The Waukon City Council met in regular session on October 6, 2025, at 5:30 PM in the council chambers of City Hall, 101 Allamakee Street and via Zoom technology. Mayor Arvid Hatlan presided. Council members present: Steve Wiedner, Tim Smedsrud, Dave Blocker, John Lydon, and Nick Engrav. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Assistant Street Superintendent Pat Egan; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; City Attorney Doug Herman; Jake Huck MSA; The Standard- Joe Moses; and citizens.
The mayor called the meeting to order.
Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon
To approve the consent agenda.
- Approval of Agenda
- Minutes of September 22, 2025, and September 25, 2025, special session
- Resolution agreeing to the transfer of $30,790.75 from the General Fund to the TIF Fund for transfers made above the maximum allowable debt for the Urban Renewal Plan for the fire Station project. See attached Exhibit A. The clerk assigned number 25-96 to the resolution.
- Resolution agreeing to the transfer of $7,265.03 from the TIF Pladsen Property Project Fund to the Water Fund in the amount of $4,199.19 (after reimbursement received from State Revolving Fund per Resolution 23-156) and to the Street Improvement Fund in the remaining amount of $3,065.84 and to close out the Fund. The clerk assigned number 25-97 to the resolution.
- Resolution agreeing to the transfer of $691.83 from the Hotel/Motel-Park Fund to General Fund for park department expenses. The clerk assigned number 25-98 to the resolution.
- Resolution agreeing to the transfer of $61,116.74 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Revenue Bond Sinking Fund for the principal/interest payments on the Sewer Revenue Improvement and Refunding Bond, Series 2022 ($52,305.03) and Series 2023 ($5,154.62) and Series 2021 ($3,657.09). The clerk assigned number 25-99 to the resolution.
- Resolution approving animal control agreement with the Humane Society of Northeast Iowa and Authorizing Payment for services. The clerk assigned number 25-100 to the resolution.
- Approval of Urban Revitalization Program Application for 34 4th St. SE
- Approval of Class B Retail Alcohol License and ownership updates for Family Dollar and Class C Retail Alcohol License for Grumpy’s Lanes LLC (pending dramshop review).
- Approval of City Clerk/Treasurer’s report September 2025
- Approval of claims
| Payment of Claims for: | October 6, 2025 | |
| Acentek | Internet | 99.90 |
| Mike or Janet Adam | NEIRHTF Home Demo – 301 2nd Ave NW | 10,000.00 |
| Allamakee County Sheriff | Answering Services – September | 750.00 |
| Allamakee Economic Development | Contribution – 1st Quarter FY 2025/2026 | 3,109.25 |
| Alliant Energy | Electricity – September | 24,675.40 |
| Badger Meter | Network Fees | 652.43 |
| Bodensteiner Implement | Repairs | 2.32 |
| Bruening Rock Products | Supplies | 157.72 |
| Capco | Power Washer Rental | 150.00 |
| Carquest | Repairs | 251.23 |
| City Laundry | Uniforms – September | 1,096.18 |
| Clark Tire Pros | Repairs | 1,116.87 |
| Croell | Repairs | 206.75 |
| Cunningham Hardware | Supplies | 140.12 |
| DSG – Dakota Supply Group | Supplies | 95.74 |
| Dusty’s Cleaning Service | Services | 435.00 |
| Electric Pump | Service Contract | 3,550.00 |
| Finger Publishing | Services | 675.77 |
| Hausladen’s Auto Supply | Repairs | 394.91 |
| Hawks Full Service | Fuel | 1,984.25 |
| Matt Hawkins Southside Rentals | Rent – October | 1,100.00 |
| Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources | Annual Water Use Permit | 115.00 |
| Iowa Dept. of Public Safety | Terminal Fees – FY26 1st Quarter | 300.00 |
| Iowa Dept. of Transportation | Supplies | 2,562.76 |
| Iowa One Call | Locates – August | 40.50 |
| Ken Kerr Electric | Supplies | 116.70 |
