Among other matters, Waukon City Council hears update on street parking restrictions being suspended during holidays, unless measurable snowfall

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 20 to address a full agenda of items including the Public Hearing Amending the Current Budget for the City of Waukon for the Fiscal Year Ending (FYE) June 30, 2022, the Resolution delegating authority to the City Manager to Authorize Non-Budgeted Expenditures not in Excess of the sum of $2,500 and discussion of filling a seat on the Regional Housing Authority Board.

There was no Public Comment and the meeting moved into Department Reports with Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub advising that Biddy Basketball will be starting after Christmas with its largest group ever of over 200 kids from kindergarten to third grade. Strub added that travel basketball will also be taking place for grades fourth, fifth and sixth. He noted that there was some damage to the windscreen at the tennis court as a result of recent high winds with some minor tree damage also taking place in the City Park. Strub advised that water has been added to the ice-skating rink which will be ready for use as temperatures allow.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett reported that only minor damage was seen in Waukon due to the high winds last week including downed tree limbs affecting some cable television lines. Council member Gayle Decker questioned Burrett about a dump truck that is on order with Burrett replying that it has not yet been delivered and that he anticipates delivery prior to July 1.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed that he did not have any wind damage to report. He updated the council about work performed at the lift stations with generators allowing for continued operations during the power outage last week. Cooper said that fencing will be installed at the Wastewater Treatment Plant soon and provided an update on progress in using the sewer camera in inspecting sewer lines. Cooper also discussed a variety of matters relating to the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s water system.

Police Chief Paul Wagner noted that a conversation took place at City Hall recently relating to the winter parking ordinance with the consensus being to suspend parking tickets through the holidays unless there is a measurable amount of snowfall. Wagner discussed training requests relating to the use of automated external defibrillators (AED) at the Allamakee County Courthouse and apartment buildings. He noted that he and Assistant Police Chief Luke Inglett recently attended ALICE training which relates to active shooter scenarios.

Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn advised that he and City Attorney Jeff Swartz are working on several projects for the City of Waukon including an update to the lease for the County Fairgrounds and that most of the work has been completed relating to the transfer of the former JCPenney/Tierney building. Stinn advised that guidance from the State Auditor’s Office has indicated that 28E agreements will be necessary relating to non-profits that receive support or donations from the City. Stinn also discussed work related to leases at the airport and that another attorney will be joining the Swartz Law Firm, with this attorney to also be involved in City-related matters.

City Manager Gary Boden provided an update relating to the former McCabe property with Steve Pladsen closing on that land purchase. Boden said that meetings will be taking place relating to the development of that property. He also discussed recent communications with Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative with the Board of Directors approving the installation of fiber optic in Waukon’s downtown area. Boden advised that this fiber optic project installation will likely begin in late 2022 with completion in 2023.

Mayor Pat Stone presented plaques recognizing the years of service provided by Waukon City Council members John Ellingson, Gayle Decker and Ben Rausch. Decker thanked his constituents, the council, mayor and department heads with Rausch commenting on his time on the council and making note of improvements in Waukon, working with department heads and that it has been an honor to serve citizens in this role. Council member Arvid Hatlan thanked Ellingson, Decker and Rausch for their work as part of the council.

The Public Hearing Amending the Current Budget for the City of Waukon for the Fiscal Year Ending (FYE) June 30, 2022 was opened and closed without comment. The Resolution Amending the Current Budget for the City of Waukon for FYE June 30, 2022 was approved by the council.

The council moved into the Resolution delegating authority to the City Manager to Authorize Non-Budgeted Expenditures not in Excess of the sum of $2,500.  At the December 6 council meeting, Decker provided a recommendation to set the City Manager’s spending authority at $2,500. At the September 16, 2019 council meeting, the City Manager’s spending authority relating to budgeted expenses was increased to $7,500, previously set at $2,500, to allow for necessary departmental purchases to take place in a timely manner. At the December 20 meeting, Stone recommended leaving this matter for the council to review next year with three new council members to be in place. Boden clarified that he has had conversations with department heads relating to the $7,500 spending authority and non-budgeted expenses with that authority being used appropriately. Decker motioned to change the City Manager’s spending authority to $2,500 with Hatlan voting in favor of the motion, with Rausch and council member John Lydon voting against and new council member Andy Sires choosing to abstain. The motion failed.

Boden addressed the next matter relating to the Resolution approving Police Officer pay and wages. Boden indicated that a six-percent pay increase for sworn officers, not salaried, has been discussed to take place on an annual basis. Boden advised that this pay structure will assist in keeping the Waukon Police Department competitive in attracting officers. The Resolution was approved.

Boden discussed the next agenda item relating to the Resolution authorizing the transfer of funds for the purchase of an ambulance. Boden noted that the new ambulance will cost $216,597 with the City of Waukon and townships covered in the ambulance service district providing a 50/50 contribution of approximately $96,500 each with the remaining funding potentially coming from local option sales tax (LOST). The Resolution was approved.

Engineer Paige Pierce of Fehr Graham Engineering provided an update relating to the Waukon Sponsored Project/Storm Water Quality Improvement Project. Pierce discussed plans to focus on engineering for a wetlands area. Pierce provided an overview of the prioritized list of projects including water retention basins, permeable asphalt, among other potential projects.

Stone addressed the next agenda item relating to discussion of Council Committees. He noted that these committees have not been used since he started as mayor and that any committee could be formed at a later time as needed. The council approved to put this matter on the next meeting agenda.

The council moved into discussion of filling a seat on the Regional Housing Authority Board. Decker discussed his involvement with this board that has met quarterly to get input from cities making up this region with discussion of Section 8 properties taking place. Decker provided a recommendation to appoint City Clerk Sarah Snitker to the Regional Housing Authority Board with her experience being a good fit and as a representative of the City. The council approved this appointment.

Stone made note of the City Council meeting schedule changes for January 2022 to include meeting dates of January 10 and January 24.

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 receive for that property.

Another closed session followed as a strategy meeting regarding employee union contract negotiations exempt from Iowa open meetings law by Iowa Code Chapter 20.17 (3).