February 6, 2023 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on February 6, 2023 at 6:00 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, Arvid Hatlan, John Lydon and Steve Wiedner.  Council members absent: Andy Sires.  Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Standard- Joe Moses; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; Steve Pladsen; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order. The Mayor requested that consideration of the Façade Improvement Application for 3 W Main Street be moved to next agenda.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the consent agenda with that change.

  • Agenda
  • Minutes of January 23, 2023 regular session
  • Approving Class B Retail Alcohol License for Dolgencorp, LLC d/b/a Dollar General Store #7229, 805 11th Ave. SW
  • Resolution – Agreeing to close the extension of Hwy IA 76 and IA 9 and 76 from WW Homestead Dairy’s parking lot along 9/76 to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on 2nd St. SW for the period beginning at 12PM and ending at 3PM on March 19, 2023 for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Clerk assigned number 23-13 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $577.50 from the Sewer Fund to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund for engineering costs. The Clerk assigned number 23-14 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $11,506.66 from the Wellness Center Operating Fund to the General Fund for the Wellness Center employee share-reimbursement for the January, 2023 payroll salaries. The Clerk assigned number 23-15 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $17,500 from the Employee Benefits Fund to the T&A Insurance Partial Self Fund for insurance costs. The Clerk assigned number 23-16 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $56,825.46 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Revenue Bond Sinking Fund for the principal/interest payment on the Sewer Revenue Bond, Series 2019 ($47,966.08) and Series 2021-$1M ($5,144.17) and Series 2021-$750K ($3,715.21). The Clerk assigned number 23-17 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $7,612.76 from the General Fund to the Capital Project – Airport Improvement Fund for electrical service meters. Once the grant for the airport rotating beacon is received, the General Fund will be reimbursed by the grant amount (not to exceed the maximum amount of $7,081). The Clerk assigned number 23-18 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Authorizing internal advance to tax Increment Sub fund not to exceed $76. The Clerk assigned number 23-19 to the resolution.
  • Approval of City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, January 2023
  • Approval of Claims

 

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: No comments

 

Under Department Reports: Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper mentioned that water usage on utility bills might be higher now due to the new meters. He also noted that Drew Hager mentioned he owns a building which shares a sewer line with Aveka and Hager asked if he could put a holding tank in his parking lot area; Assistant City Attorney Stinn said he would like this approved through council even if it is under the consent agenda. Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub noted they will be having another meeting with MSA near the end of this month regarding the park plan. Chief Wagner stated they posted a job opening online and hope to have an applicant by March 17th.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl discussed that he is waiting to hear back on costs regarding the street lights in the Pladsen Addition.

 

City Clerk Snitker noted that IEDA conducted their final walk through of AJ’s Steakhouse last week. She also mentioned that utility bills are still quarterly however they will show a reading date of when the new meters are installed because they cannot show two beginning dates. The bill will not be switching to bi-monthly until all meters are installed.

 

The Mayor mentioned he has heard from some business owners about the possibility of snow downtown being plowed to the center with Street Superintendent Burrett noting that would be something we would want to check with IDOT since they are State Highways. Council member Wiedner mentioned he had a citizen address concern about the cost approved for payment on the park plan. Council member Hatlan stated he wants to discuss the sidewalk snow removal on the next agenda, he also mentioned they will be setting up meetings for the ATV/UTV ordinance. Lastly, Hatlan asked when the building cleanup on Allamakee Street was going to start with Snitker mentioning the contractor stated sometime in February.

 

The Mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on proposed property tax dollars for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.  The Clerk announced there were no oral or written comments received. City Manager Boden stated he thinks the resolution for setting the property tax dollars should wait until next meeting. The Mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Johnson

To postpone the resolution setting the maximum property tax dollars for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year until the February 20th council meeting.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl discussed the proposed work and estimated cost for the 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Project.

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the detailed plans and specifications, notice of hearing, notice to bidders and form of contract for the 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Project.

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

The Mayor declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 23-20 to the resolution.

 

Assistant City Attorney Stinn noted there were a couple of changes to the previously approved Fairgrounds Lease Agreement with adding that the tenants can, with approval of the landlord, gate off portions of the property during events to help with traffic control.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve and direct the conveyance of interest in real property for the Fairgrounds Lease Agreement.

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

The Mayor declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 23-21 to the resolution.

 

Clerk Snitker discussed a Façade Improvement Application for 38 W Main Street, the Town Theater, and noted they have been approved for $5,000 from the county and the total costs provided for the façade were $48,600.

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the Façade Improvement Application for 38 W Main Street for $10,000 with funding to be utilized towards painting and electrical on the marquee.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Ertl discussed some questions from owners regarding the upcoming 4th Street NW & 8th Ave. NW project. Council members stated they are okay with owners replacing their driveway during the project and would be willing to work with them on how to deal with the billing. Another property was discussed regarding a retaining wall and bushes.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To approve that a retaining wall will need to be a minimum of four feet from the back of the curb with discussion for negotiating the depth beyond that. Property owner will be responsible for the wall maintenance and also any relocation of bushes. The City would handle the cost to remove bushes.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

S&M Development Invoices were discussed with it being noted that the City still needs to understand quantities on what has been done so far and what will be done in the future.

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon

To bring back discussion on the S&M Development Invoices at the March 6th council meeting.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon

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

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

 

Moved by: Wiedner| Seconded by: Hatlan

To exit closed session

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Hatlan

To enter into open session.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To adjourn.

Yes: 4 | Absent: Sires | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

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