Waukon City Council discusses concerns with residential garbage and recycling services, reviews insurance company’s report on city buildings
by Joe Moses
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, November 17 to address a full agenda of matters including the annual review of the County Hazard Mitigation Plan, an update relating to garbage and recycling services for residential properties, and a review of reports from the city’s insurance provider relating to city buildings. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon.
The meeting moved into Public Comment with Wendy Smethurst, the owner of Happy Heifer Quilting Company at 606 Rossville Road (the former Nightingale Pharmacy location), making note of this new business in Waukon which is anticipated to have a soft opening December 1 with an official opening scheduled to take place December 5 and 6. Smethurst discussed that renovations of the business location are taking place for what will be a full service quilt shop that will be open Monday through Saturday and closed Sundays.
The meeting moved into Department Reports with Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussing equipment repairs and maintenance prior to winter. Strub noted that winter sports in the recreation department have started for the season.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper advised that a Water Department building heating system repair is necessary with a new controller or upgrade likely to take place to address the matter.
Interim Street Department Superintendent Pat Egan noted that the Street Department is getting equipment ready for the winter season. He advised that leaf pick-up continues until the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which would be next week.
Police Chief Paul Wagner noted that the winter parking ordinance is in effect as of Saturday, November 15 with no on-street parking in the downtown area of Waukon from 2-6 a.m. until April 1.
City Clerk Sarah Snitker advised that the council should be aware that the deadline to add agenda items for the Monday, December 1 council meeting is a day earlier due to City Hall being closed both Thursday and Friday, November 27-28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. She noted that there will be an opening on the Board of Adjustment (BOA) with Lynn Sorensen not renewing her term on the board. Snitker reported that Sorensen has served on that Board of Adjustment for 10 years and, from the city’s perspective, Snitker expressed appreciation to Sorensen for her service on this board.
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