Waukon City Council sets May 6 as Spring Clean-Up Day, hears RAGBRAI® plans update
by Joe Moses
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, April 3 to address a full agenda of items, including an update on the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI®), setting a date for spring clean-up and a review of City insurance rates. There were no public comments and the Council moved into Departmental Reports.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell discussed equipment expenses and working through recent power outages. Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussed that park employees started back to work Monday with their focus on the soccer field in anticipation of Youth Soccer starting this Saturday, then their focus shifting to park clean-up projects.
The Council discussed Jean Brink’s request to add “Quilt Shops” as a conditional use to R-3 zoning with Brink’s plans to purchase a nearby house for use with her home-based quilting business. A public hearing has been set for the April 17 City Council meeting. Arvid and Laurie Hatlan’s variance request for 307 Second Street NW was approved for the building of a new garage.
Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) provided an update on RAGBRAI planning. Kuhse discussed that vendor fees have been set at $750 for for-profit vendors and $250 for non-profits with an application deadline of June 1. Kuhse and the Council discussed the use of ATVs by authorized personnel and business owners when necessary during the event, with Ken Kerr of Kerr Electric in agreement that his truck would not be practical in traveling across town in dealing with breakers and electrical issues during RAGBRAI, and his side-by-side UTV being a better option.
Kuhse and the Council discussed the closure of the airport during RAGBRAI, needing the City’s permission with a letter from City Attorney Jim Garrett being required. Strub discussed the 80 acres required for RAGBRAI including 20 acres for RV parking and 60 acres of flat green space for camping. Kuhse advised that the RAGBRAI public meeting has been set for 6 p.m. April 18 at Iron Ridge Church in Waukon.
Jim Bieber of Bieber Insurance provided an overview of the City’s insurance coverage including property, liability, inland marine, automobile, law enforcement, worker’s compensation, cyber liability and airport liability. The Council discussed and approved May 6 as spring clean-up day in Waukon.
The Aveka noise and smell agenda item was tabled as a result of Aveka representatives not in attendance due to a scheduling conflict. The Waukon Public House liquor license refund was approved due to the business no longer being in operation.
The Resolution releasing the Terry and Sue Grotegut property was approved. This measure confirms that the fire-damaged property has been satisfactorily demolished, making City action for demolition unnecessary with the City releasing its claim against the $10,000 reserve that State Farm Insurance has established for demolition.
The Reel-Core electrical franchise fee refund for October, November and December 2016 was approved. Water rates were briefly discussed by the Council with further discussion scheduled for a special session Tuesday, April 11 at 7 p.m.
Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed the next agenda item involving street repairs, with 21 areas or sections identified as needing attention. Street repairs will also be discussed at the April 11 special session.
The Fiscal-Year 2017 Budget recoding of claims was approved. This measure will increase the #110 RUT Fund and decrease the #121 Street Fund. The Ordinance for approving garbage rates was discussed by the Council and approved with the second and third readings waived and the ordinance being adopted. The next four agenda items involved routine accounting measures and were combined into one vote for approval. A total of $10,000 was transferred from the General Fund to the Storm Sewer Improvement Fund; $5,651.16 was transferred from the General Fund to the Hotel/Motel (Park Improvements) Fund ($4,238.37 – 75%) and to the Hotel/Motel (Tourism/Economic Development) Fund ($1,412.79 – 25%).
The economic development grant was authorized in the amount of $12,394.00 to Allamakee County Economic Development for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. The economic development grant was authorized in the amount of $16,123.00 to WEDC for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.
Under Other Matters, City Clerk Al Lyon briefly discussed an easement requested by a company and possible expansion that may result in 15 new jobs, with the Council to work on a developmental agreement. Councilman John Lydon provided an update on the proposed City Manager position including that the position is now listed on the Iowa League of Cities website due to the efforts of Joe Cunningham.
