Waukon City Council approves moving forward with installation of solar panels on Waukon Wellness Center, in addition to pair of facade improvement applications
by Joe Moses
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, August 4 to address a full agenda of matters including discussion relating to the installation of solar panels at the Waukon Wellness Center, the consideration of the contract for the Robey Memorial Library siding project, and discussion of the City Hall ceiling. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Steve Wiedner, Nicholas Engrav, Dave Blocker, Tim Smedsrud and John Lydon.
There was no Public Comment with the meeting then moving into Department Reports with Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub providing an update. Strub discussed the upcoming start of flag football and volleyball with the fall school season. He noted that the swimming pool’s last day for the season will be Sunday, August 17 and that the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus will be in Waukon this Thursday and Friday, August 7 and 8 with 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. show times each day. Strub further noted that tickets are available for purchase at Fareway, local banks and at the Wellness Center.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper noted that interviews are scheduled for an open position in his department.
Street Superintendent Keith Burrett reported that both sides of a storm sewer replacement near Kwik Star are complete. Among maintenance projects, Burrett noted that curbs that are showing some decay will be addressed for improved pedestrian safety.
Police Chief Paul Wagner provided an update in which he noted that the Assistant Police Chief position has been posted with one application received. Wagner discussed the submission of the storm siren grant application. He reported that a hot car display was available for public viewing during Waukon Corn Days, further noting that this display shows car interior and exterior temperatures and emphasizes the dangers of children and pets being left in vehicles.
City Clerk Sarah Snitker advised that she and Finance Director Lana Snitker will be out of the office Thursday, August 14 with the deadline for adding agenda items for the next city council meeting being moved forward a day. City Clerk Snitker noted that Waukon did receive the Iowa Thriving Communities designation (see shaded box printed on this same page) through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and the Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) and that council members are invited to attend a reception for the designation in Cedar Rapids in early September.
For the City Council Report, Blocker recognized the many hours of work and research performed by City Clerk Snitker relating to the Thriving Communities application. Blocker also noted work by City Manager Gary Boden relating to the Thriving Communities designation.
For the City Manager Report, Boden discussed ongoing work by developer Dexter Quandahl relating to the apartment complex construction project in the Pladsen Addition and the duplex project at the former Bresnahan Property by developer Ben Garrett of Tailwind Capital Partners. Boden noted that the council is invited to take a walk-through of the apartment complex construction project August 18 to view progress.
For the Mayor’s Report, Hatlan echoed earlier comments recognizing the efforts of those involved in the application process for the Thriving Communities designation.
The meeting moved into discussion relating to the installation of solar panels at the Waukon Wellness Center. Strub advised that due to rising electricity costs, solar panels were again looked at as an option. He said that an investor recently stepped forward with interest in purchasing a solar panel system to be placed on the roof of the Wellness Center which will be gifted back to the Wellness Center after 7-9 years and at that time, the Wellness Center would have little to no electric bill. Vice President John Nielsen of Perry Novak Electric provided further details and answered questions from Hatlan and the council relating to this proposed project. Strub made note of time sensitive rebates with Boden discussing the federal government’s end of fiscal year in September. Following discussion, the council approved to move forward with this process.
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