Waukon City Council hears update on Aveka plan for addressing spills, approves compensation plan for extra police hours; Trick-or-treat hours 4-7 p.m.

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session via Zoom web-conferencing Monday, October 19 to address a full agenda of items including Aveka Nutra Processing’s solution for spills, the potential development of a tree replacement program and parking at the Evangelical Good Samaritan Society.

During Public Comment, Sherry Welch of Waukon provided a recommendation for the City to consider pedestrian safety measures to be put in place on Second Avenue SW between First Street SW and Second Street SW between the two St. Patrick Catholic School buildings. Welch explained that as a part-time associate working with first graders, she walks between the two school buildings on Second Avenue SW frequently and has witnessed excessive traffic speed on this section of street. Welch suggested that a painted crosswalk would be beneficial to match signage currently in place indicating that traffic must stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. Welch further suggested that a speed limit needs to be posted and other options be considered including flashing signage, a speed bump or a roll-out stop sign be placed there for use during school hours.

The council advised that Second Avenue SW was changed to one-side parking to better allow for emergency vehicles and snow removal to take place with double-sided parking not allowing sufficient room for either, in addition to improved safety. Welch said that the sawhorse-style barricades are no longer being used to block this street but if returned could easily be driven through by emergency vehicles responding to calls. Mayor Pat Stone suggested adding this matter to a future meeting agenda for further consideration.

Under Department Reports, Street Superintendent Keith Burrett advised that his department is back to a regular schedule and that leaf pick-up has started and will continue until the first snow that stays.

Park, Rec and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub reported that the winterization of the campground has begun with the campground remaining open until the end of this month. Strub said that the swimming pool pumps were recently operated and will be in good shape for next year. He also advised that the Waukon High School FBLA chapter will be hosting its Haunted Park event in the City Park Saturday, October 24 and that HVAC repairs at the Waukon Wellness Center will likely be completed this week.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed recent repairs to a water main on Sixth Avenue SW and that the use of Diamond Maps, a cloud-based GIS system, was beneficial in locating gas lines and water lines mapped last year during another nearby dig and repair. Cooper added that this service will continue to be helpful in locating lines for future projects and repairs. Cooper advised that he and department employee Mark Benda will be traveling to Dubuque next week for a continuing education course necessary for renewing water and wastewater licenses and provided an update on work to be done in pumping out material from an old tank that will be used for storage purposes.

Police Chief Paul Wagner discussed a recent email to the council relating to Lansing’s consideration of security cameras in the downtown area. Wagner said that he wanted to introduce the idea to see if there was interest from the council in looking into this possibility for Waukon and, if interested, discuss with City Manager Gary Boden what funding options are available with this being an item not currently in the Police Department’s budget. Wagner provided a ballpark figure of $8,000 for the wireless five-camera system that Lansing is considering, with a representative from a security company being in the area next month with some availability to meet in Waukon.

The council was in agreement to further explore the option of installing video cameras downtown and to add this matter to budget discussions for next year.

During the Mayor’s Report, Mayor Pat Stone provided a brief overview of several matters to be covered later in the meeting. Stone said that he had a recent conversation with Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker relating to the development of a notification process for future spills. Stone further discussed that Snitker and property owners affected would be promptly notified following any discharge or spill.

Boden provided a brief report by adding that trick-or-treating hours in town have been set for 4-7 p.m. Saturday, October 31. Council member Gayle Decker and Boden discussed  grants that have been applied for relating to fiber optic cable installation.

During the City Council Report, Decker discussed that a contractor has provided a bid under $100,000 for the demolition of the former Tierney’s building if the renovation of the building does not move forward. Council member Ben Rausch said that he has received feedback from the public relating to the need for additional lighting and a camera to be placed near the Freedom Rock, a tourism attraction honoring military veterans, in the City Park.

Ardie Kuhse, who completed the application process for the Allamakee County Freedom Rock, discussed the second phase of the project which will involve the construction of a shelter with lighting and that fundraising continues. Kuhse indicated that a donation of a shelter has been offered.

The council moved into the next agenda item relating to a police officer hire. Chris Doeppke was approved for hire at a rate of $19.24 per hour starting November 1, 2020.

