Waukon City Council recognizes Ward 3 councilman Dave Blocker for his service at his final meeting, holds goal setting work session

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 15 to address several matters including the consideration of a City Facade Improvement Grant application, a scheduled goal setting work session, and the consideration of approving the hire of a police officer. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker and John Lydon. Council member Tim Smedsrud joined the meeting later during the Goal Setting Work Session.

There was no Public Comment with the meeting then moving into Department Reports. Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub noted that he did not have an update at this time.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper provided an update relating to well maintenance and repairs. Cooper made note of a heater in need of repair at the Wastewater Treatment Plant with a control board to be replaced. He further noted that other cold weather issues have emerged and are being addressed.

Interim Street Superintendent Pat Egan advised that with forecasted weather conditions, storm sewer intakes are being cleaned out. Egan advised that Street Department vehicles and equipment continue to be inspected and are receiving maintenance for the winter season.

Police Chief Paul Wagner reported that Officer Dustin Harrington has recently completed rural patrol drug interdiction training, a specialized law enforcement training focusing on combating drug trafficking in rural areas with an emphasis on legal knowledge, practical skills, interagency cooperation and narcotics related arrests, searches and seizures. Wagner also advised that Officer Hector Salinas has completed field training officer (FTO) training, with the Waukon Police Department now having two certified FTO instructors within the department.

City Clerk Sarah Snitker noted that an email upgrade will be taking place December 18 with information technology (IT) personnel to be onsite at City Hall to assist with this process. Snitker reminded the council that City Hall will be closed Thursday, January 1 in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday with the deadline to submit agenda item moved forward by a day to Wednesday, December 31 relating to the Monday, January 5 City Council meeting.
Finance Director Lana Snitker and City Manager Grayson Rowlet did not have an update at this time.

For the Council Report, council member Blocker, representing Ward 3, noted that this is his last council meeting with his term ending at the end of the year. Blocker encouraged those who are civically engaged to consider running for office in addition to recognizing all city staff including those who provide services relating to parks, the library, administration, water, streets and law enforcement.

For the Mayor’s Report, Hatlan recognized Blocker’s service to the city as a council member. He thanked Blocker for his service in this capacity in addition to recognizing Ward 3 council member-elect Cassie Cahoon, who was present and later participated in the Goal Setting Work Session.

The council next approved the hiring of Patrick Downey as a police officer with the Waukon Police Department with a start date of Monday, December 15 at a pay rate of $26.37 per hour. In addition, the council approved to pay Downey’s wages and travel expenses relating to the day spent testing at the police academy. Downey is a retired U.S. Army Veteran and most recently worked as a dispatcher/jailer. Following this approval, Downey was sworn in by Mayor Hatlan.

To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, December 17, 2025 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.