January 23, 2023 City Council Minutes

COUNCIL ROOM

 

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on January 23, 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, Andy Sires, John Lydon and Steve Wiedner.  Council members absent: None.  Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Standard- Joe Moses; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; FEH – Kevin Eipperle; members from Cub Scouts and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order. The Mayor requested that consent agenda item h, approval of special assessment for unpaid street patching repair work be moved to discussion. Council Member Hatlan requested consent agenda j, approval of claims be moved to discussion.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the consent agenda with those changes.

  • Agenda
  • Minutes of January 9, 2023 regular session
  • Approving update of ownership for Kwik Trip Inc. D/b/a Kwik Star #823, 101 Rossville Rd.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $3,036.00 from the General Fund to the Capital Project-Airport Improvement Fund to provide the local match of 30% for replacement of airport rotating beacon. A grant for Immediate Safety Enhancements through the Iowa Department of Transportation will be received covering up to 70% of eligible costs, not to exceed the maximum amount of $7,081. The Clerk assigned number 23-10 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Ordering preparation for detailed plans, specifications, notice of hearing, notice to bidders and forms of contract for the 1st Street NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-11 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $12,000.00 from the Sewer Fund to the Water Resource Restoration Fund for legal services for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-12 to the resolution.
  • Approval setting the public hearing for February 5, 2023 on the Maximum Property Tax Dollars for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year
  • Approval of Letter of Intent to Participate – CAT Theater Grant Program
  • Approval of Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption – 600 Rossville Rd.
  • Approval of CDBG HSG Contracts & Change Orders: 101 7th St. NW project contract to The Restyling Specialists and approval of change order #1; 306 1st Ave NE project contract to The Restyling Specialists and approval of change order #1; approval of radon work contract to BHL Radon Services, LLC for 206 7th St. NW and 109 2nd Ave. NE

 

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: No comments

 

Under Department Reports: Street Superintendent Keith Burrett noted that we will not be getting charged for the replacement of the lights by Fareway.  Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper mentioned the water meter project is going well with the installers anticipating 6-8 more weeks of work.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl discussed questions he received from a homeowner along 4th St. regarding the street project; the council asked for that item to be on the agenda for the next meeting.  Ertl also gave an update on where we are with other projects. Mayor Stone asked if street light installation is normally included in plans that the engineers draft as those were not included in the Pladsen Development project with Ertl noting that normally it is included.

 

City Clerk Snitker noted that the pre-application for the CAT Theater Grant was approved and the full application is due in March. Right now, February 16th is the soonest a tech could come to check the audio/visual equipment in the council chambers. The notices for the Water Meter Replacement project have been sent to all residents so if they do not receive a letter this week, they are encouraged to contact City Hall for HydroCorp’s number to get that scheduled.

 

City Manager Boden mentioned there has been interest from some developers for the housing development work in the Pladsen Addition.  He also noted that next Monday, at 11AM, there will be a budget hearing for the Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism and he encouraged people to attend for support.

 

The Mayor stated he is in favor of the Economic Development and Tourism budget and thinks it is important to promote our town and county.

 

Stone wanted to clarify consent agenda item h by noting that a dig bond is required when excavation is done and the homeowner gets that back once they repair the street. If they do not repair the street and the city has to, then the city will put a lien on the property for the payment.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the special assessment of $2,205 with a 3% interest rate for unpaid street patching repair work completed for 309 1st Ave. SW.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Council Member Hatlan would like to see all the invoices/bills we have received from S&M Development regarding the work at Pladsen Addition. He wants to see itemization of work.

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the claims minus the one for S&M Development and have S&M Development invoices on the next agenda.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Stone noted that he feels comfortable approving phase I for the City Street Maintenance Garage Building Replacement with the understanding that we can solicit bids for architects for the next phase if we would like.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the Agreement with FEH Associates for Phase I of the City Street Maintenance Garage Building Replacement in the amount of $9,420.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Ertl discussed the preliminary plans and project timeline for the 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvement Project.

No action taken.

 

City Clerk Snitker discussed a City Façade Improvement Application received from LBD Properties for a solar panel awning. Boden mentioned needing to review the zoning ordinances regarding this project.

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Sires

To move this item to the next meeting.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Assistant City Attorney Stinn discussed the council possibly wanting to review ordinance chapter 73 regarding ATV/UTV’s due to some recent legislative changes.

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon

To have a small committee comprised of Chief Wagner, one or two members from the County ATV/UTV Club, Council Members Hatlan and Wiedner and Assistant City Attorney Stinn to meet to discuss ordinance 73 and present to council in the spring.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Chief Wagner discussed a quote he received from the High School to build lockers for them.

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Sires

To approve the quote from the High School Industrial Technology Instructor for $2,322.92 for lockers in the police department.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Wagner noted that currently one of their vehicles does not have a camera. Due to the production time, he is hoping to approve this with payment not happening until after July 1st.

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve a new car camera from Axon not to exceed $3,500 annually for 5-years.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Boden discussed the proposed property tax levy.  He also discussed Fiscal Year 23/24 and Fiscal Year 24/25 Capital Improvement projects.  Approval of the budget will be held at the next meeting.

No action taken.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To adjourn.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

 

 

Payment of Claims PDF
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