Parking at the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society was discussed by the council with council members Arvid Hatlan and John Ellingson providing feedback relating to a site visit with Administrator Cathy Taylor and other Good Samaritan Society personnel that took place the morning after the October 5 city council meeting.

Hatlan and Ellingson advised that the additional parking proposed by the Good Samaritan Society may be a safety issue due to there not being adequate room for parked vehicles to back out on to the street with traffic. Ellingson and Hatlan recommended that the Good Samaritan Society should develop a parking lot for off-street parking, an option previously planned with their purchase of adjacent properties. The council denied the newly-proposed parking project due to safety concerns and the need for critical access to Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Stone addressed the next matter relating to the south wall and foundation repair cost of the former Tierney’s building. Stone said that he had a recent conversation with Arturo Barreda, a potential investor in the former Tierney’s building renovation, who has requested that the south wall and foundation be stabilized in the near future.

Boden advised that the proposed stabilization would cost an estimated $16,500 with developers Barreda and Jose Velarde indicating that this cost would be an in-kind contribution reducing the City’s contribution to the project. Hatlan and Decker suggested that the City should wait to make this contribution until a firm commitment and solid plan is in place for the building. Stone suggested that this investment from the City would be beneficial for the grant review process, with Ellingson suggesting that the City will have no problem funding the stabilization project when the grant is approved. Boden and Ellingson discussed that the City will be notified about the grant approval early next year. No action was taken by the council.

CEO Willie Hendrickson of Aveka Nutra Processing discussed the next agenda item relating to Aveka’s solution for spills at its facility in north Waukon. Hendrickson advised that he is currently assisting in a plant manager capacity at the Waukon facility and that a proposal has been developed to prevent future spills or discharges by controlling outflow from the plant with the construction of a special system to hold waste until it is tested. Hendrickson further explained that this system would involve the construction of additional silos and a building as a testing facility with discharges requiring testing and verification from two operators. Hendrickson and the council discussed the timeline necessary for the silo and testing facility construction for this system in relation to Waukon’s new wastewater treatment plant, which will begin operation by June 2021 if not before.

Cooper said that he has read Aveka’s plan and proposal which he indicated will be a positive for the City, the new wastewater treatment plant and for Aveka. Hendrickson agreed to provide an update at the December 7 council meeting relating to the silo and building construction with a May 2021 completion deadline.

Boden addressed the next matter relating to the contract to hire Katie Nolte for the FHLB grant for the development of the former Bresnahan property. Boden said that this grant could potentially net $900,000 for this project with Nolte’s services to cost $7,500 plus additional expenses. Boden advised that this grant has a spring submission deadline with approval likely to be known in April. Boden discussed Nolte’s previous work experience and confidence in her grant writing abilities and expertise which grantors look for from organizations. The council approved the hiring.

The council moved into discussion of extra compensation for the Police Chief and Assistant Police Chief. Boden advised that the Waukon Police Department is currently short staffed with Wagner and Assistant Police Chief Luke Inglett working additional hours, with a request of $500 per pay period as compensation for 30-plus extra hours paid retroactively September 27 to January 16. Hatlan expressed concerns without a comparison to last year being provided to illustrate an increase in police calls and responses to the previous year at this time.

Wagner assured the council that the police department is busy with the extra hours being necessary in providing 24/7 coverage with the current staffing limitations. Inglett added that additional hours will not be put in when part-time or full-time officers are available. Ellingson said that responses have increased and further discussed the importance of 24/7 coverage, with the Waukon Police Department also responding to accidents and other calls as needed outside of Waukon. The council approved the extra compensation request to be paid retroactively from September 27 to January 16 with Hatlan voting against the matter.

Prior to adjournment, the council discussed the development of a tree replacement program to allow a set reimbursement for the purchase of new trees to be planted in yards in areas where trees have been removed from boulevards. Boden recommended that trees would not be replanted in the City’s right of way between sidewalks and streets. Boden suggested that a proposal be created for a forestry program that may involve the Trees Forever organization. Ellingson advised giving priority to areas where City projects or work has necessitated the removal of trees. The council also discussed stump removal and associated options available including the purchase of equipment by the City to accomplish this task instead of the services of a contractor.