Waukon City Council approves hirings of new Water Superintendent and City Clerk, discusses variety of other matters at regular session

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, July 16 to address a full agenda of items including a presentation about the Robey Memorial Library, discussion of street light options with the 2019 Department of Transportation (DOT) Street Project and discussion of an air conditioning system for the Veterans Memorial Hospital Ambulance Garage.

The Public Hearing proposing the annexation of territory to Waukon including Lot 2 in Lot 12 in Lot 1 in the Southwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 30 was opened and closed without written or verbal comment.

During Public Comment, Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discussed that Red Rock Threshers Tractor Ride participants will be arriving Thursday, July 19 with the ride taking place the following two days. Kuhse discussed the promotion of the event, communicating the route to area residents and that as of last week, 235 tractors have been registered with additional registrations welcome throughout the ride.

Under Department Head Updates, Police Chief Phil Young discussed preparations being made before the Allamakee County Fair. Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub indicated that summer youth programs are wrapping up, an Eagle Scout project has been completed and that Friday, August 3 there will be two circus performances in conjunction with Waukon Corn Days.

City Manager Dean Hilgerson discussed that there have been some issues with Well #5 and that he has been researching the first phase of the new Waukon Police Station project involving the request for proposals (RFP) and preliminary designs. Hilgerson discussed a recent water quality meeting and that there are 12 potential projects that may be included in Waukon’s application for the State Revolving Fund (SRF) with eligibility of up to $800,000.00 as 10% of the cost of the new wastewater treatment facility.

Under Regular Business, resident Bill Reinhardt discussed the possibility of raising chickens within Waukon by changing the ordinance or policy regarding this matter. Reinhardt discussed Burlington and Decorah, which allow chickens to be raised for eggs on a limited capacity. Council member John Ellingson advised that La Crosse, WI and Dubuque allow chickens within city limits through a permitting process and fee.

The council discussed the possibility of changing Waukon’s policy for the benefit of 4-H and the limited raising of chickens for eggs by residents. The council approved to refer the matter to the Planning and Zoning Board with Ellingson and Reinhardt agreeing to be part of this meeting.

City Attorney Jim Garrett discussed the City of Waukon’s release of a mortgage for the payment in full by WEDC for a property, which the council approved. The council also approved the annexation of the property owned by Willie and Carol Hendrickson.

Helen Stegen of Waukon addressed the council to appeal the $30 penalty that was added following a late water utility payment. Stegen indicated that she did not receive a bill, late notice or penalty notice by mail and that she has since enrolled in automatic bill payment. The council approved the penalty removal with the stipulation of automatic withdrawal be in place for bill payment.

Director Cate St. Clair of Waukon’s Robey Memorial Library provided an overview of the library’s services and operations using a PowerPoint presentation. St. Clair’s presentation included information about the Library Board of Trustees, the Library Foundation, library staff and operating budget with 2017 statistics including 2,714 registered library users, 3,131 e-books and 1,461 audiobooks downloaded, 32,785 physical materials circulated, 113 programs for kids and teens and 185 library programs for adults. St. Clair also discussed the accreditation process, the library’s positive ranking and ability to provide more programs, be open more hours, having more community space with fewer staff members and lower salaries than libraries in comparable cities.

Hilgerson discussed the alley behind Howard’s Home Furnishings providing details about a recent meeting with adjacent property owners. Hilgerson discussed needed repairs to the alley and parking lot.

Project Manager Mark Durbahn with AECOM, a consulting firm in Waterloo that is working with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), discussed planning being worked on regarding the DOT 2019 Street Project, design of pavement overlay and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. Durbahn advised that agents have been meeting with property owners regarding easements and that planning continues to bring street lighting to current standards.

Durbahn indicated that 100% plan submittal for DOT review will be accomplished by the end of August with approximately a month for comments between Waukon and the DOT. He said final plans will be submitted to the DOT by the end of September and a letting date to accept bids will be set for December.

