Waukon City Council appoints John Ellingson to fill council vacancy created by resignation, discusses Green Valley Getaway access

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met Monday evening, April 16 to discuss a variety of matters, including business driveway access during the Green Valley Bridge replacement, a controlled burn of the retention basin and the hiring of a Park, Recreation and Wellness full-time employee. The Public Hearing for Amendment #1 for the City Budget for Fiscal-Year ending June 30, 2018 was opened and closed without any written or verbal comment.

During Public Comment, Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discussed the Red Rock Threshers Tractor Ride scheduled for July 20 and 21, the same weekend the event is scheduled yearly, which coincides with the Allamakee County Fair this year. Kuhse indicated that the tractor ride will be based at Waukon High School, which will be the starting point of the ride both days and will not require the use of Allamakee Street or interfere with the County Fair. Kuhse indicated that the event will be used to promote area restaurants with food also available at the concession stand at the school, and participants will also be encouraged to enjoy the food and events at the County Fair during their time in Waukon. Kuhse indicated the Red Rock Threshers Tractor Ride will involve 180-200 tractors.

Under Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell discussed the placement of flow recorders which is part of the flow study that is taking place at various points within the City’s sanitary sewer system. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett briefly discussed infrared patching equipment, which he requested to be added to the next meeting agenda.

Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussed that the Allamakee County Community Foundation has awarded a $12,000 grant for the tennis court project and that the finalized plans and drawings will be submitted to the U.S. Tennis Association which, in turn, will qualify the project for up to $40,000 in additional funding. Strub indicated that additional fundraising will take place with the goal of construction later this year. Strub also advised that weather conditions have delayed the youth soccer program. City Clerk Al Lyon advised that following State of Iowa review, two corrections will be made to the City budget.

City Manager Dean Hilgerson indicated a meeting is scheduled with Project Engineer Lucas Elsbernd of Fehr-Graham Engineering regarding different types of equipment for the new wastewater treatment facility and that a walk-through tour of the existing wastewater facility is planned to further discuss portions of the facility that will be retained as part of the new facility. Hilgerson discussed an upcoming meeting involving a formal agreement with the ambulance service and provided an update on street lighting and sidewalk extensions.

The council moved into Regular Business with discussion of an appointment to fill a council vacancy following the resignation of council member at-large Dwight Jones. Lyon indicated that four resumes were received and council members Gayle Decker, Ben Rausch and John Lydon discussed that this is a difficult decision with highly qualified candidates. Council member Arvid Hatlan was not in attendance due to illness, leaving three council members to vote on this matter. Former councilman John Ellingson received two of those three votes, with his appointment to the council then being approved. Dean Sorenson had received the other vote. Ellingson was sworn in by Lyon and assumed his place at the council table for the remainder of the meeting.

Brian Sweeney of Green Valley Getaway on the north edge of Waukon discussed business access during the upcoming Green Valley Bridge replacement project. Sweeney encouraged the council to consider a temporary culvert with crushed rock to allow access from the highway during the Green Valley Bridge closure.

Sweeney said that 19 events have been scheduled at Green Valley Getaway for May and June and that highway access to the business is crucial for events and take-out food orders and, without that access, will cause a financial burden. Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe with Fehr-Graham Engineering discussed that the bridge replacement, scheduled to begin May 1, is timed with pre-cast arches to arrive two weeks later and that crushed rock could be reused for core-outs provided it is not contaminated. Sweeney indicated that he has contacted Allamakee County Engineer Brian Ridenour to introduce the idea of using a temporary culvert. Following a lengthy discussion, the Council approved the temporary culvert project allowing business access with a cost-share with Allamakee County at no more than $2,000.

Charles Ghegan discussed the potential use of the practice field by the Allamakee Community School District Bus Barn, an area owned by the City of Waukon and formerly used by the school district, to be used for a football camp for fourth-sixth graders scheduled for July 16-20. The council agreed that this is a matter for the Park and Rec Board to review and approve. No action was taken by the council.

The council discussed a controlled burn of the retention basin, with Burrett indicating that Waukon Fire Chief Dave Martin has expressed interest in conducting a daytime burn. The council approved the controlled burn at the discretion of the Waukon Fire Department and Street Department.

The council approved April 28 as the Citywide Clean-Up Day for Waukon. The council also approved the Urban Revitalization Program application for Property Tax Exemption for the Virgil and Kathryn Johnson property at 2010 Second Street SW in Waukon.

Joe Cunningham with the Waukon Trees Forever Committee provided an overview of the organization’s tree planting plans for Waukon which will avoid areas affecting utilities or drainage pipes. Cunningham discussed replacement tree planting and potential areas where property owners might consider a tree in their front yard. The council approved its annual appropriation to Waukon Trees Forever.

The council approved the first reading of the Ordinance Increasing Wastewater Utility Service Charges. The council also approved councilman Hatlan as the City Council representative for the Plaza Art Project. The Resolution for Amendment #1 for the City Budget for Fiscal-Year ending June 30, 2018 was also approved.

The council approved the Professional Services Agreement with AECOM for engineering and related services involving street lighting upgrades or replacement with the 2019 Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) Street Project. Strub discussed a potential project involving a City Park trail shelter that has been proposed by Eagle Scout Charles Waters.

The council discussed the Village Farm and Home high water bill. Campbell discussed that a monthly, rather than quarterly, reading of the water meter may be advisable due to the 2,100 feet of water main. Hilgerson discussed the policy in effect from 2008 through 2015 based on a 12-month average with 25% of the excess forgiven in cases of high water bills. A motion to use the 2015 standard in this case resulted in a tie vote of the four council members and did not pass. The council approved tabling this matter, allowing review of potential policies.

A delinquent utility account for the amount of $410.42 was discussed, with the tenant’s $150 security deposit being applied to the account with approval from the council.

The Park, Rec and Wellness full-time employee hire was approved. This position was discussed at the previous council meeting and was advertised. A seasonal part-time position is being converted to a full-time position to include wintertime snow removal, floor cleaning and general maintenance at the Waukon Wellness Center.
Christine Enyart addressed the City Council with a proposal to sell a property on Clinton Street to the City for development as a parking area. The Council tabled the matter and agreed to add it to the next meeting agenda following review.

Hilgerson discussed the need for a Personnel Committee to be involved in employee evaluations, which the council also agreed to add to the next meeting agenda. The Ordinance for City Manager Duties and Responsibilities was discussed, with the first reading being approved.

The next two agenda items were combined into one vote for the Resolutions for Parade Permits for the 2018 and 2019 Waukon High School Homecoming Parades, which were approved. The next five agenda items were routine year-end financial matters which were reviewed and individually approved, including $15,070.97 from the General Fund will be transferred to the Storm Sewer Improvement Fund; $5,500 from the General Fund will be transferred to the Ambulance Fund; $50,000 from the Sewer Operation Maintenance Replacement Fund will be transferred to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund; $125,000 from the Water Operation Maintenance Fund will be transferred to the Water Fund; and $50,000 from the Sewer Fund  will be transferred to the Sewer Operation Maintenance Fund.

Under Other Matters, Rausch discussed a fiber optic meeting scheduled for April 25. Decker discussed interest in learning more about WEDC and Kuhse will consult with the WEDC Board about setting up an informational presentation and meeting regarding the organization.