Waukon City Council discusses variety of financial, property matters Monday

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, November 19 to discuss a full agenda of items including the Walk-On Waukon sidewalk project, a delinquent utility bill and a new Waukon Police Station. There was no Public Comment and the council moved into Departmental Reports.
Waukon Police Chief Phil Young discussed the recent resignation of an officer due to accepting a position with the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department. Young discussed the recent vandalism of Waukon High School football signs placed near the street. Young indicated that video footage was reviewed and the vehicle involved was recognized with charges filed against the driver.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed work on well number 5 and the lift station. Cooper indicated that 12 applications were received for a vacancy in the Water and Sewer Department.

Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub indicated with the weather cooling down, use of the Wellness Center has increased, more so than compared to previous years. Strub provided an update on the tennis courts project fundraising, which he described as being at 90-95% complete with additional grant opportunities being pursued and the bid process likely to begin in January or February.

City Manager Dean Hilgerson discussed that he will be attending a budget workshop in Waverly with City Clerk Lana Snitker later this month and that he will be attending a State Revolving Fund (SRF) special projects workshop in reference to the wastewater treatment plant loan. Hilgerson indicated that the City will likely have the finalized plans for the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) street project before the next city council meeting from engineering firm AECOM. Hilgerson discussed the bid opening and public hearing timelines for the wastewater treatment plant, which will be taking place in December.

Under Regular Business, the council reviewed the Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ending (FYE) June 30, 2018 with Hilgerson and Snitker discussing tax increment financing (TIF). The Annual Financial Report was approved by the council.

The Annual Urban Renewal TIF Report for FYE June 30, 2018 was reviewed by the council. Hilgerson discussed the possibility of using additional TIF for projects while monitoring the effect on the General Fund. Council member Gayle Decker discussed that the 27-page report was recently presented and questioned the timeline for approval without additional time to review. Snitker indicated that December 1 is the filing deadline for this report. Hilgerson clarified that this report is submitted to the State and is a compilation of information relating to previously approved projects and certified TIF debt. The council approved the report.

The council discussed the Resolution establishing the amount of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the Southeast Urban Renewal Area for the FYE June 30, 2020. Snitker discussed that this amount was set at $525,000 last year and that $625,000 is the recommendation for this year, which the council approved.

The Resolution setting the annual appropriation amount of $12,504 for tax rebates to Innovative Ag Services for FYE June 30, 2020 was discussed by the council. Decker questioned how the City certifies that the agreed upon expansion has been completed. Hilgerson and City Attorney James Garrett clarified that the significant increase in taxes following expansion is an indicator that this has been completed beyond a general visual inspection. The Resolution was approved.

The Resolution certifying the annual appropriation amount of $26,000 for tax rebates to Reel Core for FYE June 30, 2020 was discussed and approved by the council.

The council moved into discussion of the Resolution agreeing to become a member of the Northeast Iowa Safety Alliance with the appointment of Jim Cooper as the delegate and Lana Snitker as the alternate. The council agreed that utilizing this organization’s safety training and resources will be of value to the City and approved the resolution.

The first reading of the Ordinance reducing the number of members of the Planning and Zoning Commission from seven to five was approved. The council discussed that the Planning and Zoning Commission currently has four members.

The Urban Revitalization Program application for property tax exemption for Darryl and Lorraine Rud at 1007 Second Street SW was approved by the council and will be submitted to the Allamakee County Courthouse.

The council discussed the request for de-annexation of property at 1153 Prairie Avenue NW. Council members expressed concern that de-annexing a property within City limits may set a precedent and voted to deny the request to de-annex this property.

The delinquent utility bill at 108 Second Avenue NW for landlords Jody and Bobby Regan was discussed. Bobby Regan advised that a renter had moved out in April without paying a high water bill and that the water has been shut off within the residence that is now vacant. Council members discussed issues relating to the curb stop that is connected to this residence and the Waukon Police Station. The council approved to waive penalties and to allow the property owner to pay over a three-month period.

Garrett provided an overview of the next agenda item involving a City code update and implementation. Garrett discussed changes in State code with recommended updates at the City level. The council approved to drop the jail sentence requirement for city code violations, to update the definition of family and to update sidewalk liability.

The council reviewed and approved the Change Order No. 1 and Partial Pay Estimate No. 2 for River City Paving for resurfacing work completed on First Avenue NW.

The council moved into discussion of the Seventh Avenue NE Alley with Hilgerson providing an overview of the matter indicating that a property owner may be interested in purchasing the alley. Hilgerson further advised that two abutting property owners have since come forward indicating that they purchased their properties with the understanding that this alley could be used in accessing their properties. The council approved to rescind the offer to sell the alley.

Brooke Troendle with the Walk-on Waukon group discussed the sidewalk project with the city council. Troendle advised that engineering costs are not typically covered by grants which are geared toward costs associated with cement, rebar and labor costs. Troendle discussed options to eliminate some of the engineering expense. Hilgerson provided recommendations to move some of the proposed sidewalk to the alternate side of the street to lower costs.

Decker raised concerns regarding the cost of the proposed sidewalk project, questioning whether the expense can be justified with streets in need of repair. Council member Ben Rausch discussed the difficulty of attracting young professionals to a community without adequate sidewalks. Decker motioned to not have Hilgerson spend time as City Manager working on the Walk-On Waukon sidewalk project, with the motion dying due to lack of a second.

Hilgerson discussed that from an economic development standpoint, a method of applying unused TIF revenue for this project needs to be researched. Rausch discussed the importance of the project positively impacting citizens and future generations by providing a safe means of pedestrian travel within the city, emphasizing the safety of children. The council tabled the matter for further discussion at the next council meeting.

Hilgerson discussed the Police Station request for proposals (RFP) indicating that three initial estimates were received and were very close to one another regarding potential construction costs. Hilgerson discussed the next steps involving solid cost estimates and schematics. The council approved to add this matter to the next meeting agenda.

There was nothing discussed under Other Matters and the council adjourned.