Waukon City Council hears review of police station inspection at holiday-delayed session

by Dwight Jones

The Waukon City Council met in regular session the evening of Tuesday, September 4 to address a short nine-item regular business agenda. The meeting had been delayed a day due to the Memorial Day holiday Monday, September 3.
Under Departmental Reports, Chief of Police Clark Bollman and contractor Russell Roth reviewed the details of a site inspection Roth had completed recently at the Police Department. The list of suggested repairs was lengthy, including a new roof, concrete slab out front, retaining wall replacement, repairs to an interior wall and replacing the ceiling in the garage. Cost estimates would obviously accumulate quickly, with discussion on whether the building was worth those types of repairs or not. No action was taken.
Also, Bollman explained that ITC, which owns the back portion of the building, was paying to have air tests done to check for mold, etc., and that the City could “piggy back” on that visit and have its portion tested with their only costs being the tests themselves, which the Council agreed would be beneficial.
Moving on to Regular Business, City Attorney Jim Garrett provided information on quotes that had been received for soil testing as part of the upcoming Robey Memorial Library expansion project. Garrett suggested and the Council approved to hire Terracom for the work in the amount of $2,900.
Next, the Council approved an easement with Brodahl Veterinary Services that would help allow the existing walking trail within the City Park to loop back to the park. The Council approved the agreement pending approval by the Brodahls.
The Council then reviewed a request by Dan Welsh to re-zone a portion of the property he owns in southwest Waukon to allow for Brennan Welsh’s graphic art design and screen printing business. The issue had already been approved by the Planning and Zoning Board and the Council approved moving forward with setting the public hearing date of October 1, 2012, which is required prior to voting to officially make the change.
Garrett then advised the Council to approve amending the Code of Ordinances with several new additions, basically a formality to keep Waukon Code similar to State Code on certain issues.
In the final Regular Business agenda item of the night, the Council approved the Official Financial Report for City Streets and Parking which covers July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012.
Under Other Matters, Councilman John Ellingson expressed some concerns he had regarding issues relating to the Park and Recreation Department. No action was taken.