Waukon City Council addresses wide variety of business items at regular Monday session

by Dwight Jones

The Waukon City Council met in regular session the evening of Monday, November 15 with a full council in attendance.
Under the first Regular Business item, Robey Memorial Library board member Brian Mahoney introduced the Council to the library's new director, Rick Meyer. Meyer then went on to explain that the library had not received the grant it had applied for to allow for a major expansion. However, there were a number of smaller grants that the library was interested in applying for and was looking for the Council’s approval to move forward, which was awarded. The first of the grant applications is due no later than December 31, so they have some work to do.
The Council then addressed a request from the Waukon Chamber of Commerce for repairs needed on the large sign out on Hwy. 76.  Mayor Loren Beneke explained that it was his understanding that the Chamber was requesting $2,000 to assist with the refurbishment of the sign, but the Council simply didn’t have enough information to make an educated decision and there was no one in attendance from the Chamber to provide more details.  The issue will be addressed at an upcoming meeting.
Dani Bucknell with the Waukon Wellness Center then supplied bids received for snow removal this winter. The low bidder was Bruce Meador at $30/hr. plus salt, and he was awarded the “bid”.
The ongoing issue of noise at the Waukon Wellness Center was again discussed. Councilman Joe Cunningham provided information he had received from Rusty Berger on the use of concrete blocks for noise reduction, similar to what is used along highways and interstates. These, in conjunction with other products and applications the Council had reviewed, seemed to have potential. Other options were also discussed. The Council agreed that it is nearing the time to stop receiving proposals and to move toward a resolution. The Council will be addressing the issue at an upcoming special session scheduled for later in the month.
The Council then approved a sidewalk sign request for Main Street Entertainment. Christine Enyart with Main Street Entertainment was in attendance and asked the Council to consider removing the current $25 “permit” needed for signs as a sign of goodwill and support for the downtown business community whom, she believes, feels a “disconnect” from the City Council. The Council agreed to take her request under consideration.
The Council then had a lengthy discussion on TIF debt certification. The City is currently eligible to receive around $1 million in TIF funds annually, which under very stringent guidelines are earmarked for specific uses, mainly those that assist with economic development. The Council, however, has the option of not accepting the full amount available, which then, in turn, comes back to the City's General Fund. The dollars that are “de-certified” are split between the school district, County and City. Last year, the Council certified $650,000.
During the discussion, Cunningham gave a thorough explanation to the rest of the Council on some changes that are forthcoming to the City’s current TIF districts and its ability to receive these kinds of dollars will in all likelihood be lessening over the next few years. With that said, Cunningham suggested “upping” the request to $800,000 for one year, agreeing to fully review it again next time around.  Cunningham suggested using proceeds the City will be receiving for the sale of lots at the Waukon Industrial Park to compensate the General Fund for the loss of revenue his proposal would create. Following much discussion, the Council voted and followed Cunningham’s suggestion. It should be noted that the State subsidizes the money the school receives and when cities do make these changes it does not affect the finances of the school.
Moving on, the Council then addressed the recent REAP Grant that has been received in the amount of $75,000 to assist with trails through the City Park. Discussions involved who is going to administer the grant, how the bills will be paid, etc. It was agreed that it would be beneficial to keep the park board highly involved and run all bills through them. The Council voted to approve such an arrangement.
A number of separate issues were then approved, including a change order and payments for work done by both Skyline Construction and Tschiggfrie Excavating. The Council then approved the annual City Financial Report, the city code supplementation (adding ordinances adopted throughout the past year) and a property tax exemption application for Kris Rausch.
In closing, the Council announced that it will soon be placing specific details in this newspaper about the vicious dog ordinance that was recently implemented. According to Chief of Police Clark Bollman, no pit bulls and only one Rottweiler have been registered. Failure to do so could result in a civil infraction including monetary fine to those who do not complete the requirements laid out in the ordinance.