Waukon City Council hears presentation and approves proposal on city hall and city space assessment, approves plans for 1st Avenue SE reconstruction project
by Joe Moses
The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, February 16 to address a full agenda of matters including the consideration of a Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund demolition application, a presentation relating to the City Hall building and City Space Assessment, and consideration of the Resolution relating to the 1st Avenue reconstruction from 2nd Street SE to 4th Street SE. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Arvid Hatlan with council members present including Tim Smedsrud, John Lydon, Cassie Handke and Steve Wiedner.
There was no comment from the public in attendance during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. Before moving into Department Reports, Hatlan made a statement regarding Iowa’s Open Meetings Law which is outlined in Chapter 21 of Iowa Code. Hatlan advised that Iowa’s Open Meetings Law gives the public the right to attend council meetings but does not require the city to allow public participation unless a public hearing is required by state law.
Hatlan advised that the general public may make comments during the Public Comment section of the meeting relating to any item on the agenda with no comments allowed during agenda discussion items and comments limited to three minutes during Public Comment with the speaker to address the mayor and council as a whole. Hatlan added that the mayor and council will not engage in discussion or debate on items raised by the public during Public Comment and that no action may be taken by the council during that time.
Under Department Reports, City Manager Grayson Rowlet provided a report on behalf of Park, Recreation and Wellness Director Jeremy Strub, who was absent. Strub’s report noted that winter activities are wrapping up with record participation levels relating to winter programs this year. His report further shared that a travel team basketball tournament was hosted last weekend with 12 area teams competing and that event bringing in over 1,000 attendees.
Rowlet continued with Strub’s report noting that a middle school bowling day was held during last week’s no-school day with 24 participants. The report also noted that his department is currently advertising for summer positions and that park staff will be returning to work the first week of April, in addition to noting that the swimming pool will open as soon as school is out for the summer.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Jim Cooper noted that there have not been any water main breaks this year. Cooper discussed the positive impact that warmer temperatures have had with the snow melt at the Wastewater Treatment Plant with water treatment processes and organisms benefitting from current temperatures.
Interim Street Superintendent Pat Egan advised that a dump truck hoist has failed with this equipment repair taking place in Dubuque. Finance Director Lana Snitker, City Clerk Sarah Snitker, City Manager Rowlet, Mayor Hatlan and the council members present did not have further updates at this time.
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