Waukon City Council discusses change to nomination process for city elections, DOT-proposed change to State Highway 76 through Waukon

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Tuesday, September 3 following the closure of City Hall in observance of the Monday, September 2 Labor Day holiday, with Mondays typically set as the council’s regularly scheduled meeting date. The council addressed a full agenda of matters including the consideration of changing Waukon’s nomination process for elections, discussion of the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund Local Match and discussion of Highway 76 and 9th Street.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker and John Lydon present. Hatlan noted that the agenda item relating to the Development Agreement with Tailwind Capital Partners for the construction of eight duplex buildings on the east side of Ninth Street NW would be moved to closed session for discussion at the end of this meeting. City Manager Gary Boden clarified that no official action would take place following discussion of the Tailwind Capital Partners agenda item in closed session.

During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) made note of the open house scheduled for Thursday, September 5 at Postville Childcare Services. Reinke advised that this would be an opportunity to learn more about the benefit of the Childcare Wage Enhancement Program which will be relevant to future discussions with the Waukon City Council relating to the need and support of that program.

Under Department Reports, Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub updated the council about the EARL Public Transit buses and overnight parking in the Wellness Center parking lot. Strub noted that some water has not yet evaporated in the swimming pool with the Waukon Fire Department being able to use this water for an upcoming training exercise. Following that training, Strub advised that the remaining water will be drained with the swimming pool then to be winterized.

Strub briefly noted fall youth and adult activities and that the Five Bridges Trail project has begun relating to the removal of invasive species and the planting of more than 3,000 trees. Hatlan and Strub discussed positive feedback received relating to this project and the article “Habitat enhancement project along 5 Bridges Trail in Waukon City Park made possible by anonymous donation,” which was published in the Wednesday, August 28 edition of The Standard. Strub noted landscaping and improvements to help prevent portions of the trail from flooding during heavy rainfalls.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper reported that a contractor will be doing pump and lift station maintenance and warranty work over the next couple days. Cooper noted a water leak on 2nd Street NW and his recommendation that old water line corporations, a type of water line valve, be pulled out and clamped as procedure moving forward if the council agrees and the City’s ordinance is updated. Cooper recommended that this matter be added to the next meeting agenda.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett noted a street repair requiring a cut-out curb to curb. Relating to nuisance abatement, Burrett noted that following a recent inspection, only one of 12 properties in violation of the City’s regulations relating to lawn and vegetation height has not been mowed or cleared by the property owner.

Police Chief Paul Wagner advised that the Waukon Police Department’s policy manual has been updated with this new version having been sent to each council member via e-mail. Wagner noted that Officer Alyssa Rostad recently completed the field training officer (FTO) program, as have all the officers in the department. Wagner made note of the thorough training all officers in the Waukon Police Department have received. He also discussed a recent training opportunity at no cost to the department available through Truckers Against Trafficking, a program relating to recognizing and reporting human trafficking, with all department employees being encouraged to complete this training.

Engineer Sam Ertl of Fehr Graham Engineering noted that the City Parking Lot behind Hartig Drug was paved Friday, August 30 with painted parking stalls and markings complete. Ertl noted that the parking lot would be opened later that same week with some signage yet to be installed and some areas possibly coned off to allow that installation. Ertl also provided an update relating to sewer and water service on West Street SW and that discussion relating to other matters will be taking place in closed session.

City Clerk Sarah Snitker advised that the Community Visioning Steering Committee will be presenting information from 4-6 p.m. before the Monday, September 16 City Council meeting with the public being welcome. Snitker noted that the meeting owl, 360-degree video conferencing equipment, has been used as a temporary replacement for the audio and visual system needing repair in the City Council Chamber. Hatlan noted feedback from a few council meeting attendees that use Zoom web-conferencing on a regular basis, with the meeting owl audio and video being an improvement.

Finance Director Lana Snitker and Assistant City Attorney Hattie Frana did not have new information to report at this time.

City Manager Gary Boden provided an update relating to the Bresnahan property development by Tailwind Capital Partners and the construction of duplex buildings. Boden discussed the involvement of Fehr Graham Engineering and the billing of their engineering services and that the approval process for tax increment financing (TIF) is being pushed back to a council meeting in October.

For the City Council Report, council members Blocker, Lydon and Engrav did not have new information to share at this time. Wiedner discussed visibility and safety concerns relating to the parking of construction trailers on city streets for extended periods of time. Frana noted that the matter would be researched with Hatlan recommending that this issue be added to a future council agenda for discussion.

For the Mayor’s Report, Hatlan advised that the City Hall roof repair work may be finished this week with the contractor having successfully braced and secured an exterior wall. Hatlan further advised that a dip or low point on the roof is no longer present which had caused the pooling of water, and that the exterior wall is now stronger than before.

As a reminder, Hatlan noted that dog owners need to pick up after their pets when walking. Hatlan indicated that he recently heard concerns from two residents relating to this issue. Hatlan also noted information received relating to the Effigy Mounds National Monument 75th Commemorative Anniversary, with that event scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 26.

To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, September 11, 2024 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.