Waukon City Council approves three-percent increase in water rates for FY’19, discusses variety of other matters during lengthy regular session Monday night

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, June 18 to address a full agenda of items including discussion of developing a sidewalk plan, discussion of the Waukon Mayor’s Facebook page and approval of wage increases for Union and non-Union City employees.

Mayor Pat Stone called the meeting to order with approval of the June 4 regular session and June 13 special session meeting minutes.

The Public Hearing for the Application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Waste Water Treatment Facility was opened. City Clerk Allen Lyon indicated that no written or verbal comments have been received. City Manager Dean Hilgerson discussed the need for a representative from Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) to provide more information with the CDBG also listed later on the agenda.

The Public Hearing was closed but was then immediately reopened with the arrival of RC&D Executive Director Lora Friest, who provided an overview of the CDBG process, criteria and goals. The Public Hearing was then closed.

Under Public Comment, Coordinator Ardie Kuhse with Waukon Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) discussed that WEDC will be hosting a visit from Senator Chuck Grassley Tuesday, July 3 from 1-2 p.m. Kuhse indicated that due to the nature of the visit, the event will take place at WW Homestead Dairy and that WEDC is extending an invitation to Mayor Stone, City Manager Hilgerson and the City Council to attend. Kuhse discussed that Grassley will tour the WW Homestead facility and participate in a public question and answer session and that an official press release for the event will be forthcoming.

Under Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell discussed work completed on the water tower. Police Chief Phil Young advised that the Waukon Police Department has been busy. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett discussed being busy with regular maintenance projects.

Park and Rec Wellness Director Jeremy Strub indicated that heat exchangers have been installed at the Waukon Wellness Center and that a recent meeting with Winona Controls was very productive. Strub proposed the possibility of utilizing a school district employee familiar with the Wellness Center’s heating system to provide periodic preventative maintenance. Strub also advised that Park and Rec youth and adult activities are off to a good start and that a recent sewer line puncture from the installation of a fence post at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Grandstand area has been repaired. Strub provided an update on the City Park amphitheater construction project with cement work to be completed Tuesday, June 19 and with some electrical and landscaping work to be done next.

Hilgerson provided the City Manager’s Report indicating that he has high expectations that Waukon will qualify for $600,000 in CDBG funding for the new wastewater facility and that cost estimates are being sought for a new police station facility. Hilgerson discussed that the Personnel Committee has been busy and that two City office staff members will be attending a professional development meeting. Hilgerson also talked about street lighting, the Plaza art project, the WEDC-owned LED sign, the Spring Avenue crosswalk and that the replacement of street signs will be moving forward.

Under Regular Business, Aveka’s Wastewater Treatment Agreement for July 1, 2018-June 20, 2019 was discussed, with Lyon indicating that a signed agreement has not yet been received. The council agreed to table this matter.

City Attorney Jim Garrett discussed the Resolution for the proposed annexation of territory to the City of Waukon at 808 Allamakee Street. The council set and approved July 16 as the Public Hearing date for this matter.

The council discussed the request from Bellino Enterprises, LTD of Papillion, NE seeking permission to sell fireworks at 777 Eleventh Avenue SW on the Fareway property, approving that request for a Transient Permit. The council agreed that legally Bellino Enterprises could not be required to display signage indicating that fireworks use within city limits is prohibited.

Hilgerson and Campbell discussed a list of projects to be completed prior to resurfacing with the 2019 Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Street Project. The council tabled this matter for discussion at a later time.

Hilgerson and Campbell also discussed the water and sewer repair quotations. The council also tabled this matter, agreeing to continue to investigate and seek additional quotes regarding repair costs.

The council moved into discussion of the Fehr-Graham Engineering Professional Services Agreement for the First Avenue NW street project. Garrett indicated that he did not see any issues with the agreement and Senior Project Manager Lyle TeKippe with Fehr-Graham Engineering discussing the agreement and project costs. The council accepted and approved the agreement with Fehr-Graham Engineering.

TeKippe further discussed the First Avenue NW street project with a construction cost estimate in the range of $215,000-$250,000. The council approved to move forward with the street project.

