Waukon City Council Regular Session Meeting, Monday, March 21

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, March 21. A public hearing concerning the proposal to enter into a maximum $1.5 million loan agreement to fund the Gundersen Clinic project was first on the agenda. There were no public comments concerning the proposal. The loan amount will be split equally between Waukon State Bank and Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank. Gundersen’s lease payment will fund the debt service.

DEPARTMENTAL

Under departmental reports, City Water and Sewer Superintendent Robert Campbell reported that the City’s sludge truck fell victim to a bad transmission. This is the first repair since the truck was purchased in 1986. The council approved the estimated $2,000 plus labor repair cost from Hansmeier Truck and Trailer. Campbell also reported that well number three in the fairgrounds was losing production. The daily logs showed a reduction of 150 gallons per minute from a target of 265 gpm. Campbell was directed to get estimates to determine the nature of the problem. He stated this is the first issue with the well since 1996.

Streets Superintendent Randy Murphy followed up with the new yard waste disposal site. He presented an estimate for a wood chipper. The council agreed that the $25,000 piece of equipment would likely pay for itself versus having a third party perform the work. They also discussed options for a new site location. Following much discussion, the council decided to send two representatives to the next Allamakee County Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss options for merged services at the county disposal site north of town. The issue will be revisited at the next regular council meeting in April.

RESOLUTIONS

Under regular business, the council approved six resolutions, including entering into a loan agreement for the Gundersen Clinic project and the contract and performance of payment bonds for phase seven of the Clinic project which includes the plumbing and heating work performed by Cargill Plumbing. The council also approved the contract and performance of payment bonds for the 11th Street SW street improvement project. Wicks Construction would like to begin work on the project April 4.

The council also authorized the annual $32,000 economic development grant to Waukon Economic Development Corporation. Councilman Allen Lyon voted against the grant authorization citing that he felt a lack of accountability from WEDC to the Council.

The final two resolutions approved the transfer of funds from the TIF Fund into the SE Urban Renewal Fund. This is the fund the City pays its TIF obligations with. The final resolution transferred funds from the TIF fund into the Gundersen Clinic Project fund. This was necessary in order to pay the project construction manger, Henkel Construction, $132,348 for pay estimate number four.

E911 EQUIPMENT

The council approved a request by the Allamakee County E911 Board to put new equipment on the City water tower at the fairgrounds and on the city water tower on the south side of the city. The council directed City Attorney Jim Garrett to draw up a lease agreement similar to the one presented to Northeast Iowa Telephone when they installed equipment on both water towers.

The council discussed the Aquila natural gas franchise renewal due in September. They directed Attorney Garrett to proceed with the proposal with five changes to include: a reduction in the length of the term to less than 25 years; a proposed franchise fee; reimbursement for required line relocations; line fees; and requiring an Aquila employee be within 20 miles of Waukon in case of a gas leak.

Attorney Garrett presented a fourth draft of the Fire Protection 28E Agreement. Councilman Joe Cunningham stated he was impressed with the progress between the rural fire board and the city. The next step in the process will be to value the assets and liabilities held by both parties in order to understand exactly how the agreement will be structured.

The final item concerned the Airport Board. With the resignation of Harold Evans, the board is down to two members, Frank Byrnes and Larry Gelo. Attorney Garrett pointed out that in 1986 the council took action to reduce the board from five members to three, but did not formally agree to change city code. The council still thinks a three-member airport board is adequate and directed Garrett to take action to update city code and stipulate the only requirement to serve on the board is to be an Allamakee County resident.