June 5, 2023 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on June 5, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. in the council room of City Hall, 101 Allamakee Street and via Zoom technology. Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Johnson presided. Council members present: John Lydon, Kevin Johnson and Steve Wiedner. Council members absent: Arvid Hatlan, Andy Sires. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Library Director Cate St. Clair; Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn; Finance Director – Lana Snitker; The Standard – Joe Moses; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; Waukon Chamber of Commerce – Mandy Halverson; and citizens.

The Mayor Pro Tem called the meeting to order.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the consent agenda.

Approval of Agenda

Minutes of May 15, 2023 regular session

Set date for public hearing on FYE 23 Budget Amendment for June 19, 2023 at 6PM.

Set date for public hearing on Vacating the Street that is the VMH ED parking lot and helipad for June 19, 2023 at 6PM.

Approval of Library Board Terms 6-year renewal; Diane Piittmann and Amanda Winter

Approval of transfer of premise, temporary transfer beginning 7/19/23 and ending 7/23/23; Pavilion to Grandstand, Allamakee County Agricultural Society, 705 Allamakee St. (pending receipt of dramshop insurance)

Approving Cigarette Permits: Casey’s General Store, Dollar General Store, Double “D” Liquor Store, Fareway Store, Huba Huba, Dollar Fresh, Kwik Star and Quillin’s Food Ranch

Approval of Administration Payment to Simmering Cory – CDBG HSG Program for $8,000

Approval of Agreement for Replacing Driveway with Suzanne Ludeking

Approval of pay request #2 for $82,000 to Lansing Brothers Construction for the 9 & 11 Allamakee St. Project

Approval of payment requests to S&M Developments for the Pladsen Addition – Fehr Graham, $32,751.75 and Skyline Construction, $220,452.27

Approval of Pay Estimate #1 to Riehm Construction for $79,391.98 – Storm Water Quality Improvements Project, Contract C

Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $2,368 from the General Fund to the CDBG Housing Rehab Fund for general administration and technical administration for Owner-occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program, with the understanding that, when reimbursements are received through the Community Development Block Grant the amount will be paid back to the General Fund. The Clerk assigned number 23-77 to the resolution.

Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $10,310.54 from the Wellness Center Operating Fund to the General Fund for the Wellness Center employee share-reimbursement for the May, 2023 payroll salaries. The Clerk assigned number 23-78 to the resolution.

Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $58,759.27 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Revenue Bond Sinking Fund for the principal/interest payment on the Sewer Revenue Bond, Series 2019 ($50,002.56) and Series 2021-$1M ($5,088.18) and Series 2021-$750K ($3,668.53). The Clerk assigned number 23-79 to the resolution.

Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $737.49 from the Sewer Revenue Bond Sinking Fund to the Sewer Revenue Bond Surplus Fund as set out in Section 9 of the Sewer Revenue Bond, Series 2019. The Clerk assigned number 23-80 to the resolution.

Resolution – Agreeing to transfer twenty-five percent of the total ($8,985.14) (Hotel/Motel money received in May, 2023 and deposited into the General Fund) from the General Fund to the Hotel/Motel (Tourism/Economic Development) Fund in the amount of $2,246.29. The Clerk assigned number 23-81 to the resolution.

Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $12,250 from the General Fund/Police to the Capital Equipment Fund/Police for vehicle cameras. The Clerk assigned number 23-82 to the resolution.

Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $35,000 from the General Fund/Police to the Capital Equipment Fund/Police for new vehicle and outfitting. The Clerk assigned number 23-83 to the resolution.

Approval of Claims

 

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: there were no comments

 

Under Department Reports: Street Superintendent Keith Burrett noted they are waiting on paint to be delivered to do the lines on the streets. Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper mentioned they would like to limit the use of pool meters for filling pools or for brand new yards, they have a Ford Crown Victoria vehicle they want to put up for sealed bid and the sludge storage at the Treatment Plant does not have enough room so he would like to look at an additional one to be installed in the future. Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub stated the pool opened last Tuesday and Music in the Park started last Thursday. Library Director Cate St. Clair noted Lego club starts tomorrow and will run on Tuesdays through June and July, summer explorers starts on Wednesday and the Library is putting on lots of other events so to check their website. Police Chief Wagner said they took delivery of the lockers that the High School metal class made and that the storm siren in the park is not working again. Finance Director Snitker discussed a couple of transfers from the consent agenda and noted there will be a budget amendment occurring at the next meeting.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl noted trees have been cut along 4th Street & 8th Ave. NW and that Alliant and Media Com are done with their work. Paving of the street in the Pladsen Addition is anticipated to start this week.

