Waukon City Council hears results from walking audit, seeks public input on Plaza Redesign Committee

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, August 20 to address a full agenda of items including a presentation of the walking audit by the Walk-On Waukon group, discussion of appointments for the Plaza Redesign Committee and Park and Recreation/Wellness Board expenditure allocations. Mayor Pat Stone called the meeting to order with approval of the current agenda and August 6 regular session meeting minutes.

The council moved into the Public Hearing approving plans and specifications, form of contract and estimated costs for improvements for First Avenue NW resurfacing. City Clerk Lana Snitker indicated that no written or verbal comments have been received.

The council then moved into the Public Hearing proposing disposition of interest in real property by the City of Waukon - West Side Development Lot 3. Snitker indicated that no written or verbal comments have been received regarding this matter.

During Public Comment, Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) presented packets of information to the council and indicated that this information was regarding art projects statewide and provided some background related to the Plaza Art Project.

Under Departmental Reports, Police Chief Phil Young briefly discussed a personnel matter relating to the start date of a newly hired officer being delayed due to a second eye exam and possible surgery to correct a vision problem. Young indicated that additional ammunition will need to be ordered due to required certifications this fall.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett indicated that new street signs are in place except for in the downtown area due to the 2019 Department of Transportation (DOT) Street Project. He also advised that the City parking lots have been sealed and repainted. Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed jetter systems with and without cameras for the storm and sanitary sewers and associated costs. Cooper will discuss those items in further detail at a future council meeting.

Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub indicated that the swimming pool will close to the public this Wednesday and that a dog swim is scheduled for Sunday, September 15. Strub advised that youth flag football and volleyball will be starting in the coming weeks and adult kickball will be starting Wednesday. Strub also indicated that the grass at the amphitheater in the Waukon City Park is starting to come in, allowing for events to begin being held there in the spring.

City Manager Dean Hilgerson provided an update regarding downtown lighting requirements and that alternate locations for the transformer involved in the Plaza design have been discussed. Hilgerson indicated that the grant application related to the water quality project will be filed and that a service provider handling cement cutting and sidewalk repair has expressed interest in doing a condition report of City sidewalks. Hilgerson discussed an upcoming Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Under Regular Business, Brooke Troendle of the Walk-On Waukon group presented information from the July 20 walking audit performed by Wellmark. Troendle discussed recommendations made by Wellmark to make Waukon more pedestrian friendly at a minimal cost and that a public meeting is scheduled for September 14 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the ISU Extension and Outreach office meeting room in Waukon. Hilgerson suggested a presentation from Wellmark prior to the September 17 council meeting and Troendle agreed to relay that request.

Troendle advised that a $25,000 grant from Wellmark has been awarded for sidewalks with the stipulation of a 2:1 match requiring $12,500 in matching funds. Troendle advised that $2,500 could be contributed by Walk-On Waukon and requested that the City consider a contribution of $10,000, allowing the City to receive the $25,000 Wellmark grant. Council member John Ellingson recommended that the City provide a proclamation as a commitment for the $10,000 amount which will be added to the Tuesday, September 4 City Council meeting agenda.

The council approved the urban revitalization program application for property tax exemption for Zach and Melissa Clark at 109 12th Street NW.

The council discussed appointments for the Plaza Redesign Committee. Joe Cunningham with WEDC and council members John Lydon and Gayle Decker have agreed to serve on this committee with Hilgerson serving as a project liaison. As a member of the downtown business community, Vicki Bloxham was recommended to join the committee. The council discussed the need for additional members of the public to participate in this committee and there was discussion of the committee’s goals which are focused upon coming to an agreement on the placement of the Plaza art project and current LED sign.

Strub discussed the next agenda item involving Park and Recreation/Wellness Board expenditure allocations. Strub presented packets of information to the council members regarding budgeting and expenses and discussed that the Wellness Center has operated well, financially breaking even or turning a small profit. Strub indicated that with employee benefits and increased costs related to building repairs in the future, the conversation will need to take place regarding additional funding from the City. The council discussed the Wellness Center’s operation as a separate entity with a Board of Directors and the 28E agreement associated with operations. Hilgerson discussed the requirements of auditors relating to the Wellness Center and City Attorney Jim Garrett agreed to research and will provide some clarification on the 28E agreement and other matters.

The next two agenda items were combined for a single vote and approval. Two accounts involving renter’s deposits to be used for delinquent utility bills were approved.

Hilgerson and the council discussed the acquisition of property for the expansion of the Waste Water Treatment Facility. Hilgerson discussed the ongoing negotiations with the adjacent property owner and the need for this property acquisition to allow greater access during construction and operation after project completion.

Hilgerson indicated that the owner has stipulated that part of an embankment will be retained allowing for the piling of snow for snow removal purposes. The council approved the property acquisition.

The Resolution approving plans and specifications, form of contract and estimated costs for improvement for First Avenue NW resurfacing was approved. The Resolution awarding the contract for the First Avenue NW resurfacing project was approved with the bid from River City Paving of Decorah being accepted at $215,774.20.

A variance request for the West Side Development Lot 3 was approved. The Resolution approving the disposition of interest in real property by the City of Waukon - West Side Development Lot 3 was also approved.

The Resolution to adopt the policy for accumulated compensatory time and vacation time transfers was approved. The Resolution for the submission of an application for the SRF water resource restoration sponsored projects program was approved.

The Resolution transferring $19,000 from the General Fund (property taxes) to the Library Fund for library expenses was approved. The Resolution transferring $63,837.96 from the Franchise Fund to the Road Use Tax Fund for the equipment lease payments for the Johnson Vacuum Street Sweeper ($41,453.72) and Caterpillar Wheel Loader ($22,384.24) was approved.

The council moved in to discussion of the Water/Sewer Superintendent’s request to hold outside employment. Cooper had briefly discussed this matter during the August 6 council meeting indicating that he would like to continue his work as a CNA at Veterans Memorial Hospital on a limited basis working occasionally on weekends if not forbidden by his employment contract with the City of Waukon. The Council approved the request to hold outside employment.

The council discussed the quote proposing upgrade of the Well #5 control panel, which was approved. Cooper discussed concerns about the control panel and surge protection with memory problems arising every two weeks. Ellingson indicated that he will request a representative of Alliant Energy to be part of the next council meeting to discuss the matter.

Hilgerson provided an update on the 2019 DOT street and sidewalk project. Kuhse thanked the council for the planning that is ongoing related to street lighting.

The third and final reading of the Ordinance modifying the required specifications for sidewalk construction, reconstruction and repair was approved.

Under Other Matters, Ellingson discussed a proposal for the Waukon Police Department to obtain a narcotics dog. Ellingson also discussed concerns related to Alliant Energy’s smart meters and billing increases. Ellingson has encouraged Alliant to provide his ten-year billing history to the council to illustrate why he has seen a 50% cost increase without a comparable increase in energy consumption. Ellingson indicated that he has received feedback from home owners and business owners with similar concerns.

Lydon recommended that a three-percent pay increase for the City Manager be added to the next Council meeting agenda. The council also discussed adding another agenda item relating to the compensation of Water and Sewer Department employee Mark Benda.