The council discussed the Change Order #3 involving an increase of $1,333 for Second Street NW to First Avenue NW storm sewer improvements by Skyline Construction, Inc. TeKippe indicated that the cost increase was the result of an error with the estimate that resulted from calculations and measurements used for the irregular shape and surface area for this project. Council member John Ellingson indicated that the bid price per square yard was off by approximately 12%. The council opted to table this matter as well as the next agenda item involving another change order for Skyline Construction.

The council moved into the Ordinance modifying procedures for abatement of vegetation nuisances, with the first reading of the Ordinance being approved. The first reading of the Ordinance establishing one-side parking for the 300 block of Eighth Street NW was also approved.

The council discussed the Mayor’s Facebook page, with Ellingson indicating that he and Stone have discussed his constructive criticism of the Mayor’s posts, with Ellingson recommending that paragraphs be better organized and separated to eliminate confusion by the reader. Council member Gayle Decker recommended including a disclaimer indicating that these are the views of the Mayor and not necessarily the views of the City Council. Council member Arvid Hatlan discussed concerns that Facebook posts by an elected official can be considered public record. No action was taken on this agenda item.

The council discussed establishing a sidewalk plan for Waukon with various issues being discussed including how an ordinance will handle the repair or replacement of damaged sidewalks and how residences or subdivisions currently without sidewalks will be addressed. The council tabled the matter for discussion at the next council meeting.

Project Engineer Lucas Elsbernd with Fehr-Graham Engineering conducted a presentation for the council regarding the new Wastewater Treatment Facility. Elsbernd presented the Mayor and each City Council member a packet of information that included various diagrams and descriptions. Elsbernd discussed recommendations regarding equipment selection and processes. In closing, Elsbernd provided some feedback and analysis regarding the flow study in Waukon’s storm sewer system.

The council moved into discussion of a water rate increase for Fiscal-Year 2019 with Decker questioning the policy of providing a price break for greater use of water with the City’s cost per gallon to produce remaining the same. Hilgerson indicated that overhead costs per customer influence the policy and Ellingson indicated that the variable rate structure is an economic development measure promoting industry. Hilgerson recommended investigating the use of analysis services or contractors to evaluate the impact of fixed versus graduated water rates. Decker and Ellingson discussed researching the use of graduated water rates and providing their findings at a future council meeting. The council approved a three-percent water rate increase.

The funding request for ambulance garage air conditioning was discussed by the council, with Hilgerson further explaining that due to changing regulations, monitoring of temperatures in the garage is necessary regarding medication storage in ambulances. The council agreed to gather more information and table this matter until the next city council meeting.

The council discussed Fiscal-Year 2019 and Fiscal-Year 2020 projects including the IDOT Street Project, street lighting, the downtown plaza, a new police facility and parking lot maintenance.

Several variance requests were discussed by the council, including the side yard setback of four feet for a deck by Matthew and Ciara Snitker at 109 Eleventh Avenue NW, with the Board of Adjustment recommending approval and the council approving. The council also approved the denial of a variance request by Cory and Michele Huinker at 910 Fourth Street NW for a side yard setback of five feet and front yard setback of 20 feet for a storage building, which also received a recommendation to deny from the Board of Adjustment. The council approved the variance request from Melvin and Cindy Johnson at 607 Second Avenue SW for a front yard setback of five feet (west side) and front yard setback of 19 feet (south side) and side yard setback of eight feet (east side) to resize an existing deck, which received a recommendation to approve from the Board of Adjustment.

Mayor Stone read aloud the Proclamation of June 2018 as Small Cities Month in Waukon, which the council approved. Kuhse discussed that this proclamation is “an opportunity to recognize the City of Waukon and the positive impact made by residents and the business community” (see below for additional information and the Proclamation).

Hilgerson briefly discussed the potential Industrial Park zoning changes agenda item, indicating that he will keep the council informed. The Resolution to transfer $1,478.74 from the Franchise Fund to the Storm Sewer Improvements Fund for construction costs of trenched storm sewer improvements was tabled.

