November 20, 2023 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on November 20, 2023 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: John Lydon, Kevin Johnson, Dave Blocker, Andy Sires and Steve Wiedner. 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; The Standard – Joe Moses; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the consent agenda

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of November 6, 2023 regular session
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $8,382.50 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund for engineering costs for the Wastewater Treatment Plan Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-174 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $7,500 from the Employee Benefits Fund to the T&A Insurance Partial Self Fund for insurance costs. The Clerk assigned number 23-175 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $43,783.90 from the TIF Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the interest payments due December 1, 2023 on the following: 2020 General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds: 9th Street $5,061.25 and Sports Field $140.25; 2021 General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds: Wellness Center $7,016.80; 2022 General Obligation Corporate Purpose: Street Projects $31,565.60. The Clerk assigned number 23-176 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Certifying amount of available TIF increment tax requested for the 2025 fiscal year. The Clerk assigned number 23-177 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $13,000 from the General Fund to the CDBG Housing Rehab Fund for technical and general administration costs 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 23-178 to the resolution.
  • Approval of Jean Brink for Planning & Zoning Board, 5-year Term
  • Approval of payment to Simmering Cory of $13,000 for the CDBG Housing Program Administration
  • Approval of Urban Renewal Report, Fiscal Year 2022-2023
  • Approval of City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report – October, 2023

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Ann Fossum asked when the two street lights will be installed on West Street SW with Sam Ertl noting Alliant has been notified but he would check with them. Matt Seibert asked questions on the Police CAD system with Chief Wagner addressing those. Seibert also asked questions on the 1st Street/1st Ave. NW project regarding the driveway replacement at a business and asked if the G&S Building could be purchased for the Street Maintenance Garage.

 

Under Department Reports: Park, Rec & Wellness Director Strub noted they plan to have a lifeguarding class offered over Christmas break. Police Chief Wagner noted he has been approached to apply for DARE school and mentioned the Cub Scouts toured the police department last week. Street Superintendent Burrett noted leaf pickup ends this week. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned they replaced the water valve on 5th St. and 5th Ave. and had 8 operators tour the treatment plant last week.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl provided an update on projects noting the 4th Street NW project is mostly complete except for some punch list items remaining. Hatlan asked about the storm water permit for Dollar Tree.

 

City Clerk Snitker noted the utility billing will be switching from quarterly to bi-monthly starting the end of this month and mentioned training is still occurring for online payment. Finance Director Snitker provided an update on the budget amendments. City Manager Boden stated absentee voting for the run-off election starts tomorrow in the Auditors office and mentioned the courthouse will be the only polling place. Boden also noted he plans to attend the UERPC Legislative event in December.

 

Council member Johnson reminded everyone to get out and vote. Council member Blocker thanked everyone for their time in attending the earlier work session. Mayor Hatlan asked for a moment of silence for some staff family members who recently passed away and mentioned he went to four 7th grade classes on Friday to visit with the kids in relation to the If I were Mayor essay.

 

The mayor announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing on amending the current budget for the City of Waukon for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024. The Clerk announced there were no oral or written comments received. The Mayor declared the hearing closed.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

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

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

The Mayor declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 23-173 to the resolution.

 

Boden discussed the language that was listed in the resolution for the ballot on the Local Option Sales and Services Tax. Council Members Blocker, Lydon and Mayor Hatlan mentioned they had been approached by residents who were not in favor of LOSST being utilized towards operational expenditures. Council noted they would like the following removed from the resolution, “and any other lawful purpose of the City as determined from time to time by the City Council.”

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the resolution requesting the Allamakee County Commissioner of Elections to Set a Date for an Election on the Imposition of a Local Option Sales and Services Tax in the City of Waukon with section 2 being revised to state, “In accordance with Section 423B.1 of the Code of Iowa, the City Council hereby requests that the ballot proposition state that 100% of the revenues from such local option sales and services tax will be used to fund construction and reconstruction/repair/replacement of existing streets and curbs, and storm sewer, sanitary sewers, water mains and other structures as they relate to streets within the corporate City limits; public safety vehicle and equipment; and 0% for direct property tax relief.”

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

The Mayor declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 23-179 to the resolution.

 

Wagner discussed possibly putting an enforcement time in our ordinances regarding disorderly conduct due to noise.

Boden noted a time could be selected along with a decibel limit and also the possibility of listing that within the zoning classifications in the code. Hatlan noted he would like more research done before moving forward.

No action taken.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve change order #3 and pay estimate #6 in the amount of $278,423.57 to Skyline Construction for 4th Street NW & 8th Ave. NW Improvements Project.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve change order #4 and pay estimate #3 in the amount of $85,556.58 to Skyline Construction for 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

There was discussion about changing up how the snow is removed from the downtown business district with the item to be brought back after further research.

No action taken.

 

Wiedner discussed that he sees people utilizing the street along the golf course to walk or bike often. Hatlan discussed if that project moved forward to have the sidewalk be on the west side of the street until it hits the condos and then cross over to the east side of the street to have it be in front of less residents’ homes. He made note that council has previously designated $300,000 for this project but he feels we need to hold of on moving forward with it at this time.

No action taken.

 

Under Public Comments: Matt Seibert asked if the basic service fees would remain the same due to the bi-monthly billing switch with Clerk Snitker noting they would not be raised.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Johnson

To adjourn.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.