b/a Kwik Star #823, 101 Rossville Rd.
- Approving Class C Retail Alcohol License for Green Valley Getaway, LLC d/b/a Green Valley Getaway, 78 16th Ave. NW (Pending dramshop approval)
- Approving ROW application – starting at intersection 13 Ave. SE & IA 9 going north to south of intersection Lyle Dr. & IA 9
- Approval of City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, March 2023
- Approval of Claims
- Yes: Hatlan, Lydon, Johnson, Wiedner, Sires | No: 0
- The Mayor declared the motion passed.
Under Public Comments: No comments
Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Johnson
To enter into closed session Per Iowa Code Chapter 21.5 (1)(i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary, to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.
Yes: Hatlan, Johnson, Lydon, Wiedner, Sires | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried. Roll call was taken: Hatlan, Johnson, Lydon, Wiedner, Sires
Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon
To exit closed session
Yes: Hatlan, Johnson, Lydon, Wiedner, Sires | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Hatlan
To enter into open session.
Yes: Hatlan, Johnson, Lydon, Wiedner, Sires | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Wiedner
To adjourn.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The Mayor declared the motion carried.