Waukon City Council approves ordinance and policy regarding display of merchandise on sidewalks, discusses clean-up of Allamakee Street properties destroyed by February fire

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, October 3 to address a full agenda of matter including a Resolution establishing a Temporary Housing Steering Committee to support the Rural Housing Readiness Assessment Initiative, discussion of the Merchandise Display Policy and discussion of agreements for the clean-up of properties at 11 Allamakee Street and 9 Allamakee Street.

There was no Public Comment and the meeting moved into Department Reports with Library Director Cate St. Clair of Robey Memorial Library providing an update. St. Clair discussed her recent return to work following maternity leave and noted the work performed by Chris Kerndt, who served as interim director during her absence. St. Clair advised that Kerndt is very capable and hard working with the library’s operations continuing very well during her leave.

St. Clair provided statistics relating to the library’s operations noting that there were 323 volunteer hours in 2021-2022 relating to a variety of activities including book sales and programming preparation. St. Clair advised that in June-August there were 312 parents and children attending story time at the library. St. Clair also discussed some maintenance matters including a dead tree to be removed from the library grounds and some interior painting and touch-up to be performed.

Waukon Police Chief Paul Wagner advised that Assistant Police Chief Luke Inglett has put in his notice after accepting a position with the Houston County Sheriff’s Department in Minnesota. Wagner noted that Inglett made this decision to relocate to allow him to be closer to family living in that area. Wagner noted that an officer position has been posted online.

Waukon Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub provided an update relating to the welcome signage located outside of town. Strub discussed communication with the City’s insurance provider relating to the wind damage to this signage with the sunburst and top layer of masonry needing to be repaired or replaced. Strub also provided an update relating to the process of purchasing a used pick-up truck for Park and Recreation, noting that a two-wheel drive truck was previously discussed but the Park and Rec Board and employees since coming to the consensus that a four-wheel drive truck may be preferable.

Strub also advised that pricing and estimates relating to replacement swimming pool pumps are being pursued. He noted that grant funding through Alliant Energy and funds currently budgeted may allow for some tree replacement in the City Park and also allow for the tree give-a-way to take place again this fall.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed street repairs and a truck purchase through Tri-State Truck Center, with a box likely to be in within three weeks. Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper advised that his department has been busy with locates due to the fiber optic project in Waukon. Cooper noted that he and Mark Benda will be attending training/continuing education in Dubuque for a few days this week.

City Clerk Sarah Snitker noted that two inspections relating to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing program took place last week. She discussed a recent call from a resident providing a recommendation for the council to consider the addition of a stop sign or children’s crossing signage at the intersection of 2nd Street NW and 4th Avenue NW. Council member Arvid Hatlan noted that vehicle speed has been a concern in this area with the council further discussing options available to improve safety.

Snitker also discussed a potential United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant opportunity to allow for up to a 35-percent reimbursement on a truck to be used for a City utility. Snitker also noted that the billing drop box will need be moved during the scheduled door replacement and cement work at the north side of Waukon City Hall with the front/west entrance facing Allamakee Street to be used during this time. Snitker advised that accommodations will need to be made for those not able to navigate the stairs at the front entrance of City Hall, noting that residents needing assistance may need to contact City Hall offices by phone during this time.

Assistant City Attorney Kevin Stinn advised that he did not have anything new to report but would be available for questions relating to items later in the agenda.

City Manager Gary Boden discussed the replacement of an exterior and interior door at the north entrance of City Hall, noting that the automated/push button opening function of these doors can likely be added with minimal internal wiring. He noted this replacement may not be as complicated as originally thought.

Hatlan provided the Council Report and discussed that a gas line has been located and will be moved, causing some minor changes to plans for the north entrance of City Hall. Hatlan noted that he met with Allamakee County Board of Supervisors Chairperson Larry Schellhammer in regard to the County making some updates to include a retaining wall behind the County Veterans Museum and that a safety railing will be added to better match improvements at the adjacent City Hall property.

Snitker addressed the next agenda item relating to the Resolution establishing a Temporary Housing Steering Committee to support the Rural Housing Readiness Assessment (RHRA) Initiative. She explained that the City of Waukon is working with Iowa State University Extension with a temporary ordinance or resolution being recommended to allow for a temporary housing steering committee to include real estate personnel, lenders, developers, among other professionals with a meeting being scheduled for next week. The Resolution was approved.

The Ordinance changing where a permit for displaying merchandise on sidewalks can be obtained to being done by the City was next addressed. Snitker advised that this is the third and final reading of this Ordinance with the council approving the matter.

The council moved into the review and discussion of the Merchandise Display Policy with Snitker providing an overview of the matter. She discussed the draft of this policy which includes that a photo or drawing of the merchandise display must be included with the application, merchandise displayed on sidewalks must be of the business location, displays must be abutted to the property or store front allowing for a minimum of 36 inches of walkway beyond the display, nothing can be located near a designated handicapped parking spot, and permits can be issued for April 15-October 31 with annual renewal of permits required. The Merchandise Display Policy was then approved by the council.

The meeting moved into discussion of the agreement relating to 11 Allamakee Street. This matter relates to the building clean-up following the February 13, 2022 fire in downtown Waukon and the resulting structural damage at this location. Boden noted that a legal advertisement in The Standard (Page 30 in this edition) details the requirements relating to asbestos clean-up with all rubble except masonry and metal to be treated as asbestos.

Boden discussed the projected costs associated with this clean-up project, and he advised that as part of this agreement the owner would release the insurance funds designated for the clean-up to the City, with the City to assume any remaining clean-up costs and then retaining ownership of the property. No final agreement has been received for review by the council at this point.

The council moved into discussion of the clean-up of 9 Allamakee Street, which was also destroyed in that February fire. Boden and Stinn discussed that there are some differences in comparison to the previous agenda item regarding 11 Allamakee Street, with the release of insurance funds not yet taking place and a mortgage being involved with the 9 Allamakee Street property.

Without both agreements being available for review prior to the council meeting, Hatlan recommended that the agreements not be approved at this time. Mayor Pat Stone advised that a special meeting may be needed for review and approval of the final draft of these agreements if they are not approved at this time. By roll call vote, Hatlan and council members Kevin Johnson and Andy Sires voted against approving either agreement at this time with council members Steve Wiedner and John Lydon voting in favor of approving both. The agreements were not approved with that 3-2 vote against.

Cooper discussed the next matter relating to a quote for the lift station at the Waukon Mobile Home Community. He provided an overview of the necessary repairs to include pumps, guide rails, electrical and a switch to three-phase motors. Following discussion of budgeting for this expense, the council approved the expenditure.

The meeting moved into discussion of possible costs for the Waukon Municipal Well #2 Inspection. Cooper discussed potential costs associated with repairs following an inspection of this well that is yet to take place. The council approved to move forward with this project.

The council moved into discussion of the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) request to change the Ordinance for 6th Street NW and revert it back to a one-way street. The council discussed recent feedback relating to this matter with Hatlan noting that he is disappointed that no representatives from the school district were present at Monday’s meeting for this discussion. Hatlan further advised that he has reached out to the school’s administration to set up a meeting without receiving a response. The council discussed safety concerns with Wagner, noting that traffic congestion during the morning can be an issue at the school but Wagner reporting that no specific incidents have been reported at this point. No action was taken relating to this discussion item.