August 15, 2022 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on August 15, 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 (arriving late), Andy Sires and Steve Wiedner (arriving late). 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; Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission Director Rachelle Howe; Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative Director Hollee McCormick; Allamakee County Emergency Management Director Corey Snitker; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the consent agenda.

  • Agenda
  • Minutes of August 1, 2022 regular session
  • Approval of Class C Liquor License (LC) (Commercial) with Sunday Sales for Fiesta Vallarta, Inc. dba Fiesta Vallarta, 9 E Main Street.
  • Approval of Class C Liquor License (LC) (Commercial) with Sunday Sales for Arrowhead Lanes, Inc. d/b/a Arrowhead Lanes, 601 Rossville Road.
  • Resolution – Repealing resolution number 22-109. The Clerk assigned number 22-131 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Repealing resolution number 22-110. The Clerk assigned number 22-132 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Repealing resolution number 22-111. The Clerk assigned number 22-133 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $6,510 from the Sewer Fund to the Water Resource Restoration Fund for engineering costs for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project.  The Clerk assigned number 22-134 to the resolution.
  • Resolution- Agreeing to the transfer of $271.75 from the WWTP Construction Fund to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund for engineering costs for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.  The Clerk assigned number 22-135 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Correcting resolution number 22-124 to 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 $53,352.41, and to the Sewer Fund in the amount of $11,711.51; and to close out the 2021 NW Utility Improvement Project Fund.  The Clerk assigned number 22-136 to the resolution.
  • Approval of pay estimate #2 for Storm Water Quality Improvements Project, Contract A, to Aaron Crane Construction for $339,342.47
  • Approval of pay estimate #2 for 2022 Street Improvements Project to Ethan Koehn Construction for $52,861.91.
  • Approval of City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report – July, 2022
  • Approval of claims

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Council Member Hatlan arrived.

 

Under Public Comments: No comments

 

Under Department Reports: Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper mentioned the open house at the Treatment Plant was held on Saturday and went well. He also noted that tomorrow they will be fixing a water main break by Double D Liquor. Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub briefed that the new Program Director will be starting next Monday and that the pool closed on Saturday for the season.  Police Chief Wagner noted they are working on the deployment of the Axon body cameras and tasers and that someone has been training them on their use.  Street Superintendent Keith Burrett stated they will be finishing up with the yellow painting soon. He also asked how the council wants to handle a situation if someone does not want to fix their curb and gutter after they have torn into the street.

 

City Manager Gary Boden discussed what the City might be able to get for an insurance deductible for the tree damage in the park. He discussed putting a request out for quotes on some projects at City Hall with the Mayor wondering if there could be more specifications regarding work to be done.

 

Mayor Stone noted he was questioned from a citizen on signs in the crosswalk and asked if the attorney could check into if there are issues with that on a State Highway.  Stone also noted that he has received some complaints regarding placement of items on the sidewalks downtown.

 

Council Member Lydon asked City Clerk Snitker if the company who installed the video/audio system in the council chambers would be fixing the issues that have been occurring, with Snitker noting that she has been in contact and hopes those will be addressed soon.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the resolution to fix a date of September 6, 2022 at 7 for a public hearing on proposal to enter into an amended Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement and to borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $1,050,000.

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

The Mayor declared the resolution passed.  The Clerk assigned number 22-137 to the resolution.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the resolution authorizing and approving an amended Loan and Disbursement Agreement and providing for the issuance and securing the payment of $9,997,000 Sewer Revenue Improvement and Refunding Bonds, Series 2022.

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

The Mayor declared the resolution passed.  The Clerk assigned number 22-138 to the resolution.

 

 

The Mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on the 2021 Owner-Occupied Exterior Housing Rehabilitation Program – Status of Funded Activities Public Hearing. Funding of Activities and Sources of Funds. This program is funded in part by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).  The City was awarded a 2021 CDBG for $253,000.  To date, $81,744 of the CDBG allocation has been expended.  Explain how the need for the activities was identified. The City saw a need to offer rehabilitation assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowners to improve the exterior of their homes while preserving and stabilizing the City’s housing.  Initiating a City-wide exterior housing rehabilitation program helps to upgrade the housing stock. Nature of and Status of the Activities.  The project involves the exterior rehabilitation of at least six (6) owner-occupied, single-family homes.  There has been no change to the project beneficiaries as proposed in the application submitted to State for funding.

To date, two (2) projects have been closed out, two (2) are under construction, and two (2) applications are pending with anticipated bidding possibly early Fall 2022. Project close out date is January 31, 2023.  Announce the estimated portion of funds that will benefit low-and-moderate income persons. 100% of the federal funds will benefit low- and moderate-income persons. Announce where the activities are being conducted.  The program is taking place City-wide in residential neighborhoods.  Announce plans to minimize displacement of persons and businesses resulting of funded activities.  The program will not result in the displacement or relocation of any persons or businesses. Announce plans to assist persons actually displaced. During lead-based paint hazard reduction activities, assistance is provided if temporary relocation is necessary.  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 Ordinance changing traffic on 6th St. NW from one-way to two-way traffic.  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 Ordinance changing the Enforcement Officer of Dangerous Buildings from City Mayor to the City Council directing the City Manager for the responsibility of enforcement.  The Clerk announced there were no oral or written comments received.  The Mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To approve the first reading of the ordinance amending the code of ordinances by establishing two-way traffic on Sixth Street NW.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To waive the additional readings of the ordinance amending the code of ordinances by establishing two-way traffic on Sixth Street NW.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To approve adopting the ordinance amending the code of ordinances by establishing two-way traffic on Sixth Street NW.

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

The Mayor declared the ordinance adopted and the Clerk assigned number 819 to the ordinance.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the first reading of the ordinance amending the code of ordinances by changing the Enforcement Officer of Dangerous Buildings from City Mayor to the City Council Directing the City Manager for the responsibility of enforcement.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Corey Snitker with Allamakee County Emergency Management discussed the Alert Iowa notification system, work being done on an evacuation and sheltering plan for the County and that a renewal is ready for the Hazard Mitigation Plan with the first meeting to happen on August 31st at Waukon City Hall.

 

Council Member Wiedner arrived.

 

Hollee McCormick with Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative and Rachelle Howe with Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission presented information regarding a residence appeal and Invitation to Qualify process for the fiber optic in Waukon.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve payment of $4,000 to UERPC to move forward with the appeal and Invitation to Qualify process.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper discussed quotes for a locator kit and how that would enhance the department’s ability to find leaks.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To approve the three quotes with Subsurface Solutions of $6,013, $5,380 and $10,357 for a total of $21,750 for locator kit equipment.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Park, Rec & Wellness Director Strub discussed four quotes that were received for tree removal in the park.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To move forward with Schwartzhoff Logging & Trucking with a bid of $33,700.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

City Clerk Snitker discussed the Sidewalk Regulations Ordinance and council’s thoughts on streamlining the process by having the permit be completed at the City and there being a resolution for a policy in place of what the council wants to be allowed.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To schedule a public hearing for September 6 at 7PM to change the ordinance on displaying merchandise on sidewalks from having a permit being obtained by council to having it be obtained by the City with the understanding that a policy will be drafted and accepted by council per resolution.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

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. (x2)

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: Sires| Seconded by: Lydon

To exit closed session

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by:  Sires | Seconded by: Lydon

To enter into open session.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Sires

To adjourn.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

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