The Waukon City Council met in regular session on August 4, 2025, 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, Dave Blocker, Tim Smedsrud, Nick Engrav and John Lydon. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; The Standard – Joe Moses; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett and citizens.
The mayor called the meeting to order.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner
To approve the consent agenda.
- Approval of Agenda
- Minutes of July 21, 2025, regular meeting
- Resolution – agreeing to transfer twenty-five percent of the total ($6,628.68) (Hotel/Motel money received in June and July 2025 and deposited into the General Fund) from the General Fund to Hotel/Motel (Tourism/Economic Development) Fund in the amount of $1,657.17. The clerk assigned 25-79 to the resolution.
- Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $50,000 from the SE Tax Increment Fund, for advancement repayments, to the Street Improvement/LOSST Fund, in accordance with Resolution No. 24-132, (Northwest Street Blight Alleviation Project). The clerk assigned 25-80 to the resolution.
- Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $4,704.43 from the Pladsen Property Project Fund to the Water Resource Restoration Fund for pay estimate number six, final retainage, Storm Water Quality Improvements, Contract C, for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project. The clerk assigned 25-81 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 25-82 to the resolution.
- Approval of variance request for 208 8th Ave. NW and conditional use permit for 204 8th Ave. NW
- Approval of Class C Retail Alcohol license for Fiesta Vallarta
- Approval of claims
| Payment of Claims for: | August 4, 2025 | |
| Acentek | Internet | 99.90 |
| Allamakee County Assessor | Maps | 10.00 |
| Allamakee County Sheriff | Answering Services – July | 750.00 |
| Alliant Energy | Electricity – July | 24,202.86 |
| Badger Meter | Network Fees | 532.43 |
| Benjegerdes Machine | Repairs | 29.06 |
| Bodensteiner Implement | Supplies | 322.99 |
| City Laundry | Uniforms | 917.15 |
| Cunningham Hardware | Supplies | 15.68 |
| DSG-Dakota Supply Group | Supplies | 98.47 |
| Dusty’s Cleaning Service | Services | 435.00 |
| EMC Insurance | Add Coverage 2025 Truck | 635.00 |
| Fehr Graham Engineering | Bresnahan – 4th Street NW | 4,364.50 |
| First Supply | Repairs | 872.74 |
| GPM | Supplies | 471.00 |
| Hausladen’s Auto Supply | Repairs | 433.33 |
| Matt Hawkins Southside Rentals | Rent – August | 1,100.00 |
| Hawks Full Service | Fuel | 1,847.85 |
| Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources | Annual NPDES Permit | 1,275.00 |
| Iowa Dept. of Transportation | Supplies | 912.76 |
| Iowa One Call | Locates | 70.20 |
| K & W Coatings | Repairs | 3,100.00 |
| Keystone Laboratories | Water Testing | 107.25 |
| Lansing Auto Parts | Supplies | 495.96 |
| MARC – Mid American Research | Supplies | 187.27 |
| McMillan Muffler | Repairs | 90.55 |
| Mediacom | Telephone/Internet | 81.01 |
| Mulgrew | Fuel | 1,077.33 |
| Oden Sign Service | Lettering | 165.00 |
| Otting Water Treatment | Services | 87.00 |
| Police and Sheriffs Press | ID cards | 20.00 |
| Alyssa Rostad | Meals | 8.54 |
| Luke Schulte | Meals | 17.73 |
| Lana Snitker | Mileage | 107.10 |
| Test America | Sewer Testing | 949.00 |
| Tri-State Business Machines | Maint. Agreement | 62.00 |
| Tri-State Business Machines | Maint. Agreement | 223.70 |
| Upper Explorerland | Northeast Iowa Clerks Dues | 25.00 |
| Upper Explorerland | NEIRHTF Contribution FYE 2026 | 12,500.00 |
| USA Bluebook | Supplies | 515.04 |
| Verizon | Telephone | 162.96 |
| Viking Pest Control | Services | 45.00 |
| Waukon Tire Center | Repairs | 69.50 |
| Natasha Wilkes | Postage | 1.63 |
| Wright Way Computers | IT Services – July | 2,274.80 |
| Wright Way Computers | IT Services | 70.00 |
| Ziegler | Repairs | 1,438.99 |
| PAID CLAIMS: | ||
| Regular Payroll | July 6 – 19, 2025 | 75,446.23 |
| EFTPS | Federal Withholding | 6,216.34 |
| EFTPS | SS/ Medicare Withholding | 14,635.80 |
| EBS – Employee Benefits Systems | Admin Fees – August | 220.32 |
| EBS – Employee Benefits Systems | Safe-T Fund – July part 2 | 15,964.65 |
| Paymentech | Credit Card Processing – July | 206.15 |
| Skyline Construction | 4th Avenue NW/Bresnahan – Pay #3 | 156661.66 |
| Town & Country Sanitation | Services | 20,137.25 |
| Waukon Postmaster | Postage – Section 8 | 355.68 |
| WSB-CC- Housing Iowa | Conference Registration | 375.00 |
| Wellmark BCBS | Insurance – August | 25,881.00 |
| PAID MUSIC IN THE PARK: | ||
| Annie Ellingson | Entertainment | 300.00 |
| WELLNESS CLAIMS: | ||
| Crexendo | Telephone | 165.83 |
| Fastenal | Supplies | 679.27 |
| Olympic Fire Protection | Sprinkler Inspection | 995.00 |
| PARK & REC CLAIMS: | ||
| Allamakee County Environmental Health | Pool Inspections | 540.00 |
| Bodensteiner Implement | Repairs | 27.19 |
| Epic Wear | Shirts | 72.00 |
| Fastenal | Supplies | 123.21 |
| General: | 111,221.58 | Bresnahan / 4th Avenue NW: | 161,026.16 | |
| Library: | 5,794.14 | Wellness: | 1,919.28 | |
| RUT: | 16,033.44 | Music in the Park: | 300.00 | |
| Employee Benefits: | 20,830.59 | Water: | 26,446.54 | |
| T & A Insurance: | 15,954.93 | Sewer | 22,754.20 | |
| FUND TOTALS: | 382,280.86 |
Yes: Wiedner, Lydon, Blocker, Smedsrud, Engrav | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Under Public Comments: none
