Condition of current Police Department facilities among variety of issues discussed by Waukon City Council

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, October 17 to discuss a full agenda of items, including the City Hall phone system upgrade, a Water/Sewer Department portable generator and the Police Department facilities. The Public Hearings for the Caterpillar end loader lease agreement and the Storm and Surface Water Drainage System Utility were opened and closed without any written or verbal objections.

During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, resident Pam Delphey addressed the Council regarding her concerns with a neighbor who has cemented much of their yard space. Delphey explained that the cementing was done on the south side of the neighbor’s home, which has resulted in increased water run-off towards her home. Delphey further explained that the cement work has no other purpose than to not have grass to mow.

Delphey expressed concern that trees have been lost on her street but she is unable to plant trees in the boulevard, yet a neighbor has cemented from their house through the boulevard to the street. City Attorney Jim Garrett advised that there is no flat prohibition for planting trees in the boulevard, but it does need to be an approved species. Garrett further discussed cement and open spaces are issues that may need attention in terms of the public interest and storm water drainage. DeWalle suggested contacting Trees Forever for assistance in choosing a tree species that will not grow too tall or interfere with utilities.

Under Departmental Reports, Water/Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell discussed that the manhole covers in the Bresnahan field have been accumulating water, and debris as a result. Campbell recommended that a backhoe may be needed to sufficiently clean up the problem.

Waukon Police Chief Phil Young advised that the new pedestrian crosswalk signage has gotten good reviews from the public. An additional sign has been requested near the school to help with the afterschool program and children crossing the street following school hours.

Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed that the storm sewer near Northgate needs work and provided information on other street and sewer projects. Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub indicated that fall sports are coming to an end. He noted the concession stand walls are up and the roof will be put on soon at the new facility near the ball diamond in the City Park.

City Clerk Allen Lyon discussed that the fiscal year report has been completed and the public hearing for the report will be held November 7. He advised that the ambulance garage near the hospital has concrete work that needs to be replaced, and there are some issues with the City Hall lighting that were also discussed by Lyon.

Under Regular Business, the Liquor License change for the Waukon Public House Living Quarters Privilege was discussed. A Living Quarters permit is required when sleeping quarters are accessible from within the establishment and prevents warrantless searches by separating the private living quarters from the licensed establishment. Young advised that with the remodeling at that Spring Avenue business, there is outside access to the upstairs, which currently is not being converted to a living quarters. Lyon recommended denial of the change in liquor license at this time regarding the living quarters privilege. The Waukon Public House already has a liquor license which is unaffected by this decision.

Following no opposition in their respective public hearings to open the meeting, the Resolution for the Street Department End Loader Lease Agreement and the Storm and Surface Water Drainage System Utility Ordinance were approved. The 2016 Trenched Storm Sewer Improvements Project was updated by Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe with Fehr Graham Engineering. TeKippe advised that hard copies of the bond and contracts are signed and in the mail, noting that faxed copies are available. The Council approved the bond and contracts.
Burrett discussed the Street Department hiring, noting that Corey Huinker has accepted the position and will be starting October 31 at $13 per hour. The hiring was approved by the Council. Lyon discussed the Assistant Payroll/Billing Clerk hiring. The position will be offered to the top candidate and Lyon will provide the candidate’s name at the next City Council meeting pending their acceptance of the job offer.

The resolution authorizing issuance of bonds was approved. October 3, the City Council had awarded the sale of its $1,625,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bond, Series 2016, to Luana Savings Bank.

TeKippe also provided an update on the Regan/Leschensky alley bids behind the initial block of Allamakee Street. Several contractors have been contacted with a few being very interested. Some of the contractors have questions and TeKippe will be following up with those information requests.

The resolution for costs of City crews to clean sidewalks and nuisance abatement was approved. The $200 per incident minimum and $200 per hour charge have been previously discussed.

