August 5, 2024 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on August 5, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. in the council room of City Hall, 101 Allamakee Street and via Zoom technology. Mayor Arvid Hatlan presided. Council members present: John Lydon, Kevin Johnson, Dave Blocker, Nick Engrav and Steve Wiedner. Council members absent: none. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Finance Director Lana Snitker; Assistant City Attorney Hattie Frana, The Standard – Joe Moses; and citizens.

The mayor called the meeting to order. Under the consent agenda, the date of the liquor license temporary premise transfer for Allamakee County Agricultural Society needs to be changed to August 31st.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the consent agenda with that change.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of July 15, 2024
  • Resolution – authorizing Economic Development Grant to Allamakee County Economic Development. The clerk assigned number 24-106 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to transfer twenty-five percent of the total ($11,280.74) (Hotel/Motel money received in July, 2024 and deposited into the General Fund) from the General Fund to the Hotel/Motel (Tourism/Economic Development) Fund in the amount of $2,820.19. The clerk assigned number 24-107 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $25,000 from the Road Use Tax/RUT Fund to the Street Improvement/LOST Fund. This is to reverse a prior transfer made for equipment purchases. This original purpose was not covered under ballot language. The clerk assigned number 24-108 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $25,000 from the Street Improvement/LOST Fund to the Road Use Tax/RUT Fund for operating supplies/contracted street repairs. The clerk assigned number 24-109 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $45,000 from the Capital Equipment Fund and $37,907.44 from the RUT Fund to the Street Improvement/LOSST Fund to replenish two street sweeper payments made in fiscal years 2024 (resolution 23-96) and 2025 (resolution 24-59). Each payment was $41,453.72. The clerk assigned number 24-110 to the resolution.
  • Approval of the engagement with Hacker Nelson & Co for Audit FY 2024.
  • Approval of Liquor License: Class E Retail Alcohol License for Quillin’s, Class C Retail Alcohol License for AJ’s Steak House, Class B Retail Alcohol License for Family Dollar #33489, and temporary premise transfer to the Fairgrounds Grandstand for Allamakee County Agricultural Society for August 31st (pending dramshop approval)
  • Approval of claims

Yes: Wiedner, Lydon, Blocker, Johnson, Engrav | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: None

 

Under Department Reports: Park, Rec and Wellness Director Strub noted the pool is closing for the season on August 18th. He mentioned there is a plan to do some forestry work in the park near the five bridges trail. Street superintendent Burrett mentioned they are still patching, and the nuisance abatement mowing is going well. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned a water valve will be changed out on Wednesday near the street shop that will affect those by the golf course so they will notify property owners. Police Chief Wagner stated the End of Watch: Ride to Remember which honors fallen law enforcement officers will be stopping at the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office Friday, August 9th from 11am – 12:30pm.

 

Clerk Snitker mentioned she will be attending the Iowa Downtown Conference in Cedar Rapids this week and thanked the Waukon Chamber of Commerce and volunteers for the Corn Days Event. Waukon Chamber Director Mandy Halverson mentioned over 750 meals were served and discussed highlights from the weekend. City Manager Boden stated the capital improvement plan will be discussed at the next meeting.

 

Engrav and Hatlan both noted the Corn Days event is great for Waukon and that it was a good success. Wiedner noted he has received questions from the public on when a sidewalk is going to be put in around the golf course and also asked when the property near Growing Bear is going to be addressed. Blocker mentioned he met with the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors regarding the snow removal downtown with it being proposed to have the sidewalks cleared into the street by 4AM for the city to remove. Blocker also requested to have sidewalks as an upcoming discussion item due to recent legislative changes.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the 1st reading of the ordinance changing the permit fees for water main tap and sewer tap.

Yes: Lydon, Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To waive the additional readings of the ordinance changing the permit fees for water main tap and sewer tap.

Yes: Lydon, Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To adopt the ordinance changing the permit fees for water main tap and sewer tap.

Yes: Lydon, Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried and the clerk assigned number 841 to the ordinance.

 

Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the 1st reading of the ordinance changing the application fees for board of adjustment meetings.

Yes: Lydon, Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav

To waive the additional readings of the ordinance changing the application fees for board of adjustment meetings.

Yes: Lydon, Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To adopt the ordinance changing the application fees for board of adjustment meetings.

Yes: Lydon, Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried and the clerk assigned number 842 to the ordinance.

 

Boden noted some capital improvement expenditures from LOST for this project. Engrav asked if this was the next on the priority list and Hatlan asked if Boden had a copy of the priority list and asked who was establishing it. Boden noted a list would be brought to the next council meeting and that right now it is up for discussion. Burrett mentioned the storm sewer by Kwik Star should be replaced if we do this project due to its condition.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the resolution establishing the 1st Ave. SW Street Improvements Fund.

Yes: Lydon, Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried and the clerk assigned number 24-111 to the resolution.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve the resolution approving subdivision plat of Blue Heron Drive Addition.

Yes: Lydon, Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Engrav | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried and the clerk assigned number 24-112 to the resolution.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve the access easement at 603 2nd Ave. SW for Mel Johnson’s landscaping work.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve the additional scope of work with Fehr Graham for the City Parking Lot and Alley Improvements project.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Wagner discussed the WAVE system quote for city hall with the council thinking we should look at the building and make some other changes first, such as locking the doors and looking into protective glass at the front desk. L. Snitker will look further into this and bring the information back.

No action taken.

 

Under Public Comments: Hatlan wanted to thank the city departments who are assisting with the nuisance abatement work relating to vegetation. He noted he has received a lot of positive feedback regarding it.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav

To adjourn.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.