Numerous projects, update on Aveka noise levels among variety of topics addressed by Waukon City Council

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, May 21 to discuss a variety of matters, including the American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Days Proclamation, downtown street lighting and the Spring Avenue spring leak. Mayor Pat Stone called the meeting to order, indicating that one agenda item has been removed with the addition of five other agenda items.

The Public Hearing for the Sewer Loan and Disbursement Agreement in the amount not to exceed $658,000 for improvements to the sanitary sewer system was opened and closed without any written or verbal comment. There was no Public Comment, so the council moved right into Departmental Reports.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell discussed some of the preliminary results from the storm sewer flow study which he indicated will be extended beyond the scheduled June 15 end date due to problems with a flow meter. Campbell discussed rainfall and infiltration affecting the flow study meter readings in the northwest and northeast portions of Waukon, with video being the next step likely in identifying problem areas.

Waukon Police Chief Phil Young briefly discussed parking matters, which he requested be added to the next meeting agenda.

Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussed that a meeting is scheduled Thursday with a company regarding the Wellness Center’s heating system and that the swimming pool will be ready to open this Friday. Strub indicated that Youth Soccer has ended and that Adult Softball is beginning. Strub briefly discussed a break-in that occurred at the City Park maintenance shed late last Thursday with video of the incident being reviewed and the individuals responsible yet to be identified.

City Manager Dean Hilgerson discussed the safety program offered by the Iowa Association of Municipalities and that a presentation regarding wastewater treatment facility equipment is scheduled for June 4. Hilgerson commented that the recent tour of the Dyersville wastewater treatment facility with Campbell and council member Gayle Decker was valuable, with the Dyersville facility’s equipment being very applicable to Waukon’s wastewater treatment needs.

Hilgerson discussed the insurance reclassification of the street sweeper resulting in a $2,500 premium return. He also provided an update on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) process with the low to moderate income (LMI) study results allowing the grant application to move forward. Regarding the LMI results, Hilgerson indicated that 447 households were contacted, representing 1,028 individuals. Hilgerson briefly mentioned ongoing discussions with the owner of the former Northern Engraving facility and a possible improved access to the wastewater treatment facility.

The council moved into Regular Business with Stone discussing the Poppy Proclamation. Stone read aloud the proclamation declaring May 25 and May 26 as American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Days, asking all citizens pay tribute to those who have died in war defending freedom by wearing the Memorial Poppy. The council approved the Poppy Proclamation.

Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe with Fehr-Graham Engineering discussed the Change Order #2 increase of $16,242.08 for work completed at the First Avenue NW and Second Street NW storm sewer improvements project by Skyline Construction, Inc. TeKippe indicated that the increase was the result of the additional area that was disturbed due to size of the storm sewer structure that was removed. The council approved the change order.

The Partial Pay Estimate #3 for $47,819.03 for the First Avenue NW and Second Street NW storm sewer improvements project for work completed by Skyline Construction, Inc. and the Resolution for Acceptance of this project were individually reviewed and approved by the council.

Young provided an update on the Waukon Police Department vacancy, with the interview process ongoing and candidates participating in ride-alongs. Young will be meeting with the Personnel Committee prior to the June 4 City Council meeting.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed City parking lot improvements and feedback received from contractors thus far. Various parking lots were discussed by the council including parking areas near Kwik Star, Hartig Drug and the former site of Wild Willy’s. TeKippe discussed resurfacing options including asphalt and concrete.

The council moved into discussion of a potential property purchase which was originally discussed at the April 16 City Council meeting, with Christine Enyart offering to sell a property near the Good Samaritan Society to the City for development as a parking area. Hilgerson discussed recent communications with the leadership of the Good Samaritan Society’s Waukon facility, indicating that there are no immediate plans for the adjacent property. Decker recommended that Enyart may wish to follow up with the Good Samaritan Society regarding a potential sale of her property. The consensus of the council was that the City would likely not be interested in the property without the involvement of the Good Samaritan Society.

TeKippe discussed soil testing on First Avenue NW. The council discussed record keeping options moving forward relating to street repair. The council approved the appointment of Skip Loebig to the Airport Board with a term expiring June 22, 2022.

