Waukon City Council approves additional trail improvements within Waukon City Park

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Monday night, November 2, the Waukon City Council discussed a proposal to make improvements to the valley trail in Waukon City Park that would increase the cost of the project to exceed the amount approved by FEMA by approximately $22,000. The proposed improvements would include moving the trail about 14 feet uphill, adding a reinforced concrete slab on a portion of the trail and adding some erosion control measures. Councilman Steve Wiedner said that the trail has long-term value to the City and that it should be fixed right. Councilwoman Christine Enyart pointed out that the cost of maintaining the trail in the future would be reduced by making the suggested improvements.
The Council discussed funding options for the project, but that discussion was complicated by the fact that no firm cost estimate has been received for the dredging of the pond at the park. After some discussion, the Council approved spending the additional $22,000 for the valley trail project and directed Lyle TeKippe of Fehr Graham Engineering to draw up plans and specifications for the dredging of the pond. The Council also tentatively agreed to pay for the projects by borrowing additional funds through the bond sale to pay for the purchase of the Bresnahan property and the construction of a storm water retention basin, a bond sale that could exceed one million dollars to fund all of the projects discussed. In a related matter, the Council approved Skyline Construction’s bid of $30,917.34 for the “five bridges trail” flood repair project in the Waukon City Park.
The Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to implement a three-percent franchise fee for natural gas customers within the city limits. During the Council’s previous meeting, Councilwoman Enyart pointed out that the franchise fee is essentially a new tax on Waukon residents, but as no members of the Council had heard any objections to the ordinance, the second reading was approved unanimously without discussion.
The Council also approved a contract with the Northeast Iowa Humane Society for dog pound services. Under the terms of the contract, animal owners would be required to pay the costs of impoundment in order to reclaim their animals and the City would be billed for the cost of housing unclaimed animals.
The Council also approved renewing the City’s employee health insurance policy with a 4.9% increase in premiums.
In other business, the Council approved hiring Dakota Ness as a Street Department employee starting Monday, November 9 at $13.00 per hour. The Council also accepted a recommendation to purchase two ordinances from Iowa Codification including an updated ordinance for Disorderly Conduct and an ordinance to increase the distance required between protesters and funeral services.