Waukon City Council hears and approves annual audit report, hears RAGBRAI® update and approves FY 2018 budgets for City and Veterans Memorial Hospital

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, March 6 to discuss a full agenda of items including the Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2018 City Budget, the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI®) and the Fiscal Year 2016 Audit conducted by Hacker, Nelson & Co. P.C.

Mayor Duane DeWalle called the meeting to order with the approval of the agenda and minutes from February 21, 2017. The Public Hearing for the Fiscal Year 2018 City Annual Budget was opened without written or verbal comment and approved by the Council. During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, Jim Allison of Waukon discussed the need for a street light in his neighborhood near Fourth Avenue and Fifth Street SW.

Under Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell briefly discussed a pay rate concern brought up by someone in his department. That matter will be added to the next meeting agenda for discussion. Waukon Police Chief Phil Young advised that storm sirens were tested last Thursday with two of the four not working properly due to water leaking into the circuit boards. Young advised that repairs will be made soon.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett and Mayor DeWalle recently inspected City streets and found 11 areas that need repair work. Burrett discussed signing up two employees from his department for a street sweeper class March 29 that teaches trouble-shooting. Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussed preparations for the summer season.

A representative of Hacker, Nelson & Co. P.C. provided an overview of the City's Fiscal Year 2016 Audit, which was approved by the Council. The annual budget for Veterans Memorial Hospital for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018 was approved, as was the annual budget for the City of Waukon for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.

Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Coordinator Ardie Kuhse provided an update on Waukon's RAGBRAI planning. Kuhse advised that 13 community members will be in attendance at the RAGBRAI meeting in Des Moines Thursday, March 9 and the Publicity Committee is working on a theme. Kuhse discussed that one unified logo and design is preferable for t-shirts and promotional use.

City Attorney Jim Garrett discussed researching the RAGBRAI ordinance example and sections of City code that will need to be temporarily suspended to allow vendor sales during the event. Garrett advised that the matter is under study and he will be getting feedback from Police Chief Young.

Councilman Dwight Jones discussed some misinformation about vendor fees that has raised concerns in the business community, which will actually not be an issue for businesses operating normally within their premises. Kuhse and the Council were in agreement that the Chamber of Commerce is a resource for any business owners with questions relating to RAGBRAI and their business operation.

The Spring Avenue Pub located at 7 Spring Avenue in downtown Waukon has applied for a Class "C" Commercial liquor license with outdoor service and Sunday sales. The Council discussed that the owner's intent for outdoor service was only for special events with RAGBRAI being the main consideration, but without private property to conduct outdoor service, that portion of the application could not be approved. The Council approved the application with Sunday sales minus the outdoor service pending re-application.
Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe with Fehr-Graham Engineering provided an overview of the Green Valley Bridge project. TeKippe discussed that the next phase of the project involves the final design with the funding being 80% from the Iowa Department of Transportation, 10% from Allamakee County and 10% from the City. TeKippe explained that the pre-cast arches and abutments will be transported in sections rather than pouring concrete, which will make the construction process faster.

Strub discussed the new mower request for the Park Department and advised that funds budgeted for an expense like this have been diverted to FEMA flood repairs. Strub indicated that with the loss of Luster Heights inmates, the need is even greater for an additional mower for the 132 acres his Department is responsible for mowing and becomes a greater priority to get done so other projects can be addressed. The Council discussed the reimbursement of the $11,600 four-wheel drive John Deere mower's cost through funds in next year's budget and FEMA funds, and the purchase was approved.

Strub discussed the next agenda item involving the concession stand at the soccer fields on the west edge of town and advised that this project has been in the planning stages for some time with a total cost under $57,000 and $20,000 budgeted per year for the project to be completed originally at the end of next summer. Strub discussed that RAGBRAI presents an opportunity to move up construction of the concession stand, which will also include an overhang for seating and restroom facilities. The Council approved the project.

Garrett discussed the revised contract with Town & Country Sanitation, which covers 11 years in total for weekly garbage pick-up and recyclables every other week. The contract was approved with a stipulation for property developed in the future by the City for public use.

The Stortz lease of the former Bresnahan property was discussed by the Council with updated offers per acre for corn and hay. The Council agreed that the 14 acres being discussed should not be used for corn, but continuing as hay or oats would be preferable. Stortz has offered to continue leasing for three years at $160 an acre with cancellation by the City's option with a pro-rated reimbursement to cover his investment for seed and fertilizer. The Council approved the three-year lease as hay with an option to buy out on a pro-rated basis should that need arise.