Waukon City Council talks about multiple projects and issues; City presented with award for detention basin

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, June 5 to address a full agenda of items, including downtown parking, acceptance of an award for the Northwest Detention Basin, and the ATV and Golf Cart Ordinances. The Public Hearing for the Water Rate Increase was opened without written or verbal comments and then closed.

During Public Comments, Ryland Benzing with Benzing Surveying of Waukon introduced himself and discussed the Reel Core storm water project. Benzing expressed interest in working with Fehr-Graham Engineering on this and future projects for the City.

Moving into Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell advised that a volunteer has expressed interest in helping paint fire hydrants and other volunteers have expressed interest in improving the Northgate signage. Police Chief Phil Young discussed working with City Attorney Jim Garrett on the ATV and Golf Cart Ordinances. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett provided an update about ongoing cement work and storm sewer repairs. Park and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub discussed that the Summer Recreation Program is going well, the concession stand and restroom that the Lions Club help build in the Waukon City Park is up and running and the concession stand and restroom by the soccer fields will soon have a roof.

Under Regular Business, Sandy Halverson discussed some parking issues in the downtown area that have affected her business, the S&D Café, and that she has several letters from other business owners that have concerns. Halverson indicated that vehicles have been left parked downtown for extended periods of time which can limit access to her business for some elderly and disabled. The Council discussed moving to a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. two-hour parking limit in the downtown Main Street business district with Garrett being instructed to draft an ordinance.

Lyle TeKippe with Fehr-Graham Engineering presented Mayor Duane DeWalle and the City of Waukon an Engineering Achievement Award (see photo below) on behalf of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Iowa (ACEC of Iowa) for the work completed on the Northwest Detention Basin using engineering concepts to prevent future flood damage.

The Council moved into discussion of the Golf Cart Ordinance and the need for registration stickers to make the vehicles traceable to owners. The Council discussed various uses for golf carts and that traveling in town to the golf course should be permissible. City Clerk Al Lyon will research what other communities have done regarding ordinances and registration. The matter was tabled for discussion at a later time. Garrett discussed the ATV/UTV Ordinance and State legislation, with the Council approving the first reading of the City's ATV/UTV Ordinance.

After discussion with Garrett, the Council tabled the Fireworks - New Changes in Iowa Law agenda item. The Council had concerns with fireworks being used within city limits but had reservations about preventing businesses from selling fireworks to be used outside of city limits. Garrett will continue work on this matter. Garrett indicated that some preliminary research has been done regarding the Firearms - New Changes in Iowa Law agenda item but he was not ready to address the matter. The agenda item was tabled.

Lyon provided information regarding the Streets agenda item including costs for several Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) projects including sidewalks and street overlay. TeKippe discussed resurfacing and base options with this being a starting point for him to provide information and research further.

The Council discussed debris being placed in the street including grass clippings, rocks and brush. Lyon will further research the matter by contacting other communities and no action was taken at this time.

The Reel Core storm sewer project was discussed by TeKippe, with some feedback from Benzing, involving options including the replacement of the 24-inch corrugated metal pipe. The Council approved to move forward with 70-feet of storm sewer pipe and to evaluate additional pipe and costs.

The storm sewer in the Kurth Plumbing & Heating parking lot in the 100 block of First Avenue NW was discussed by TeKippe, who will be providing some preliminary figures for the needed repairs. Burrett indicated that the affected section of the parking lot has been blocked off with pylons and warning tape to prevent truck traffic over the area of concern.

TeKippe, Campbell and Burrett discussed the Spring Avenue spring leak as being a concern by undermining or washing out the structure below street level. The natural spring below the street periodically leaks onto the street corner near the Waukon Greenhouse.

After some discussion, Burrett agreed to drill a hole in Spring Avenue to evaluate what damage has occurred and what options are available to contain the natural spring.

The Council approved the plans and specifications for the alley project between East Main and First Avenue NE. Police Chief Young discussed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Waukon Police Department and the Northeast Iowa Drug Task Force,

indicating that a cell phone used with Task Force equipment will be reimbursed by the Task Force. The Council approved the agreement.

A variance request for Stephanie James at 517 West Main Street was approved by the Council. A plat of survey for Jack Sweeney was approved, as was a tax abatement for Vickie Snitker at 201 Third Street SW. The IDOT Road Maintenance Agreement for July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018 was also approved.

Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) Coordinator Ardie Kuhse provided an update on the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI®). At a recent meeting in Clear Lake, Kuhse learned that other communities have similar challenges in common with Waukon, including housing, volunteers and food. Kuhse advised that RAGBRAI is conducting a pre-ride to assess safety for riders and concerns with roadways on the route and that the next Community Town Hall meeting is scheduled for June 28 at 6 p.m. at Iron Ridge Church. Kuhse also discussed that CBS Channel 2/Fox 28 has been doing television segments on different sections of Allamakee County.

The Ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances by increasing the Water Utility Rates and imposing an Infrastructure Fee was approved by the Council. The Council addressed several routine accounting measures by individually approving the 2016 PCC Street Repairs - Contract Change Order #3 of an increase of $6,604.97, the 2016 PCC Street Repairs - Partial Pay Estimate #3 for $26,358.72 for Concrete Foundations Inc., and the transfer of $12,883.45 from the Trust & Agency Library Fund to the Library General Fund. The Resolution for the Economic Development Agreement with WEDC was also approved.

The City Manager position was discussed by the Council, with Garrett advising that an ordinance will be needed regarding this position and that an employment contract will be necessary as well. Former councilman Joe Cunningham provided additional feedback on the employment contract and advised that a City Manager would be beneficial in working on several matters that were discussed at the meeting, by working with the business community and providing options and recommendations to the Council. The Council approved to have the City Attorney write a first draft of an ordinance for the hiring of a City Manager.

At 9:30 p.m., the Council went into closed session to discuss strategy with legal counsel.