Wide variety of issues addressed by Waukon City Council at its latest regular session

by Dwight Jones

The full Waukon City Council was in attendance as the Council met in regular session the evening of Monday, September 17 to address a lengthy, 18-item Regular Business agenda.
Representatives with Black Hills Energy were in attendance to discuss their company, review of the programs they offer and are involved in within the Waukon area community, and much more. For example, since 1999, Waukon has received nearly $28,000 in grant dollars from Black Hills Energy earmarked for trees.  The city of Waukon is served through the Decorah office, and the representatives present expressed their appreciation for the “partnership” that it provides their company, stating that “when you grow, we grow.”
Next, Laura Olson with Allamakee County Economic Development gave her annual update on what her office has been busy with throughout the past year, with updates as well on upcoming events.
John Kerndt was also in attendance and addressed the next agenda item, his request for a reduction in the sewer portion of his water bill for his property located at 706 Rossville Road. He explained that there is an outdoor hydrant that had sprung an underground leak and that the water bill was substantially higher than normal. The Council agreed to reduce the sewer portion of the bill to an average of the last four quarters, which would reduce the bill $191. Kerndt was satisfied with the Council's action.
The architect overseeing the Robey Memorial Library expansion project then gave a thorough review of the project and its anticipated costs. Library director Rick Meyer gave an update on fundraising and other funding sources.  The construction portion of the project is estimated at $1.3 million. Other optional repairs/updates were also discussed.
Councilman Joe Cunningham then explained to the rest of the Council that the Iowa Department of Transportation had expressed a concern about some erosion that was happening near its new building in the Industrial Park and was requesting that the City follow through, per their original agreement, with paving a portion of the road leading to it. Following discussion, the Council asked TeKippe Engineering to move forward with developing specs to get an accurate cost estimate.
Police Chief Clark Bollman updated the Council on results he had received from a mold test that had been recently conducted at the police station. Bollman explained that preliminary numbers showed some mold, but nothing overly alarming. Discussion then turned to roof replacement and other initial repairs that could help to start fix the issues.  Bollman agreed to contact local contractors to find who might be interested and to get more accurate price quotes on the roof.
Continuing with police-related matters, Bollman had told the Council some time ago of his plans to retire towards the end of the year. Mayor Loren Beneke gave descriptions of ads other cities had used and it was agreed that Waukon would develop similar ads and run them accordingly.
Members of the Waukon Economic Development (WEDC) board were in attendance to explain a proposed “donation” of a downtown property known as the Ulring Building to WEDC, who would in turn be asked to pay taxes and other expenses. No action was taken and discussions will continue.
City Attorney Jim Garrett then discussed the pending lawsuit from the Luana Savings Bank regarding their demands that the City allow them to connect a property they own to a private sewer line. The City is in the process of attempting to acquire the line, with Garrett explaining that the acquisition could occur before the lawsuit case is ruled upon. No additional action was taken.
Next, the Council and Garrett reviewed the current status of the 2012 Street Improvements Project which has encountered its own legal challenge. Recent traffic count information obtained showed that the daily car count done on Third Street NE was far less than half of Third Avenue NW, which was done and assessed last year. A work session was then scheduled for 6 p.m. before the next regularly scheduled council meeting October 1 to further address this and other issues.
The Council then approved a payment of $18,120 to Rusty Berger Masonry for the wall that was constructed near the Wellness Center to assist with noise issues within the area.
Mary Jo Goodman was then re-appointed to the Planning and Zoning Board, followed by a number of fund transfers. The meeting then adjourned.