Council discusses, approves Compliance Plan for proposed wastewater treatment facility, rebate for Electric Franchise fee
by Joe Moses
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 19 to discuss a full agenda of items including a proposed Electric Franchise rebate, a new Police Station facility and a Compliance Plan for Wastewater System Improvements. There were no comments during the Public Comments portion of the meeting.
Under Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell advised that there is water bubbling up in the street near Waukon Greenhouse, explaining that this water is the result of a natural spring with a high water table being a factor. Waukon Assistant Police Chief Paul Wagner advised that applications are coming in for the advertised officer vacancy.
Street Department Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed ongoing snow removal and the need for residents to not blow snow into the street. City Clerk Al Lyon discussed nuisance abatement concerns including the 24-hour window that snow is to be removed from sidewalks following a snowfall and that property owners are responsible for removing snow from around fire hydrants located on their property.
Under Regular Business, agenda items one through nine were combined and approved at the same time. These included change orders and routine accounting measures relating to the alley behind the initial block of Allamakee Street between East Main Street and First Avenue NE, 2016 Trenched Storm Sewer Improvements, Valley Trail Flood Repairs and 2016 PCC Street Repairs.
The Electric Franchise rebate was discussed by the Council and City Attorney Jim Garrett, who described the possible use of a cap on the franchise fee with the City reimbursing companies the amount above the cap. Reel-Core Plant Manager Lenny Bulman was in attendance and provided some feedback on the proposed $500 monthly cap on the three-percent Electric Franchise fee and rebate.
After further discussion by the Council, a quarterly Electric Franchise rebate was approved based on the $500 cap. Any company, current or future, would receive a rebate on Electric Franchise fee amounts paid over $500 per month. As it stands, companies like Reel-Core and Aveka could benefit due to their electric usage but this would be a benefit to any new manufacturing or production facilities that chooses to relocate to Waukon.
Lyon and the Council discussed the City Hall windows and price quotes that have been received. The Council decided to table the matter and provide time for clarification on the existing quotes and to possibly receive new quotes from other contractors that have been contacted. There was concern that the windows quoted from two contractors may not be comparable and clarification is needed.
The Police Department facility was discussed by the Council. Maura Jones, a resident of the southwest side of Waukon, addressed the Council and discussed questions relating to the fundraising process and how this process will be communicated to tax payers. Councilman Dwight Jones responded that the City and Council are just starting the process concerning the new Police Station.
Jones advised that the property next to the former C-Mart location was an opportunity to purchase a centrally located lot for the future Police Station and that all grants and funding options will be explored, and the public will be made aware as the project progresses. Jones discussed that there is not a timeline in place for this project. Councilman Don Steffens further discussed the continued need for a new station due to problems with the existing structure including the deterioration of the building’s interior and water leaks, making renovations not advisable and not a good long-term investment.
Lyle TeKippe and George TeKippe, with Fehr-Graham Engineering, were in attendance to discuss the Waste Water Treatment Plant agenda item. George TeKippe discussed the Compliance Plan for Wastewater Improvements that was prepared by licensed Professional Engineer Lucas J. Elsbernd. TeKippe advised that this document needs to be approved by the City before moving forward to meet Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements within a four-year period. TeKippe discussed the possibility of applying for an extension on that timeframe, which would be difficult.
TeKippe provided a general timeline for various stages of the project estimating five months to prepare a facility plan and a degradation analysis, the two required reports for the State, and a year to design the facility with five months for approval. TeKippe further discussed that 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 years would be required for construction of the revamped wastewater plant with a quarter year required for optimization and start-up. TeKippe further discussed that the land adjacent to the existing facility on both sides should be acceptable for the project and that the existing facility could provide an alternative during maintenance. The Compliance Plan was approved by the Council.
Garrett discussed a delinquent utility billing situation involving a home foreclosure. The former owner has offered to pay $371 to settle the utility bill. The Council discussed the extenuating circumstances that prevented the requested shut-off of service. The Council provided a recommendation to Garrett to accept the $371 plus court costs in this case. A motion was approved to require a $150 deposit from a renter if the owner chooses to not accept responsibility for utility billing. In these situations, a property owner will be required to sign a document assigning responsibility to a renter.
As a routine accounting measure, the internal loan transfer of $24,572.28 from the 2016 Capital Improvements Fund to the Flood Fund for Valley Trail repair costs was approved. This is done with the understanding that when FEMA proceeds are received, this amount will be paid back to the 2016 Capital Improvements Fund.
Under Other Matters, Councilman John Lydon discussed research and progress on a job description rough draft for the proposed City Manager position.
