Community News

by Joe Moses

The City of Waukon is moving forward with preparations for the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility following an administrative order from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To remain in compliance with changing EPA regulations, the City is working with Fehr-Graham Engineering in developing plans for the new wastewater treatment facility. During this ongoing planning process, City Manager Dean Hilgerson and City Clerk Allen Lyon have provided updates to The Standard regarding funding and construction-related aspects of the project, with recent decisions by the Waukon City Council being made regarding a sewer rate increase beginning in July that residents can expect to see starting with their third quarter billing later this year.

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 23 to address a full agenda of items including the approval of road rock resurfacing bids, discussion of a temporary access during the Green Valley Bridge project and the consideration of purchasing a vehicle from Fayette County for use by an Allamakee County Service Coordinator. There was no Public Comment.

Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) continues to conduct a Housing Needs Assessment with assistance from Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission. The housing needs assessment includes data, projections and recommendations for action. The public is invited and encouraged to attend public open houses to view the findings from the assessment, and to share their comments and ideas.

Two Public Meetings remain and they are scheduled to be held according to the following schedule:

• Waukon - Monday, April 30 at 5 p.m.
   - Hosted at Waukon’s Community Meal Site, First Presbyterian Church, beginning at 5 p.m.
• New Albin - Monday, May 7 at 5:30 p.m.
   - Hosted before the New Albin Improvement League meeting at 6:30 p.m.

April is observed as National Volunteer Appreciation month and to celebrate local volunteer efforts, Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) hosted a volunteer appreciation reception for its home-delivered and congregate meal site volunteers Tuesday, April 17 at the Senior Meal Site located at the Wellness Center in Waukon. Volunteers were recognized with a ceremony and a certificate.

The City of Waukon will be conducting an LMI (Low-and-Moderate Income) Survey during this week and next week to determine eligibility for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to help offset the costs of the City’s new wastewater treatment facility. Northeast Iowa RC&D has been contracted to conduct the door-to-door surveys of randomly selected residents.

Survey collection will take place the weeks of April 23-27 and April 30-May 4 during the evening hours. It is extremely important to the success of this application for funding that residents who are contacted complete the survey. All information collected will be kept strictly confidential and respondents can remain anonymous.

Those who have questions concerning the new wastewater treatment facility are asked to contact Dean Hilgerson, City of Waukon Manager, at 563-568-3492. For questions regarding the survey, contact Paul Berland, Northeast Iowa RC&D at 563-864-7112.
 

by Joe Moses

The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, April 16 to address a full agenda of items, including the discussion of comments to be submitted regarding the proposed Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) service areas, a recommendation from the Health Insurance Committee regarding the Fiscal-Year 2019 health insurance coverage for County employees and discussion of a vehicle purchase from Fayette County for use by Allamakee County.

Without any members of the public in attendance during the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Allamakee County Auditor Denise Beyer briefly discussed that ballots have been received in compliance with the Uniform Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) mailing deadline of April 21 and that absentee voting will begin May 7 for the June primary election.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met Monday evening, April 16 to discuss a variety of matters, including business driveway access during the Green Valley Bridge replacement, a controlled burn of the retention basin and the hiring of a Park, Recreation and Wellness full-time employee. The Public Hearing for Amendment #1 for the City Budget for Fiscal-Year ending June 30, 2018 was opened and closed without any written or verbal comment.

Waukon Trees Forever will hold its annual spring tree planting Saturday, May 5. Volunteers are asked to gather at the Waukon City Park at 9 a.m. for tree planting within the park. Shovels, rakes and work gloves are about the only tools needed. Work will consist of planting trees and mulching them. Everyone is invited to help with the project. For more information contact Kenneth Olson at 563-568-4612.
 

Robey Memorial Library in Waukon will be hosting a film about country schools and the “days gone by” in educating youth in Iowa and the Midwest Tuesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. The film “Country School: One room, one nation” is being presented by the Allamakee County Historical Preservation Commission. Light refreshments will be provided after the showing. Submitted image.
 

Allamakee County libraries, including Delores Tillinghast Memorial Library in Harpers Ferry, Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library, New Albin Public Library, Postville Public Library, Waterville Public Library and Robey Memorial Library in Waukon, along with Allamakee County Economic Development, are hosting a new, fun activity for the whole community, entitled “Allamakee Libraries Rock” (ALR).

ALR is a fun way for individuals and their families or groups to share their creativity in the community by painting/decorating rocks with a positive message or image. Once a rock is decorated, it can be placed in a park, wayside, playground, nature trail, etc. for someone else to find. Follow the @Allamakeelibrariesrock Facebook page to post about rocks that have been hidden or found, and to see what others in the community are posting.