October 23, 2023 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on October 23, 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 and Steve Wiedner. Council members absent: Dave Blocker and Andy Sires. 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; Assistant City Attorney Luke Meinholz; The Standard – Joe Moses; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order. He noted that the item under consent agenda regarding approval of Alliant Energy light installation at 612 and 616 West Street SW will be moved to discussion, discussion on the biking/walking path around the golf course will be moved to next agenda and the closed session will be removed.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the consent agenda with those changes.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of October 9, 2023 regular session
  • Resolution – Submitting the official Financial Report for City Streets and Parking for the City of Waukon, County of Allamakee for July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023. The Clerk assigned number 23-151 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $76,970.50 from the General Fund to the Library Fund for operations. The Clerk assigned number 23-152 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $19,875 from the General Fund to the CDBG Housing Rehab Fund for contract 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 23-153 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to transfer twenty-five percent of the total ($13,430.56) (Hotel/Motel money received in August, 2023 and deposited into the General Fund) from the General Fund to the Hotel/Motel (Tourism/Economic Development) Fund in the amount of $3,357.64. The Clerk assigned number 23-154 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $89,000 from the Street Improvement Fund to the Capital Equipment Fund for the purchase of a fire truck, with the understanding that when sufficient funds are received in the General Fund this amount will be paid back by transfer to the LOST fund. The Clerk assigned number 23-155 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $4,199.19 from the Water 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 form the State Revolving Fund, the amount will be paid back to the Water Fund. The Clerk assigned number 23-156 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $563.50 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the WWTP Construction Fund for engineering costs for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-157 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $10,150.31 from the Ambulance Trust Fund to the General Fund; and to close out the Ambulance Trust Fund. The Clerk assigned number 23-158 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Proposing disposition of interest in real property by the City of Waukon, Iowa; Veterans Memorial Hospital Properties, public hearing scheduled for November 6, 2023 at 6PM. The Clerk assigned number 23-159 to the resolution.
  • Approval of Liquor Licenses: Class C Retail for Grumpys Lanes LLC, 601 Rossville Rd. (pending dramshop approval); Class C Retail for Good Fellas Inc, 29 West Main St.; Special Class C Retail with outdoor services for Proverbial Taproom, 609 Rossville Rd.
  • Approval of City Façade Improvement Time Extension until December 31st for 38 West Main St.
  • Approval of Final Pay request to The Restyling Specialists for $19,875 for CDBG Housing Project at 101 7th St. NW.
  • Approval of City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, September 2023
  • Approval of Claims

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Mel Johnson asked when something was going to be done about the grading and shaping at his house. City Manager Boden noted an estimate is needed with Mayor Hatlan stating he will discuss with Street Superintendent Burrett and get back to Mel.

 

Under Department Reports: Park, Rec & Wellness Director Strub noted they are winterizing everything by the end of this week. Hatlan noted we need to amend last meeting’s motion on the field improvement city contribution to have there be a not to exceed amount and asked it be on the next agenda. Police Chief Wagner mentioned Axon came and installed their equipment. Street Superintendent Burrett noted leaf pickup has begun. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned jetting on the Northwest side of town is completed and they have moved to the Northeast side. Cooper noted the City of New Albin asked for possible assistance on a limited basis and asked if this could be discussed on the next agenda.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl provided an update on projects noting Alliant Energy is working on West Street to set poles and he would like the light poles for the Pladsen Addition to be on the next agenda.

 

City Clerk Snitker noted request for proposals for any downtown business interested in the Community Catalyst grant are due November 8th at 4PM. She also noted there will be classes offered from the Municipal Leadership Academy for elected officials and will send information once registration is open. City Manager Boden noted the Statewide Recertification Elections for the Unions ends tomorrow and we will convey our offer to the Union sometime this week if they recertify. He noted attending the Lansing event last week regarding childcare and that he and Finance Director Lana Snitker will be attending a budget workshop in November.

 

Council member Johnson mentioned we need to get prepared for all the workers coming due to the bridge work in Lansing as they will need places to stay. Mayor Hatlan noted he received information from Iowa League of Cities about middle schoolers completing an If I Were the Mayor essay and discussed it with Superintendent Jay Mathis. It is a Statewide competition but Hatlan would also like to do it locally and provide prizes. He noted by next week there should be seven crews in town for the fiber optic project and for residents on the North side of town to be aware of extra people and movement. Hatlan also said we will need to look at what we need to do with the city hall roof leak and budgeting for that.

 

There was no discussion on the Bresnahan Proposal item.

No action taken.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the Park and Rec Program Director hire of Jacob Zakostelecky, starting October 30, 2023 at $20.09 per hour and also pay for COBRA insurance costs the month of November.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the street department employee hire of Brent Achenbach, starting November 6, 2023 at $17.66 per hour.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Street Superintendent Burrett noted he received three bids for vehicles with all of them being given the same specifications.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the low bid from Decorah Auto Sales of $68,084 for the new street department vehicle.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Discussion was had regarding curb stop replacement for properties where it is not working with Mayor Hatlan noting we have it in our ordinances that we are able to replace and assess the cost to the property.

No action taken.

 

Boden noted he wanted to wait to approve the 2024 health insurance renewal to look into costs of dental insurance noting if that becomes an option, employees would pay 50% if they wanted to choose to have that insurance. Item will be addressed at the next meeting.

No action taken.

 

Ertl discussed Alliant Energy’s estimate for installing two LED street lights on their owned wood poles on West Street SW noting the monthly tariff cost without energy charge and taxes is $22.88.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the Alliant Energy estimate for installation of two 45W LED street lights at 612 and 616 West St. SW.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve partial pay estimate #2 to Skyline Construction for $304,621.63 for 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve partial pay estimate #3 to Riehm Construction for $4,199.19 for Storm Water Quality Improvements Project, Contract C.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Ertl discussed the recent changes with the 4th Street NW project.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by Wiedner

To approve change order #2 for $21,682.55 for 4th St. NW and 8th Ave. NW Sidewalk Improvements Project.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve pay estimate #5 for $405,111.20 to Skyline Construction for the 4th St. NW and 8th Ave. NW Sidewalk Improvements project, with payment being made in mid-November when we have CDs mature and have cash flow to cover the payment.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Ertl noted the July engineering invoice for the Pladsen Addition had to be corrected so that was pulled from this pay request.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve Pladsen Development Project reimbursement payment for Engineering costs of $3,141.25 from September invoice.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

 

Under Public Comments: Waukon Chamber of Commerce Director Mandy Halverson mentioned they are having Wine with the Witches and Warlocks event this Thursday from 4-8PM.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To adjourn.

Yes: 3 | Absent: 2 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion passed.

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