Waukon City Council accepts resignation of police officer, approves purchase of property for police station construction

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, December 5 to discuss a full agenda of items including the resignation of a Waukon Police Department Officer, the purchase of property as a location for a new Police Station and updates on street and storm sewer projects. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Duane DeWalle with the current agenda and meeting minutes of November 21 approved. There were no comments either heard or read during the Public Comments portion of the meeting.

A public hearing for the Budget Amendment #1 Fiscal Year 2017 was conducted without any comments, written or verbal, from the public in attendance. The public hearing for the Amendment to the “M-1” Zoning District to add “Private Gymnasiums and Physical Fitness Facilities” as a conditional use was opened and closed without any comments from the public as well. This measure will allow physical fitness businesses to be established and conduct business in areas that previously were restricted to only industrial use, as this will promote recreation and physical fitness and benefit the public.

Under Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell discussed the conference call that is scheduled with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for 9 a.m. Thursday, December 8 at City Hall. Campbell, Mayor DeWalle and other City representatives will be present with representatives of Fehr-Graham Engineering to discuss the technical aspects of the new wastewater plant construction including permitting and scheduling milestones for the project.

Waukon Police Chief Phil Young stated that he would wait and discuss specific agenda items later in the meeting. Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub indicated that the Wellness Center usage is increasing and that a recent bus trip to see Iowa vs. UNI women's basketball went well.

Under Regular Business, the Police Department Facilities item was moved up on the agenda by City Attorney Jim Garrett’s request. The Council approved a $200 refund to Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation (NEICAC) for its purchase option on property for low income housing which will not be taking place in the immediate future.

The Council approved the purchase of property from the George Herman Estate along Sixth Street SW, south of the former C-Mart property, for $44,000 as the future site for the Waukon Police Station. Planning will begin for this project with no timetable for completion set at this point in time.

The Resolution for the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Amendment #1 was approved by the Council. The first reading of the Amendment to the “M-1” Zoning District to add “Private Gymnasiums and Physical Fitness” facilities as a Conditional Use was also approved with the second and third readings being waived.

Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe with Fehr Graham Engineering provided an update on the 2016 PCC Street Improvements projects that have been completed. This includes patchwork and work performed on many sites throughout Waukon. PCC refers to the Portland Cement Concrete process that involves replacement of the top layer of cement that traffic makes contact with.

TeKippe also provided an update on the 2016 Trenched Storm Sewer Improvements projects. He advised that the work replacing 72-inch storm sewer pipes has gone well with a good transition between metal and concrete pipes. TeKippe provided an update on the alley between East Main and First Avenue NE just off of the initial block of Allamakee Street. He said the storm sewer pipe is in place with adequate water flow and further advised that the alley is now open with resurfacing planned for next year.

Waukon City Clerk Allen Lyon provided an update on the Water/Sewer Utility Billing Delinquent and Final Accounts agenda item. He noted that there are 21 utility bills that have been submitted to small claims court with three that have been recently paid. The Resolution approving an Alliant Energy light pole at Park Place Court in southwest Waukon was approved by the Council. This item was added as a resolution by Alliant Energy’s request.

The Resolution to compile ordinances as a supplement to the Code of Ordinances of the City of Waukon, Iowa, 1998 was approved by the Council. This is a necessary step in the process of filing ordinances with the State of Iowa and in the creation of City Code reference materials.

The Council accepted the resignation of Police Officer Alyssa Petersburg, who is leaving the Waukon Police Department due to her enlistment in the U.S. Air Force. Police Chief Young and the Council discussed that Petersburg will be missed and wish her all the best in this next step in her career. Petersburg’s last day with the Waukon Police Department is December 7. The Council approved to have Police Chief Young advertise this vacated position in the newspaper.

Young and the Council also briefly discussed the Police Department Union Grievance agenda item. This minor grievance involves the union contract and holiday pay. No action was taken at this time on this matter.

Under Other Matters, Councilman Steve Wiedner discussed the proposed City Manager/City Administrator position and some contacts he has reached out to for information. Councilman John Lydon advised that he is working to develop a job description for this proposed position.

TeKippe discussed the Green Valley Road Bridge and that a pedestrian walkway should be discussed now rather than later to aid in the planning process if that is seen as something that should be added to the bridge design. The next steps in the planning process for the new Police Station were also briefly discussed.