| Keystone Laboratories | Water Testing | 89.75 |
| Kurth Plumbing and Heating | Supplies | 199.80 |
| Lynch Dallas | Legal Services – September | 6,459.09 |
| Mediacom | Telephone/Internet | 81.01 |
| MSA Engineering | Bresnahan / 4th Avenue NW | 1492.50 |
| Otting Water Treatment | Services | 65.00 |
| Reel-Core | Refund Franchise Fees – 3rd Qtr 2025 | 12,229.82 |
| Reiser Implement | Repairs | 537.89 |
| Roger’s Lock and Key | Repairs | 85.00 |
| Lana Snitker | Mileage- IA League of Cities Conference | 315.70 |
| Sarah Snitker | Meal & Hotel – IA League Conference | 172.60 |
| Storey Kenworthy | Supplies | 805.96 |
| Sweeney Builders | Repairs | 733.12 |
| Test America | Sewer Testing | 987.00 |
| Tri-State Business Machines | Maint. Agreement | 207.34 |
| Tri-State Business Machines | Maint. Agreement | 62.00 |
| USA Bluebook | Supplies | 454.71 |
| Verizon | Telephone | 156.96 |
| Viking Pest Control | Services | 45.00 |
| Village Farm & Home | Supplies, Repairs & Uniforms | 615.54 |
| Waukon Area Fire Protection District | 28E Agreement – Quarterly | 23,750.00 |
| Westrum Leak Detection | Contract | 2,900.00 |
| Wright Way Computers | Annual Threat Protection | 702.00 |
| Wright Way Computers | Annual Threat Protection | 702.00 |
| Wright Way Computers | IT Services – September | 2,274.80 |
| Wright Way Computers | IT Services | 70.00 |
| PAID CLAIMS: | ||
| Regular Payroll | September 14 – 27, 2025 | 65,451.08 |
| EFTPS | Federal Withholding | 9,781.98 |
| EFTPS | SS/ Medicare Withholding | 13,522.04 |
| EBS – Employee Benefits Systems | Admin Fees – October | 236.64 |
| EBS – Employee Benefits Systems | Safe-T Fund -September – part 2 | 576.06 |
| Paymentech | Credit Card Processing – September | 276.36 |
| Town & Country Sanitation | Services | 20,186.50 |
| Waukon Postmaster | Postage – Section 8 | 357.08 |
| WSB-CC – Amazon | Supplies | 50.55 |
| WSB-CC – Amazon | Supplies | 17.32 |
| WSB-CC – Zoom | Update membership | 48.62 |
| WSB-CC-Iowa State University | Training – Council | 50.00 |
| WSB-CC-Iowa State University | Training – Finance | 100.00 |
| WSB-CC – Amazon | Rubber Bands | 14.29 |
| WSB-CC – Amazon | Compressed Air | 12.99 |
| WSB-CC – Amazon | Calendars, batteries, timecards | 131.19 |
| WSB-CC – Amazon | Envelopes | 26.95 |
| Wellmark BCBS | Insurance – October | 26,404.82 |
| Adam Zuck | Water Deposit Refund | 150.00 |
| YSF FOOTBALL CLAIM: | ||
| Fareway | Concessions | 107.82 |
| WELLNESS CLAIMS: | ||
| Allen Roofing | Repairs | 665.00 |
| Casper Plumbing & Heating | Repairs | 9,807.95 |
| Crexendo | Telephone | 165.90 |
| Cunningham Hardware | Supplies | 26.97 |
| Fareway | Supplies/Concessions | 252.68 |
| PARK & REC CLAIMS: | ||
| American Legion Post #62 | Flags | 135.00 |
| Bodensteiner Implement | Repairs | 35.75 |
| Capco | Power Washer Rental | 150.00 |
| Cunningham Hardware | Repairs | 123.27 |
| Fareway | Supplies/Concessions | 951.50 |
| Decorah Kawasaki/Suzuki Sports Center | Repairs | 11.93 |
| Fastenal | Supplies | 93.12 |
| Hall Roberts | Supplies | 42.25 |
| Leiran Painting | Maintenance Shed | 2,100.00 |
| Jeremy Strub | Telephone Reimbursement | 270.00 |
| Village Farm and Home | Supplies | 186.97 |
| West Side Waukon Lumber | Repairs | 2,247.30 |
| General: | 132,608.73 | Bresnahan / 4th Avenue NW: | 1,492.50 | |
| Library: | 6,050.31 | Wellness: | 11,092.18 | |
| RUT: | 34,640.31 | YSF Football: | 107.82 | |
| Employee Benefits: | 21,430.71 | Water: | 24,049.87 | |
| T & A Insurance: | 565.26 | Sewer | 22,703.58 | |
| NEIRHTF Home Demo: | 10,000.00 | FUND TOTALS: | 264,741.27 |
Yes: Wiedner, Lydon, Smedsrud, Blocker, Engrav | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Under Public Comments: Val Reinke again questioned the roles of the mayor, city manager and city clerk.
