November 21, 2022 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on November 21, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. in the council room of City Hall, 101 Allamakee Street and via Zoom technology. Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Johnson presided. Council members present: Kevin Johnson, John Lydon, Arvid Hatlan, Steve Wiedner and Andy Sires.  Council members absent: None. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Standard- Joe Moses; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; Library Director Cate St. Clair; and citizens.

The Mayor Pro Tem called the meeting to order. He noted that under considerations, item 8d regarding discussion on water meter replacement charge would be pulled from the agenda.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the consent agenda with that change.

  • Agenda
  • Minutes of November 7, 2022 regular session
  • Resolution – approving road closure for Holiday Parade on December 8th.  The Clerk assigned number 22-178 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $14,000 from the General Fund to the CDBG Housing Rehab Fund for general administration and technical administration for Owner-occupied Housing Rehabilitation Program, with the understanding that, when reimbursements are received through the CDBG the amount will be paid back to the general fund. The Clerk assigned number 22-179 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $40,000 from the TIF Fund to the Pladsen Property Project Fund ($32,000) and the Street Resurfacing Improvement Fund ($8,000) for the bond fees certified to the County Auditor on the 2022 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds. The Clerk assigned number 22-180 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $13,683 from the TIF Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the bond fees certified to the County Auditor on the 2021 General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds. The Clerk assigned number 22-181 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $12,500 from Hotel/Motel Fund to the General Fund – Economic Development for housing study expenses and other economic development projects. The Clerk assigned number 22-182 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $49,619.59 from the TIF Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the interest payments due December 1, 2022 on the following: 2020 General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds, 9th St. $5,461.25, Sports Field $260.25; 2021 General Obligation Corporate Purpose and Refunding Bonds, Wellness Center $9,270.80; 2022 General Obligation Corporate Purpose, Street Projects $34,000 and Allamakee County Auditor – Equalization payment $627.29.
  • Approval of changes for updated code of ordinance: Chapter 93 no change; Chapter 95, section 95.05 no change; Chapter 96 sections 96.05 & 96.10 no change; chapter 100 no change; Chapter 105 & 106 no change; Chapter 115 move chapter into section 110.05. Chapter 112 Cable Franchises, update Exhibit A to reflect updated addresses. Chapter 116 no change; Chapter 135, section 135.08 add with exception of 1325.03(2) to the end of the last sentence. Chapter 135, section 135.09 (1) make a change in the second sentence to delete Water and Sewer Superintendent and replace with City.
  • Approval of claims

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: No comments

 

Under Department Reports: Police Chief Wagner noted Holly Benda dropped off a donation in honor of Trooper Ted Benda so there would be discussion on how that should be utilized.  Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper mentioned the water meter project started today and that the last connection was made at the Pladsen Development Addition. Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub noted that they have their first meeting with MSA next Monday regarding the Park Master Plan.  Library Director Cate St. Clair mentioned the library has a book sale coming up on December 2nd and 3rd and that they library is accepting book donations. City Clerk Sarah Snitker reported on behalf of Street Superintendent Keith Burrett that the Billy Goat worked great to pick up leaves and saved on wear and tear on the sweeper.

 

City Clerk Snitker noted that with the switch to bi-monthly utility billing some residents might start receiving a bill sooner than normal due to the change and she also noted that the last two projects for the CDBG Housing Rehabilitation program will be bid out in December.

 

City Manager Boden stated he sat in on a zoom meeting with the Hospital regarding the conversion from City to County. He noted that the transfer can take 2-3 months into the new year. Council Member Hatlan mentioned he had been asked if the City will still pay for their water due to the conversion with Boden stating that will be discussed at the next meeting.

 

Council Member Hatlan provided an update on the project at the City Hall entrance noting that the contractor is currently painting the post and they anticipate completing the project within a week once they are able to get going again.

 

The Mayor Pro Tem announced this was the time and place for the public hearing on proposed amendment to the Southeast Urban Renewal Area. The Clerk announced there were no oral or written comments received.  The Mayor Pro Tem declared the hearing closed.

 

City Manager Boden discussed some of the TIF payments and suggestions from the auditors.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To approve the urban renewal plan amendment for the Southeast Urban Renewal Area.

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 22-184 to the resolution.

 

 

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To authorize internal advance for funding of urban renewal project.

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 22-185 to the resolution.

 

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon

To certify amount of available TIF increment tax requested for the 2024 Fiscal Year.

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 22-186 to the resolution.

 

City Manager Boden noted that the ordinances being discussed for changes are due to changing the utility bill frequency and not raising rates.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the first reading of the ordinance amending the code of ordinances by changing user charges.

Yes: Hatlan, Johnson, Lydon, Sires, Wieder | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To waive the additional readings of the ordinance amending the code of ordinances by changing user charges.

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To adopt the ordinance amending the code of ordinances by changing user charges.

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the ordinance passed. The Clerk assigned number 823 to the ordinance.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To approve the first reading of the ordinance amending the code of ordinances by changing rates for service and billing for water service.

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To waive the additional readings of the ordinance amending the code of ordinances by changing rates for service and billing for water service.

Yes: Hatlan, Johnson, Lydon, Sires, Wieder | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To adopt the ordinance amending the code of ordinances by changing rates for service and billing for water service.

Yes: Hatlan, Johnson, Lydon, Sires, Wieder | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the ordinance passed. The Clerk assigned number 822 to the ordinance.

 

Boden discussed the Immediate Safety Enhancement grant available for a portion of cost to replace the airport rotating beacon.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve moving forward with the quote from Hali-Brite for $10,193.34 for the airport rotating beacon and approving the grant agreement with Iowa Department of Transportation for the Immediate Safety Enhancement Program.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

City Clerk Snitker discussed the City of Waukon Façade Improvement Partnership Grant program to partner with the County Façade program.

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Sires

To approve the City of Waukon Façade Improvement Partnership Grant program with funding limits of $10,000 and applications to be approved by council.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Discussion on changing the council meeting days was had.

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Lydon

To keep the meeting days on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month but to move the meeting time from 7PM to 6PM with the changes to be effective starting in January 2023.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Wiedner

To change the council meeting dates in January to the 9th and 23rd.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Snitker discussed adding mobile food unit language into ordinance Chapter 122 which included price changes for license fees for peddlers, transient merchants and mobile food units.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To approve the addition of mobile food units and the discussed changes to Chapter 122 of the Code of Ordinances and to have that included with the Code Update.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Snitker discussed deleting ordinance Chapter 107 Recycling due to having a contract in place with Town & Country Sanitation, and including portions of the ordinance as a subsection in chapter 105 Solid Waste Control.  She also noted that Town & Country Sanitation would need to be notified of the code section change due to language in the contract.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the discussed changes to Chapter 107 and 105 of the Code of Ordinances and to have that included with the Code Update.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Hatlan | 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:  Hatlan, Johnson, Lydon, Sires, Wiedner | No:  0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.  Roll call was taken: Hatlan, Johnson, Lydon, Sires, Wiedner

 

Moved by: Wiedner| Seconded by: Lydon

To exit closed session

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by:  Sires | Seconded by: Lydon

To enter into open session.

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

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Hatlan | Seconded by: Sires

To adjourn.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried.

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