Waukon City Council discusses variety of housing projects, other items at regular Monday session

by Dwight Jones

The Waukon City Council met in regular session the evening of Monday, November 19 with the full council in attendance. Under Departmental Reports, Chief of Police Clark Bollman told the Council that the roof at the police station had been replaced.
Moving on to a relatively short, eight-item Regular Business agenda, the Council began by approving the bid from Brink’s Custom Services for snow removal at the Wellness Center. Laura Olson with Allamakee County Economic Development then updated the Council on three different issues.
The first was great news, announcing that Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) had applied for and been approved for an Affordable Housing Program Grant. The total dollars awarded are $210,000 to be used towards the refurbishment of 25 owner-occupied homes within the city limits of Waukon. The grant, geared towards low-income and elderly home owners will assist with home rehabilitation and repair, including roofing, windows, doors, etc. Application information will be forthcoming.
Olson also gave a review of the Northeast Iowa Housing Trust Fund, a similar project that is now completed. Within Waukon, five projects were completed including five roofs, and two of which also included siding and one that included windows. A total of $38,571 was paid via the grant, with additional funds paid by the homeowners and the local match.
The third item Olson discussed involved an update on the Civil War historic re-enactment event being planned within the Waukon City Park for the weekend of June 8-9 of next year. Following the thorough review, the Council moved forward with paying $1,000 to help with initial expenses.
The Council then approved the resolution approving the contract and performance and payment bonds for the Robey Memorial Library Expansion Project.
Councilman Joe Cunningham addressed the rest of the Council on a proposed and much needed residential housing development project currently being discussed through WEDC. The lots would run along a portion of Second Street SW. Cunningham explained that WEDC would have to borrow money to move forward with the project and is interested in using the land as collateral but wanted to gauge the support of the Council to do so before continuing to research the project. Many details will need to be worked through but it was determined that the Council was on board and discussions will continue.
Next, City Clerk Diane Sweeney explained that her office had been notified that Hagen and Kallevang, P.C., whom the City has used for many years for its annual audits, financial reports, etc., has been purchased by Hacker, Nelson and Co.
The Council approved the annual financial report for FYE June 30, 2012. City Attorney Jim Garrett then updated the Council on work he and Sweeney had been involved in to produce a new annual TIF report that the State of Iowa is requiring. After some discussion, the Council approved a meeting for 4 p.m. December 29 to review and approve the report so it could be submitted per the State’s requirements.
The meeting was then adjourned after just under one hour of discussion.