January 27, 2025 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on January 27, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. in the council room of City Hall, 101 Allamakee Street and via Zoom technology. Mayor Arvid Hatlan presided. Council members present: Steve Wiedner, Dave Blocker, and John Lydon. Council members absent: Kevin Johnson and Nick Engrav. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Finance Director Lana Snitker; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Allamakee County Economic Development Director Val Reinke; City Attorney Amy Reasner; Fehr Graham Sam Ertl; The Standard – Joe Moses; and citizens.

 

The mayor called the meeting to order. The discussion item regarding STBG Application and TA Set-aside application will be removed.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the consent agenda with that change.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of January 13, 2025
  • Liquor license approval of Class C Retail Alcohol License for Good Fellas Bar, LLC (pending approval of dramshop), ownership updates for Family Dollar #33489
  • Resolution – authorizing economic development grant to Allamakee County Economic Development. The clerk assigned number 25-07 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $1,082.75 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund for engineering costs for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. The clerk assigned number 25-08 to the resolution.
  • Approval of change order #2 and pay estimate #5 of $83,328.50 to Skyline Construction for the West Street SW Improvements Project.
  • Approval of claims

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: A resident questioned when the stop signs were going to be installed on West Street SW and asked about her property line pole being placed back.

 

Cooper noted there have been three water main breaks and they are anticipating more due to the weather fluctuation. Wagner mentioned they will be applying for the STEP program, and that Officer Schulte started his 4th week of the academy. Clerk Snitker noted the first draw request for the CAT Theater grant was submitted last week. Boden mentioned there will be a board of adjustment meeting coming up regarding setback allowance for People’s State Bank.

 

There was discussion on allowing chickens in town with a few residents who were present discussing reasons for and against it. Blocker, Wiedner and Lydon all stated they would like to keep the ordinance as is with Hatlan reading a memo from Engrav that stated he was in favor of allowing them.

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Wiedner

To keep the ordinance the same as it currently is which prohibits the allowance of livestock except for certain exceptions.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve funding to the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund of $12,500 for the next 3 fiscal years.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Reinke discussed the Allamakee County Child Care Solutions program and the recognition it is getting from the State. The council noted they would like to evaluate after a year to see how the program is going and if the funding is still needed.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the 28E Agreement for funding for services between Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission and the City of Waukon for $11,481 per year for three years unless terminated.

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

The mayor declared the resolution passed and the clerk assigned number 25-09 to the resolution.

 

Boden noted that the vehicle the Park and Rec Board wanted to move forward with was sold so they would like to go with the next option.

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the purchase of the GMC 1500 Sierra SLE for $22,533.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

It was mentioned that the total fee for hiring a consulting firm to update job descriptions and compensation structure would be $5,405 but there is a grant through NICC that will pay for half.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve JET to update job descriptions and compensation structure for $2,703.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

To approved pay estimate #6 for $1,588.40 to Skyline Construction for West Street SW Improvements Project.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: none

 

The council moved into exempt session regarding strategy on employee union contract negotiations – exempt from Iowa open meetings law by Iowa Code Chapter 20.17 (3).

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To adjourn the meeting.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.