March 4, 2024 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on March 4, 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: Kevin Johnson, Dave Blocker (via zoom, not in town), John Lydon, Steve Wiedner and Nick Engrav. Council members absent: None. 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; Assistant City Attorney Hattie Frana; Fehr Graham – Sam Ertl; Boy Scout Members; The Standard – Joe Moses; and citizens.

The mayor called the meeting to order. Hatlan asked about consent item f. S&M Development engineering invoice, he thought we were done paying that. Ertl noted that the construction is done but there are still engineering invoices that will go through February to Steve Pladsen that he will pass along to the city for payment.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the consent agenda.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of February 19, 2024
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $58,760.98 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Revenue Bond Sinking Fund for the principal/interest payment on the Sewer Revenue Improvement and Refunding Bond, Series 2022 ($50,007.68) and Series 2023 ($5,084.75) and Series 2021 ($3,668.55). The Clerk assigned number 24-35 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $106,095 from the Pladsen Stormwater Outlet Fund to the Street Improvement/LOST Fund. The winning bid for the project came in lower than the engineer’s opinion of probable cost. The clerk assigned number 24-36 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $67,582 from the City Parking Lot/Alley Fund to the Street Improvement/LOST Fund. The winning bid for the project came in lower than the engineer’s opinion of probable cost. The clerk assigned number 24-37 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $17,537.47 from the Capital Equipment Fund/Park & Recreation to the Hotel/Motel-Park Fund for UTV purchase. Funding will be obtained from a different source. The clerk assigned number 24-38 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $13,000 from the Employee Benefits Fund to the T&A Insurance Partial Self Fund for insurance cost. The clerk assigned number 24-39 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $389.25 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund for engineering costs for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. The clerk assigned number 24-40 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to transfer twenty-five percent of the total ($8,221.85) (Hotel/Motel money received in February 2024 and deposited into the General Fund) from the General Fund to the Hotel/Motel (Tourism/Economic Development) Fund in the amount of $2,055.46. The clerk assigned number 24-41 to the resolution.
  • Approval of liquor licenses: ownership updates for Kwik Trip, Inc. 101 Rossville Rd.; Class C Retail Alcohol License with outdoor service for Allamakee County agricultural Society, 705 Allamakee Street.
  • Approval of a 6-month time extension for City Façade Program Projects at 402 Rossville Rd. and 15 West Main Street.
  • Approval of payment of $12,713.50 to S&M Developments for January Engineering invoice for Pladsen Subdivision Addition Project.
  • Approval of $1,550 bid from Doug Crary for the 2007 Dodge 2500
  • Approval of claims

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Vicki Knutson mentioned the wrong meter was installed at her house and she had high bills due to that which she had to take a loan out to pay. She asked if a check could be re-issued to her instead of a credit being applied to her account with Boden noting that a check would be approved in claims at tonight’s meeting and sent to her.

 

Under Department Reports: Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned they got their yearly EPA results back passed and they started to work on locates for the fiber optic project. Street Superintendent Burrett stated lost some trees due to wind yesterday and they have been grinding stumps and sweeping. Park, Rec, and Wellness Director Strub mentioned summer hires are due next week. Police Chief Wagner noted Officer Rostad passed her physical agility test and he plans to apply for a USDA grant for a new vehicle with a public hearing to be done at the April 1st meeting.

 

Engineer Ertl noted they are working on record drawing plan sets for the 4th Street NW project and the 1st Street NW and 1st Ave. NW project. City Clerk Snitker noted a public hearing for the property tax levy will be happening on April 1st at 6pm so the regularly scheduled meeting will be at 6:15 and discussed attending a county energy district workshop. City Manager Boden stated he attended a city manager/administrator meeting and noted we will be receiving a rebate from our insurance company.

 

Council Member Engrav wanted to remind everyone of the LOSST vote tomorrow. Mayor Hatlan mentioned he wants to hold a special meeting on March 12th at 6pm with council, the engineer, owners and the contractor regarding the city parking lot and alley improvement project. He stated that owners have mentioned they appreciate the project being done in one phase instead of two phases. If done in two phases the project would take longer and anticipated additional costs would be between $70,000-$100,000 which he verified with the contractor.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the 2nd ordinance reading to adopt the code of ordinances of the City of Waukon, Iowa.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Engrav

To waive the 3rd reading ordinance reading to adopt the code of ordinances of the City of Waukon, Iowa.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Engrav

To adopt the ordinance to adopt the code of ordinances of the City of Waukon, Iowa.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried. The clerk assigned number 833 to the ordinance.

 

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To set the date for public hearings and additional action on proposals to enter into General Obligation Loan Agreements and to borrow money thereunder. Public hearing scheduled for April 1st at 6:15pm.

Yes: Johnson, Engrav, Wiedner, Blocker, Lydon | no: 0

The mayor declared the resolution passed. The clerk assigned number 24-42 to the resolution.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve detailed plans and specifications, notice of hearing, notice to bidders and form of contract for West Street SW Improvements Project.

Yes: Johnson, Engrav, Wiedner, Blocker, Lydon | no: 0

The mayor declared the resolution passed. The clerk assigned number 24-43 to the resolution.

 

Boden discussed the variance request for 520 West Main Street that was recently approved by the Board of Adjustments.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Engrav

To approve the variance request at 520 West Main Street.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Snitker stated we received a proposal from Dusty’s Cleaning Service for the custodian job at City Hall noting that Dusty is Lana Snitker’s husband but that this position reports to the City Clerk.

To approve the proposal from Dusty’s Cleaning Service for $435 per month with invoices being provided the first week after the month of service.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Engrav

To approve pay estimate #6 for $8,175.32 to Skyline Construction, change order #7 and #8, and semi-final pay estimate #7 for $27,621.04 to Skyline Construction.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Hatlan requested everyone sing happy birthday to Harvey Estebo.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | 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, Blocker, Engrav, Lydon | No:  0

The mayor declared the motion carried.  Roll call was taken: Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Engrav, Lydon

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To exit closed session.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

To enter open session.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried. No action following the closed session.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Engrav

To adjourn.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

Payment of Claims PDF

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