Under Reports: Strub noted August 17th is the last day the pool will be open. Wagner reported he posted the Assistant Chief position, and the storm siren application has been submitted. Cooper noted they will be holding interviews for their open position. Burrett stated that the sides of the storm sewer by Kwik Trip are completed, and they are going to be looking at the curbs at intersections in town as they have had some complaints about some busting. Snitker noted the agenda deadline for the August 18th meeting will be August 13th at 10AM and stated that Waukon was selected as a Thriving Community designation and informed the council of a free reception being held in Cedar Rapids honoring the communities. The city council thanked everyone involved with the work on the Thriving Community designation with Hatlan thanking Snitker for her work and research on the application.
John from Perry Novak Electric explained the investor portion of the solar panel installation project at the Wellness Center and answered some questions from the city council. Hatlan asked that the roof be checked to make sure it could hold the panels.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav
To pursue moving forward with solar panel installation at the Wellness Center.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner
To approve the final plat for 4th Ave. NW Addition.
Yes: Blocker, Lydon, Smedsrud, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0
The mayor declared the resolution passed and the clerk assigned number 25-83 to the resolution.
Moved by: Smedsrud | Seconded by: Blocker
To approve the local match resolution for the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program.
Yes: Blocker, Lydon, Smedsrud, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0
The mayor declared the resolution was passed and the clerk assigned number 25-84 to the resolution.
Snitker explained this is the property that was approved for the NEIRHTF home demolition program, and this is the process to deed the property back to the owners.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav
To approve the resolution scheduling public hearing on proposed sale of city owned real property located at 301 2nd Ave. NW for August 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
Yes: Blocker, Lydon, Smedsrud, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0
The mayor declared the resolution passed and the clerk assigned number 25-85 to the resolution.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner
To approve pay estimate #6 of $4,704.43 to Riehm Construction for Storm Water Quality Improvements Project, Contract C and approving the resolution accepting work covering Storm Water Quality Improvements Project, Contract C.
Yes: Blocker, Lydon, Smedsrud, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried and the resolution passed, and the clerk assigned number 25-86 to the resolution.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker
To approve change order #3 and pay estimate #4 of $26,719.54 to Skyline Construction for the 4th Ave. NW Addition.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Snitker discussed façade applications for 32 and 34 West Main Street and that it was a shared estimate for the front as it is a shared façade but that 34 West Main also included an estimate for work on the rear of the building.
Moved by: Smedsrud | Seconded by: Lydon
To approve the city façade applications for 32 and 34 West Main Street of $2,854.37 for 34 West Main Street and $1,357.78 for 32 West Main Street.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Snitker noted there were some areas in the library siding project contract that the council needed to determine.
Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Lydon
To approve the contract for the library siding project for partial payment allowed at 50% completion and payment made in full when complete and for the completion to be on or by November 1, 2025. The City Manager will view the project to determine 50% completion prior to a partial payment.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Smedsrud
To approve the sale of the old street department bucket truck at the next Sweeney Sale.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Blocker discussed items he thought would be valuable to have outside HR services assistance with Engrav and Smedsrud also providing input.
Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Wiedner
To approve the proposal to provide HR services with Helena Long, JET.
Yes: 4 | No: 1 (Lydon)
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Smedsrud | Seconded by: Blocker
To approve the city manager profile.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Lydon
To approve the City Clerk to move forward with getting two bids for work on the removal of the old ceiling and insulation in City Hall.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Public Comments: A resident noted he is proud of the work done by those who did the presentation for the Thriving Community, he is proud of the staff and the council.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner
To enter 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: Smedsrud, Wiedner, Blocker, Lydon, Engrav | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried. Roll call was taken: Blocker, Smedsrud, Wiedner, Lydon, Engrav
Moved by: Smedsrud | Seconded by: Lydon
To exit closed session.
Yes: Smedsrud, Wiedner, Blocker, Lydon, Engrav | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Lydon
To approve the City Manager to negotiate the sale of city property as discussed in the closed session.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav
To adjourn the meeting.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.