December 4, 2023 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on December 4, 2023 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, Andy Sires and Steve Wiedner. Council members absent: None. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Library Director Cate St. Clair; Assistant City Attorney Hattie Frana; The Standard – Joe Moses; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the consent agenda

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of November 20, 2023 regular and work session
  • Resolution – Setting the date for public hearing amending the current budget for the City of Waukon for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 – December 18, 2023 at 6PM. The Clerk assigned number 23-180 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $58,760.97 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Revenue Bond Sinking Fund for the principal/interest payment on the Sewer Revenue Improvement and Refunding Bond, Series 2022 ($50,007.68) and Series 2023 ($5,084.75) and Series 2021 ($3,668.54). The Clerk assigned number 23-181 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $3,422 from the Capital Equipment Fund-Streets back to the Road Use Tax Fund to correct the amount transferred for a vehicle purchase. The Clerk assigned number 23-182 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to transfer twenty-five percent of the total ($23,354.82) (Hotel/Motel money received in November, 2023 and deposited in the General Fund) from the General Fund to the Hotel/Motel (Tourism/Economic Development) Fund in the amount of $5,838.71. The Clerk assigned number 23-183 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – amending starting date of provision of health insurance to new city employees. The Clerk assigned number 23-184 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $374.15 from the TIF Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the interest payment due December 1, 2023 on the equalization payment through the Allamakee County Auditor. The Clerk assigned number 23-185 to the resolution.
  • Approval of side yard variance at 208 4th Ave. NE
  • Approval of claims

 

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: no comments

 

Under Department Reports: Park, Rec & Wellness Director Strub noted biddy basketball and adult volleyball have started. Police Chief Wagner noted 2 of the speed feedback signs are up and he is checking on the 3rd. Library Director St. Clair noted there is a story walk on Main Street until the end of December. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned two university professors are stopping this week to walk through the plant and they are going through the lift stations and pump house for maintenance upkeep.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl provided an update on projects noting the two additional street lights have been installed on West Street.

 

City Clerk Snitker noted the CDBG Housing program has been completed and that City Hall will be looking for a custodian as the current one will be finished the end of December. Assistant City Attorney Frana noted they are working on agreements for the wastewater treatment plant. City Manager Boden noted he plans to attend a legislative event this week.

 

Council member Johnson reminded everyone to get out and vote. Council member Blocker noted he contacted our local representatives about House File 718 and encouraged others to do the same. Mayor Hatlan provided an update on the fiber project noting approximately 500 houses have been completed.

 

Council discussed the meeting dates for January noting those will be on the 2nd and 22nd.

No action taken.

 

There was discussion on budgeting funds for the City Façade Improvement Program with Hatlan recommending we provide funding again. Boden mentioned he would like to revisit this after there has been more time to go through the budget.

No action taken.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To hire Alyssa Rostad for police officer starting December 18, 2023 at $20.17 per hour.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Wagner discussed the phones issues at the police station and went through two quotes received.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the quote from Five Star Telecom with a one-time cost of $1,718.18 and monthly recurring costs of $413.75 + taxes/fees for the new phone system.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve change order #5 and pay estimate #4 in the amount of $126,269.25 to Skyline Construction for 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Moved by: Lydon| Seconded by: Sires

To approve change order #4 and pay estimate #7 in the amount of $126,598.23 to Skyline Construction for 4th Street NW & 8th Ave. NW Improvements Project.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Under Public Comments: no comments

 

Moved by: Johnson | Seconded by: Blocker

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: Sires, Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Lydon | No:  0

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

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Blocker

To exit closed session

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Blocker

To enter into open session.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Wiedner

To adjourn.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

Payment of Claims PDF
City Council 2023 Minutes
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