Under Reports: Egan mentioned they completed street patching, and the leaf pick up schedule will start October 13th. Cooper noted that Tyler Thesing passed the Discharge Monitoring Report Quality Assurance testing which is a Federal test from EPA to keep the lab certified so it will save the city money not having to send certain tests out. Wagner stated they have received some complaints on West Street about speeding; he is checking into pedestrian signs. He also noted two officers have been certified as taser instructors. S. Snitker noted the final payment for the CAT Theater grant is almost ready for submittal and she will let the council know when a final walk through is done at the building. L. Snitker mentioned she provided a financial sheet to the council regarding the city clerk/treasurer’s report. Boden noted that with his upcoming retirement he advises the city to have someone else handle the union contract negotiations. Wiedner commented that he thinks the street by the Hospital should be widened and would like that on the next agenda for discussion.
Doug Herman discussed the Board of Adjustment variance process as it relates to the board and to the city council and what should be provided from the BOA if a variance is granted. The Council noted they agree with the attorney that reasons for granting a variance need to be provided by the BOA and that the application process needs to be cleaned up.
Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon
To request the Board of Adjustment to provide a written explanation of why the variance was granted for 234 5th St. SE for our files.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
The mayor opened the public hearing on the proposed sale of city owned real property along West Street SW (City Municipal Parking Lot by Kwik Star). Engrav made note that what Kwik Star has proposed should be put on hold as a different proposal is going to be discussed. There were members of the audience who spoke not in favor of the city selling that parking lot to Kwik Star. Greg and Maura Jones conducted a parking study of the area and provided that information to the city council which showed parking location, businesses, employees, number of vehicles, renters and number of parking spaces. They noted that parking is needed in the area for businesses and that the council should be aware that if they sell the lot, it shows a precedence of what they think of the businesses and the economic development of our downtown. Keith Bresnahan noted he also had concerns with selling the parking lot since there has been discussion about needing parking downtown. Scott and Brenda Houg noted their concerns with the parking for both of their businesses if Kwik Trip owns the lot since the parking abuts to their building. Dennis Blocker asked how the price was calculated because in 1978 he tried to buy the Home Oil company for $78,000 and the price went back and forth before being sold for over $90,000 which was in addition to tearing tanks out, tearing down buildings and clean up. He stated he would think the value of the land would be higher now than it was back then and if the city can’t get at least $200,000-$300,000 for the lot they shouldn’t sell it. Boden noted the price for square footage that Kwik Trip used to come up with the figure. The clerk noted there were no written or verbal comments made to city hall. The mayor closed the hearing.
Boden recommended postponing the resolution to approve the transfer indefinitely and republish the public hearing once a new agreement has been reached.
Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Wiedner
To postpone the resolution approving the transfer of City owned real property located along West Street SW (City Municipal Parking Lot by Kwik Star).
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon
To approve the first ordinance reading amending the code of ordinances by changing the library trustees members and terms.
Yes: Lydon, Smedsrud, Blocker, Engrav, Wiedner.
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Smedsrud | Seconded by: Engrav
To approve waiving the 2nd and 3rd ordinance readings amending the code of ordinances by changing the library trustees members and terms.
Yes: Lydon, Smedsrud, Blocker, Engrav, Wiedner.
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Lydon
To adopt the ordinance amending the code of ordinances by changing the library trustees members and terms.
Yes: Lydon, Smedsrud, Blocker, Engrav, Wiedner.
The mayor declared the motion carried. [Per City Attorney this Ordinance cannot be approved until after a ballot measure and will be re-addressed by the City Council at the next City Council meeting.]
Huck explained the change orders #4, 5, 6, and 7 for 4th Ave. NW Addition. Ben Garrett with Tailwind Capital Partners was present and gave his thoughts on some of the changes.
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner
To table the change orders until the next council meeting.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Cooper provided the council with information on well #5 and that testing is needed before knowing how to proceed.
Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Smedsrud
To approve the quote for inspection of well #5 by Northway Well & Pump Co for $5,800.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Moved by: Smedsrud | Seconded by: Lydon
To approve the purchase of a computer for the Police Department of $1,162.05.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.
Under Public Comments: none
Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker
To adjourn the meeting.
Yes: 5 | No: 0
The mayor declared the motion carried.