Waukon City Council discusses property purchase with Allamakee County Fair Board in pair of recent meetings, approves one-year Union agreement

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in a special session Thursday, March 11 for discussion with the Allamakee County Fair Board relating to a proposed property purchase and Monday, March 15 for a special closed session prior to its regular session that night. Coverage of both meeting dates is included below.

MARCH 11 SPECIAL SESSION
The council met Thursday, March 11 with members of the Allamakee County Fair Board including Treasurer Bobbi Baxter and Adam Bieber to discuss a potential transfer or sale of property to the Fair Board within the Allamakee County Fairgrounds. Bieber and Baxter said that the Fair Board is interested in constructing a new show barn at the Fairgrounds with property ownership being necessary for financing the project. Continued maintenance of other structures was also discussed.

Bieber explained that the newly proposed modern show barn would include office areas, restrooms and a small concession area with grants being applied for and financing being pursued through Waukon State Bank. Following discussion between the Fair Board representatives and the council, Attorney Bill Shafer, representing the Fair Board, and Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn agreed to meet, with Stinn to provide an update at the March 15 council meeting.

MARCH 15 SESSIONS
The council met in closed session prior to its Monday, March 15 regular session for a strategy meeting relating to employee union contract negotiations exempt from Iowa open meetings law by Iowa Code Chapter 20.17(3).

Following completion of the closed session, there was no Public Comment to begin the Waukon City Council’s Monday, March 15 regular session and the council moved into Department Reports with Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussing that a majority of summer employees in his department will be hired yet this month. Strub noted that 50-70 extra employees are needed during the summer season with swimming pool and park employees being needed. Strub advised that City Park employees may start as early as April 5.

Mayor Pat Stone questioned Strub about a tree replacement program that was discussed last year. Strub advised that he and City Manager Gary Boden have discussed starting this program in the fall.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper provided an update relating to the new Wastewater Treatment Facility, which he indicated is likely to go online in mid-May or early June. Cooper discussed a minor delay relating to the new facility’s wastewater treatment process and that he will be in contact with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding this delay. Cooper advised that a Street Department dump truck currently under consideration to be put up for sale may be a good fit for transporting dry solids. Cooper suggested that the Water and Sewer Department may purchase the dump truck.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed changing weather conditions with street sweeping taking place last week and snowplowing having to be done this week. Burrett indicated that the weather forecast is calling for warmer temperatures later in the week and it is yet to be determined whether snow will need to be hauled from downtown following Monday’s storm. Burrett briefly discussed bids relating to the purchase of a new dump truck.

Police Chief Paul Wagner discussed the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and festivities and indicated that it was an overall quiet weekend for the Police Department. Wagner noted that the move from the temporary office space in City Hall back into the remodeled Police Station is almost complete with the department now operating 100% out of the newly renovated Police Station. Wagner also advised that he is working on submitting a STEP grant application to fund the purchase of another car camera.

Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn discussed the Allamakee County Fair Board’s request to either purchase or be gifted property at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds in Waukon to allow for financing and construction to take place for a new show barn. Stinn indicated that a deed with a purchase for a nominal price was an option recently discussed with the Fair Board’s attorney Bill Shafer. Stinn also discussed arrangements that can be made allowing the City to reacquire the property in a scenario where the Fair Board were to ever be dissolved. Stinn noted that a survey of the property will need to be performed prior to any agreement or official action.

Discussion ensued between Shafer, Stinn, Boden and Treasurer Bobbi Baxter of the Fair Board relating to options available for the Fair Board to acquire the property. Shafer agreed to move forward in developing a purchase agreement and other documentation.

Boden provided the City Manager’s Report and discussed a special session tentatively being planned for later this month. He also discussed the First Street NW duplex project and advised that work continues in developing a personnel manual for City employees. Boden advised that Dr. Ed Askew, PhD has been retained for additional consulting services under a second contract relating to wastewater treatment agreements and related matters.

Mayor Stone provided the Mayor’s Report and discussed the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and festivities.

As part of the City Council Report, council member John Lydon discussed setting a date in early May for the citywide spring clean-up, with City Clerk Sarah Snitker indicating that she will follow up on the matter. Council member John Ellingson discussed meeting with a developer relating to the proposed purchase of City property for the construction of single family homes with sketches reviewed and discussion taking place relating to style of homes.

The Public Hearing for the Fiscal-Year 2022 Annual Budget was opened and closed without written or verbal comment.

The Public Hearing for the 2021 Street Improvements Project was opened with Snitker indicating that no written or verbal comments have been received. Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe with Fehr Graham Engineering briefly provided feedback on the project. Boden added that this project includes four blocks of Fourth Avenue NW from Allamakee Street to Fourth Street NW, several blocks going from Main Street south on Second Street SW, two blocks of First Avenue SW from Second Street SW west past Third Street SW and one block of Second Avenue SW. Boden added that one block of First Street NW next to the Police Station was also put out to bid but will be paid for using tax increment financing (TIF). The Public Hearing was closed.

The council moved into the review of several resolutions with the Resolution Approving the Annual Budget for the City of Waukon for Fiscal-Year-Ending (FYE) June 30, 2022 being approved. The Resolution Approving the Annual Budget for Veterans Memorial Hospital for FYE June 30, 2022 was also approved.

The Resolution Awarding Contract for the 2021 Street Improvement Project was discussed next with TeKippe providing a recommendation to accept the low bid from Skyline Construction, Inc. at $773,719.96. The council approved to accept the bid from Skyline Construction, Inc.
Boden discussed the Resolution Setting the Date for a Public Hearing on a Proposal to Enter into a Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement and to Borrow Money thereunder in a Principal Amount not to Exceed $1,000,000 for April 5, 2021. Boden explained that this is a standard requirement relating to a bond and is necessary for the last $1,000,000 of financing for the new Wastewater Treatment Plant. The council approved the resolution.

Boden discussed the next matter relating to the development of a formal contract per the Teamsters Union Local No. 238, which he indicated was discussed during the closed session held just prior to Monday’s regular session. The council approved to develop a formal contract per the Teamsters Union Local No. 238 as a one-year agreement including a 1.75% wage increase with all permissive language removed from the contract. Business Agent Dan Macdonald with the Teamsters Union Local No. 238 encouraged the council to transfer the permissive language into the City personnel manual.

Cooper discussed the proposed purchase of a new Trav-L-Vac, a piece of equipment used by utilities for various vacuum tasks, for the Water and Sewer Department. Cooper advised that the current Trav-L-Vac is 16 years old and due to its age has maintenance issues and is due for replacement. Cooper recommended purchasing a new Trav-L-Vac as a replacement at a cost of $20,454.15 to be taken out of the current department budget. The council approved the purchase.

Strub discussed the authorization to move forward with the Final Design of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Approved Plan. Strub explained that the project relates to improvements in the City Park relating to storm water runoff, developing additional water retention areas and permeable pavement for a parking area. The council approved to move forward with the project.

Prior to the meeting being adjourned, discussion took place relating to the proposed Good Samaritan Society parking lot construction. No official action was taken on the matter.