October 7, 2024 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on October 7, 2024, 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, Nick Engrav, Dave Blocker, and Steve Wiedner. Council members absent: Kevin Johnson. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Finance Director Lana Snitker; Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn, Fehr Graham – Sam Ertl; The Standard – Joe Moses; Val Reinke- representing Allamakee County Childcare Coalition and Allamakee County Economic Development; Rachelle Howe- Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission; Ben Garrett- Tailwind Capital Partners; and citizens.

The mayor called the meeting to order, and all recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Hatlan removed item #10 (Discussion on engineering services) from the agenda to be on the next agenda, October 21.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the consent agenda as modified.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of September 16, 2024
  • Approval of Pay Request #10 (final) for 4th Street NW Improvements and 8th Avenue NW Sidewalk Improvements Project in the amount of $13,471.42 to Skyline Construction
  • Approval of Change Order #1 to add 10 working days to West Street SW Improvements Project
  • Approval of Urban Revitalization Program Applications – 1015 2nd Street SW and 22 5th Avenue SE
  • Approval of Variance for 402 2nd Avenue NE
  • Resolution – to compile ordinances as a supplement to the code of ordinances of the City of Waukon, Iowa. The deputy clerk assigned number 24-125 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – approving an agreement for the leasing, assignment, or sale of existing dark fiber located in the City of Waukon right of way by Interstate Power and Light Company. The deputy clerk assigned number 24-126 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – accepting work covering the 4th Street NW Improvements and 8th Avenue NW Sidewalk Improvements Project. The deputy clerk assigned number 24-127 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – agreeing to the transfer of $35,118.94 from the General Fund to the City Hall Roof and Repairs Fund for City Hall roof project. The deputy clerk assigned number 24-128 to the resolution.
  • Approval of City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, September 2024
  • Approval of claims

 

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments:

Pat Stone addressed an agenda item – urban renewal development agreement with Tailwind Capital Partners.

 

Under Department Reports: Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper, Street Superintendent Burrett, Police Chief Wagner shared departmental updates. The council received an update on Park, Recreation and Wellness prior to the meeting.

Ertl gave updates on projects. Deputy Clerk Snitker and City Manager Boden shared administrative updates.

Assistant City Attorney,  Council Members and Mayor Hatlan had nothing to report. Blocker requested an item on the agenda to address old items carried over. Wiedner questioned placing another handrail on City Hall steps.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve the 1st reading of the ordinance amending the Code by changing abandoned water service connections.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To waive the additional readings of the ordinance amending the Code by changing abandoned water service connections.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To adopt the ordinance amending the Code by changing abandoned water service connections.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried and the deputy clerk assigned number 850 to the ordinance.

 

There was discussion on the Allamakee County Childcare Coalition. Reinke, Howe and Boden (all members of the coalition) shared the successes and concerns of the program. A request was made to the City to consider budgeting to set aside funds to contribute to the coalition.

No action was taken.

 

The council considered approval of plat of survey for Pladsen Addition property – Q4 Housing Project. Boden explained the transfer of ownership and easements.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve the plat of survey for Pladsen Addition property – Q4 Housing Project.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

There was discussion regarding providing a local match for Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund program.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Motion died due to lack of a second

To approve the contribution of $12,500 for fiscal years 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Blocker brought up looking at the budget and determining which projects to contribute to.

No action was taken.

 

Deputy Clerk Snitker reviewed quotes for safety glass for City Hall front counter from La Crosse Glass & Overhead Door and Decorah Mobile Glass. It was discussed to table the item until the next council meeting.

No action was taken.

 

Ertl went over the Change Order #3 and pay estimate #3 for City Parking Lot and Alley Improvements Project. A punch list of items remains before the project is complete.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Engrav

To approve change order #3 of net decrease in the amount of $20,513.74 and pay estimate #3 in the amount of $9,479.39 to Skyline Construction for the City Parking Lot and Alley Improvements Project.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

There was discussion of the urban renewal development agreement with Tailwind Capital Partners. Garrett shared poster boards and introduced others involved in the development.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve the urban renewal development agreement with Tailwind Capital Partners.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

There was review and discussion of the subdivision plat for Tailwind Capital Partners.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the subdivision plat for Tailwind Capital Partners.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

A brief discussion was held regarding consideration of engineering services for “Bresnahan property” street project.

Revised invoices will be provided.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve the engineering services with Fehr Graham for “Bresnahan property” street project.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

There was lengthy discussion regarding the 4th Avenue NW Street Improvements Project.

Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Blocker

To give direction to Fehr Graham to provide 3 scenarios of opinions of probable costs for the 4th Avenue NW Street Improvements Project.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Resolution approving and directing the conveyance of interest in real property – Lot 2 of Lot 2 in “Bresnahan property” to Tailwind Capital Partners

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the conveyance of interest in real property – Lot 2 of Lot 2 in “Bresnahan property” with Tailwind Capital Partners.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried and the deputy clerk assigned number 24-129 to the resolution.

 

Ertl reviewed options regarding driveway access in the Pladsen Housing Addition.

No action was taken.

 

There was lengthy discussion on the capital improvements plan for fiscal years 2026, 2027 and 2028. Boden focused on water rates, storm sewer rates and the need for infrastructure improvements. Cooper shared information on the need for water rate increases. Engrav suggested building in yearly increases enough that we don’t have to do larger increases.

No action was taken.

 

Under Public Comments: Ann Fossum and Jane Rissman commented on the West Street SW Project. Jeff Allison commented on an application for house demolition. Howe promoted the regional meeting to be held October 15th  and asked for RSVPs.

 

Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Blocker

To enter Closed Session: Strategy meeting regarding employee union contract negotiations- exempt from Iowa open meetings law by Iowa Code Chapter 20.17 (3)

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

To exit closed session

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Wiedner

To enter open session

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

Roll call was taken.

 

Moved by: Engrav | Seconded by: Blocker

To adjourn the meeting.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

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