May 20, 2024 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on May 20, 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 (via zoom), Dave Blocker (arriving late via zoom), John Lydon, Nick Engrav. Council members absent: Steve Wiedner. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Assistant Street Superintendent Pat Egan; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Finance Director Lana Snitker; Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn; Fehr Graham – Sam Ertl; NICC – Marty Hemann; The Standard – Joe Moses; and citizens.

The mayor called the meeting to order. He asked to remove line item #7 regarding the resolution supporting the submission of an IEDA grant application by Q4 Apartments, LLC.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav

To approve the consent agenda with that change.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of May 6, 2024,
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $531,958.53 from the TIF Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the principal/interest payments due June 1, 2024, on the following: 2020 General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Funding Bonds: 9th Street $50,061.25 and Sports Field $17,140.25, 2021 General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds: Wellness Center $242,016.80, 2022 General Obligation Corporate Purpose: Street Projects $215,565.60, 2014 Fire Station Loan $7,174.63. The clerk assigned number 24-83 to the resolution.
  • Approval of Reid Deeney for temporary summer help in the Water/Wastewater Department at $15.24 per hour until July when it will go to $15.70 per hour starting when school gets out.
  • Approval of City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report April 2024
  • Approval of claims

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Ann Fossum asked what the speed limit will be on West Street with Wagner noting it is residential so will be 25 MPH. Ann noted concerns with people driving fast on that street. Ann also asked what the parking will be on West Street once the project is completed with Ertl stating there would be no parking on the south portion and the north side would be parking on both sides. Bill Hennessey asked if there would be a hard or soft closure with Ertl discussing access. Council Member Blocker arrived during public comments.

 

Under Department Reports: Park, Rec and Wellness Director Strub noted they gave away 41 trees last weekend and next Tuesday is the first day the pool will be opened. Assistant Street superintendent Egan noted they started patching last week and paint has come in so they’ll start painting the crosswalks and curbs. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned they had two water main breaks since the last meeting noting the line at 6th Ave. NE needs to be replaced. Police Chief Wagner stated Alyssa will graduate from the academy this Friday and wanted to remind everyone there is a storm shelter at the courthouse in the basement.

 

Fehr Graham Ertl mentioned they will have a surveyor in town possibly later this week to parcel off property in the “Bresnahan” area. Clerk Snitker noted there was a Community Visioning Steering Committee last week where they scheduled a design workshop for community involvement on June 13th from 4-7PM at the park. Finance Director Snitker discussed some of the fund’s balances from the March and April information in the packet. Engrav asked Assistant Attorney Stinn if he reviewed what the closed session is that is listed on our agenda with Stinn noting he was not made aware of that request from the last meeting. Boden noted that the closed session is regarding Kwik Star. Work is being done on an IEDA grant to be on the next meeting agenda. Engrav asked Boden to clarify the memo he provided council previously regarding discussion with department heads with Boden stating it was okay for elected officials to talk with department heads but that if they felt uncomfortable about inquiries, they can contact Boden to be present at any meetings if they would like.

 

Council member Johnson noted there is a meeting at the library at 7PM with speakers to be present including those running for the sheriff’s office. Council member Blocker discussed some of the budgetary items that were addressed at the last meeting. Mayor Hatlan mentioned he plans to attend a Nuisance Abatement Conference this week.

 

The mayor announced that this was the time and place for the amending of the current budget for the City of Waukon for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024. Clerk Snitker noted there was one person who asked some questions on the figures with Finance Director Snitker addressed those with that individual. The mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav

To approve the resolution amending the current budget for the City of Waukon for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

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

The mayor declared the resolution passed. The clerk assigned number 24-84 to the resolution.

 

There was a lot of discussion regarding establishing a housing construction revolving loan fund. Boden noted this would be for $50,000 that would allow for construction financing which would be a loan to be returned to the city with the possibility of this program continuing for future projects.

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

To postpone approval of this until the June 3, 2024, council meeting.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Stinn highlighted items from a memo he sent to council regarding the VMH-Gundersen Building Clinic transfer noting that the clinic building was part of the property transfer for a few reasons and noted that property taxes would still be payable regardless of who owns the building.

No action was taken.

 

Marty Hemann with NICC discussed a facilities use agreement with the city to utilize an asphalted area in the airport for CDL classes.

Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve the facilities use agreement with Northeast Iowa Community College.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

The council discussed allowing chickens in town with some noting comments they have received from the public. The council would like more discussion before deciding.

No action taken.

 

Under Public Comments: Bill Hennessey asked if installation of a new water main is part of the West Street project with Ertl noting it is not and Cooper noting that line doesn’t need replacement. Hatlan noted the fiber optic project is almost done. He also requested the next council meeting be at 5:30PM so people can attend the Dairy Days Parade. Wagner noted the stop lights downtown are not functioning on a lane occupancy.

 

Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Lydon

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.

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

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

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav

To exit closed session.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To enter open session.

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

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

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

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