Waukon City Council awards contract for Street Improvement Project, sets public hearing date for loan agreement, approves purchase of water meters

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, April 4 to address a variety of matters including the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation, the Resolution Approving and Confirming Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract and Awarding Contract for the 2022 Street Improvements Project and the procurement and installation relating to the Water Meter Project.

Following approval of the consent agenda, Mayor Pat Stone read aloud the Proclamation of April 2022 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Waukon: “Sexual assault affects women, children and men of all racial, cultural and economic backgrounds. Whereas in addition to the immediate physical and emotional cost, sexual assault may also have associated consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, depression, homelessness, eating disorders and suicide. And whereas sexual assault can be devastating not only to the survivor but also to the family, friends, and community of the survivor, and whereas since no other person, organization, agency or community can eliminate sexual assault on their own, we must work together to educate our entire population about what can be done to prevent sexual assault, to support survivors and their significant others and support those agencies providing services to survivors. Therefore as Mayor of Waukon, Iowa and for the City of Waukon, and on behalf of the citizens of Waukon, I do hereby proclaim the Month of April 2022 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”

There was no Public Comment and the meeting moved into Department Reports with Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub providing an update. Strub said that the youth soccer program would be starting next week and that City Park employees have started back to work. He advised that he anticipates that water will be turned on in the City Park the third week of April as temperatures allow.

Strub also discussed the hiring of lifeguards with eight certified lifeguards in place and two additional lifeguards to be certified prior to the swimming pool opening. Strub advised that the Park and Recreation Board has authorized reimbursement for training and uniforms as added incentives for lifeguards.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper discussed a recent water main break and repair on 11th Street NW. He advised that the Wastewater Treatment Plant passed the annual toxicity test.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett reported that he has been approached by the Waukon Fire Department about burning the water retention area with mowing never performed due to grass and weed clippings causing drainage issues. Burrett advised that his department has resumed its four 10-hour work day schedule and that, if weather permits, street patching will be performed.

Police Chief Paul Wagner discussed a recent trauma and sexual assault related training session attended by Assistant Police Chief Luke Inglett with some modifications expected to be made to the department’s policy manual.

City Clerk Sarah Snitker discussed planning to take place relating to the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) with Waukon being a pass-through community on the 2022 route. Snitker advised that vendor fees and various committees will need to be established as part of this planning. She also discussed a recent RAGBRAI meeting held in Mason City attended by Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) and that a pre-ride will be taking place in June.

City Attorney Jeff Swartz explained that to prevent any conflict of interest, he will be asking permission to hire outside counsel to investigate a complaint against the Waukon Police Department. Swartz advised that his firm has also hired an additional attorney who will be serving in the Assistant City Attorney role.

City Manager Gary Boden noted that plans are being made for a town hall style meeting open to the public with invitations yet to be made. Boden advised that planning for the next 10 years, master planning for the City Park, among other topics will be discussed at this meeting.

Mayor Stone echoed similar thoughts about the town hall style meeting and further discussed the positive feedback and interest he has received from the public about participating in this meeting. The Public Hearing for the Proposed Contract Documents and Estimated Costs for Improvements relating to the 2022 Street Improvement Project was opened. Snitker advised that no comments have been received and the hearing was then closed.

The Public Hearing for the Proposed Urban Renewal Plan Amendment was opened. Snitker advised that no comments have been received and the hearing was then closed.

The Resolution To Declare Necessity and Establish an Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.4 of the Code of Iowa and to Approve the Urban Renewal Plan Amendment for the Southeast Urban Renewal Area was next addressed. Boden provided some clarification on the matter by noting that the district is not being amended but rather amendment of the development plan is being addressed by this matter. The council approved the Resolution.

The Resolution Finally Approving and Confirming Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract and Awarding Contract for the 2022 Street Improvements Project was addressed by Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe of Fehr Graham Engineering. TeKippe advised that the engineer’s estimate for the project is $413,838 with two bids having been received during the letting process including Ethan Koehn Construction of Farmersburg at $416,134.78 and Skyline Construction, Inc. of Decorah at $429,998.95. TeKippe advised that the low bid from Ethan Koehn Construction was only a half-percent above the engineer’s estimate and provided a recommendation for the council to accept that bid. Boden added that council member Arvid Hatlan, not in attendance, has indicated his support of the low bid. The council approved the bid from Ethan Koehn Construction.

The Resolution to fix a date for April 18, 2022 at 7 p.m. for a public hearing on a proposal to enter into a General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreement and borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $2,500,000 was next discussed by the council. Boden provided feedback and discussed borrowing scenarios at $2.2 million and $2.5 million, primarily for infrastructure development within the Pladsen Addition in south Waukon. The council approved the Resolution as presented.

The Resolution approving detailed plans and specifications, notice of hearing, notice to bidders and form of contract relating to the Storm Water Quality Improvements Project and the Public Hearing scheduled for May 2, 2022 at 7 p.m. was next addressed. Boden advised that bidding will take place relating to three phases of this project which has been discussed at previous council meetings.

At the March 21 meeting, Engineer Paige Pierce of Fehr Graham Engineering provided an update relating to the Storm Water Quality Improvements Project which involves several project categories including a wetlands area, permeable pavement, water retention area, anti-erosion prairie grasses among other potential projects within the Waukon City Park and subdivision area to the north. At the March 21 council meeting, Pierce advised that two grant opportunities have been approved with $1.25 million in funding being available. Following discussion at the April 4 meeting, the council approved the Resolution setting the Public Hearing for May 2, 2022 at 7 p.m.

The council moved into discussion of the next matter relating to the approval of a quote for the repair of a lower back section of the City Hall roof. Boden noted that two bids have been received with Stone providing additional feedback relating to materials proposed by the two service providers for this repair. Following discussion, the council approved the quote from Allen Roofing of Monona.

The next matter relating to the City’s insurance renewal was tabled with the meeting then moving into the Urban Water Quality Improvement (WQI) Project Grant Contract. Boden briefly discussed that approval of the contract is the next step in the grant funding process. The matter was approved by the council.

The meeting moved into discussion of the approval of the development agreement and purchase offer to buy real estate and acceptance relating to Lot 4 of the Pladsen Addition in south Waukon. Boden noted that are two components of this matter including the development agreement and purchase of ground. Boden discussed some specifics including some dirt removal and relocation to the area designated for apartment development. The matter was approved by the council.

Cooper addressed the next matter relating to a quote submitted to the Water and Sewer Department for a submersible pump. Cooper said that the lower cost submersible pump option would be sufficient as a replacement with the council approving that purchase recommendation.

Prior to adjournment, Cooper discussed the next agenda item involving the authorization to procure and install relating to the Water Meter Project. Cooper provided some background on the project and discussed the proposed replacement of existing water meters which have been in operation beyond their projected lifespan. Replacement water meters using telemetry, an automated radio transmission, were discussed. Cooper said that the service provider would be able to perform installations over a three-month period, likely June through August. The council approved the purchase of the replacement water meters with the software contract for the meters to be addressed at a later time.