October 17, 2022 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on October 17, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. in the council room of City Hall, 101 Allamakee Street and via Zoom technology. Mayor Pat Stone presided. Council members present: Kevin Johnson, John Lydon, Arvid Hatlan and Andy Sires.  Council members absent: Steve Wiedner. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Finance Director Lana Snitker; Standard- Joe Moses; Fehr Graham – Lyle TeKippe & Sam Ertl; Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator – Corey Snitker; Patty Nordheim – Park, Rec & Wellness Board; Alera Group – Brenda Klemetson-Heber; Amanda and Daniel Enyart; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order.  He requested line item c2, approving FYE 2022 Street Finance Report, be removed and put on the next meeting’s agenda.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the consent agenda with that change.

  • Agenda
  • Minutes of October 3, 2022 regular session and October 7, 2022 special session
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $67,247 from the General Fund to the Library Fund for operations.  The Clerk assigned number 22-159 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $320 from the TIF Fund to the Debt Service Fund for the annual premium of the Letter of Credit per loan premium agreement between the City of Waukon and Allamakee/Clayton Electric Cooperative, Inc. for the Fire Station. The Clerk assigned number 22-160 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Authorizing Internal Advance to Tax Increment Subfund not to exceed $229.50. The Clerk assigned number 22-161 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Appropriating Funds for Tax Rebate for the 2024 Fiscal Year. The Clerk assigned number 22-162.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $75,000 from the Street Improvement/LOST Fund to the Road Use Tax/RUT Fund for chip sealing/crack filling. The Clerk assigned number 22-163 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $100,000 from the Water Resource Restoration Fund, from Urban Water Quality Initiative proceeds, to the Water Fund for internal loan repayment, in accordance with Resolution number 22-150. The Clerk Assigned number 22-164 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $1,157.25 from the WWTP Construction Fund to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund for engineering costs for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. The Clerk assigned number 22-165 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $3,675.50 from the Sewer Fund to the Water Resource Restoration Fund for engineering costs for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project. The Clerk assigned number 22-166 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $2,402.77 from the Street Improvement Fund to the FYE 21/22 Street Improvement Capital Project Fund for street projects. The Clerk assigned number 22-167 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $15,000 from the General Fund to the Water Resource Restoration Fund for contract costs for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project, with the understanding that, when reimbursement is received from the Water Infrastructure Fund, the amount will be paid back to the general fund. The Clerk assigned number 22-168 to the resolution.
  • Approval of Liquor License: Ownership update for Waukon Steakhouse Inc., d/b/a AJ’s Steakhouse, 12 W Main St.; approval of Class C Liquor License (LC) (Commercial) with Outdoor Service and Sunday Sales for Good Fellas, Inc. d/b/a Good Fellas, 29 W Main St.; Approval of Class C Liquor License (LC) (Commercial) with outdoor service and Sunday sales for Uptown Grill, LLC, 39 W Main St. (approval pending receipt of additional documentation)
  • Approval of Change order #2 and pay estimate #4 in the amount of $189,033.14 to Ethan Koehn Construction for the 2022 Street Improvements Project
  • Approval of Pay Estimate #4 in the amount of $48,363.55 to Aaron Crane Construction LLC for Storm Water Quality Improvements Project, Contract A.
  • Approval of Pay Estimate #2 in the amount of $214,625.90 to Skyline Construction for Storm Water Quality Improvements Project, Contract B
  • Approval of City Clerk’s/Treasurer’s Report – September, 2022
  • Approval of claims

 

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

The Mayor announced that this was the time and place for Public Hearing Request on Dangerous Building Notice: 403 5th Ave. NW.  Amanda and Daniel Enyart asked why they received a dangerous building notice.  Mayor Stone noted they were under the impression that there were animals in and out of the property with Enyart’s stating the property is boarded up and no animals have been inside.  Enyarts also noted they are in the process of selling with the buyer’s plans being to tear down the property.  The council saw no issues.

 

Under Public Comments: None

 

Under Department Reports: Police Chief Wagner noted they are still accepting applications for the open officer position and that there will be a defensive tactics training being held October 26th at the High School wrestling room.  Street Superintendent Keith Burrett stated they started leaf pickup today and that would go until Thanksgiving or the first snow fall that sticks.  Water & Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper mentioned the water meter project might be delayed due to the installers schedule and discussed the process of how notices will be sent out. Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub provided quotes for the pool pump with the council requesting that on the next agenda.  Strub also noted that fall rec programs are finishing up.

 

City Clerk Snitker noted the first housing committee meeting for the Rural Housing Readiness Assessment was last week.  She stated there would be a community survey link shared hopefully this week for public participation.

 

City Manager Boden stated he attended an Electrical Vehicle seminar in Calmar last week and discussed some locations around us that already have charging stations.  He asked the council’s thoughts on having this discussed further with council saying they would not mind a small presentation on the matter.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To set the date for public hearing on Urban Renewal Plan Amendment for November 21, 2022 at 7 PM.

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

They Mayor declared the resolution passed. The Clerk assigned number 22-169 to the resolution.

 

Brenda Klemetson-Heber with Alera Group discussed the 2023 City health insurance and that the renewal rates are almost 20% less than last year.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the 2023 City Health Insurance Renewal.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 1

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Boden discussed updates to the Park, Rec & Wellness Ordinance and noted that it was brought before their board for review, with board member Patty Nordheim confirming the board is in favor.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve for recodification, the changes to the Park, Rec & Wellness Ordinance.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 1 | No: 1 (Hatlan)

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

City Manager Boden discussed assignments for three employees on the non-union pay plan.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To approve the resolution for a pay plan step increase for non-union employees by assigning Mason Kwilinski to step 16, with top of scale at step 18 that is associated with his position approval of Assistant Police Chief, Jeremy Strub being assigned to step 13 with top of scale at step 15 and Sarah Snitker being assigned step 9 with top of scale at step 11.

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

The Mayor declared the resolution passed.  The Clerk assigned number 22-170 to the resolution.

 

Boden went over work in the quote that was received for the cleanup and debris removal at 9 and 11 Allamakee St.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To approve the RACM Building Demolition quote for 9 & 11 Allamakee St. with Lansing Brothers Construction for $131,600 and to include adding $3,300 for topsoil, erosion control and seeding.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Sam Ertl from Fehr Graham went over design work and cost estimates for the replacement of two municipal parking lots; the one behind Hartig Drug and the one behind Howard’s Home Furnishings. There was discussion on costs and possibility of doing one of the parking lots at a later date.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Hatlan

To move forward with parking lot 1, the lot behind Hartig Drug, with the addition of replacing the sidewalk on the north end.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Boden discussed a couple of projects that might be able to be done with TIF funding; re-doing West Street from the new subdivision down to 6th Avenue and putting in a bike/pedestrian path in the Pladsen Development Area. There was discussion on the type of material to be utilized if a bike/pedestrian path is put in.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To pursue further discussion of an 8-foot bike/pedestrian path being installed with material to be decided at a later time.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Boden discussed the County Façade Improvement Program and asked the council’s thoughts on the City providing match funds towards that program.

Moved by: Lydon | Johnson

To give direction to move forward with documentation on City match contribution to the Façade Improvement Program.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker discussed that he was in the process of updating the evacuation/shelter plan and asked the council some questions pertinent to a plan for Waukon.

No action taken.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To adjourn.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

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