Waukon City Council hears update on City Hall closure and resulting developments, approves sale and transfer of property within Fairgrounds following public hearing
by Joe Moses
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, February 2 to address a full agenda of matters including the review of a Board of Adjustment variance for Kwik Star, a City Hall structure update from the City Manager, and consideration of the Resolution relating to the sale and transfer of City-owned real property within the Allamakee County Fairgrounds. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including John Lydon, Tim Smedsrud, Cassie Handke, Nicholas Engrav and Steve Wiedner.
Before moving into Department Reports, Hatlan made a statement relating to Chapter 21 of the Iowa Code update which outlines Iowa’s Open Meetings Law. Hatlan advised that guidance provided by the Iowa League of Cities and the Municipal Leadership Academy will be used to provide additional structure for procedural aspects of council meetings.
Hatlan elaborated on the Open Meetings Law which allows the public to attend meetings but does not require public participation unless a public hearing is required by State law. Hatlan advised that the general public may make comments during the Public Comment portion of each meeting relating to any item on the agenda with no comments allowed during agenda discussion items. Any comments made during the Public Comment portion will be limited to three minutes with the speaker to address the mayor and council as a whole.
There was no comment during the first Public Comment portion of the meeting with the council then moving into Department Reports. Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub advised that winter programming will be wrapping up with travel teams hosted in Waukon this Saturday and just a couple weeks remaining of Biddy Basketball. Strub added that summer recreation positions will be advertised in the newspaper shortly in anticipation of that season.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper reported that contractors are requesting that payments associated with the Water Treatment Plant be closed out with the release of that project’s retainage, the standard practice of holding back a portion of a contractor’s payment. Cooper noted issues relating to the heating system that have taken place each winter since operations began with the city attorney, mayor, council and city manager potentially needing to provide a recommendation on next steps.
Interim Street Superintendent Pat Egan advised that a contractor has been contacted relating to the repair of two intakes on Highway 9 north of the airport with these repairs scheduled to take place in the spring with last fall’s bid to be honored. Police Chief Paul Wagner noted that two officers attended the Sexual Assault Investigation Conference last week.
City Manager Grayson Rowlet encouraged council members who have not yet committed to consider attending the Local Leaders Day hosted by the Iowa League of Cities at the Iowa State Capitol. Rowlet explained that this legislative event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4 and provides an opportunity for discussion and feedback with legislators.
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