Variety of topics discussed by Waukon City Council

by Brianne Eilers

The Waukon City Council met Monday evening, September 21 with a variety of topics to discuss. A public hearing was held regarding the proposed ordinance vacating a municipal sewer easement, and there were no written or verbal comments. The Council later adopted an ordinance to vacate that particular municipal storm sewer easement.
There was also a public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of costs for the 2009 SW Utility Improvements Project, which also received no comment. Later in the meeting, the Council accepted the low bids from Skyline Construction of $143,949.12 for Division 1 of the project and $107,741.80 for Division 2 of the project.
During the Public Comments time, Linda Sweeney addressed the Council on some drainage problems the Sweeneys are dealing with on some property north of town. She presented the Council with pictures of the water run-off and debris that comes through the area. Council Member Rod Peterson said he had been out to look at the area, and explained that the Sweeneys had tried to build berms to help alleviate the problem, but that the berms would wash out in a heavy rain. Peterson mentioned the possibility of putting in a retention pond or riprap.
Council Member Trent Mitchell has also visited the area and noted that while he was out to look at it, there were a number of children playing in the area, which could lead to other concerns. Council Member Joe Cunningham also had been out to the area, and suggested a retention basin. The Council could not move forward with any action other than discussion at this time, but assured Sweeney that they would get the item on the agenda in order to take proper action on finding a solution.
Under the regular business items, the Council heard a presentation from IIW Engineers & Surveyors, P.C. of Dubuque regarding proposed bike trails in and around the City of Waukon. There were four proposed routes, with the shortest being a 3.7-mile loop and the longest being a 5.1-mile loop. The Council also received a breakdown in costs for each trail, and there are grants out there that the City can apply for to help with funding of the project. The Council then moved on to approve the first reading of an ordinance revising parking and traffic restrictions for Fifth Street NW and First Avenue NW.
Police Chief Clark Bollman addressed the Council on the need for a new vehicle for the police department. The request had been brought up in December of last year, but at that time it was not deemed to be a necessity. Mayor Keith Schroeder explained that after reading status reports on all the police department’s vehicles this July, it became apparent that the department was in need of a new vehicle. The Council approved the purchase of a Dodge 1500 crew cab pick-up from Torkelson’s for the police Department. Bollman explained that a pick-up was chosen because of the capacity to haul large evidence, and the crew cab would also allow for passenger transport.
The Council also discussed the need to replace some storm sewer in the area of R.W. Pladsen, Inc. Lyle TeKippe of TeKippe Engineering discussed with the Council that there is an area where a “bottle-neck” occurs, causing the storm water to come in faster than it can drain off in that area. TeKippe said he had just gotten the drawings back from that area, and didn’t have any definite figures for the project at this meeting, but there was some debate as to how much of the area should be repaired, or possibly replaced at this time, and what would be the best solution for the City. “I want to see it fixed right and fixed once,” Council Member Steve Weidner stated.
In other business, the Council accepted the resignation of Laverne Peterson from the City Streets Department. The Council approved a motion to waive the right to review the John Simmons subdivision plat. Mayor Schroeder also informed the Council that he had been in contact with Allamakee County officials to “keep things moving” on this project. The Innovative Ag Development Agreement and resolution authorizing an economic development grant to Innovative Ag Services Co. were tabled, waiting for paper work to come in allowing the City to move forward on the project.
A resolution was passed approving the Official Financial Report for City Streets and Parking for the City of Waukon from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 and the transfer of funds from the General Fund, Water Fund to Capital Equipment Fund and from Water Fund to Water Operation Maintenance Fund. Jeff Moe was re-appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission to serve a five-year term expiring September 21, 2014.
During the Mayor’s Report, Mayor Schroeder updated the Council on the C-Mart project, explaining that the plans to spread soil from the former C-Mart property around the airport were now off, due to a “new development” in which the Iowa DNR informed the City that that can’t be done within city limits. The Mayor said a new location has been found for the soil, and the project should be moving again soon.
The Iowa D.O.T. project in the Industrial Park is on hold while the City waits to hear on the status of contracts. The City is also looking at solutions to the two stop signs that are put out at the intersection of Main Street and Second Avenue and at the intersection on Main Street by Gus & Tony’s. The Mayor explained that he spent time at both locations to see how many school children are using the crossings, and that the City may be making some changes on the locations. He also noted that letters had been sent to the St. Patrick and East Elementary schools about this matter.
Before adjournment, the Mayor also informed the Council that the Unions want to begin bargaining sessions earlier than usual.