September 5, 2023 City Council Minutes

The Waukon City Council met in regular session on September 5, 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; City Attorney Jeff Swartz; The Standard – Joe Moses; Fehr Graham –Sam Ertl; Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program Representative – Jeff Jensen; Kent Sweeney, Mike McMillan, Bill and Gloria Hennessy, Jamie Lier and other citizens.

The Mayor called the meeting to order and the pledge of allegiance was recited.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To approve the consent agenda.

  • Approval of Agenda
  • Minutes of August 21, 2023 regular session
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $8,319.15 back to the Sewer Revenue Fund from the Water Resource Restoration Fund for the payment to Skyline that was erroneously cashed by Lansing Brothers. The Deputy Clerk assigned number 23-132 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $58,759.28 from the Sewer Revenue Fund to the Sewer Revenue Bond Sinking Fund for the principal/interest payment on the Sewer Revenue Bond, Series 2019 and Series 2021- $1m and Series 2021- $750k. The Deputy Clerk assigned number 23-133 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $747.50 from the Sewer Fund to the Water Resource Restoration Fund for engineering for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project.  The Deputy Clerk assigned number 23-134 to the resolution.
  • Resolution – Agreeing to the transfer of $15,000.00 back to the General Fund from the Water Resource Restoration Fund for contract costs for the Water Resource Restoration Sponsored Project.  The Deputy Clerk assigned number 23-135 to the resolution.
  • Approval of Variance Requests – 801 W. Main St.; 316 4th Ave. NW; 308 1st St. NE; and 808 W. Main St.
  • Approval of Urban Revitalization Tax Exemption – 1014 2nd St. SW
  • Approval of Pay Request – Housing CDBG Project, 306 1st Ave. NE
  • Approval of Annual Financial Report for FYE June 30, 2023
  • Approval of Claims

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Under Public Comments: no comments

 

Under Department Reports: Park, Rec & Wellness Director Strub noted the youth and adult Fall sports started.  There will be a final training by ambulance and fire department at the pool and then the water will be drained.  He announced the resignation of Carter Duerkop, the Recreation Program Director, effective mid-October.  They plan to hire his replacement by early November.  Shrubs at the park were addressed.  Police Chief Wagner mentioned that three speed signs were approved for the state highways, the department is working on school emergency radios, and he mentioned the new flagpole, provided through a Ted Benda donation, located by the police station. Street Superintendent Burrett noted that the department is finishing up patching and signs are going up. Water/Sewer Superintendent Cooper mentioned the lead and copper tests were conducted this week.  This occurs every three years.  There was a pump out in the lift station near the airport.  He mentioned Wyatt Blake passing three grade one exams for certification.

 

Fehr Graham Engineer Sam Ertl provided an update on the following projects:  4th Street NW and 8th Avenue NW Sidewalk Improvements, 1st Street to 1st Avenue NW Storm Sewer, Pladsen Addition, West Street SW, and Wetland Sponsor Project.  Fehr Graham nominated City of Waukon for storm water jurisdiction award for the Wetland Sponsor Project in the park.  They are looking for a representative to attend the ceremony to accept the award.

 

Deputy Clerk/Finance Director Lana Snitker read City Clerk, Sarah Snitker’s report noting CDBG Housing Rehabilitation program- 5th project is almost completed.  She has met with Wright Way to address IT options.  She received information regarding a child care market study, which would provide funding for planning initiatives addressing child care needs.  Reminder of special meeting September 11 regarding nuisance abatement.

 

Snitker also noted, as Finance Director, that the Annual Financial Report was completed and she is working on three other reports.

 

City Manager Boden corrected a date mentioned in a recent memo to Council.  The resolution committing the City to the LOST referendum will occur at the September 18th meeting.

 

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.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the second reading amending the Code of Ordinances changing zoning district classification from “R-3” Single Family and Two-Family Residence to “B-2” Business District for certain Real Estate in the City of Waukon.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Johnson

To waive additional readings amending the Code of Ordinances changing zoning district classification from “R-3” Single Family and Two-Family Residence to “B-2” Business District for certain Real Estate in the City of Waukon.

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

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

To approve the final reading amending the Code of Ordinances changing zoning district classification from “R-3” Single Family and Two-Family Residence to “B-2” Business District for certain Real Estate in the City of Waukon.

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

The Mayor declared the ordinance adopted and the Deputy Clerk assigned number 831 to the ordinance.

 

Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program Presentation was shared by Jeff Jensen.  He mentioned checking out the website communityvisioning.org.  He noted that the first step would be to create a steering committee where individuals would attend monthly meetings and a final annual celebration at the end of the year long process.

No action taken.

 

There was short discussion of the city façade improvement grant request from 15 West Main Street.  The estimated total cost of the project is $4,174.06.  Funds are being requested for exterior carpeting, signage, and lighting for the sign, all at the front door entrance.

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

To approve the city façade improvement grant request from 15 West Main Street in the amount of $2,087.03 (half the cost).

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

There was no discussion on item number eight, trench excavation and backfill.  It will be on the next agenda.  Mayor Hatlan read reminder regarding procedures to follow standard specifications for those digging into the street.

No action taken.

 

There was long discussion on 1st Street NW to 1st Avenue NW Storm Sewer Improvements Project- box culvert increase & re-routing of existing drains.  Fehr Graham- Ertl shared an opinion of probable costs that showed a revised total estimated project cost of $773,313. Council discussed proceeding with the following items:  No. 1 – No. 14 with estimated increase of $47,364 to replace water main along 1st Avenue NW from the west side of the box culvert to the intersection of 1st Street NW and 1st Avenue NW.  Council chose the pavement, PCC option ($12,375) due to heavy truck traffic, in lieu of HMA/Asphalt option.  Item No. 1 – No. 3 was addressed regarding estimated increase to fix existing water service on the west side of the box culvert in the amount of $3,750. They discussed getting more information for item No. 1 – No. 8 and No. 1 – No. 2 before proceeding with costs to connect roof drains to new storm sewer once the property owners get the drains relocated to the outside of the building to ground level.

The three remaining items- No. 1 exploratory excavation for water main ($7,500), No. 1 – No. 4 contaminated soils ($30, 165), No. 1 – No. 2 replace sanitary sewer main from west side of box culvert to manhole at intersection of 1st Street NW and 1st Avenue NW to fix the existing belly in the main ($14, 400), were discussed to proceed with.

Moved by: Wiedner | Seconded by: Lydon

Direction given to proceed with the recommendations from Fehr Graham- Ertl (as described above).

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

 

There was long discussion on West Street SW Improvements Project.  Fehr Graham- Ertl provided an overview of key points of the project.  Additional agenda items may be necessary.  Citizens voiced their concerns.  Ertl was directed to draft a new design with revised items discussed.  Another meeting with residents affected will be planned.

No action taken.

 

City Manager Boden updated the Council on the Capital Improvement Expenditures & Budget noting there is not a lot of activity planned for fiscal year 2025.

No action taken.

 

Under Public Comments: Property owner Kent Sweeney readdressed what the next steps would be in the follow up regarding 1st Street NW to 1st Avenue NW project.  The importance of communication was mentioned.

 

Moved by: Lydon | Seconded by: Wiedner

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: Lydon | Seconded by: Sires

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: Wiedner

To adjourn.

Yes: 5 | No: 0

The Mayor declared the motion carried.

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