Campbell discussed the Water/Sewer Department portable generator unit. The Council agreed with Campbell’s recommendation of a portable generator from Ziegler Caterpillar. Leasing and purchasing options were discussed, with the Council approving the purchase at $32,820 with a $2,100 transfer switch necessary at the lift station. The transfer switch allows the lift station to go off the electric grid and on to the generator’s power during a power outage. Campbell said the portable generator will be an asset to the City and can be used by other departments as needed for events or emergencies.

The City Council discussed the Police Department facilities agenda item with feedback from Police Chief Young. There are concerns with the current building and mold. Several options were mentioned, including a move to the City Hall basement and new locations combined with the City Garage. Young recommended that staying in the current location would be preferable to a temporary move to the City Hall basement due to space issues. Councilman Dwight Jones mentioned the history of this issue and recommended that Young provide suggestions, ideas and possible locations for a new Police Department building as a first step in this process. No action was taken at this time.

The request for Deaf Child Playing signage by Alycia Burdick at 907 Second Avenue NW was discussed by the Council. The new signage would be mounted on poles near the home’s driveway. The Council approved the signage.

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) agenda item was addressed by the Council. Garrett explained that federal law has changed since the rudimentary policy currently in place was written. Garrett advised that the City’s FMLA policy should be the same as Veterans Memorial Hospital’s policy, which is in accordance with current law. The Council approved the resolution to make the City’s FMLA policy the same as the hospital’s policy.

Lyon addressed the City Hall phone upgrade, explaining that the current phone system is outdated and maintenance and repairs will be an issue. He said additional lines will be needed with transfer capability and voicemail, which are not available with the current phone system. Northeast Iowa Telephone Company (NEIT) has provided a quote of $4,325 for a Panasonic NS700 Hybrid Phone System and associated equipment. The Council approved the City Hall phone system upgrade.

The plaza sidewalk and electrical issues at the intersection of Main Street and Spring Avenue were discussed by the Council. The Council agreed to table this issue until the spring. The next two tax abatement agenda items were combined and approved with one vote by the Council. These tax abatement requests are for condominiums owned by Carol Moe at 98 Sixth Avenue SW and Harry Brickman at 92 Sixth Avenue SW.

The Park Valley Trail flood damages and options were discussed by Strub and TeKippe. Issues have continued with sections of the trail being damaged by water flow during heavy rain. Short-term and long-term solutions were discussed, but no action was taken at this time.

Lyon provided an update on the State Traffic Count Program which will begin next year. The State has requested information on which streets will be closed due to paving projects and repairs. Lyon said the City has traffic counters and could supply traffic counts to the State, if necessary.

The City’s Reimbursement Policy was also discussed by Lyon. A draft of the proposed policy will be shared with Department Heads for feedback. The policy covers different scenarios and requirements, including itemized receipts. No action was taken at this time.

The Resolution accepting the Northwest Detention Basin was approved. This is a necessary step in the process involving certification by Fehr Graham Engineering that satisfactory work has been completed by the contractor and final payment can be made to the contractor, Rusty Berger Masonry, Inc.

The next two agenda items involved resolutions for routine accounting measures that were approved individually. An amount of $17,000 was transferred from the General Fund (property taxes) to the Library Fund for Library expenses, and $157,541.43 from the West Side Development Project Tax Increment Sub Fund was transferred to the Southeast Tax Increment Fund for advancement repayment in accordance with multiple resolutions.

Under Other Matters, Lyon discussed that quarterly reports are completed but the final dredging costs from the pond will need to be added before he can officially sign off on the paperwork. Councilman Don Steffens discussed some issues with parking on Fourth Avenue. Young will be looking into the issue to see if alternate side parking should be considered.

The nuisance abatement and shed removal issue at 207 Fourth Street NW was briefly discussed. Garrett and Delphey also briefly discussed follow-up on the boulevard and cement issue. Garrett advised that he will research this issue and provide a recommendation. Burrett discussed the cost of having a company with a bucket truck assist with putting up Christmas lights.