Waukon City Council addresses short agenda at regular Monday session

by Dwight Jones

The Waukon City Council met in regular session the evening of Monday, December 6 to address a short, eight-item Regular Business agenda.
Under Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell reported that the lift station located near Northgate has been experiencing some problems and Campbell was asking for permission to have it reviewed by TeKippe Engineering. The Council approved the request.  Street Superintendent Randy Murphy then explained that some street lights along East Main Street have been having their own share of issues, likely due to a loose or broken wire. The problem will be addressed in the spring when the ground thaws.
Moving on to Regular Business, the Council approved the vacation of a segment of public street located in the Waukon Industrial Park, required as part of the Brodahl Vet Clinic project. The Council also approved disposing of real estate interest as part of the Kitchen Krafts project.
The ongoing issue of noise near the Waukon Wellness Center was again discussed. Councilman Dave Sanderson gave some information he had received on a foam block wall that is filled with cement, that has the possibility to reduce decibel readings by up to 50 points, which wouldn’t totally eliminate the problem but would offer substantial relief if it performs as anticipated. Councilman Joe Cunningham stated that the City is approximately one to two months away from being able to make a decision on the first attempt at rectifying the problem, but wanted to go into the “fix” mode with multiple options that could work in conjunction with each other should the first fail to meet “reasonable” levels. Whatever the method chosen as the first attempt, work to resolve the issue would probably begin in the spring.
Lissa Blake with the Waukon Chamber of Commerce was in attendance to give the Council information on the repairs currently being performed on the “welcome” sign located on Hwy. 76, heading west. Total repairs are expected to be in the $2,500-3,500 range, and the Chamber was asking the City to participate in the costs. The Council stated that it would review the request at budget time, which will be starting soon, which was acceptable to Blake.
Campbell then gave updated information on some repairs to pumps that he was requesting for the well located near the fairgrounds in Waukon. The estimate, in the amount of $11,235, from Water Pump House MCC was then approved by the Council.
The Council then approved the vacation of a utility easement agreement in the Industrial Park as part of the Brodahl Vet Clinic project.
A short discussion then took place regarding dogs within the Waukon City Park. The Park Board is currently discussing the possibility of the addition of a dog park, so further discussions will wait until more is determined on that project.
In the final item, the Council approved a property tax exemption application from John and Sandy Byrnes.