 

City Clerk Snitker mentioned receipt of a letter from the Iowa Secretary of State inviting Waukon City Hall to join the Iowa Businesses Against Trafficking, so with consent from the Mayor Pro Tem she signed City Hall up. She also noted that a resident requested a crosswalk in front of their business but that the resident did not provide additional information requested to present to the council.

 

City Manager Boden noted he, Val Reinke and City Clerk Snitker have been working on information for the housing meeting that is coming up on July 11th.

 

Council Member Wiedner questioned why the sludge storage unit at the Water Treatment Plant was not adequately figured in the plans for work and wants that to be checked into by the City Attorney with Boden noting he would check into that.

 

Assistant City Attorney Stinn noted there will be some property transfer coming up for Veteran’s Memorial Hospital due to the City to County transfer.

 

Waukon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mandy Halverson introduced herself and mentioned upcoming events for Corn Days, August 4-6, and presenting the council with street closure applications.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the second reading amending the Code of Ordinances by changing the Definitions, General Restrictions, Operation on City Streets and Alleys, Operations on Primary and Secondary Roads, Restrictions and Violations for All-Terrain Vehicles and Off-Road Utility Vehicles.

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion passed.

 

Boden discussed a policy regarding campground usage and noted this could be altered in the future if needed.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the City Park Campground Usage Policy

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 23-84 to the resolution.

 

Boden discussed the speed limits in the area around the Pladsen Addition and noted that the council will need to determine the speed they would like on the new road going there, 8th Ave. SW, and determine stop sign placement.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To have the speed on 8th Ave. SW as 35 mph, stop signs on 8th Ave. SW entering 2nd Street SW and entering Rossville Rd. and no parking on either side of the road.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion passed.

 

Mayor Pro Tem compensation was tabled until the next meeting.

No action taken.

 

Burrett noted two bids received for storm sewer repair work on 2nd Ave. NE and 1st Ave. NE. Boden stated if approved, funding for that project would need to come from Local Option Sales Tax.  Boden also noted there was a quote for storm sewer replacement on a private property that he wants to wait to address until next meeting.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the bid from Ray’s Excavating, LLC for $25,400 for storm sewer replacements on 1st and 2nd Ave. NE.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion passed.

 

Wagner discussed issues with some of the current car cameras the PD has and that they currently have a budget surplus.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Weidner

To approve the purchase of three car cameras through Axon Enterprise, Inc. at a cost of $9,164.60 annually per the schedule in the quote.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion passed.

 

Cooper discussed the estimate received regarding replacement of well #2 and noted that some of the cost the City is already responsible for due to pulling the pump and checking it with a camera.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Weidner

To approve Northway Well and Pump Co.’s estimate for replacement of Well #2 pumping equipment of $44,430.10.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion passed.

 

Ertl discussed costs and details associated with the streetlight options for the Pladsen addition and his recommendations.  Council would like him to move forward with aluminum poles, the option to pay a lump sum fee for installation and rental of the poles of $22,980 and the monthly charge for the light fixtures at $279.84 per month and going with the higher wattage fixtures.

No action taken.

 

Ertl discussed some property owner requests he received for curb cuts on the 4th St. NW Improvements Project. Due to subdivision ordinances and lot sizes, council are okay with a curb cut out for the Sass property but not for Steffens or O’Neil.  Council would like discussion on driveway width requirements to be on the next agenda for discussion.

No action taken.

 

Ertl discussed the partial pay request for 4th St. NW/8th Ave. NW Improvements Project and noted that a change order request for additional time was submitted due sidewalk work beginning right away on 8th Ave. NW to have completed before the County Fair starts.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Weidner

To approve Change Order #1 and Pay Estimate #1 to Skyline Construction for $8,911.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion passed.

 

Ertl noted the request for payment on the Wastewater Treatment Plant was to pay a portion of the retainage.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve Pay Application No. 31 to Wapasha Construction Co. for $53,725.73.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion passed.

 

Under Public Comments: no comments

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To adjourn.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion passed.

Payment of Claims PDF
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