Waukon City Council approves sending letter in opposition to proposed Alliant Energy rate increase, discusses parking issues, snow removal and redesign of current police station

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, September 16 to address a full agenda of items including the expenditure authority of the city manager, discussion of City Hall computers and the Waukon Police Department building redesign.

The Public Hearing on the proposed contract documents and estimated costs for Plaza Improvements was opened and closed. City Clerk Lana Snitker indicated that no written or verbal comments have been received.

During Public Comment, Donna Harrington of 705 West Main Street discussed concerns relating to customers parking on the sidewalk at a business near her residence. Mayor Pat Stone advised that discussion of this matter continue later in the meeting with this being an agenda item.

Director Ardie Kuhse of Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) requested to set Monday, October 7 from 4-6:30 p.m. as the date and time for a meet and greet event for the public to meet new City Manager Gary Boden prior to the Waukon City Council meeting taking place that evening. The council was in agreement to set the date and time for the event to take place at City Hall.

Chief Dave Martin of the Waukon Area Fire Protection District discussed some concerns relating to the angle of sidewalk and excess water flow from a property adjacent to the fire station. Mayor Stone advised that Mohn Surveying should view the issue and provide a recommendation to resolve the matter.

Under Departmental Reports, Street Superintendent Keith Burrett indicated that yield to pedestrian crosswalk signage has arrived and will be put into place following completion of street resurfacing. Burrett provided an update on seal coating work to be completed by a contractor.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper indicated that lighting for the north water tower has arrived and will be installed within the next few weeks. Cooper discussed that a contract has been signed with the contractor relating to the north water tower paint repair which will be at no cost to the City. Cooper provided an update on the new wastewater treatment facility indicating that clarifier walls will be poured with forms being used, which he advised will speed up the process, and that other aspects of the project are moving forward.

Snitker read aloud an update from Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub indicating that the tennis court fence and netting will be installed soon with surface painting to be done next with lighting installation. Strub indicated in his update that youth volleyball and flag football are currently taking place.

As part of the City Manager’s Report, Boden provided an update on scheduled meetings for Planning and Zoning as well as the Board of Adjustment. Boden discussed two variance requests to be reviewed by the Board of Adjustment and that a City Council special meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17 to include a presentation from Travis Squires of Piper Jaffray relating to financial matters and funding options for future projects. Boden and the council discussed options relating to his health insurance coverage and the two-month waiting period to be covered under the City’s insurance provider.

Under Regular Business, the second reading was approved for the Ordinance eliminating use restrictions on conditionally rezoned real estate in the City of Waukon for property located at 808 Fifth Avenue SW. The first reading was approved for the Ordinance establishing angle parking on a portion of First Street SE. The Resolution authorizing construction of angle parking on a portion of First Street SE by the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society was tabled.

The Resolution authorizing use of competitive quotation procedures and delegating authority for the Plaza Improvement Project was approved. The council moved into discussion of the Plaza Improvements Project plans and specifications with Kuhse and Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe of Fehr Graham Engineering providing feedback on the project plans. Council member John Ellingson recommended that additional time be provided for review of plans. The matter was tabled and will be addressed at the October 7 council meeting.

The Resolution authorizing sponsorship of grant applications for the Waukon Area Fire Protection District was approved. This matter will allow the City of Waukon to serve as sponsor for the Waukon Area Fire Protection District when necessary for grant applications to a variety of organizations including the Allamakee County Community Foundation among others.

The Resolution approving the Official Financial Report for City Streets and Parking for July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 was approved. The Resolution establishing salaries for the Street Superintendent and City Clerk was also approved.

The Resolution opposing the electric rate increase proposed by Alliant Energy was approved. A letter from the council will be sent to the Iowa Utility Board expressing opposition to Alliant Energy’s rate increase request. Boden indicated that this letter along with letters from other communities will be taken into consideration by the Iowa Utility Board. According to the text of this resolution, Alliant Energy has requested to increase the electric base rate 24.45% for residential customers, 10.01% for municipal lighting, 18.36% for non-residential general service and 25.29% for large general service customers. Council member Arvid Hatlan abstained from voting on this matter indicating that a conflict of interest may be perceived due to his employment with a competing utility company.

