Development plans claim much of the Waukon City Council's attention during regular Monday session

by Bob Beach

The Waukon City Council discussed a number of development plans during its regular meeting Monday, May 6.
Plans for a residential development in southwest Waukon by the Welsh family have long been considered but delayed due to a lack of city sewer service to the property. Waukon Water and Sewer Superintendent Robert Campbell reported that he has televised the main city sewer line that would be used to connect to the Welsh property and found the line to be in very good shape. Campbell also reported that the line has more than enough capacity to accommodate the proposed expansion.
Engineer Roger Mohn said the cost of extending the sewer line to the Welsh property line would be approximately $35,000 to $50,000. Whether or not the property owner in between the sewer line and the Welsh property would be cooperative in regard to the project remains to be seen, but Mohn suggested the owner may be more receptive if he were approached by the City about an easement. Councilman John Ellingson suggested eminent domain be used, but City Attorney Jim Garrett said that a good faith effort to negotiate must be pursued before presenting an eminent domain claim with the Chief Judge.
Councilman Joe Cunningham asked what involvement the City is expected to have in the project, noting that there are other issues to be considered. He said he would like to determine the City’s financial involvement based on what the Welsh family's expectations are, whether that be paying for the sewer expansion or TIF financing for the residential development. Cunningham said that he would like to see a development agreement with the Welsh family before proceeding.
The Council also discussed the proposed West Side development near the west edge of Waukon, which has moved forward to the extent that the property is now owned by the Stilwell family. Garrett reported that the Council is scheduled to conduct a public hearing May 20 regarding authorization to borrow funds to purchase a portion of the property. Under the development agreement with the Stilwells, the City will also be obligated to pay for a survey to determine property lines of the portion the City will purchase.
In terms of the trailer court currently on the property, Garrett said that once the City takes possession, residents will need to be given 60 days notice of the termination of their leases. He said that many of the residents would choose to leave immediately, but others would be unable to afford to move and some of the trailers could not be moved. Under the development agreement, the City is required to cover relocation costs.
Cunningham said that there is no plan in place for handling such relocations and that the Council should schedule a work session prior to the May 20 meeting to work out the details.
Garrett also informed the Council that the Bresnahan family has yet to present a counterproposal regarding an easement for a sewer line and retention basin on its property in northwest Waukon. The Council voted unanimously to authorize Garrett to move forward with condemnation proceedings if no counterproposal is received within a week’s time.
A request from the Park and Recreation Department to purchase a new gas-powered tractor turned quickly into a discussion about the lack of grass on the new soccer fields on the west edge of town. Both Councilman Trent Mitchell and Mayor Loren Beneke expressed their own frustrations over the lack of grass on the field, but Cunningham urged patience, pointing out that it takes time to get grass to grow on what had previously been a cornfield. After some discussion, the Council authorized purchase of a John Deere tractor for the Park Department for $10,742.68.
More routine business discussed by the Council included approval of a CAT grant agreement for the library expansion; setting May 20 as the date for a public hearing on the Park Place development, as well as approval of the proposed development agreement and restrictive covenants; the approval of several variance requests; and a review of the City’s workers compensation, auto, property and liability insurance, presented by Jane Regan of Leschensky Insurance.
In closing, Cunningham presented the Council with a laundry list of items that should be on the agenda for the Council's work session scheduled for Monday, May 13 at 6 p.m., including the Bresnahan sewer, the Welsh subdivision, the West Side relocations, purchase plans for police vehicles and equipment, park pond dredging, Park and Recreation concessions, the Park and Recreation Department in general, the next street improvement project, a long-term plan for storm sewers, and the need for a new fire station and pumper truck. Cunningham also told the Council that a City Manager should be considered. “We’re on the brink of being out of control,” Cunningham said. “If we don’t get help soon, it’s going to come crashing down around our ears.”