Waukon City Council meets in regular session delayed by holiday

by Dwight Jones

Due to the recent Independence Day holiday being observed Monday, July 5, the Waukon City Council met the evening of Tuesday, July 6 with the full council in attendance. Under Public Comments, Waukon Wellness Center Director Dani Bucknell voiced concerns she had regarding semi trucks that had been parking in the newly-paved south parking lot. She stated that they had done some damage to the new surface. The police department was encouraged to investigate and asked the owners of those rigs to find a new parking place.
Tamie Onsager was once in again in attendance, and questioned if there had been any changes in the current situation with noise issues near the Wellness Center. Onsager and her siblings own a home in the area and had been on several previous agendas. Onsager seemed extremely frustrated, stating that she felt the issue “had fallen on deaf ears. Nobody communicates with me. If I want to learn anything, I need to come to one of these meetings”.
Councilman Joe Cunningham addressed her concerns, stating that the item would be on the agenda when there is a reason for it to be discussed. Currently, the City has requests out to companies looking for a suggested resolution, but they haven’t received any response, thus the reason it had been removed from this particular agenda.
Moving on to Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Robert Campbell had several updates, including information on the funding of ground testing at the former C-Mart property, wall repair near the well near the fairgrounds and a quote for $12,877 to repair the City’s portion of the creek wall near the water and sewer plant.
Cloy Kuhse and Mark Vonderohe with the Allamakee County Republican Central Committee were in attendance and started the Regular Business portion of the meeting by asking for permission to have a small fireworks show July 19 at Green Valley Golf Course in conjunction with a Republican party event. The Council approved the request, but did ask that neighbors in the area be alerted so they’re aware.
The issue of temporary signs was then once again discussed. Zoning Administrator Al Lyon explained that he had learned that the letter from the State of Iowa that generated the recent discussions was more of a “form” letter that they send out occasionally vs. one that addressed specific concerns regarding the specific use of such signs in Waukon. Regarding the use of the signs and the policing of them, Mayor Loren Beneke stated that it “appears that some common sense could be applied here”.
Cunningham stated that he has been dealing with the sign issue for roughly 25 years, and he “wasn’t in favor of them then and am not in favor of them now”. There are currently laws within the City Code that address the use of such signage, and City Attorney Jim Garrett encouraged the Council to “either enforce the law or change the law”. The Council discussed the issue and decided to send it to the Planning and Zoning Board for review.
The issue of nuisances was then again revisited. The mayor and several council members explained that they continue to receive calls on countless issues – junk cars in yards, dogs on the loose, uncut grass, etc.
Cunningham explained that though the problems exist, the police department is very busy, and trying to find time to address them is a problem. He then questioned if some of the “policing” of these issues could be moved to the Zoning Administrator. The rest of the Council agreed that it made sense and encouraged the mayor and mayor pro-tem (Mitchell) to review the situation.
The Council then had a lengthy discussion regarding the current City Code that addresses dangerous and vicious animals. Councilman John Ellingson stated that he believes that the City has a large problem with the number of Pitbulls and Rottweilers that are now being kept within city limits, and he intends to do all he can to see that a breed specific ban is implemented and enforced to rid the city of them. He stated that members of the police department have been bitten and had to shoot dogs of this nature, and it’s “time to put an end to it”.
He explained that he understands that it’s going to be a “touchy political issue”, but it needs to be addressed. Cunningham explained that he was in support of the idea, with hopes that some sort of “grandfather” clause could be built in for those who already have the dogs in place, with the understanding that some guidelines, likely to include registration and insurance coverage, be met. The Council agreed that the issue needs to be addressed, stating that they will continue to work under the current City Code until something new can be implemented.