Waukon City Council hears updates on Wellmark Healthy Hometown audit and efforts by Aveka to control noise and odor

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, September 17 to address a full agenda of items, including a presentation from the Walk-On Waukon group, an update regarding Aveka noise and odor, and reappointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission. There was no Public Comment.

Under Departmental Reports, Police Chief Phil Young discussed the upcoming auction of unclaimed bicycles and a generator. Young indicated that a vehicle has been ordered for the Police Department.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed problems at a lift station and that repair estimates will be provided soon. Cooper discussed the trade-in of a Toolcat and provided an update on water leaks that are being repaired.

Park and Recreation Wellness Director Jeremy Strub indicated that youth volleyball, flag football and kickball have begun with fall activities underway, and that the dog swim day has taken place with the swimming pool now being closed. Strub indicated that the swimming pool will now undergo the winterization process.

City Manager Dean Hilgerson discussed that the Planning and Zoning Commission will review a draft of the ordinance allowing chickens in residential areas and that Hacker, Nelson and Co. has begun the City’s audit. Hilgerson also discussed the need to review record storage and retention. Hilgerson and Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe with Fehr-Graham Engineering updated the council on the Green Valley Bridge project and advised that paving will be completed soon.

Under Regular Business, the first five agenda items involved financial matters and transfers which were individually reviewed and approved.

Matt Teslow addressed the council regarding a high utility bill for a triplex at 105 First Avenue SW. Teslow indicated that a toilet at this rental property was found to need repair to stop a water leak. Teslow discussed that there was an issue with the repairs that were completed and that something was over-tightened causing another water leak that was not discovered until the next billing cycle. Teslow discussed that this toilet has since been replaced and that he is requesting the council consider reducing the high utility bill. The council discussed the matter and approved to allow payment of this utility bill to be spread out over a three-month period without a penalty.

The council discussed the invoice from Bruening Rock Products for rock used on an alternate route during the Green Valley Bridge replacement project. The council approved to pay the invoice.

A letter of support for the Iowa Safe Routes to School Program was discussed with the council approving to have the mayor sign the letter. This letter involves the continuation of a program providing bicycle and pedestrian education and supports community engagement as neighborhoods take steps in improving infrastructure and in meeting goals to support students.

Brooke Troendle with the Walk-On Waukon group provided an overview of recommendations received during the Wellmark Healthy Hometown presentation held September 14. Troendle advised that Wellmark has recommended enhancing pedestrian safety, adding more ADA curb ramps, use of bump-outs,  better connecting sidewalks, adding speed limit signs equipped with radar rather than using the speed limit signage trailer and that an increase in bicycle racks downtown is advisable.

Troendle discussed the road diet recommendation which involves reducing the number of lanes for vehicles allowing the extra space to be used for another purpose which may include widened sidewalks or the addition of a bicycle lane, with this change encouraging lower vehicle speeds and providing a better community atmosphere. Troendle and the council discussed Rossville Road as a road diet example with either a landscaped median or painted lines creating a bicycle lane. The council discussed the need to change the community’s mindset regarding bicycle traffic citing Decorah as an example of a community that has embraced bicycle use.

Speed limit signage with radar was further discussed with similar signage on the north and south side of Monona cited as examples that effectively warn motorists of their speed and encourage adherence to the speed limit. The council discussed the potential of adding sidewalks to Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) lots to better connect existing sidewalks.

TeKippe provided an update on the 2018 First Avenue NW resurfacing project. He advised of a recent pre-construction meeting with the project scheduled with an October 25 completion date.

Hilgerson and the council discussed the pricing of tuckpointing the lower portion of the east side of City Hall and approved to pay for the work when completed. Hilgerson also discussed tuckpointing remaining portions of City Hall and that the contractor has agreed to honor quotes for a year.

The council moved into discussion of alley maintenance at 703 Allamakee Street NE and 103 Second Avenue NW. City Attorney Jim Garrett discussed options available to the council. The council approved to vacate a lot allowing sale to a property owner who will incur all costs with survey and a variance for utilities.

Mayor Pat Stone discussed reappointments to the Planning and Zoning Commission with terms expiring September 21, 2018. Stone advised that three board members are not seeking reappointment. Stone and the council discussed the possibility of business owners not residing in Waukon or individuals living outside city limits serving in this capacity. Stone requested that council members forward recommendations by e-mail for the three vacancies.

The council moved into the Aveka noise and odor update. Hilgerson discussed that during his time as City Manager, Aveka has continued to show progress on these issues and recommended that the City recognize their efforts. Council member Arvid Hatlan discussed recent e-mail communications with Aveka involving equipment upgrades and process changes implemented to address noise and odor issues. Hatlan and council member Gayle Decker discussed their roles as liaisons between the City and Aveka and that working with Aveka’s General Manager John Anderson has yielded positive results in decreasing noise and odor and that Anderson is continuing to pursue measures to further address these issues. The council agreed to acknowledge and thank Aveka in the meeting minutes for improvements made over the last year.

Hilgerson and the council discussed the 2019 DOT street and sidewalk project. Hilgerson indicated that some concerns involving parking spaces have been resolved and provided an update on pedestrian crossing. The replacement of street lights and circuitry not included in the DOT project was discussed.

The council moved into discussion of the City Manager evaluation. Hilgerson indicated there was no reason to go into closed session to address this matter. The council discussed the completed evaluations and approved a three-percent raise retroactive to July 1 for the City Manager.

Stone discussed concerns expressed by residents regarding recycling being picked up every other week and not weekly. Council member John Ellingson discussed the possibility of residents purchasing an additional recycling tote or the creation of a stationary site for depositing excess recyclable items. Hilgerson agreed to follow up with Town & Country Sanitation regarding options available and pricing.

Cooper discussed that two bids were received for a replacement jetter system at $59,980 and $53,750. Cooper recommended the low bid with the council approving the purchase.