Several resolutions were individually reviewed and approved by the council including the Resolution for the Hospital Anticipatory Warrant renewal for $750,000.00, the Resolution for the CDBG Application for the Wastewater Treatment Facility, the Resolution Acknowledging forgiveness of economic development loan to WW Homestead Dairy in the amount of $50,000.00, Resolution for the transfer of $7,500.00 from the Library Trust and Agency Fund to the Library Fund to cover expenses, Resolution to transfer $20,000.00 from the General Fund to Capital Equipment Fund – Transfer $20,000.00 from RUT Fund to Equipment Fund – Transfer $25,000.00 from Water Fund to Capital Equipment Fund – Transfer $15,000.00 from Sewer Fund to Capital Improvement Fund, Resolution to transfer $10,000.00 from the General Fund to the City Hall Improvement Fund, Resolution to transfer $3,000.00 from the General Fund to the Gundersen Maintenance Fund, Resolution to transfer $10,000.00 from the General Fund to the Wellness Center Capital Maintenance Fund and the Resolution to transfer $3,567.20 from the General Fund to Hotel/Motel (Park Improvements) Fund (75%) and the Hotel/Motel (Tourism/Economic Development) Fund (25%).

The next two resolutions were combined and approved with a single vote and include the Police Department wage increases for July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and Public Works wage increases for July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, both in accordance with the Agreement between the City and Teamsters Union 238.

The Resolution for the salary and wage benefits for Department Heads and non-union employees was approved for the following employees: City Clerk Allen Lyon, Police Chief Phil Young, Assistant Police Chief Paul Wagner, Street Superintendent Keith Burrett, Water Billing Clerk Rita Swenson, Secretary/Payroll/Budgetary Clerk Cindy Leikvold and Assistant Zoning/Payroll/Billing Clerk Anna Hoins.

Hilgerson advised that the Personnel Committee has recommended a closed session for interviews per the request of some applicants for the Water and Sewer Superintendent and City Clerk positions. The council approved July 2 at 6 p.m. for a one-hour closed session prior to the City Council meeting.

Under Other Matters, Ellingson discussed the policy for transferring paid time off to other City employees and potential changes to that policy. Hatlan provided an update on Aveka Nutra-Processing’s bag house and the timetable for replacing it. Burrett discussed exploratory digging to take place on Spring Avenue.

Mayor signs Proclamation recognizing month of June as National League of Cities Small Cities Month

During the Monday, June 18 regular meeting of the Waukon City Council, Waukon Mayor Pat Stone signed a Proclamation recognizing June as National League of Cities Small Cities Month. The proclamation is created to give small towns the opportunity to recognize their City and its efforts to strengthen services and programs that improve the quality of life for its residents. The proclamation reads:

WHEREAS small cities and towns under 50,000 population are the home to millions of Americans and constitute the vast majority of municipalities across the United States; and
WHEREAS small cities and towns strive to strengthen their communities through the provision of services and programs to improve the quality of life for all citizens; and
WHEREAS the federal government is an essential partner in the success of small cities and towns, and must be encouraged to continue to support programs and legislation that strengthen small communities; and
WHEREAS state governments are partners in the success of small cities and towns, and must be encouraged to continue to support key programs and legislation that strengthen communities; and
WHEREAS organizations, businesses, and citizens are partners in the success of small cities and towns, and must be encouraged to continue to grow their efforts to make small communities a viable choice for people to live in; and
WHEREAS during these challenging economic times, the need for a renewed intergovernmental partnership to support essential public services is more important than ever to ensure the safety and growth of small town America; and
WHEREAS the National League of Cities President and the Small Cities Council of the National League of Cities have declared June 2018, as Small Cities Month;
NOW THEREFORE, the Council of Waukon, Iowa does hereby proclaim June 2018 as Small Cities Month, and encourages President Trump, Congress, state governments, organizations, businesses, and all citizens to recognize this event, and to work together this month and throughout the year to invest in small cities and towns to better the lives of all citizens.

Patrick Stone, Mayor of Waukon  6/18/2018

The Proclamation was presented by Ardie Kuhse, Waukon Economic Development Director as a way to honor Waukon and its city leadership, businesses, organizations and citizens. She stated, “Every day it is important that we all partner together to ensure that our efforts and successes continue to grow and promote Waukon. We also recognize that these are challenging times for economic development, but we never want to give up. This proclamation is a way to remind ourselves that we have opportunities here in Waukon and that we need to take advantage of them. Waukon is to be commended for the work it has done, is doing and will continue to do to ensure the safety and growth of our small town. Be proud, Waukon!”