January 2, 2024 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on January 2, 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, and Nick Engrav. Council members absent: Steve Wiedner. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Finance Director Lana Snitker; City Attorney Jeff Swartz; West Street Property Owners; Destiny Anderson; The Standard – Joe Moses; 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 December 18, 2023
  • Resolution – agreeing to change the mileage reimbursement allowance for use of private automobile on City business from sixty-five and one half ($.655) cents per mile to sixty-seven ($.67) cents, effective January 1, 2024. The City will update its rate each year, if necessary, based on the standard mileage rate issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The Clerk assigned number 24-01 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – approving Depositories of City Funds as follows: Waukon State Bank, Waukon ($10,000,000); FreedomBank, Waukon ($8,500,000); Peoples State Bank, Waukon ($8,500,000); Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank, Lansing ($8,500,000); Luana Savings Bank, Luana ($10,000,000); Decorah Bank & Trust, Decorah ($8,500,000). The Clerk assigned number 24-02 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 24-03 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $8,500 from the Sewer Fund to the Water Resource Restoration Fund for legal services for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project. The Clerk assigned number 24-04 to the resolution.
  • Set Date, time and place for regular meetings as the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 6PM.
  • Set agenda posting place as bulletin board at City Hall entrance and designate official newspaper as The Standard Newspaper, Waukon.
  • Approval of Council & Mayor appointments: Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Johnson, Police Chief Paul Wagner, City Attorney Jeff Swartz, City Clerk Sarah Snitker, Deputy City Clerk Lana Snitker, City Manager Gary Boden, Zoning Administrator Gary Boden
  • Recommendation of Approval of Contribution to Northeast Iowa Community Action for $3,827
  • Approval of claims

 

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: no comments

 

Under Department Reports: Police Chief Wagner noted school emergency radios are supposed to be installed tomorrow and he will be having an initial survey meeting with the phone company this week. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned they located a private sewer line for an individual. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett stated they are trimming trees and will start cutting down some trees and plan to be finished at the end of this week. Park, Rec, and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub had a lifeguarding class last week and attended a Northeast Iowa Park and Rec meeting regarding pay scale for lifeguards.

 

Ertl noted they had the final walk through for 1st Street and 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer project with a punch list being made for items to be addressed and there are some punch list items for the 4th Street NW project. City Clerk Snitker noted the online payment option for utility bills will not be available until after the utility accounts have been switched. City Manager Boden mentioned we received the taxable valuations from the county.

 

Destiny Anderson addressed the council regarding a request to change the dog breed restriction ordinance. Council would like more time and information, they also requested verification that Destiny’s dog met the service requirements by the ADA and as listed in the city code and asked her to share the information she mentioned at the meeting. The council would like this discussed at the first meeting in February.

No action was taken.

 

Mayor Hatlan appointed Dave Blocker and John Lydon to the fire committee and stated he wanted to address a finance committee at the next meeting.

Moved by: Johnson | Seconded by: Engrav

To appoint Council members Dave Blocker and John Lydon to the fire committee.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Mayor Hatlan discussed possible equipment for the street department to help with snow removal but requested another estimate for cost comparison.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve a new Kage Innovation KBSS 12-XL Snowstorm System in an amount not to exceed $19,810 pending receipt of another estimate and going with the lower bid of the two.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Boden discussed a letter that was sent to Mindy Jones regarding payment for the city cleaning up 9 Allamakee Street after the fire.

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve moving forward with placing a lien on 9 Allamakee Street after January 5th.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

There was lengthy discussion about the preliminary plans for the West Street SW Improvements project with Ertl asking the council questions relating to specific addresses and designs and homeowners asking questions as well. Ertl would be drafting notes regarding the council’s decisions and providing to the city for their record.

No action taken.

 

Ertl asked the council for direction on the preliminary plans for the Pladsen Addition Storm Sewer Outlet project and would provide notes of the discussion to the city for their record.

No action taken.

 

Ertl discussed revisions made to the plans for the City Parking Lot and Alley Improvements Project.

No action taken.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve 4th Street NW Improvements Project change order #5 and pay estimate #5 to Skyline Construction in the amount of $3,349.68 and to approve 1st Street NW and 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements project change order #6 and pay estimate #5 to Skyline Construction in the amount of $82,611.69.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Discussion was had regarding the Wastewater Treatment Plant project with Ertl noting the one-year warranty starts from acceptance of work. Cooper noted he wanted to wait until after the plant has gone through colder weather months to make sure everything is working properly and before signing off on project completion and the retainage payment.

No action taken.

 

Under Public Comments: Gloria Hennessy asked if a meeting could be held for their questions regarding the West Street SW project with it being scheduled with Ertl, Boden, Hatlan and two council members at city hall on Thursday.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Engrav

To adjourn.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

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