October 9, 2023 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on October 9, 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, Dave Blocker, Steve Wiedner and Andy Sires. Council members absent: None. Others present: City Manager Gary Boden; Street Superintendent Keith Burrett; Water/Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper; Park, Rec & Wellness Director Jeremy Strub; Library Director Cate St. Clair; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn; The Standard – Joe Moses; Finance Director Lana Snitker; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; homeowners on West Street SW; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order. He noted that the items under consent agenda regarding approval of variances for 304 5th St. SW & 4 8th Ave. SW and approval of change order #2 for 1st St. NW and 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements will be moved to discussion; the discussion item regarding the West Street Project retaining wall at 603 West St. SW will be moved up on the agenda and discussion on the police department painting and gutter quotes will be removed. He also mentioned the next council meeting will be October 23rd instead of the 16th.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the consent agenda with that change.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of September 18, 2023 regular session
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $58,759.30 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Revenue Bond Sinking Fund for the principal/interest payment on the Sewer Revenue Improvement and Refunding Bond, Series 2022 ($50,002.57) and Series 2023 ($5,088.18) and Series 2021 ($3,668.55). The Clerk assigned number 23-148 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Approving depositories of city funds as follows: Waukon State Bank, Waukon ($10,000,000); FreedomBank, Waukon ($8,500,000); Peoples State Bank, Waukon ($8,500,00); Kerndt Brothers Savings Bank, Lansing ($8,500,000); Luana Savings Bank, Luana ($10,000,000); Decorah Bank & Trust, Decorah ($8,500,000). The Clerk assigned number 23-149 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $4,500 from the General Fund to the CDBG Housing Rehab Fund for technical and general administration costs for owner-occupied housing rehabilitation program, with the understanding that, when reimbursements are received through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) the amount will be paid back to the General Fund. The Clerk assigned number 23-150 to the resolution.
  • Approval of SPX Estimate of $1,850 for budgeted lights at the airport.
  • Approval of payment of $4,500 to Simmering-Cory for Administration of CDBG Housing Rehab Program
  • Approval of Claims

 

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Jim Allison asked if the dead branches at the park could be taken care of; he mentioned a stop light is in the trees on 4th Ave. & 8th St. SW and also noted the different charges for EV stations and his thoughts on what the city should move forward with if they get one. Jamie Waters had questions regarding the 4th Street NW project completion and a couple of notes regarding electrical and water at their property.

 

Under Department Reports: Park, Rec & Wellness Director Strub noted they will be interviewing for the Recreation Program Director position this week. Police Chief Wagner mentioned they received a donation from Walk-on Waukon, they recently had a range day and that Officer Parker completed sniper school. Street Superintendent Burrett noted leaf pickup will begin next week with information being in the newspaper. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned the lead and copper tests conducted in September passed and they are winterizing the lift stations. Library Director St. Clair provided information on upcoming events at the library including a Midwest author panel this Saturday.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl provided an update on projects noting work is being done on the intersection at 4th St. NW and North Court. They are waiting for the sample results from the tank on the 1st St. and 1st Ave. NW project. Kent Sweeney noted his driveway is getting washed out and asked if someone could address that with Ertl stating he would talk to the contractor.

 

City Clerk Snitker noted next year will be 175 years since Waukon was founded. She plans to work with UERPC and Waukon Chamber about a meeting with business owners, developers and anyone interested in grant funding and program availability. Also, there is an opening on the planning and zoning board. Finance Director Snitker noted the street finance report is completed and she is working on the TIF report. Mayor Hatlan asked Assistant City Attorney Stinn about an update on VMH with Stinn noting they are working on the legal description.

 

Council member Wiedner stated he was approached about a biking/walking path around the golf course. Hatlan presented the award the city received for the Stormwater Jurisdiction project. Hatlan also noted we will be enforcing snow removal on the sidewalks starting first snowfall. Council member Sires noted someone utilizing our campground stated that they thought we had a great park.

 

Mayor Hatlan read the VFW Buddy Poppy Proclamation requesting citizen support with donations for Buddy Poppies on Friday, October 13th.

 

Ertl stated he had discussions with both neighbors regarding the retaining wall at 603 West St. SW. Council said they think city responsibility will start at the curve of the wall by the house out towards the street. Owners noted they would like block wall similar to the wall on the other side of their property.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To give direction to Ertl to move forward.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Clerk Snitker discussed the façade application received for new window installation with the estimated total cost of project $9,100.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To approve the city façade application for 3 West Main Street for $4,550 for new windows.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To approve moving forward with the program application and approve the letter of support for the Community Visioning Program.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Clerk Snitker discussed the Community Catalyst Remediation Building Grant program.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To move forward with taking requests for proposals from building owners for the CAT grant program.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Strub discussed the agreements for the fundraising efforts for the field improvement coalition and UTV funding with Jamie and Josh Phipps discussing their fundraising efforts and request for the city to provide some funding towards the project.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To approve the Field Improvement Coalition agreement and provide funding from the Park and Rec budget in the amount of $6,140.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Council member Blocker asked questions on equipment and if there is a schedule in place on when replacement is needed.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To approve the UTV Fundraising agreement.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Mayor Hatlan noted the need for a part-time hire for assistance with nuisance abatement stating there will still be work needed administratively before moving forward with the intent of hiring at $15.24 per hour.

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Johnson

To move forward with hiring a part-time employee to assist with nuisance abatement.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Burrett noted applications for the street department position are due this Friday.

No action taken.

 

Boden gave an update on 9 and 11 Allamakee Street properties noting one is working with their insurance company with proceeds to go to the city and the city to take ownership once finalized and the other property he is working with the attorneys on getting a lien on the property for the amount the city paid to clean up the property.

No action taken.

 

Council Member Blocker asked for clarification on the variance request for Family Dollar/Dollar Tree with City Manager Boden noting they requested the variance for a reduction of parking spaces with this being accidentally overlooked prior to construction.

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the variances for 304 5th St. SW and 4 8th Ave. SW.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Ertl discussed the reasons for change order #2 at 1st St. NW and 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve change order #2 for $63,625.00 for the 1st St. NW and 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Ertl noted he is trying to get a meeting together with the contractor to discuss some items there are questions on regarding the Pladsen Addition Improvements Project. He recommended approving $225,163.82 instead of the full amount listed on the pay application #8 due to those items and also noted this amount would include asphalt costs that are not listed in the pay application.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve payment of $225,163.82 to S&M Developments for the Pladsen Addition Improvements.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Ertl noted Alliant has started their work on West Street SW.

 

Moved by: Weidner | 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: Sires, Blocker, Johnson, Wiedner, Lydon | No:  0

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

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Johnson

To exit closed session

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by:  Blocker | Seconded by: Johnson

To enter into open session.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Weidner | Seconded by: Lydon

To enter closed session to discuss strategy meeting regarding employee union contract negotiations-exempt from Iowa open meeting law by Iowa Code Chapter 20.17(3).

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

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

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To exit closed session

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by:  Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To enter into open session.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Sires | Seconded by: Lydon

To adjourn.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

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