September 18, 2023 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on September 18, 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; Police Chief Paul Wagner; Assistant City Attorney Hattie Frana; The Standard – Joe Moses; Finance Director Lana Snitker; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; downtown business owners; and citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order. He asked that the discussion item on dumping snow in business district and establishing a fee for removal be moved ahead of reports.

 

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

To approve the consent agenda with that change.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of September 5, 2023 regular session and September 11, 2023 special session
  • Resolution – In Support of Election on Local Option Sales and Services Tax. The Clerk assigned number 23-136 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Authorizing Mayor Arvid Hatlan and City Clerk Sarah Snitker to sign all documents relating to the USDA Rural Development loan and/or grant. The Clerk assigned number 23-137 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $25,000 from the General Fund to the Capital Project Fund-Fiber Optics for a high-speed fiber optic construction project. The Clerk assigned number 23-138 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $25,000 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 (CDBG) the amount will be paid back to the General Fund. The Clerk assigned number 23-139.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $300,000 from the Capital Project Fund-Maintenance Garage (originally transferred from American Rescue Plan Fund #142) to the 1st to 1st Storm Sewer Project Fund for storm sewer project. The Clerk assigned number 23-140 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $300,000 from the 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project Fund (originally from the Street Improvement Fund #121) to the Capital Project – Maintenance Garage for the Maintenance Garage Project. The Clerk assigned number 23-141 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $54,663 from the Street Improvement Fund to the 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project Fund for storm sewer project. The Clerk assigned number 23-142 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $43,600 from the Storm Sewer Improvement Fund to the West Street SW Improvement Project Fund for storm sewer improvement. The Clerk assigned number 23-143 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $127,700 from the Street Improvement Fund to the East of Rossville Road Storm Sewer Project Fund for storm sewer project. The Clerk assigned number 23-144 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $50,000 from the Rossville Road Storm Sewer/East of Rossville Road Storm Sewer Fund to the Pladsen Property Project Fund to fund the storm sewer project along Rossville Road as originally intended with transfer from Storm Sewer Improvement Fund under Resolution No. 22-195. The Clerk assigned number 23-145 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $50,000 to the 1st to 1st Storm Sewer Project Fund from the Water Fund for storm sewer project. The Clerk assigned number 23-146 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $102,000 to the 1st to 1st Storm Sewer Project Fund; $72,000 from the Water Fund and $30,000 from the Sewer Fund for Storm Sewer Project per direction from the City Manager. The Clerk assigned number 23-147 to the resolution.
  • Approval of Liquor License: Class B Retail Alcohol License for Family Dollar #33489, 4 8th Ave. SW (approval pending document submittal) and Class C Retail Alcohol License with outdoor service for Uptown Grill, LLC, 39 W Main St. (pending dramshop renewal).
  • Approval of CDBG Housing Rehab Pay Request to The Restyling Specialists for $7,000 for 306 1st Ave. NE.
  • Approval of Submitter Merchant Payment Processing Agreement
  • USDA Grant – Street Vehicle; Letter of Conditions – approve request for obligation of funds and letter of intent to meet conditions.
  • Approval of two DOT ROW applications – Hwy 76 and 9th St. West intersection
  • Approval of City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report – August, 2023
  • Approval of Claims

 

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Jessica Wagner noted a concern with parking in the downtown area due to tenants from the upper story apartments parking on the street.

 

There was lengthy discussion regarding establishing a fee for snow removal in the business district with numerous downtown business owners providing input. The council would like to discuss how the snow is removed from downtown at a separate meeting.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To not charge a fee for snow removal for the downtown businesses.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Under Department Reports: Park, Rec & Wellness Director Strub noted the application deadline for the Recreation Program Director is the end of this month. Police Chief Wagner mentioned they recently had law enforcement tour the hospital and the schools. There was recently an applicant who declined the officer job due to the cost of family insurance. Street Superintendent Burrett noted they are working on street sign replacement and that leaf pick-up will probably start mid-October. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned they will be jetting the NW side of town and then moving to do the NE side of town.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl provided an update on projects noting that the seeding was completed on the 8th Ave. NW sidewalk and the water and sewer has been completed on 4th St.

 

City Clerk Snitker asked council if they want to have the Community Visioning Program on the next agenda to discuss moving forward. Snitker noted the City was awarded the USDA Grant for $21,500 towards a vehicle in the street department and also mentioned that Trick or Treating will be October 31st from 4-8PM. Finance Director Snitker gave an update on the August treasurer’s report. City Manager Boden discussed some upcoming property tax reforms.

 

Council member Johnson discussed having fireworks during Corn Days. Mayor Hatlan mentioned he will be attending the 2023 Iowa Water Conference Awards on September 19th to receive their annual Stormwater Jurisdiction Award for our recent project.

 

Silver Laine Co. owner Brittany Horns discussed the estimates submitted for her façade application. The estimated total cost of project is $8,566.78 for tuckpointing, new windows and window installation.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To approve the city façade application for 33 West Main Street for $4,283.39.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Payment forgiveness was addressed with council member Lydon stating they will follow the city ordinances.

No action taken.

 

Cooper discussed a bad pump and suggested to purchase a new one instead of replacement.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the Electric Pump quote for a new pump at Allamakee Road lift station of $24,776.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Snitker noted the work has been completed at 9 & 11 Allamakee Street and mentioned there is a crack in the sidewalk.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve pay request #4 to Lansing Brothers Construction for $4,900.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Ertl discussed the different options of width for the West Street SW project. It was noted that there is a section of city right of way that would need to be transferred to Hennessey’s; Boden will work with the attorney and Fehr Graham on that.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

For the West Street SW width to be 26’ in front of Hennessey’s property (618 West St. SW) with no parking across the street, then go to 31’ for the rest of the project with there being one side parking on the street.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve change order #4 and pay estimate #2 to Riehm Construction for $1,993.10 for the Storm Water Quality Improvements Project, Contract C.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve pay estimate #4 to Skyline Construction for $123,567.88 for 4th St. NW Improvements & 8th Ave. NW Sidewalk Improvements Project.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To approve change order #1 and partial pay estimate #1 to Skyline Construction for $48,765.40 for 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

There was discussion regarding a tank that was found on the project site for 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements project.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To direct engagement with Seneca Companies for testing underground storage tank at an estimated total of $10,360.60

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Ertl discussed the floor and roof drains on the properties affected by the 1st St. NW to 1st Ave. NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project. He noted he recommended to keep the floor drain separate from the roof drain and for the city to get a plumber involved. There was discussion with Kent Sweeney and Mike McMillan regarding how to proceed.

The council gave direction to have the existing floor drains and roof drains that currently outlet into the existing box culvert connected at the existing box culvert under Mike McMillan’s building for Kent Sweeney’s property and Mike McMillan’s property and rain together to the new box culvert. The floor drain for Jim Hennessy’s property is to be disconnected and reconnected to the new storm sewer box culvert like it was prior to this project.

No action taken.

 

Discussion on the Pladsen Payment #8 was removed from the agenda.

No action taken.

 

Under Public Comments: None

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

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. (x2)

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: Sires | Seconded by: Blocker

To exit closed session

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by:  Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

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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