Downtown street lighting was discussed by the council, with 66 new decorative light poles or 36 existing light poles being reset as options. An estimate on light pole bases will be forthcoming with further discussion to take place at the June 4 council meeting.

TeKippe discussed the Spring Avenue spring leak, recommending exploratory digging by a contractor to better assess the situation with installation of an intake to divert the water flow from the natural spring into the storm sewer likely being necessary. The council approved to move forward with the project.

The council approved the WW Homestead Dairy Wastewater Treatment Agreement. The Resolution for the Sewer Loan and Disbursement Agreement in the amount not to exceed $658,000 for improvements to the sanitary sewer system was approved. The third reading of the Ordinance amending Sewer Rates was also approved with adoption of the ordinance.

Campbell and Hilgerson discussed matters relating to the Department of Transportation (DOT) Street Project and infrastructure. Burrett also discussed developing a street sign replacement program with an overview of compliance standards and replacement costs. Hilgerson recommended an incremental sign replacement program.

The council discussed the City Hall north entrance painting project which will include pressure washing, painting and sealing. The council approved to have Brink’s Professional Painting complete the project.

Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discussed the Plaza Project and the need for formal approval from the council regarding moving forward, which was granted by the council.

The Ordinance regarding the deposit of leaves on City streets in the fall was discussed with grass clippings and leaves being deposited in the street as concerns. The first reading of the ordinance was approved.

The variance request for the former Iowa Department of Transportation property by Justin Sweeney and the survey plat for the same property were individually reviewed and approved by the council.

The voluntary annexation of the property at 808 Allamakee Street was discussed, with City Attorney James Garrett indicating that three attempts, each including an application, have been made to contact property owner Willie Hendrickson regarding this matter. Garrett recommended starting the involuntary annexation process, which was approved by the council, with voluntary annexation still being an option as previously discussed with Hendrickson.

The Resolution to transfer $21,219.77 from the 2016 Capital Improvements Fund to the Storm Sewer Improvement Fund was approved. The Water/Sewer Superintendent and City Clerk positions were discussed, with the Personnel Committee to begin review of resumes received.

The Waukon Police Station was discussed with two options, either the construction of a new facility or the renovation of the Waukon Chamber of Commerce/Economic Development building into a police station. The council authorized Hilgerson to move forward looking into these options. Mayor Stone discussed tuckpoint repairs necessary at City Hall, with the council approving to seek bids for the repair work.

Council members Arvid Hatlan and Decker provided an update on the Aveka Nutra Processing facility noise level. Decker discussed sound readings taken near the Aveka facility recently which have shown improvement and are comparable or slightly less than readings taken at some other business and industrial locations. Decker provided readings including the Aveka baghouse at 59.6 decibels (dB), Wellness Center 40.3 dB, Waukon Feed Ranch 63.2 dB and Reel Core 61.4 dB to provide a comparison. Hatlan discussed some variables in the Aveka sound levels which may increase beyond these recent readings during the processing of different products. Hatlan discussed recent communications from Aveka regarding new technology to be installed which will likely reduce noise and odor through the use of a state of the art three-stage impinjet wet scrubber. Hatlan commented on the sincere efforts to reduce odor and noise at Aveka by General Manager John Anderson and Project Manager Mark Egan.

The council moved into discussion of fireworks complaints in Waukon, with Hatlan discussing feedback received from a resident of the northwest portion of town regarding the July 4 holiday last year. Council member Ben Rausch advised that fireworks use is not permitted within city limits by ordinance. Young discussed warnings and enforcement.

Stone discussed having live music downtown with Maddie Poppe, American Idol winner with local ties, as a possible performer during Corn Days or another date this summer, working with her schedule. The council agreed to pursue this opportunity for live music in downtown Waukon.

Under Other Matters, council member John Lydon discussed the possibility of a spring yard waste collection similar to the collection that takes place in the fall. The council briefly discussed the possibility of winter alternate side parking on residential streets. Rausch provided an update on the Broadband Committee efforts. City Clerk Al Lyon advised that there are two vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Board.