Waukon City Council approves first ordinance reading to increase water/sewer rates by eight percent, discusses property annexation

by Dwight Jones

The Waukon City Council met in regular session the evening of Tuesday, February 16, the meeting held a day late due to the President’s Day holiday. The Mayor and a full Council were in attendance.
Under Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Robert Campbell reported that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had conducted some inspections at the waste water treatment plant.  Though most things checked out well, they had some concerns about a filter that may need to be addressed in the future.
Moving on to Regular Business, Laura Olson introduced herself to the Mayor and Council as the new Executive Director for Allamakee County Economic Development. Olson explained that she started roughly two weeks ago, following a move here from the Fort Dodge area. She told the Council she was “excited and happy to be here”, and looks forward to learning more about the work that is being done between her office and the City of Waukon.
Next, Ken Proctor with Hagen and Kallevang provided his annual audit report for the fiscal year ending July 30, 2009.  Due to the fact that there were some new faces at the table, he reviewed many aspects of the report, and noted that there was nothing unusual or unexpected found during the audit.  The Council approved the report, which Proctor will now submit to the State.
City Attorney Jim Garrett then updated the Council on some developments with the possible purchase of land known as the “Lomen property” near the Waukon Wellness Center by the City of Waukon for use as sports fields. Garrett recommended that the Council approve the proposed annexation application, but hold off on a formal approval to purchase until a funding source, which will likely come from TIF, can be identified. Councilman Joe Cunningham, who has done a majority of the negotiations with Lomens, expressed a couple of issues. First, there may be a need to modify a proposed payment schedule based on input from the Lomens, and a need to close as quickly as possible to allow for grading work and seeding to be completed to allow the area to possibly be used yet this fall. The Council agreed to proceed per the suggestions discussed and will move towards closing the purchase.
Garrett then updated the Council on the proposed annexation of Innovative Ag.  Garrett explained that “this is a complicated agreement”, and encouraged the Council to review an easement agreement he had drafted between the City and property owners Brad and Linda Winke. Unlike others that had signed easement agreements, the Winkes are to be paid $10,000 for their cooperation. Garrett explained that he felt this was fair because their involvement is different than any of the others, and involves property outside of that which would fall within the right-of-way, including usable land that would be disrupted while the infrastructure work is being done. The Council approved the agreement and Cunningham offered to take a copy to the Winkes for their review.
The Council then reviewed a bill that had been received for impounding dogs that were involved with a criminal case. By the time the City became aware of the matter, fees for housing the dogs had escalated to $6,285.00. The City was hoping to get some assistance from the County for the bill, but it appeared that the amount would have to be paid by the City with hopes that it could be recouped via the legal system.
The Council then revisited work near the area of First Street SE. This was a carryover from last year which also included discussions about possibly widening the street and how that would affect neighbors, including the Waukon Golf and Country Club. The Council then reviewed the scope of the work that should be included, noting that many bids are currently coming in lower than expected due to woes in the economy, and it may be the perfect time to do the work. City Engineer Lyle TeKippe was encouraged to produce the paperwork needed to receive bids for review at an upcoming meeting, giving the Council some options in the scope of the work the project would ultimately involve.
TeKippe then continued speaking, reviewing a proposed GIS program with the Council.  TeKippe explained that they would like to begin work this summer while they have extra summer help hired. The system is expected to allow the City to document exact locations of infrastructure including water lines, sewer, etc. The cost estimate previously provided by TeKippe was just under $62,000.
Following the approval of several fund transfers and payments, the Council then approved the first reading of an ordinance to allow a water and sewer rate increase of eight percent. Following this larger than normal increase, which is being done to compensate for a substantial loss of revenue, rates are expected to fall back to the “normal” increase of two percent per year moving forward.
The Council then discussed the need to try to raise funds to pay for the expense of operating the yard waste site, which currently runs around $9,000 per year. The Council appeared to be in agreement that some form of “environmental fee” be added to the water, sewer and garbage bill to anyone that receives this billing, likely in the amount of $1 per month. More discussions will continue in the future.
In the final item, Jan Sweeney was in attendance and asked the Council for permission to close select streets for the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day parade, which was approved.