Waukon City Council approves first reading of ordinance increasing fine for parking violations, begins discussion of realignment of administrative duties

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 16 to address a full agenda of items. A special closed session relating to the Mayo Clinic location in Waukon was held prior to the regular session.

The regular session meeting agenda was approved with the removal of the Public Hearing relating to a police officer post-termination hearing (per Iowa Code Section 372.15). There was no Public Comment and the meeting moved into Departmental Reports.

Police Chief Paul Wagner advised that Officer Fallon Cassidy will be attending the academy January 2 through April 17. Wagner indicated that a meeting with the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Department relating to the implementation of upgraded police radios is scheduled. Wagner also provided an update on a form to be used for complaints from the public relating to specific officers and a form to be used for reports of criminal activity, as a first step in either situation for a formal investigation.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett briefly discussed ice on the streets near the Aveka Nutra Processing facility and measures taken to resolve the matter. Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed maintenance and repairs that took place in the previous week. Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub indicated that things are going well at the Wellness Center and that he and Director Ardie Kuhse of Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) have visited a few Freedom Rock locations in neighboring counties in anticipation of having a boulder placed in the City Park that will be painted by artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen II as a patriotic mural honoring military veterans.

City Manager Gary Boden provided an update on the new wastewater treatment facility project indicating that 19% of the funding for the project has been spent with the project going well. Boden discussed meeting with members of the Aveka Nutra Processing leadership team relating to an equipment failure causing some flooding and ice formation on the streets near that facility last week. Boden indicated that a hook-up to City water may be an option for Aveka as they move forward with a plant expansion.

Mayor Pat Stone added that he did not agree with the fine charged to Aveka relating to the ice formation on streets near the facility. Site Manager Tom Schwiesow of Aveka discussed the importance of being a good neighbor to the community with council member John Ellingson providing a brief history of Aveka’s past difficulties relating to particulates and odor and that the company’s efforts to improve those concerns has been appreciated.

Boden discussed the scheduled closed session to take place January 8 at the Wellness Center to discuss goals and objectives for the city manager position. Council member Arvid Hatlan requested that Boden make weekly visits to the new wastewater treatment facility site to monitor the project’s progress with Boden agreeing to do so. Cooper indicated that contractors are working hard on a daily basis with Boden adding that it is his impression that satisfactory work is being performed at the site.

The council moved into the review of several ordinances with the second reading of the Ordinance amending provisions pertaining to conflict of interest being approved. The second reading of the Ordinance amending provisions pertaining to operating budget preparation was approved. The first reading of the Ordinance providing for cost of living adjustments each year to the municipal water utility service rates was also approved.

Review of the Ordinance increasing the fine for admitted violations of parking restrictions prompted discussion between City Attorney Jim Garrett, Wagner and the council. This matter was previously addressed at the December 2 council meeting with a variety of options discussed relating to parking fines with a proposed increase to $50 per offense and the suggestion that the current $10 ticket is viewed as not enough to deter overnight street parking.

At the December 16 meeting, council member Gayle Decker advised that the fine needs to have impact with Stone indicating that the fine is not about generating revenue but rather needs to be enough to justify the time spent for enforcement by the police department. Wagner provided a recommendation of $20 or $25 for the parking fine. The council approved the first reading of the Ordinance increasing the fine for admitted violations of parking restrictions to $25 per offense with a $5 late fee penalty.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Pay Application #7 was approved in the amount of $158,135.02. Garrett provided an overview of the Revised Airport Ag Lease agreement, which was then approved by the council.

Stone addressed the next agenda item relating to the request by Becky Robinson to waive late fees on a utility bill. Stone discussed his recent conversation with Robinson, who indicated that she did not receive her utility bill in the mail, which is the reason the bill was not paid on time. Ellingson discussed similar past situations where residents were given the option to enroll in automatic bill payments with the late penalty being waived. The council was in agreement to provide this option to Robinson.

The council discussed provisions permitting the use of plastic tubing for water service pipes. Cooper indicated that he has received positive feedback on the use of plastic tubing from various contractors and vendors. Ellingson added that pulse and ultrasonic testing equipment are accurate in determining leaks in plastic pipes. Cooper indicated that he will continue to research the matter.

Boden discussed Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) pavement data collection options indicating that the DOT is moving from performing traffic counts every two years to performing traffic counts every four years. Boden discussed that the City does have the option of paying for this service if traffic data is of value every two years for street evaluations and street project planning. Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe of Fehr Graham Engineering discussed the use of this data in establishing a condition rating for individual streets and project planning. The council’s consensus was to use the data provided by the DOT on a four-year basis.

Burrett addressed the next agenda item relating to snow removal by discussing a scenario encountered during a previous snowfall. Burrett indicated that a snow removal contractor had cleared an area on private property and raised their snow blade slightly and then redistributed snow on a City street. Garrett discussed that this would be a municipal infraction and could result in a fine to the homeowner.

Boden provided an overview of budget amendment #1 for Fiscal-Year Ending (FYE) June 30, 2020. The council approved to have Boden move forward and post the amendment.

The council and Boden discussed the potential restructuring of administrative functions. Boden indicated that a current vacancy and retirement in the Waukon City Hall office may be an opportunity to realign job functions. A finance director position was discussed in relation to the city clerk position. City Clerk Lana Snitker suggested a potential Deputy City Clerk position to handle some clerical matters and allow more focus on financial management. No action was taken with this being an initial discussion of the matter.

Prior to adjournment, the council moved into Closed Session Per Iowa Code Chapter 21.5 (1) (j) to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property or reduce the price the governmental body would receive for that property.