Waukon City Council hears proposals on campground at Green Valley Getaway and housing on former Bresnahan property, approves contracts for pair of other projects

by Joe Moses

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, February 19 to address a full agenda of matters including a presentation relating to a potential campground at Green Valley Getaway, discussion of a housing proposal for the former Bresnahan property and discussion of a UTV purchase for the Park and Recreation Department. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan. There was no Public Comment with the meeting moving into Department Reports.

Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub advised that youth basketball is finishing up including young kids and travel teams with registrations being accepted for youth soccer, which he noted is a large program involving kids from neighboring communities including Lansing, Postville and Monona in addition to Waukon. Strub also noted that summer recreation positions including lifeguards and coaches, among others, are being advertised.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper noted maintenance items including floor painting at the pump house among other specifics that are being addressed. Street Superintendent Keith Burrett reported that the street sweeper is at the Street Department Shop in preparation for use. Burrett advised that if the weather holds, the street sweeper will be out.

Police Chief Paul Wagner provided an update relating to a new officer and testing to take place prior to entering the police academy. Wagner noted the new phone system at the Police Station and that options will be discussed to recoup funds from the old phones. He also made note of a recent recruitment and retention webinar.

Engineer Sam Ertl made note of a change in the billing process relating to the Pladsen Addition. Ertl advised that billing at this phase of the project will go through the general service agreement rather than Steve Pladsen. Ertl also provided an update relating to West Street SW.

City Clerk Sarah Snitker noted that the Community Visioning Steering Committee and several focus groups took part in a mapping exercise February 10 to identify factors affecting transportation use in the Waukon community. Snitker advised that Utility Billing Clerk Shana Breasure has completed work relating to the conversion to bi-monthly utility billing, with residents on the north side of town to receive utility bills on odd months and south side residents to receive utility bills on even months. Snitker publicly thanked and acknowledged Breasure for her work in completing this process.

Finance Director Lana Snitker advised that she did not have anything to report at this time. Assistant City Attorney Hattie Frana noted that she did not have anything to report but would be available to comment on agenda items to be addressed later in the meeting.

City Manager Gary Boden made note of an upcoming meeting taking place later in the week in Marion to include city managers and city administrators. Council members Steve Wiedner, Nic Engrav and Kevin Johnson noted that they did not have anything to report at this time.

For the Mayor’s Report, Hatlan noted that one roofing company has looked at the City Hall roof with another company to also provide an estimate relating to roof repair options.

The meeting moved into the Presentation on a Potential Campground at Green Valley Getaway, 78 16th Avenue NW. Boden noted that communication with owner Ben Sweeney has been ongoing over the past few months relating to this potential campground. Boden advised that the Board of Adjustment will need to review the matter and determine whether or not a conditional use permit is recommended with the matter potentially being brought before the council at the earliest opportunity, which would be the second council meeting in March. Boden clarified that no decision is being made today with this being an opportunity for the council to hear the proposal.

Sweeney discussed specifics of the proposed campground at Green Valley Getaway to include 24 sites. Sweeney noted that this is an opportunity to grow the business, create jobs and bring more people to Waukon. Sweeney noted the history of the business and that no money is being requested, but rather permission is being sought to develop property within city limits to further grow an existing business. Regarding the proposed campground, Sweeney noted that this portion of the business would only be open May 1 to October 1, a five-month period each year.

Engrav questioned Sweeney about concerns relayed by neighbors relating to the proposed campground. Sweeney explained that privacy and the view from neighboring properties have been noted as concerns. In response to these concerns, Sweeney advised that arborvitae trees have been planted to improve privacy and provide screening from neighboring properties.

Boden noted that the public is welcome to view information relating to this proposed campground at City Hall with the council waiting on the Board of Adjustment’s review of the matter. No official action was taken.

The council moved into discussion of Jeff Allison’s Housing Proposal for the former Bresnahan Property. Allison advised that he would like to see this property developed into residential properties to include condominiums and single-family residences. Allison suggested that assistance from the City relating to infrastructure would be beneficial with spec houses being an option to begin the development of the property. Boden noted that a closed session item later in the agenda relates to a request from another developer with Allison’s request being appropriate for discussion in closed session. No official action was taken.

The Public Hearing: Adopting the Code of Ordinances of the City of Waukon was opened. City Clerk Sarah Snitker noted that no verbal or written comments have been received. The Public Hearing was closed. The Ordinance: Adopting the Code of “Ordinances of the City of Waukon” was approved for adoption.

Ertl provided an update relating to the seeding on the Pladsen Addition Property noting recommended next steps.

The meeting moved into discussion of the UTV Purchase for the Park and Recreation Department. Strub made note of previous discussions of this matter including quotes received. Boden advised that this purchase would need to come out of the General Fund and an allocation from previous Hotel/Motel Tax revenue. Dennis Lyons with the Park and Recreation Board noted that the board has discussed a preference to use the remaining Hotel/Motel Tax revenue for the construction of a park shelter or as matching funds for grant opportunities in coming years.

Lyons recommended that additional quotes be pursued relating to the UTV purchase with more information needed and further consideration recommended. The council noted that additional quotes beyond those previously received could be requested for UTV models other than work related models or brands. Hatlan recommended that no action be taken with two council members not present. Council member Dave Blocker would join the meeting later via Zoom web-conferencing.

The Public Hearing: Awarding Contract for Pladsen Addition Storm Sewer Outlet Project was opened. Snitker noted that no verbal or written comments have been received. The Public Hearing was closed.

The council approved the Resolution: Finally Approving and Confirming Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract and Awarding Contract for Pladsen Addition Storm Sewer Outlet Project pending the easement from TNT Gymnastics. Hatlan noted that the contract for this project is with Skyline Construction of Decorah for $265,958.10.

The Public Hearing: Awarding Contract for City Parking Lot and Alley Improvements Project was opened with Snitker advising that no verbal or written comments have been received. The Public Hearing was closed. The council approved the Resolution: Finally Approving and Confirming Plans, Specifications and Form of Contract and Awarding Contract for City Parking Lot and Alley Improvements Project. Hatlan noted that the contract for this project is with Skyline Construction of Decorah for $207,379.95.

The meeting moved into the Review and Tentative Approval of General Fund, Accounts, and Capital Improvement Budgets agenda item. Boden provided an overview of operation budgets for the Police Department, Park and Recreation, among other City functions. He recommended that a financing plan for a variety of projects be developed with a small amount of debt service. Boden noted a variety of City Hall repairs including the roof, heating system, air conditioning, in addition to the Police Station eaves spouts and gutters, among other repairs, to be addressed. Following a lengthy discussion, the council provided a tentative approval of the General Fund, Accounts, and Capital Improvement Budgets. The council also approved to direct Boden to put together a financing plan and project list to be considered at the next council meeting with small debt service not to exceed $200,000.

During the second Public Comment portion of the meeting, Ertl advised that work by Mediacom on West Street continues with caution recommended as their work wraps up over the next month or more. Ertl and Hatlan further discussed the City Parking Lot and Alley Improvements Project. Hatlan noted that communication with businesses prior to the project starting and during the project will be necessary. Hatlan further noted potential issues relating to business access, deliveries and other matters.

Prior to adjournment, the meeting moved into Closed Session: Per Iowa Code Chapter 21.5(1)(j) to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property or reduce the price the governmental body would receive for that property (x3).