Jay Erb, owner of Erbal Ink Tattoos at 32 Spring Avenue, raised a question about the crosswalk near his business that has not been repainted and is not included in the 2019 DOT Street Plan. Durbahn discussed that this crosswalk location is beyond the 8.3% grade necessary to be within ADA compliance, providing a recommendation to move this cross walk further south in front of the Kwik Star property. The council and Durbahn discussed that this matter falls under DOT policy and the possibility of a policy exception. The council approved the crosswalk be put back in the current location while not being ADA compliant and that the crosswalk will be repainted this fall.

Stone and the council discussed options related to the crosswalk near Gus & Tony’s on West Main Street, which is also not ADA compliant. Hilgerson stated for the record that there should be no confusion about the Walk-On Waukon group’s work and planning, which is not part of the 2019 DOT Street Project.

Hilgerson indicated that he is still waiting on quotes regarding the street projects prior to the 2019 DOT Street Project. The council moved into the next agenda item involving the Plaza Project with discussion of the Plaza Art Project and the LED sign placement. Renovation and destruction of the former Tierney building were possibilities discussed with the area seen as a potential green space allowing more room for both the LED sign and art project placement. Following discussion on the matter, the council approved to keep the LED sign in the Plaza.

Veterans Memorial Hospital EMS/ER Supervisor Diane Butikofer discussed the need for air conditioning in the ambulance garage. Butikofer indicated that refrigerators installed in each ambulance - as suggested at a previous council meeting - would keep one medication at a desirable temperature but not a majority of medications, IV fluids, equipment and supplies that are required to be within 68-77 degrees. The council approved the bid from Dean’s Plumbing and Heating at $5,169.50 for an air conditioning system for the ambulance garage with council members Arvid Hatlan and Gayle Decker both voting against the measure.

The council discussed various options relating to the ambulance service and budgeting, taking no action at this time and opting to discuss at budget time next year.

The second reading of the ordinance changing the zoning district classification from “B-2” General Business District to “R-3” Single and Two-Family Residence District for 209 West Street was approved. The third reading was waived with adoption.

Young indicated that a full-time position with the Waukon Police Department remains vacant and that he is recommending the hiring of Ross Kolsrud as a part-time officer at the union contract wage. Young discussed that the candidate search for the full-time position will continue. The council approved the hiring of Kolsrud.

The third and final reading of the ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by modifying procedures for the abatement of vegetation nuisances was approved by the council. The third and final reading of the ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances to establish a no parking zone on a portion of Eighth Street NW was also approved.

The second reading of the ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by increasing water utility rates and imposing an infrastructure fee was also given approval, as were the following Resolutions: transferring $14,697.03 from the General Fund (proceeds from storm water utility fees) to the Storm Sewer Improvement Fund for project improvements; transferring $68,000.04 from the TIF Fund to the Debt Service Fund to pay the two monthly principal grant payments of $3,000.00 and $2,666.67 to the Allamakee/Clayton Electric Cooperative (ACEC) for the Waukon Fire Station Loans; transferring $4,059.09 from the Library General Fund back to the Trust and Agency Library Fund per Resolution No. 3326; and transferring $19,000.00 from the General Fund (property taxes) to the Library Fund for Library expenses.

The council approved the contract and hiring of James Cooper as Water and Sewer Superintendent and Lana Snitker as City Clerk. Both were approved to have the jobs offered to them at the previous council meeting, with both since accepting and their final contracts now being approved.

The council discussed street lights with an approximate $100,000 cost difference between new decorative light poles and reuse of existing light poles. The council discussed the aesthetic improvement decorative light poles will provide, with most cities completing street projects also opting to improve street lighting at the same time. The council approved to move forward with new decorative street light poles. Decker voted against the measure, indicating that the $100,000 difference discussed would be better applied towards a new Police Station facility.

Under Other Matters, an animal control issue was discussed. Council member John Lydon discussed the sick leave and paid time off (PTO) donation policy for City employees. The council discussed the delivery method of council meeting information packets and Mayor Stone discussed revenue options for the City.