March 20, 2023 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on March 20, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. in the council room of City Hall, 101 Allamakee Street and via Zoom technology. Mayor Pat Stone presided. Council members present: Arvid Hatlan, John Lydon, Kevin Johnson, Andy Sires (arriving late on zoom) and Steve Wiedner.  Council members absent: None.  Others present: Police Chief Paul Wagner; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; City Attorney Jeff Swartz; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Library Director Cate St. Clair; Standard- Joe Moses; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; Hacker Nelson – Jenny Hennessy; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the consent agenda with that change.

  • Agenda
  • Minutes of March 6, 2023 regular session
  • Approval of Temporary Easements for 4th St. NW & 8th Ave. NW Project
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $25,000 from the Water Fund and $25,000 from the Sewer Fund to the Capital Project Fund – Electric Water Meters for a total of $50,000 for the Electric Water Meters Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-29 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $1,000.50 from the Sewer Fund to the Water Resource Restoration Fund for Engineering for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-30 to the resolution. Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $4,548.25 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund for engineering costs for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-31 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to close the extension of Highway Allamakee Street from Allamakee County Courthouse South on Allamakee, traveling across to Main Street to Spring Avenue to Rossville Road to Oakland Cemetery for the period beginning at 9:30 AM and ending at 11 AM on May 29, 2023 for the Memorial Day Parade.  The Clerk assigned number 23-32 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Authorizing Economic Development Grant to Allamakee County Economic Development in the amount of $12,393.  The Clerk assigned number 23-33 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Authorizing Internal Advance to Tax Increment Sub fund not to exceed $69.50.  The Clerk assigned number 23-34 to the resolution.
  • Approval of Class E Liquor License (LE) for Hy-Vee, Inc. D/b/a Hy-Vee Waukon Dollar Fresh, 819 11th Ave. SW.
  • Approval of Class C Liquor License (LC) for Waukon Golf & Country Club, Inc. D/b/a Waukon Golf & Country Club, 308 1st St. SE
  • Approval of City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report February, 2023
  • Approval of audited financial statements of Veteran’s Memorial Hospital
  • Approval of Claims

 

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: No comments

 

Under Department Reports: Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper mentioned at the end of this week the water meters left remaining to be replaced will be around 80.  There were eight applications received for the open position in their department. Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub noted they had their hiring deadline for summer employees and are still shorthanded on lifeguards. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett noted they had the sweeper running today and soon will be doing tree trimming. Chief Wagner mentioned there were some stops or arrests due to the St. Patrick’s Day festivities but in general it was quiet for them.  He also noted that the metals class started working on their lockers. Library Director Cate St. Clair noted they have been short handed at the library due to a staff illness.

 

City Clerk Snitker mentioned the CAT Theater grant was submitted last week. The Rural Housing Readiness Assessment is finalized and hard copies will be available soon with more discussion to occur with council.

 

City Manager Boden noted that the street maintenance garage has an anticipated cost around 2.6 million.

 

Mayor Stone wanted to thank everyone for a successful St. Patrick’s Day parade and noted there was a good turnout.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To approve detailed plans and specifications, notice of hearing, notice to bidders and form of contract for 4th St. NW and 8th Ave. NW Sidewalk project with public hearing to be scheduled April 17, 2023 at 6PM.

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

The Mayor declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 23-35 to the resolution.

 

Jenny Hennessy from Hacker Nelson summarized the June 30, 2022 Financial Report and went over their comments.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2022 audit.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Boden discussed funding for the 1st St. NW & 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Project.

No action taken

 

Boden discussed the capital improvement plan for the next couple of fiscal years and discussed employees pay with a 3% increase.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To tentatively approve the full budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve setting public hearing for April 17, 2023 at 6 PM on full budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Stone noted he was contacted from a citizen regarding the possibility of installing a stop or yield sign at the intersection of 1st Ave. NW and 10th Street. Police Chief Wagner noted he has not had an accident report there but is fine with council’s decision on if one is installed or not installed.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To table this item until the next meeting.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve Steve Wiedner to take Kevin Johnson’s place on the Fire Board.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Boden noted he received an email from Runyan Brothers Construction stating they were still waiting on the appraisal.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To table this item until the next meeting.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Stone requested discussion of the council as the finance committee be on the agenda for clarification of what the council can have access to regarding the budget. Stone wants to make sure council is able to get any of that information if they want it. Council Members Hatlan and Wiedner noted they feel they have access and are able to get information when they request it. Council member Sires arrived during this discussion.

No action taken.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl discussed the engineering fees for the West Street and 4th Street NW projects and went over reasons for differences in cost for each.

No action taken.

 

Ertl went over the estimated costs for the 7th Ave. SE Storm Sewer project. This work was billed out through the Pladsen project and is a continuation of that project. They will be doing a formal addendum for this work.

No action taken.

 

Stone wanted clarification from council regarding the invoicing for the Pladsen Addition project and if it is planned to stay with the language of the current development agreement and require proof of payment with the invoices. Hatlan mentioned he was contacted by Steve Pladsen and he does not want a change in the agreement. Ertl went over the budget numbers for the project.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To keep the Pladsen Addition Development Agreement as it is.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To adjourn.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Payment of Claims PDF
City Council 2023 Minutes
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