Waukon City Council approves subdivision plat, change in zoning for Pladsen property; Removal of buildings destroyed by Feb. 13 fire may not take place for several months

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, February 21 to address a full agenda of items including discussion and direction on the City’s Employee Policy Handbook, a report on the Water System and the Public Hearing: Ordinance Changing the Zoning District Classification for the Pladsen Addition. Discussion also took place regarding removal of the buildings destroyed in the February 13 fire on Allamakee Street.

There was no Public Comment. Executive Director Laurie Adrian with the Waukon Chamber of Commerce introduced herself as the new executive director with that organization.

Under Department Reports, Police Chief Paul Wagner noted that the Waukon Police Department has been busy. Wagner advised that training will be taking place this week relating to mental health and Narcan, medication used in the emergency treatment of opioid overdoses.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed the February 13 building fire on Allamakee Street and work performed by his department during and since that emergency situation.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed two water main breaks and repairs, in addition to a fire hydrant repair that will be taking place. Cooper advised that a water boil advisory was temporarily put in place following the February 13 building fire on Allamakee Street due to the impact upon the City’s water system. He noted that the amount of water used in fighting this fire caused some stress on equipment including water pumps.

Waukon Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussed that the summer recreation employment application deadline is coming up in mid-March. He also discussed the youth soccer program, with games scheduled in April and May.

Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn did not have an update. City Manager Gary Boden discussed meeting with City Attorney Jeff Swartz and Stinn relating to matters to be addressed through the council in the next three to four months.

Boden also discussed receiving a second draft of an agreement with Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) relating to ambulance purchases, with that expense having already been budgeted. He added that this agreement will also require a 28E agreement between eight townships within the county. Boden advised that per this six-year agreement, the City of Waukon will be involved in the purchase of two ambulances but not have involvement with operational costs. He noted that $45,000 has been budgeted for this fiscal-year for this anticipated expense.

Mayor Pat Stone recognized and thanked the area fire and emergency personnel, in addition to City staff, that assisted during the fire on Allamakee Street last week. Stone noted that the Decorah Fire Department’s aerial ladder truck was a valuable resource in fighting this fire. He discussed the potential benefits of adding an aerial ladder truck for availability and use in Allamakee County.

Stone also provided an update relating to the former JCPenney/Tierney building renovation into a destination steakhouse restaurant. He advised that this restaurant will tentatively open in July. Stone also discussed his support of the proposed countywide façade grant program and encouraged citizens to voice their support of this program to the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors.

There was no City Council Report, with the meeting then moving into the Public Hearing: Ordinance Changing the Zoning District Classification for the Pladsen Addition (former McCabe property). The public hearing was opened with City Clerk Sarah Snitker advising that no written or verbal comments have been received. The public hearing was closed.

Boden addressed the next matter relating to the Resolution: Approval of the Subdivision Plat - Pladsen Addition. Boden noted that the Planning Commission has recommended approval of the subdivision plat with another division of a lot having since been added, not impacting the zoning or boundaries of the property while creating an additional commercial lot. The Resolution was approved by the council.

The Ordinance: Changing Zoning District Classification for the Pladsen Addition was next addressed by the council. Boden advised that no changes have been made since review by the Planning Commission. He noted that the two properties on the Rossville Road side of the property are for commercial development, the properties on the 2nd Street SW side are for multi-family/transitional development, and the south portion adjacent to Waukon City Park is conservation district zoning for the storm water cleaning and retention pond. The First Reading of the Ordinance was approved, with the Second and Third Readings waived and the matter being adopted.

Cooper addressed the next matter relating to the Report on the Water System. Cooper updated the council about the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) inspection that took place approximately a month ago with no significant deficiencies being found. Cooper advised that a minor deficiency was found with fluoride testing to be added at the source entry point of Well #5, which Cooper advised was added the following day and continues moving forward. Cooper noted that a list of recommendations was also provided following the inspection. He summarized that the inspection went well.

The meeting moved into discussion of building removal options relating to the structures impacted by the February 13 fire on Allamakee Street. Boden and Wagner advised that due to the ongoing investigation of the fire by the State of Iowa Fire Marshal’s Office, the buildings and debris cannot be moved.

Wagner advised that it may be several months before any debris removal may take place. The areas in front of and in back of the destroyed buildings have both been fenced off for safety and further investigation purposes.

Discussion and Direction on the Employee Policy Handbook was the next matter addressed by the council. Boden made note of specific updates to the employee handbook with council members providing feedback. Specifics discussed included bereavement leave, changing probationary status from 90 days to 180 days, restricting vacations to two-week intervals or less, personal days and the addition of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy statement. Other topics discussed included a social media policy with employees being required to change user passwords each 90 days in addition to discussion of a uniform policy requiring City logo apparel to be worn during work hours, making City employees more easily identifiable to the public.

Prior to adjournment, the council moved into two closed sessions:

Closed Session: Per Iowa Code Section 21.5 (1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.

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.