September 22, 2025 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on September 22, 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 and John Lydon. Council members absent: 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; The Standard- Joe Moses; Library Board Chair Linda Groe; 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 8, 2025, regular meeting

Approval of board terms: renewal of Ken Kerr on the P&Z Board and appointment of Carrie Niehaus on the Library Board

Approval of Annual Financial Report for FYE June 30, 2025

Approval of Alcohol License Amendment for a premise transfer for Fiesta Vallarta

Approval of claims

Payment of Claims for: September 22, 2025
Benjegerdes Machine Repairs                     156.64
Wyatt Blake Hotel & Meals – Conference                     340.30
Gary Boden Mileage – Conference                     294.00
Bruening Rock Products Supplies                     228.48
Century Link Telephone                     144.30
Jim Cooper Meals – Conference                       52.77
First Supply Repairs                       21.08
Hawkins Supplies                  4,168.64
Iowa DOT Supplies                  1,650.00
Metering and Technology Supplies                  1,120.04
Trystan Riley Refund Liquor License                     438.75
Simmering Cory Ordinance Updates                     158.00
Simmering Cory Ordinance & July Supplement                     926.00
Sarah Snitker Hotel – Mileage – Meals – Conference                     579.63
State Hygienic Laboratory Water Testing                     165.00
Streicher’s Supplies/Uniforms                     145.58
Sun Life Insurance October Life Insurance                     247.80
US Cellular Telephone                     134.62
US Cellular Telephone                     415.69
USA Bluebook Supplies                  1,427.35
PAID CLAIMS:
IPERS Withholding – August – Police                  4,787.02
IPERS Withholding – August – Regular                16,288.87
Treasurer-State of IA State Withholding – August                  3,261.08
Vantagepoint Transfer ICMA Retirement – August                     750.00
Regular Payroll August 31 – September 13, 2025                53,751.78
EFTPS Federal Withholding                  5,501.99
EFTPS SS/Medicare Withholding                10,833.36
AFLAC Insurance – September                     739.56
EBS SafeT Fund – September part #1                  1,183.64
Treasurer-State of IA Sales Tax – August                  3,600.60
Treasurer-State of IA WET Tax – August                  2,774.90
WSB-CC-Iowa State University Training – Mayor                     100.00
WSB-CC-Iowa State University Training – P & Z                       50.00
WSB-CC-IMFOA Fall Conference                     200.00
WSB-CC-Hilton Garden Inn Hotel for Fall Conference – Clerk                     170.41
WSB-CC-Iowa State University Training – Finance                       50.00
WSB-CC-Nextiva Telephone                     466.92
WSB-CC-Iowa League of Cities Conference – Mayor                     310.00
WSB-CC-Comfort Inn Hotel for Annual Conference                     250.87
WSB-CC-Comfort Inn Hotel for Annual Conference – Finance                     304.64
PAID YSF FOOTBALL CLAIM:
Uptown Grill Player Pizza Party                     307.96
WELLNESS CLAIMS:
Alliant Energy Electricity – August                  5,381.33
Black Hills Energy Services – August                       65.12
Elan Financial Services Supplies / Concessions                     840.44
Fastenal Supplies                     123.21
Mediacom Services                       89.57
RecDesk Program Subscription                  2,100.00
Deb Rixen Instructor Certification                     110.00
West Side Waukon Lumber Ceiling Tile                     340.00
PARK~REC~POOL CLAIMS:
AC Skyways Internet                     111.97
Agvantage FS Fuel                     871.41
Alliant Energy Electricity – August                  3,127.79
Black Hills Energy Services – August                       43.03
Bodensteiner Implement Repairs                         7.29
Cunningham Hardware Repairs                     112.04
Elan Financial Services Supplies/ Concessions                  8,245.64
Finger Publishing Advertising                       75.00
Innovative Ag Supplies                     108.00
Quillin’s Food Ranch Fuel                     169.12
RecDesk Program Subscription                  2,100.00
State Hygienic Lab Pool Testing                       15.50
US Cellular Telephone                     231.76
West Side Waukon Lumber Supplies                     389.09
 

 
General: 67,684.82 Wellness: 10,260.20
Library: 6,478.19 YSF Football: 307.96
RUT: 14,260.40 Water: 18,667.73
Employee Benefits: 14,826.74 Sewer: 10,174.73
T & A Insurance: 494.81 FUND TOTALS: 143,155.58

 

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

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: Val Reinke asked about the status of the comprehensive plan and questioned why the roles of the mayor, city manager and city clerk were removed from the last agenda and that she thinks it needs to be addressed.

 

Under Reports: Egan mentioned a small storm sewer failed in the Hidden Creek Addition but was fixed. Wagner stated they were informed from USDA that they were approved for grant funding of a squad vehicle purchase. Clerk Snitker noted there is an Open Meetings/Open Record training being held on October 8th from 5-7PM at NICC. She stated that the city attorney stated all board members also need to take this training.

 

Hatlan read the proclamation of the annual distribution of Buddy Poppies by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States. Distribution of Buddy Poppies will be October 10, 2025.

 

Blocker and Smedsrud noted they have received calls from constituents regarding concerns about the price the city agreed to sell the parking lot to Kwik Star. Hatlan noted he has also received negative feedback and thinks this is a bad deal for the city.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Blocker

To approve the resolution scheduling a public hearing on the proposed sale of city owned real property located along West Street SW, Parcel #1031210012.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried. The clerk assigned number 25-95 to the resolution.

 

The ordinance for the Library Board of Trustee terms and members was discussed.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve drafting an ordinance to change the Library Board of Trustees terms from 6 years to 3 years and to change one of the resident member requirements to be an at-large seat that can be filled by either the city or someone in the community.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Smedsrud gave an update on the HSNEI agreement. It was noted a form would need to be drafted and brought back to the council for approval in order to pay a yearly amount that is not listed in the agreement.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Smedsrud

To approve a yearly $500 donation to HSNEI and approve the holding and care services for law enforcement agencies fees.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: someone asked if business owners had any thoughts on the Kwik Star Sale.

 

Moved by: Blocker | Seconded by: Lydon

To enter Closed Session: pursuant to 21.5 (1)(i) to evaluate the professional competency of candidates for the position of Waukon City Manager, necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to those individual’s reputations, where said individuals have requested a closed session.

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

The mayor declared the motion carried. Roll call was taken: Wiedner, Blocker, Smedsrud, Lydon. Also present: Mayor Hatlan, Lana Snitker, Deputy City Clerk, Marketa Oliver, President, Theia Management Consulting

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Smedsrud

To exit closed session.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To adjourn the meeting.

Yes: 4 | Absent: 1 | No: 0

The mayor declared the motion carried.

 

City Council

2025

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