The council approved the Resolution to close West Street from Main Street to First Avenue SW for the Trunk or Treat event schedule for October 31 this year from 12-9 p.m. The Resolution agreeing to transfer from the Sewer Utility Fund to the Sewer Plant Improvement Fund for project costs was also approved.

The council moved into discussion of longevity pay with Boden providing an overview of the Union contract negotiation process. The council was in agreement to have the Personnel Committee meet to discuss longevity pay at a later time. Ellingson recommended review of the matter during the budget process in January. The matter was tabled.

The council addressed financial matters relating to current projects including the approval of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Pay Application 4 and approval of the Tennis Courts Project Pay Application 1. The Second Amended and Substituted West Side Subdivision Development Agreement Exception was reviewed and approved by the council.

Burrett discussed the quotes received relating to the Waukon Municipal Airport resurfacing project. The quote from Driveway Specialists LLC was approved by the council.

The council moved into discussion of Second Street/Eleventh Avenue SW sidewalk snow removal. Following discussion, Ellingson motioned that snow removal on Second Street SW and the portion of Eleventh Avenue from the west side of the Fire Department parking lot to the end of the Fareway property will be cleared by property owners and the WEDC property sidewalk will be cleared by the City of Waukon, which was then approved by the council. The council was in agreement that sidewalk from the east side of the Fire Department to the City Park would be temporarily or seasonally closed due to winter weather conditions.

The Fehr Graham professional services agreement for Sixteenth Avenue NW Street Improvements was discussed by the council with feedback from TeKippe. Ellingson indicated that a report on street damage will be forthcoming from Assistant Police Chief Paul Wagner which will provide a narrative relating to the cause of damage.

Justin Piggott, representing Mosaic Housing Corporation, addressed the next agenda item relating to parking at the 208 Sixth Street NW group home. Piggott discussed the need for Mosaic staff parking and that staff are not able to move their vehicles during work hours with their presence necessary in assisting clients. Feedback from the school district and bus drivers was discussed with parking creating issues with school bus traffic in the morning and afternoon. Police Chief Phil Young indicated that there may be an off-street parking option for Mosaic staff and that he will follow up on the matter.

Parking in front of the Waukon Redemption Center on West Main Street was discussed. Harrington further discussed her concerns first mentioned during the Public Comment portion of the current meeting. Burrett indicated that parking on the boulevard is allowed but not allowed on the sidewalk. The council was in agreement that the public needs to be informed that parking on sidewalks is not allowed.

The council and Boden discussed the Police Department building with Boden advising that a redesign of the current structure would be his recommendation based on the City’s financial capacity rather than constructing a new building. Boden further discussed that in the building redesign, the restroom should be moved further into the building near the interview room allowing for a lobby area within the building’s entrance. Boden indicated that in discussions with Police Department leaders Wagner and Young, the current building is adequate for the department’s needs and that some architectural support is needed in creating a redesign with drainage and retaining wall issues to be addressed.

Wagner provided an update on portable radios indicating that the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department will be transitioning to digital radios and that the Waukon Police Department will need to do the same to allow communication between City and County law enforcement. Wagner indicated that eight radios would be advisable. The matter was tabled and will be addressed at the next council meeting.

The expenditure authority of the City Manager was discussed. The council was in agreement that more responsibility should be put on the City Manager relating to budgeted expenses which would allow necessary departmental purchases to take place in a timely manner. The council approved to set the City Manager’s spending authority at $7,500.

Boden discussed several matters relating to City Hall computers. Boden indicated that police department storage could be accomplished through a centralized mainframe and that Windows 7 support will be ending which will affect City Hall computers. The hiring of a full-time information technology professional was discussed with Boden advising that a contractual agreement with a service provider may be a better alternative. The council approved to get proposals relating to the City Hall computer network and computers.

Prior to adjournment, the council approved to partner with Census 2020.