February 19, 2024 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on February 19, 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: Kevin Johnson, Dave Blocker (arrived late by zoom due to work), Steve Wiedner and Nick Engrav. Council members absent: John Lydon. 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; Finance Director Lana Snitker; Assistant City Attorney Hattie Frana; The Standard – Joe Moses; and citizens.

The mayor called the meeting to order. The claim for the electric water meters for $143.60 needs to be pulled.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Engrav

To approve the consent agenda with that change.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of February 5, 2024 and special February 12, 2024 meeting
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $9.93 from the Capital Project-Maintenance Garage to the Street Improvement Fund/LOST. This is interest earned on Fund Balance. The Clerk assigned number 24-24 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $1,989.50 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund for engineering costs for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. The Clerk assigned number 24-25 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $32,875 back to the General Fund from the CDBG Housing Rehab Fund for reimbursement per original resolution numbers 23-153 and 23-178. The Clerk assigned number 24-26 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $29,400 from the 9 & 11 Allamakee Street Fund, for internal advance repayments, to the Street Improvement Fund/LOST. The Clerk assigned number 24-27 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $169,650 from the Street Improvement/LOST Fund to the Pladsen Stormwater Outlet Fund. The Clerk assigned number 24-28 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $61,700 from the Street Improvement/LOST Fund to the City Parking Lot/Alley Fund street project. The Clerk assigned number 24-29 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $25,960 from the West Street SW Improvement Fund to the Pladsen Property Project Fund to fund the Pladsen Property Project. The Clerk assigned number 24-30 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $48,485 from the Street Improvement/LOST Fund to the West Street SW Improvement Fund for the street project. The Clerk assigned number 24-31 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $17,537.47 from the Hotel/Motel-Park Fund to Capital Equipment Fund/Park & Recreation for UTV purchase. The Clerk assigned number 24-32 to the resolution.
  • Approval of permanent easement with Jeremy & Brandy Strub, West Street project.
  • Approval of City Clerk/treasurer’s Report, January 2024
  • Approval of claims

 

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: none

 

Under Department Reports: Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned the floors in the pumphouse have been painted. Street Superintendent Burrett stated they got the sweeper out. Park, Rec, and Wellness Director Strub mentioned they are advertising summer rec positions. Police Chief Wagner noted Officer Rostad is going to Waterloo for some academy testing.

 

City Clerk Snitker noted a focus group meeting was held for the community visioning program and noted that utility billing has been transferred to bi-monthly with north side residents’ payments due on odd months and south side residents’ payments due on even months. City Manager Boden stated he will be attending a city manager/administrator meeting on Friday.  Mayor Hatlan mentioned he has contacted a couple of contractors regarding the city hall roof.

 

Ben Sweeney discussed his proposal for putting a campground near his business, Green Valley Getaway at 78 16th Ave. NW, with Boden noting there will be a Board of Adjustment meeting held regarding this conditional use request on February 27th at 5:30.

No action taken.

 

Jeff Allsion discussed his housing development proposal for the former Bresnahan property with Boden noting this topic will be discussed further in closed session.

No action taken.

 

The mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on adopting the code of ordinances of the City of Waukon, Iowa. The Clerk announced there were no oral or written comments received. The mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Engrav

To approve the 1st ordinance reading to adopt the code of ordinances of the City of Waukon, Iowa.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl noted that a letter will be sent to Family Dollar/Dollar Tree regarding seeding on their property. Ertl also stated that they will send out requests for bid for seeding to be done on Lot 4 with plans to bring that back to the council in March.

No action taken.

Boden discussed the use of Hotel/Motel tax to pay for a new UTV for the park and rec department. Park, Rec and Wellness board member Dennis Lyons requested that funding be held for other uses such as towards a new shelter in the park. There was also discussion on the type of UTV to be purchased with it being noted that there will be a park, rec and wellness meeting this week where it will be discussed further.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Engrav

To move this item to the next meeting.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

The mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on awarding contract for Pladsen Addition Storm Sewer Outlet Project. The Clerk announced there were no oral or written comments received. The mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Johnson

To finally approve and confirm plans, specifications and form of contract and award contract for Pladsen Addition Storm Sewer Outlet Project to Skyline Construction for $265,958.10. Approval subject to receiving an easement from property owners of 710 Rossville Rd.

Yes: Johnson, Engrav, Wiedner | Absent: Blocker, Lydon | no: 0

The mayor declared the resolution passed. The clerk assigned number 24-33 to the resolution.

 

The mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on awarding contract for city parking lot and alley improvements Project. The Clerk announced there were no oral or written comments received. The mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

Hatlan asked Ertl about communication to the downtown businesses regarding the parking lot project and for that to be completed prior to us approving starting the project.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Johnson

To finally approve and confirm plans, specifications and form of contract and award contract for city parking lot and alley improvements project to Skyline Construction for $207,379.95.

Yes: Johnson, Engrav, Wiedner | Absent: Blocker, Lydon | no: 0

The mayor declared the resolution passed. The clerk assigned number 24-34 to the resolution.

 

Council Member Blocker arrived during the budget discussion.

 

Boden discussed the general fund, accounts, and capital improvements budget. He also discussed the possibility of taking out a loan for some city hall projects that are needed.

Moved by: Johnson | Seconded by: Wiedner

To tentatively approve the general fund, accounts, and capital improvement budgets.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Johnson | Seconded by: Wiedner

To give direction to the city manager to put together a financing plan and list of projects that would be considered by the council for a small debt service not to exceed $200,000 for review at next meeting.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Ertl mentioned Mediacom has started work on West Street.

 

Moved by: Johnson | Seconded by: Engrav

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. (x3)

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.  Roll call was taken: Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Engrav

 

Council Member Blocker, left during the closed session.

 

Moved by: Johnson | Seconded by: Engrav

To exit closed session.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Johnson

To enter open session.

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

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

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Engrav

To adjourn.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

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