Waukon City Council discusses water/sewer rate increases to offset decreased revenues, other operating costs

by Dwight Jones

The Waukon City Council met in regular session the evening of Monday, May 2 with the full council in attendance.
Under Departmental Reports, Chief of Police Clark Bollman explained that an unused prescription pill “drop” was held recently that gathered 10 pounds locally and 300-plus pounds throughout northeast Iowa. Also, Bollman explained that a recent emergency siren test ran within the city had mixed results with a follow-up test scheduled for this coming Thursday.
Moving on to Regular Business, the Council addressed bids received for the construction portion of the Third Avenue NW street improvement project. The sole bid from Skyline Construction came in at $711,514, compared to the engineer’s estimate of $675,037. When asked where the differences originated, Engineer Lyle TeKippe explained that some of it came from higher than anticipated costs for concrete in addition to other variables. Councilman John Ellingson stated that he “would feel better if there was another bid”, but re-letting the project would have delayed the project and could have actually resulted in a higher “low” bid, so the Council agreed to award the bid. It should be noted that even though the bid was higher than estimated, anyone being assessed will only pay the costs they were provided originally.
The Council then adopted the ordinance adding swimming pools as “nuisances” that are governed by updated stipulations and guidelines set-forth. These changes affect anyone with a minimum 18” swimming pool, including those that are portable and/or of the blow-up style.
Street Superintendent Randy Murphy provided the Council with two bids for a new plow truck. The Council approved the lower of the two bids, from Truck Country for a 2012 Freightliner M2-106V at the cost of $91,702 with trade.
The Council then directed City Attorney Jim Garrett to draft an ordinance suggesting an increase of eight percent toward water/sewer rates. The increase, planned to offset decreased operating revenues, will require three readings before being adopted.
Continuing within the same concept, the Council then discussed the ongoing costs of funding the yard waste disposal site. It has operated a number of years at no additional cost to property owners, but tight budget areas spawned the discussion. Councilman Joe Cunningham suggested adding $1 per month to each water bill which would generate enough to cover current costs. The remainder of the Council agreed and Garrett was instructed to draft that ordinance as well to be addressed at the next council meeting.
The Council approved the expense of sending Zoning Administrator Al Lyon to an upcoming nuisance abatement workshop.
Next, the Council discussed its Retail Incentive Program. The program, which has only been “awarded” once, was subsequently suspended. The Council agreed that the program needed more clarification and better funding to be successful in the future.
TeKippe then updated the Council on storm sewer issues at the property of Bev Needham, located at 207 Second Avenue NW. The Council was provided an estimate of approximately $25,000 to make minimal repairs, or $77,000 for a more thorough repair. The Council appeared interested in the lower estimate and encouraged TeKippe to seek some estimates from contractors for their review.
TeKippe then provided the Council with a cost estimate of $20,900 to add sanitary sewer infrastructure at the sports fields currently being worked on adjacent the Wellness Center. The work would allow restrooms, concession stands, etc. to be added in the future.  The Council approved having TeKippe add the work as part of a change order to the overall project, and are expecting costs to add water service to be presented at the next council meeting.
Following nearly three years of discussion, the Council approved the construction of a concrete block wall near the Wellness Center to help with noise issues from its cooling system for neighboring houses.  The bid from Rusty Berger Masonry was in the amount of $5,982 and is the first step in resolving this ongoing issue.
The Council then revisited snow removal costs for B-1 downtown businesses. The issue had come up again during the winter, but too late to act on at that time so it was tabled until now. The Council appeared to agree that the current system isn’t necessarily right or fair, but trying to find a fix is difficult. Unlike other property owners, downtown businesses have nowhere to put their snow, which has always been hauled away at the City’s expense.  Cunningham expressed that he “would consider all viable options” if someone could come up with some, and the Council voted to table the issue (Councilman Dave Sanderson was the lone “no” vote).
The Council then discussed its proposed long-term sustainable street repair program, and set the date of May 17 to discuss it at a work session. There is hope that members of the Planning and Zoning Board will be available to attend as well.  The Council is hopeful that the recent assessments along Third Avenue NW are just the start of a similar, city-wide plan that will allow for more shared cost projects and a better overall street repair and replacement program in the future.
The Council then approved a property tax exemption application for Brian Sweeney, and the meeting was adjourned.