June 3, 2024 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on June 3, 2024, 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: Dave Blocker (via zoom due to work), John Lydon, Nick Engrav and Steve Wiedner. Council members absent: Kevin Johnson. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Finance Director Lana Snitker; City Attorney Jeff Swartz; Fehr Graham – Sam Ertl; The Standard – Joe Moses; and citizens.

The mayor called the meeting to order. He asked to remove consent agenda item e regarding change orders and pay estimates for the 1st St. NW and 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the consent agenda with that change.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of May 20, 2024
  • Resolution – approving salary and wages for non-union employees effective July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. The clerk assigned number 24-85 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $60,907.81 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Revenue Bond Sinking Fund for the principal/interest payments on the Sewer Revenue Improvement and Refunding Bond, Series 2022 ($52,082.45) and Series 2023 ($5,120.16) and Series 2021 ($3,705.20). The clerk assigned number 24-86 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to transfer twenty-five percent of the total ($4,515.47) (Hotel/Motel money received in May 2024 and deposited into the General Fund) from the General Fund to the Hotel/Motel (Tourism/Economic Development) Fund in the amount of $1,128.87. The clerk assigned number 24-87 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $30,795 from the General Fund to the City Hall Roof & Repairs Fund for the city hall roof project. The clerk assigned number 24-88 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $337.18 from the TIF Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the interest payment due June 1, 2024, on the equalization payment through the Allamakee County Auditor. The clerk assigned number 24-89 to the resolution.
  • Approval of City Hall Furnace and AC Unit Quote from Kurth Plumbing & Heating for $22,131.83.
  • Approval of partial pay estimate #1 for the Pladsen Storm Sewer Outlet Project, to Skyline Construction for $132,372.84.
  • Approval of claims

 

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Spencer Hackler noted he was available to the council if they wanted to discuss chickens being allowed in town and mentioned he has received a legal opinion in support of the allowance. Keith Bresnahan mentioned he noticed the flowerpots have been hung up downtown and asked if those have been approved at a meeting since the funding for it was part of the veto. Ann Fossum asked if there could be a 4-way stop at the intersection of West Street and 6th Ave. SW with the council saying that could be placed on a July agenda.

 

Under Department Reports: Park, Rec and Wellness Director Strub noted they have been busy at the campground and the park. Street superintendent Burrett noted they finished up grinding stumps and will start painting tomorrow if the weather permits. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned they had a water main break near Green Valley and mentioned they installed a pressure tank in their sludge press building. Police Chief Wagner stated Lieran Painting will be starting the painting later this week and gave an update on the crosswalk on Main Street and that he is still checking into it.

 

Fehr Graham Ertl mentioned he contacted the contractor regarding a cracked intake box at the intersection of 2nd Street NW and 5th Ave. NW that will be replaced under the project warranty. City Manager Boden noted he will be having a meeting this week with Cooper and Ertl regarding water main break issues.

 

Council member Blocker noted the city has covered a lot of ground over the last few years and we should be looking at that positively. Mayor Hatlan mentioned for residents to be aware that lawns will start to be addressed once the city properties are taken care of.

 

The mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on ordinance re-zoning 1-acre parcel for the lot two parcels north of 878 Allamakee Street from “R-2” Residential to “B-2” Business. (parcel #1030251049). Clerk Snitker noted there were no comments received. Boden noted this passed unanimously at the planning & zoning commission meeting. The mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve the 1st reading of the ordinance changing the zoning district classification from “R-2” Residential to “B-2” Business District for certain real estate in the City of Waukon.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To waive the additional readings of the ordinance changing the zoning district classification from “R-2” Residential to “B-2” Business District for certain real estate in the City of Waukon.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To adopt the ordinance changing the zoning district classification from “R-2” Residential to “B-2” Business District for certain real estate in the City of Waukon.

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

The mayor declared the ordinance passed. The clerk assigned number 836 to the ordinance.

 

The mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on ordinance re-zoning of 9-acre parcel at 78 16th Ave. NW from “A” Agricultural to “B-2” Business. Clerk Snitker noted there were no comments received. Boden noted this passed unanimously at the planning & zoning commission meeting and that there were residents at the meeting who were satisfied with it. Chad Curtin noted he was not satisfied with this but that it was the lesser of 2 evils regarding the proposals for the area and noted he is not happy with the potential result if something happens. Jenny O’Neill noted that per the city zoning ordinances re-zoning can be conditional by the council if agreed to. She asked if this is approved that it could be conditional on this being the business that goes on that property and not something else. John Jennerjohn said that will not be a problem with him. Cory O’Neill asked about the parking lot with Jennerjohn noting that it would be blacktop. C. O’Neill also mentioned they have a concern with parking on their street if there is an overflow of vehicles at the venue and asked if something could be conditional about that too. Jennerjohn noted they can list that as a stipulation in their contract with customers that they cannot park on 16th Ave. NW during an event. Attorney Swartz noted this can be added to the ordinance if the council approves it that way. The mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the 1st reading of the ordinance changing the zoning district classification from “A” Agricultural to “B-2” Business District for certain real estate in the City of Waukon amending it to include a condition that it is to be used for the proposed business and the condition that the no-overflow parking will be part of the agreement.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav

To waive the additional readings of the ordinance changing the zoning district classification from “A” Agricultural to “B-2” Business District for certain real estate in the City of Waukon amending it to include a condition that it is to be used for the proposed business and the condition that the no-overflow parking will be part of the agreement.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To adopt the ordinance changing the zoning district classification from “A” Agricultural to “B-2” Business District for certain real estate in the City of Waukon amending it to include a condition that it is to be used for the proposed business and the condition that the no-overflow parking will be part of the agreement.

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

The mayor declared the ordinance passed. The clerk assigned number 837 to the ordinance.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the resolution supporting the submission of an Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) application to the workforce housing tax credit program by Q4 Rentals, LLC.

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

The mayor declared the resolution carried. The clerk assigned number 24-90 to the resolution.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the two options to purchase real estate with Q-4 Rentals, LLC for city property located within the Pladsen Addition.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Hatlan and Blocker noted there are still issues with storm water runoff at Rossville Road from Family Dollar/Dollar Tree and Pladsen Addition even though the owners have been notified.

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

For City Manager Boden to contact both entities and give them by 5PM on Thursday, June 6, 2024, to have a plan in place to address the issue and if they don’t or we don’t hear from them then on Friday morning to contact the DNR. The council wants work in process by June 14th and if none then the DNR should be contacted.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: none

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav

To adjourn.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

Payment of Claims PDF
City Council 2024 Minutes
All Meetings & Minutes