November 20, 2023 City Council Minutes – Work Session

The Waukon City Council met in a work 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 (arriving late), Kevin Johnson, Dave Blocker and Steve Wiedner. Council members absent: Andy Sires. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Police Chief Paul Wagner; The Standard – Joe Moses; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the agenda.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Council asked questions about the E911 issues that have happened with Chief Wagner discussing details of the current system and comparisons of how the old system worked. Wagner noted a recent training showed some issues with the system and he is working on getting a meeting set up regarding it. Council Member Lydon arrived during this discussion.

 

There was discussion on the current city nepotism policy with council noting we should not deviate from the policy regardless of full or part-time staff. Council wants to leave the policy as it is.

 

Next item discussed was the communication issues that are occurring during projects with Mayor Hatlan providing examples and discussing a recent meeting held between him, City Manager Boden, City Engineer Sam Ertl and a contractor from one of the projects. Hatlan mentioned we need timeliness in being notified about work; for instance, in times when residents water needs to be shut off. It was mentioned to put language into our contracts/specifications regarding plan of notification and discussion.

 

Council member Wiedner questioned having our own engineer due to what we have been paying in engineering on projects. Boden disagrees with having a city engineer and noted that while we have been recently moving forward with quite a few projects he does not anticipate that will be the case in a few years and therefore there would not be the work available to justify the cost.

 

There was discussion on the street garage with Boden noting that could be funded with part of the LOSST money that has been stored but that a majority might need to be funded with a Tax Increment Financing GO Bond. He noted there is an estimate of 2.6 million for that project and that we are in the process of acquisition of a property.

 

Due to time, future construction projects were not discussed fully but Mayor Hatlan noted he wanted to hold of on projects for now.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

To adjourn.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

City Council 2023 Minutes
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