August 1, 2022 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on August 1, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. in the council room of City Hall, 101 Allamakee Street and via Zoom technology. Mayor Pat Stone presided. Council members present: Kevin Johnson, John Lydon, Arvid Hatlan, Andy Sires and Steve Wiedner. Council members absent: None. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn; Street Superintendent; Keith Burrett; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Standard- Joe Moses; Fehr Graham – Lyle Tekippe & Sam Ertl; Waukon Chamber of Commerce Director Laurie Adrian; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the consent agenda.

  • Agenda
  • Minutes of July 18, 2022 regular session
  • Approval of correction to July 5, 2022 regular session minutes to reflect payment application #30 of $54,914.49 to Wapasha Construction Co for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements Project
  • Approval of conditional use application for 201 Allamakee St.
  • Approval of Class E Liquor License (LE) with Class B Wine Permit and Class C Beer Permit (Carryout Beer) and Sunday Sales for Quillins Iowa, Inc. dba Quillins Food Ranch, 9 9th St. SW
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $3,465 from the WWTP Construction Fund to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund for engineering costs for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.  The Clerk assigned number 22-123 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $75,063.92 from the 2021 NW Utility Improvement Project Fund to the General Fund in the amount of $10,000 to the Water Fund in the amount of $11,711.51 and to the Sewer Fund in the amount of $53,352.41; and to close out the 2021 NW Utility Improvement Project Fund. The Clerk assigned number 22-124 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $4,513.70 from the Pladsen Property Project Fund to the Water Resource Restoration Fund for pay estimate number two, final retainage, Force Main Relocation, for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project. The Clerk assigned number 22-125 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $56,771.66 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Revenue Bond Sinking Fund for the principal/interest payment on the Sewer Revenue Bond, Series 2019 ($47,912.29) and Series 2021-$1M ($5,144.17) and Series 2021-$750K ($3,715.20). The Clerk assigned number 22-126 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $9,515.67 from the Wellness Center Operation Fund to the General Fund for the Wellness Center employee share-reimbursement for the July, 2022 payroll salaries. The Clerk assigned number 22-127 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $23,600 back to the General Fund from the CDBG Housing Rehab Fund for reimbursement per original resolution numbers 22-46 and 22-98. The Clerk assigned number 22-128 to the resolution.
  • Approval of claims

Yes: Wiedner, Johnson, Lydon, Hatlan, Sires| No:  0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Harvey Estebo asked if there was anything that could be done about the Japanese Beetles in town. Council Member Hatlan noted it would be costly to spray the whole town and there would be health concerns.  It was discussed more research would be needed to see if there was anything that could be done.

 

Under Department Reports: Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper reminded everyone that there will be an open house at the Wastewater Treatment Plant on August 13th from 9AM-12PM and also mentioned someone would be stopping this week to show equipment for leak detection. Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub said a thank you on behalf of the Park & Rec Department for everyone who helped clean up at the park debris after the recent storm and for those who provided food and equipment.  Police Chief Wagner noted they entered into an agreement with Carfax and that they did not have any issues occur during the County Fair or RAGBRAI.

 

City Clerk Snitker noted that RAGBRAI seemed to go well and thanked those who helped or were a part of the day.  Snitker also mentioned that the route for the Corn Days Parade would be altered due to construction on 2nd Street NW.

 

City Manager Gary Boden wanted to recognize City Clerk Snitker for the work and coordination she did for RAGBRAI.  He also noted that there was an estimate provided for the fallen debris in the park.  The council recommended getting an additional estimate to compare prices. Lastly, Boden noted that the pool will be closed after August 13th.

 

Mayor Stone wanted to reiterate the good job done for RAGBRAI. He thought the day went well and he was glad to see the Plaza in use that day.  City Council Member Johnson said he also thought RAGBRAI went well and noted discussions he had with different bikers during the event.  Council Member Wiedner mentioned he has previously spoken with the Board of Supervisors, recently met with the Waterville City Council and plans to attend Harpers Ferry’s City Council meeting to discuss a county bike trail and noted he is trying to get committees and volunteers to try to make it happen.

 

The Mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on the Fairgrounds Lease Agreement.  The Clerk announced there were no oral or written comments received.  The Mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

The Mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on proposal to enter into an amended Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement.  The Clerk announced there were no oral or written comments received.  The Mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

Approving and Directing the conveyance of interest in real property – Fairgrounds Lease Agreement

Yes: Wiedner, Johnson, Lydon, Hatlan, Sires| No:  0

The Mayor declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 22-129 to the resolution.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To take additional action on proposal to enter into an amended Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement.

Yes: Wiedner, Johnson, Lydon, Hatlan, Sires| No:  0

The Mayor declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 22-130 to the resolution.

 

Waukon Chamber of Commerce Director Laurie Adrian asked the council if the stores downtown could have items or sales racks on the sidewalks during Crazy Days and if the plaza could be utilized for live music on Friday.  City Clerk Snitker also mentioned the owners of the Steakhouse might want to serve alcohol that day if it worked out.  The council had no issues. Discussion was had regarding this type of approval in the future and ways to make it easier with it requested to be on the next agenda.

No action taken.

 

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve to change the ordinance for one-way traffic on 6th St. NW to become two-way traffic and to set the public hearing for August 15, 2022 at 7PM.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

City Manager Boden and Sam Ertl with Fehr Graham discussed the additional scope of work for 4th St. NW Street Improvements project and 8th Ave. NW Sidewalk Improvements. Boden discussed holding a special meeting on August 22nd at 7PM to discuss this work further.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To formally accept the additional work.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Boden discussed four major funds of money for Capital Improvements; Bond Proceeds, Local Option Sales Tax, Storm Sewer Fund and American Rescue Plan Act.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To give direction to get estimates for a cost of the City Hall Porte Cochere/doors/stairs and move forward with architecture plans for the street department garage.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

There was lengthy discussion regarding ordinance changes and updates with Assistant City Attorney Stinn noting there appeared to be overlap of responsibilities for the Mayor and the City Manager and him questioning the City Council on how they want to address that in the code of ordinances or who they want to have direct certain items. Mayor Stone noted how the discussion appeared to be leading towards changing the city form of government and his concerns with that.

No action taken.

 

City Manager Boden discussed the responsibility of enforcement for Chapter 145 Dangerous Buildings noting that it lists that the Mayor has enforcement which contradicts when council requests him to do enforcement.

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Johnson

To hold a public hearing on August 15, 2022 at 7PM to change the wording for Chapter 145 Dangerous Buildings to read that the City Council shall direct the City Manager regarding enforcement.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Boden discussed changing the council pay to be salary instead of per meeting with council member Hatlan noting that was discussed in the past and dismissed.  Hatlan also noted he does not think the council should get a raise with Council member Sires in agreement.

No action taken.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To enter into closed session per Iowa Code Chapter 21.5 (1)(j) to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property or reduce the price the governmental body would receive for that property.

Yes:  Johnson, Wiedner, Sires, Hatlan, Lydon | No:  0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.  Roll call was taken: Sires, Johnson, Wiedner, Hatlan, Lydon

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To exit closed session

Yes:  Johnson, Wiedner, Sires, Hatlan, Lydon | No:  0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by:  Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To enter into open session.

Yes:  Johnson, Wiedner, Sires, Hatlan, Lydon | No:  0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.  No action following closed session.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Hatlan

To adjourn.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

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