Waukon City Council discusses sanitary sewer ordinance enforcement in regard to Aveka

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 7 via Zoom web-conferencing to address a full agenda of items including the hiring of a consultant to assist in drafting a new industrial contract for sanitary sewage  treatment, discussion relating to enforcement of ordinances and contract provisions with Aveka Nutra Processing and the purchase of a tractor and mower for City Park maintenance.

There was no Public Comment and the council moved into Department Reports with Library Director Cate St. Clair providing a brief update relating to Robey Memorial Library.

Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub reported that the Waukon Wellness Center in October was busy and comparable to previous years with November being slower likely due to COVID-19 positive numbers increasing throughout the county. Strub advised that materials have arrived for the winter conversion of the tennis courts into an ice skating rink which will be available for the public to use with activated lighting in place. Strub also provided an update relating to the Freedom Rock in the City Park honoring military veterans, which will soon have a donated shelter placed at this location with cement footings having been poured in anticipation of this placement.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper provided an update relating to the water main installation along First Street NW and advised that a representative from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be making inspections at the City’s current wastewater treatment facility and at the new wastewater treatment facility construction project.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett reported that equipment has been serviced in preparation for winter and that the Street Department Shop is currently on lockdown as a precaution with one employee recently testing positive for COVID-19 and another employee out sick.

Police Chief Paul Wagner discussed that the police academy has indicated that this will be Officer Dustin Harrington’s last week of in-person training and it is a possibility that Officer Chris Doeppke will start his police academy training in January with several weeks of remote instruction, with that decision yet to be officially made by the academy. Wagner provided an update relating to the Waukon Police Station remodeling project which he indicated has an anticipated late December completion date. Wagner added that painting is taking place within the structure with plumbing and electrical work also taking place. Wagner commented on the rough condition of desks and furniture that were removed from the building prior to this project and recommended that new furniture be considered. Wagner said that he and Assistant Police Chief Luke Inglett have looked at furniture options available through Howards Home Furnishings and a retailer out of Monticello.

City Manager Gary Boden added to Wagner’s report by indicating that an estimate of $7,250 for desks and furniture has been discussed for the Waukon Police Station and although not budgeted, could be made possible through a budget amendment at the end of the year or through shifting other funds available through a delayed purchase of some audio/visual equipment for the City Council Chamber into next year. Boden continued with his City Manager’s Report and provided an update relating to the new wastewater treatment facility construction project which will likely be completed at $11.4 million.

Boden also discussed a general estimate of $500,000 to upgrade water meters in Waukon to remote-read water meters which are becoming the standard for many communities and eliminate the need for manual meter reading. Boden said that he has instructed Finance Director Lana Snitker to move $250,000 into a specific project account for water meters in anticipation of this upgrade.

Boden also discussed direction provided to Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe of Fehr Graham Engineering relating to water and sewer installation estimates and planning for the former Bresnahan property which will be developed into duplexes geared toward small families and retirees. Boden also advised that budget related work is being started and will continue over the next eight or more weeks.

Mayor Pat Stone updated the council about the Catalyst Grant application through Iowa Economic Development for the former Tierney building renovation. Stone said that the pre-application is to be submitted in January with the full application to be submitted a few months later.

Council member John Ellingson discussed an email distributed to the council relating to water discharge on Eighth Avenue NW which has created concerns due to ice formation on the street,with repeated incidents being noted.

The council approved the Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2020.

Strub discussed a utility tractor and mower purchase for the City Park and City use. He advised that this type of equipment has been purchased in the past through Hotel/Motel tax revenue and has been budgeted at $25,000 for a scheduled replacement of the 2012 Kubota tractor and mower with a new and similar John Deere model at $25,800. Strub further advised that this equipment is used for mowing at the airport, City Park and ball fields and is a piece of equipment that is used frequently. The council approved the purchase of the tractor and mower.

The council discussed the potential hiring of Ed Askew, PhD at $8,000 for consulting and assistance in drafting a new industrial contract for sanitary sewage treatment relating to operations of the new wastewater treatment plant. Askew provided an overview of services and discussed his recommendations for standards and limits to be included in the new industrial contract. Cooper said that while employed by the City of Decorah, he had worked with Askew in the past and provided a recommendation to hire Askew to assist in protecting the investment being made in the new wastewater treatment plant. The council approved to move forward with Askew’s services.

The council moved into a lengthy discussion relating to the enforcement of City Sanitary Sewage Treatment Ordinances and Contract Provisions with Aveka Nutra Processing. Boden discussed concerns relating to the amount of operator error at Aveka which has resulted in discharges which can have a significant impact upon the wastewater treatment facility’s operations with the new wastewater treatment plant’s biologically based water treatment processes being harmed to a greater degree than the current plant’s processes.

Council member Gayle Decker expressed concerns about Aveka disregarding policies and procedures in allowing these discharges to happen with Ellingson echoing similar comments and indicating that these problems need to be fixed and results need to be seen. Askew recommended updating City ordinances to require higher penalties for discharge incidents that would be punitive and encourage faster compliance and changes.

Maintenance Supervisor Matt Pladsen advised that Aveka is moving forward to repair procedures and install safeguards and testing procedures to prevent discharges. Engineering services from Fehr Graham Engineering, the firm serving in the role of City Engineer for the City of Waukon, were discussed, with City Attorney Kevin Stinn and Boden advising that there is a conflict of interest for Fehr Graham to provide engineering services for Aveka’s discharge safeguards and upgrades. It was recommended that Aveka should use another engineer in the development of these measures with Fehr Graham to consult that engineering firm if need be.

Prior to adjournment, the council moved into closed session for a strategy meeting relating to employee union contract negotiations exempt from Iowa open meetings law by Iowa Code Chapter 20.17 (3).