Waukon City Council addresses matters involving 1st Avenue SE and 1st Street NE improvement projects, advised that current garbage service provider has 60 days to improve services under “notice to cure” process
by Joe Moses
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, September 21 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of approving the Functional Design Professional Services Agreement with MSA for the 1st Street NE Reconstruction Project, consideration of approving pay application #1 for the 1st Avenue SE Reconstruction Project, and the Public Hearing relating to the proposed sale of city-owned property at 219 4th Street NE. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Cassie Cahoon and John Lydon.
During Public Comment, Kent Sweeney, owner of Side Street Cycles, questioned the council about a variety of matters relating to garbage collection, dumpsters and the pick-up of large items like furniture in consideration of a potential switch to a new service provider being discussed.
Under Department Reports, Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub noted that there have been some weather-related cancellations recently. Strub advised that the Hideaway Park, the wooden park area within the Waukon City Park, is being stained Wednesday, September 23, starting at 8 a.m., through the assistance of volunteers. Strub encouraged public participation in this project which was last completed five years ago requiring 363 hours and 73 gallons of stain which breaks down to 45 people each at eight hours. He noted that FBLA members, Boy Scouts, the Waukon football team, among other students and organizations, have been encouraged to participate with school not in session that day. The public is welcome to volunteer for all or part of the day.
City Manager Grayson Rowlet provided a report in the absence of Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper. Rowlet advised that the contractor working on the 1st Avenue SE reconstruction project was hopeful water could be connected on both sides of that project Tuesday, September 22 with weather conditions delaying this work Monday, September 21.
Street Superintendent Pat Egan made note of a hole or sunken area above Kwik Star and Howards Home Furnishings on 1st Avenue SE which he reported to the council this past spring. Egan advised that the area had been filled in with gravel and patched but has continued to lose material and remains an issue. He further discussed that an exploratory dig will be necessary to find the cause of the issue and to complete a permanent repair. Egan also provided an update on the sidewalk assessment program.
Police Chief Paul Wagner noted that he did not have new information to report at this time but he has communicated with Rowlet relating to a scheduled absence at the next council meeting.
Finance Director Lana Snitker made note of the upcoming Iowa League of Cities Conference which she will be attending with City Clerk Sarah Snitker and City Manager Rowlet.
Rowlet noted that with the City Attorney’s guidance, the termination or improvement process has started under the current garbage collection contract with a “notice to cure” being provided to the current service provider. Rowlet explained that the existing company, Republic Services, is allowed 60 days to act and substantially improve its services. Rowlet advised that plans moving forward are contingent upon whether or not Republic Services addresses issues and makes service improvements. He further noted that the city, per the City Attorney’s recommendation, would not move forward with Kluesner Sanitation, LLC until the contract with the existing service provider is terminated. Rowlet also discussed budget planning to take place relating to Fiscal-Year 2028 with the current General Fund level at approximately $300,000 due to general obligations, with some adjustments to be considered.
To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, September 23, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
