July 15, 2024 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on July 15, 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 Steve Wiedner. Council members absent: Nick Engrav. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Finance Director Lana Snitker; Assistant City Attorney Hattie Frana, Fehr Graham – Sam Ertl; The Standard – Joe Moses; and citizens.

The mayor called the meeting to order.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the consent agenda.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of July 1, 2024
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $259.50 from the Pladsen Property Project Fund to the Water Resource Restoration Fund for engineering for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project. The clerk assigned number 24-103 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – For American Rescue Plant Act Allocation – for portion of improvements to City Hall $108,988.92, portion of improvements to Police Department $12,906.76, portion of improvements to Airport $20,125, portion of 1st to 1st Storm Sewer Improvements Project $222,000.50. The clerk assigned number 24-104 to the resolution.
  • Approval of Liquor License: Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for Town Theater. (pending dramshop approval).
  • Approval of change order #7 & #8 and pay estimate #6 for $15,054.32 & pay estimate #7 for $27,910.69 to Skyline Construction for the 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements project.
  • Approval of city clerk/treasurer’s report, June 2024
  • Approval of claims

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Ian Zahren introduced himself and noted he was running for House District 64. Pat Stone asked about the cement area behind Cunningham’s. Jenny O’Neill asked if the attorney signed off on the closed session that was listed on the agenda as was previously requested with Hatlan noting it was not. Pat Stone also noted that he heard the city was paying for the storm sewer at Kwik Star with Hatlan stating that was not happening.

 

Under Department Reports: Park, Rec and Wellness Director Strub noted they are working on registration for fall sports and that the shelters in the park are well rented out. Street superintendent Burrett mentioned they are doing the yellow painting on the curbs which should take around two weeks. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned the next two weeks they will start their regular jetting program and they had a meeting with Aveka regarding the recent sewer odors. Police Chief Wagner stated new gutters were installed on the building today.

 

Fehr Graham Ertl gave an update on projects and noted there are a few trees that need to be ground down before the 4th Street NW project is finished. Clerk Snitker mentioned she will be attending a regional roundup in Decorah this week and also that she is working with UERPC on holding a regional meeting for councils and city boards regarding ordinances, enforcement and other topics. Finance Director Snitker noted the ARPA allocation is complete. City Manager Boden stated the Kwik Star project is not going to happen and that if the council wanted to move forward with the city façade program again that funding can come out of the fund balance.

 

Council Member Johnson noted he would like to see the city façade grant program continue. Mayor Hatlan gave a reminder that food vendors need to get a permit with the city, Aveka will be shutting down for the fair and the recent odors in the air from Aveka were due to one of the boilers being down so hopefully that issue will resolve soon.

 

Waukon Chamber of Commerce Director Mandy Halverson discussed the Corn Days Events and the road closure.

Moved by: Wiedner| Seconded by: Blocker

To approve the resolution closing downtown Main Street for Corn Days Event and Street Dance on August 2, 2024

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

The mayor declared the motion carried and the clerk assigned number 24-105 to the resolution.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the 1st reading of the ordinance changing rates for service and billing for water service.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Johnson

To waive the additional readings of the ordinance changing rates for service and billing for water service.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To adopt the ordinance changing rates for service and billing for water service.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried and the clerk assigned number 839 to the ordinance.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the 1st reading of the ordinance changing laws and procedures regarding the abatement of grass, weeds, or other vegetation in the city.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Johnson | Seconded by: Lydon

To waive the additional readings of the ordinance changing laws and procedures regarding the abatement of grass, weeds, or other vegetation in the city.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To adopt the ordinance changing laws and procedures regarding the abatement of grass, weeds, or other vegetation in the city.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried and the clerk assigned number 840 to the ordinance.

 

  1. Snitker discussed the city façade improvements application for 540 Rossville Road noting the project is for glass and siding on the west side of the building and siding on the south side. The total project cost is $19,690.13.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the city façade grant improvements project application for 540 Rossville Road for $9,845.07; funds in excess of the current remaining program funds of $7,353.40 will be taken from the general fund reserve.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Burrett discussed raising the rates for snow removal for truck hires with Hatlan stating he agrees but would like more research.

No action taken.

 

Cooper noted we are losing money when we tap a water main due to the cost of materials. He recommends the permit fee for water mains be $450 and for sewer lines to go to $350.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To give direction to move forward with changing the ordinance for permit fees to tap the water mains and sewer lines to $450 and $350.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve partial pay estimate #2 of $85,629.79 to Skyline Construction for the Pladsen Storm Sewer Outlet Project.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve change order #1 for the City Parking Lot and Alley Improvements project.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Pat Stone asked why the city would get involved with the development of the Pladsen property when it’s private property. Ann Fossum asked about the 4-way stop by West Street with Chief Wagner saying he would discuss with her further. Mel Johnson asked if anyone has talked with Blake about finishing the job at his property. Hatlan stated Mel, Boden, Burrett and the contractor should schedule another meeting to address this, and it was also noted that a temporary easement will be needed to go on Mel’s neighbors property.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To enter 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: Lydon, Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner | Absent: Engrav | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

To exit closed session.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Johnson

To enter open session.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Johnson

To adjourn.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

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