Waukon City Council passes vicious dog ordinance on split vote in front of full council chamber

by Dwight Jones

The Waukon City Council met in regular session the evening of Monday, October 18, with the full council in attendance.
As expected, the council room was packed full with individuals on both sides of the pending updated vicious dog ordinance prohibiting Pit Bulls and Rottweilers from the city of Waukon. Prior to the start of discussion, Mayor Loren Beneke explained that due to the fact that there were a lot of people who wanted to talk but a full agenda needed to be addressed, comments would be held to two minutes per person individually and 30 minutes discussion total.
A majority of the comments were to protest the proposal, though there were some in support of it as well. The message throughout was similar - for those against the change, it was that the problem lies with the owners, not the dogs themselves. For others, it was that they’re uncomfortable with the dogs in their neighborhood and want them removed. Following the discussion, the Council approved the third and final reading of the ordinance on a 3-2 vote, with councilmen Trent Mitchell and Dave Sanderson voting against it, though they had voted in support of it twice at earlier meetings. No explanation was given during the meeting from either as to why they changed their vote.
It is expected that the City of Waukon will come out with a statement and/or instructions for those who currently own these breeds of dogs and want to keep them as to what they need to do to do so. Requirements will include registration, liability insurance and a form of permanent identification to identify the dog and its owner. The dogs that are “grandfathered” can remain in town until they die and/or are moved out of the city, but the owner cannot replace them with another dog of similar breed.
Moving on, the Council approved a zoning change request from the Irv and Patty Fosaaen Revocable Trust for approximately 16 acres of land located east of the fairgrounds.  Classification changed from agricultural to R-1 residential.  The change will allow a proposed home to be built on the property.
The Council then approved another zoning classification change, this time for a property at 116 West Main, currently owned by Dick Sullivan.  The zoning was changed to B-2 general business, being done as part of the proposed condominium project at the property.
The ongoing issue of noise near the Waukon Wellness Center was then again addressed. Additional information was provided on some possible “fixes”, including noise reducing materials that could be sprayed on the existing structure, or the possibility of constructing a baffle fence to absorb noise. No action was taken.
The Council then approved a previously discussed payment of $10,000 to Brad Winkie as part of the annexation project for Innovative Ag, pending the receipt of some signed documents from Winkie. The Council also approved the purchase of “no trespassing” signs for the property, also part of the agreement.
The Council then discussed the emergency sirens within the city. A recent test showed that two of the sirens aren’t currently working, though they are expected to be repaired soon. Councilman John Ellingson requested that the Council review the siren system as a whole, suggesting that it may be time to address a full replacement in the name of public safety. Also, once the system is functioning, a more structured testing system will also be implemented. Both issues will be addressed at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
The Council then approved a re-zoning request from Jim Cooper allowing the sale of a one-acre parcel of land from his property located near Green Valley Golf Course. Though not within city limits, Cooper is still close enough that the request needed to be approved by the City, which it was. Other entities would also have to approve the change before it becomes official.
The Council then approved a $3,000 payment to Skyline Construction for the removal of concrete at the former C-Mart property.
Next, the Council discussed some parking issues that have developed between East Elementary School and the bus barn. The Council gave City Attorney Jim Garrett some direction on developing an ordinance that would change a portion of the area to no parking, and another area to restricted parking based on school hours.  There are concerns that school buses cannot maneuver through the area safely when parking exists on both sides of the street (Fifth Street NW). The issue will be again addressed at the next meeting.
At the close of the meeting, Councilman Joe Cunningham announced that the City had received notification of a $75,000 REAP grant to be used for improvements and additions to the trail system at and around the Waukon City Park.