July 24, 2023 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on July 24, 2023 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, Andy Sires (via zoom due to being out of town) and Steve Wiedner. Council members absent: One Vacancy. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Assistant City Attorney Hattie Frana; Library Director Cate St. Clair; Park, Rec & Wellness Director – Jeremy Strub; Police Chief Paul Wagner; The Standard – Joe Moses; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; Sarah Hennessy & Family; Veteran’s Memorial Hospital – Dave Martin and Jacob Dougherty; Matt Teslow; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order and the pledge of allegiance was said.

 

The Mayor presented a life saving award to Sarah Hennessy for her actions that saved a child’s life on June 17, 2023. Dave Martin and Jacob Dougherty from Veteran’s Memorial Hospital also presented a small gift to Sarah for her life saving actions.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the consent agenda.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of July 10, 2023 regular session
  • Approval of Row Agreement – Across Hwy 76
  • Approval of Community Catalyst Theater Remediation Grant with IEDA
  • Approval of Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption – 106 12th St. NW
  • Rescinding resolutions 23-98 and 23-112 authorizing internal advance to tax increment sub fund.
  • Resolution – Authorizing internal advance to capital project fund not to exceed $4,188. The Clerk assigned number 23-113 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Authorizing internal advance to capital project fund not to exceed $3,971. The Clerk assigned number 23-114 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $169,101.77 from the Wellness Center Operating Fund to the Wellness Center Capital Reserve Fund for future purchases. The Clerk assigned number 23-115 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $8,537 from the Trust & Agency Library Fund (for computer equipment and building improvements) and the transfer of $5,716.12 from the General Fund (to eliminate the deficit) to the Library General Fund. The Clerk assigned number 23-116 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $9,164.50 form the General Fund to the Capital Equipment Fund – General/Police for the Taser & Axon Body Cameras Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-117 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Approving permanent sidewalk easement Lot 1 of Lot 2 in the NW ¼ of the SE ¼ of Section 30-T98N-R5W. The Clerk assigned number 23-118 to the resolution.
  • Approving the City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, June 2023
  • Approval of Claims

Yes: Wiedner, Lydon, Johnson, Sires | Vacant: 1 | No:  0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: no comments

 

Under Department Reports: Street Superintendent Keith Burrett mentioned they hope to finish painting in the next week or two, they plan to work on patching streets and then they will get to tree trimming. Library Director Cate St. Clair stated the summer programs are going well and they had staff up at the fair last week. Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub noted this Thursday is the last Music in the Park night, there will be a circus in town August 10th & 11th and on August 12th they plan to close the pool. Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper mentioned a car hit a fire hydrant last week which caused some major infrastructure damage and thanked Skyline Construction for their help during that time. Police Chief Wagner mentioned they received a donation and are working on a project to utilize those funds and will announce that soon.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl provided an update on projects and noted that there will be two days Skyline Construction will not be charged for on the 4th St. NW project due to assisting the City with the water main issues. They held a pre-construction meeting for the box culvert with a tentative start date of next week.

 

City Clerk Snitker noted the Housing Discussion held on July 11th was successful and thanked those in attendance, those who presented and Allamakee Economic Development Director Val Reinke for all the help she provided.

 

City Manager Boden noted there will be additional meetings to come from the Housing Discussion and that KCRG will be running commercials for Our Town at 6AM and 6 PM starting next week and they will be here July 31st to video.

 

Council Member Johnson mentioned he’s been approached regarding the need to clean up junk vehicles and noted corn days is coming up August 4th and 5th and they are looking for volunteers to help shuck corn on August 3rd. Mayor Hatlan stated coffee with the Mayor went well and thanked those who attended. He would like department heads to get together with Snitker to get their calendars shared before next meeting. He said he has received lots of comments regarding nuisance abatement items and would like to hold a town hall meeting for the public on this topic.

 

Council had discussion regarding a request for an adjustment on a water bill for 105 1st Ave. SW.

Moved by: Wiedner

For the City to pay 25% of the bill which amounted to $389.48.

Motion died for a lack of second.

No action taken.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To appoint the City Council Ward 3 seat at the August 7th city council meeting.

Yes: 4 | Vacant: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To postpone the hiring of a street maintenance worker until the next meeting.

Yes: 4 | Vacant: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Ertl discussed a meeting he had with the contractor and Steve Pladsen about quantities and noted how with work and cost remaining those will eventually even out.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve payment to S&M Developments for Engineering fees of $24,431.25 and construction work of $757,285 for the Pladsen Addition Project.

Yes: 4 | Vacant: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Strub discussed the need for a new UTV for the park mentioning there are currently two but one needs to be replaced. Hatlan asked if he could get additional bids from other dealers and bring this item back for the next meeting.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To take no action.

Yes: 4 | Vacant: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Wagner discussed the speed feedback signs and noted that once equipment is installed it is expected of the City to take ownership with warranty lasting for 5 years.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve ownership of the speed feedback signs after installation.

Yes: 4 | Vacant: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Under Public Comments: A citizen noted there is no 240-volt service at the airport anymore and he is unable to get into his hanger.  He asked if council could look into that with Hatlan requesting that be on the next agenda. Another citizen addressed the discussion item regarding the water bill for 105 1st Ave. SW and thought council could have helped relieve some of that bill.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

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. (x3)

Yes: Johnson, Wiedner, Sires, Lydon | Vacant: 1 | No:  0

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

 

Council Member Sires left midway through the closed session.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To exit closed session

Yes: Johnson, Wiedner, Lydon | Absent: Sires | Vacant: 1 | No:  0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To enter into open session.

Yes: Johnson, Wiedner, Lydon | Absent: Sires | Vacant: 1 | No:  0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To adjourn.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 1 | Vacant: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

Payment of Claims PDF
City Council 2023 Minutes
All Meetings & Minutes