Waukon City Council addresses variety of issues

by Dwight Jones

The Waukon City Council met in regular session the evening of Monday, December 16. The full council was in attendance.
Under Departmental Reports, Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell informed the Council that his department is currently dealing with its third water main break in the last month.  These are unfortunately common during the winter months, especially in severely cold weather.
Moving on to Regular Business, Robey Memorial Library Director Rick Meyer updated the Council regarding the Library Board's consideration for adding solar panels at the library to assist with energy costs. Meyer explained that a decision had been made, should the project move forward, to mount them on the roof. It was determined that the Council was in support of the concept and encouraged the Board to continue working on getting its Alliant Energy rebate information submitted and hope for positive results. No action was taken.
Next, two change orders were approved regarding the Library Expansion Project.
Councilman Joe Cunningham then spoke, explaining that the City had been informed that the FEMA funding available to help fix the walking trails and other areas within the City Park would require an engineer's estimates and some reimbursable tree removal would be needed to be done now. Cunningham was questioning if the City or Park Board should be responsible for the expenses for either, both of which should be reimbursed by FEMA sometime in the future.  Following much discussion, including input from Park and Recreation Director Jeff Snitker, it was determined that the Park Board should identify funding and pay the expenses at this time.
Next, the Council approved two pay estimates.  The first was to Ken Kerr Electric of $6,393.50 for work on the WWTP Yard Water Piping Project, and the second was to Skyline Construction for $29,386.38 for work on the Third Avenue SE Water Main Extension Project.
Cunningham and Mayor Loren Beneke then explained a situation the Waukon Fire Department was in. The department has a truck ordered and is going to need some short term financing for roughly $10,000. A discussion took place on possible scenarios in which the City could help. No action was taken.
Moving on, City Clerk Diane Sweeney informed the Council that the City had been informed that each person per membership currently enrolled in the City's health insurance plan would be charged a $14.25 fee starting in January. The fees are associated with the Affordable Care Act. Following discussion, it was determined that the employee would be responsible for the added cost this coming year with a possibility that the City would cover the expense in future years, assuming there were no issues with employees working under union contracts.
The Council then appointed Kate Wooden to fill a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment. Three "housekeeping" fund transfers were also approved.
The Council then approved the hiring of David Burrett to fill the position of Officer in the Police Department. Burrett's hire date will be December 20.
To close the meeting, Beneke commended and thanked Cunningham and Councilman John Ellingson, both of whom will have finished their terms at the end of this year. Both thanked the mayor and other board members as well, and offered well wishes to the incoming council members.