Waukon City Council holds special session to discuss flood mitigation

by Bob Beach

Prior to its regular meeting Monday, October 21 the Waukon City Council met in special session with the Planning and Zoning Board to discuss strategies for flood mitigation. Zoning Administrator Al Lyon told the Council that the Planning and Zoning Board wanted to get some direction from the Council as some of the decisions to made with regard to flood mitigation will be "political."
There was some discussion about what could be done to mitigate storm water runoff from cropland within the city limits, but with no clear solution to that problem, discussion turned to a possible "storm water utility charge" to fund future flood mitigation projects. While there was general agreement among members of the Council that such a monthly fee would be a good first step towards funding future projects, there was some disagreement about how much the charge should be, whether there should be a flat fee for residential and commercial properties and whether property owners should be given the option to reduce their monthly fee by implementing storm water retention strategies themselves (such as rain barrels, permeable pavers and detention basins).
During the Council's regular meeting, Ellen Mellick and other residents of Fourth Street SE addressed the Council with their concerns about the safety of the street. Mellick said that the street is popular for walking, but it is also a designated truck route, which makes it dangerous for pedestrians. She added that the group had met with the Allamakee County Board of Supervisors, who expressed a willingness to work with the City, offering to ask the County Engineer to conduct a safety study if the City were to request it. Councilman John Ellingson asked that issue be put on the Council's agenda for its second meeting in November. In the mean time, Ellingson said that he would speak with Croell Ready Mix and Bruening Rock Products and the County Engineer about possible solutions.
Zoning Administrator Al Lyon reported that there are two trailers remaining at the former Town and Country Trailer Court and that all trailers should be removed within the next couple of weeks. The Council authorized Lyon to remove any personal property still contained within the remaining trailers.
Real estate developer Dick Sullivan asked the Council about the possibility of extending City water services on Logan Street. While the Council seemed agreeable to the project, Sullivan was asked to provide a detailed proposal for the Council's consideration.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell presented the Council with a cost proposal from Ken Kerr for heating repairs at the water treatment plant. The Council approved the expenditure of $13,460 for the repairs.
Councilman Joe Cunningham updated the Council on FEMA projects at the City Park, most notably plans to dredge the pond. Cunningham said that the City would need to document the pre-flood condition of the pond and the current condition of the pond before FEMA funding could be approved. He said that the pond depth had been recorded in 2008, which would be adequate for this purpose, but that a survey of the pond's current condition would need to be conducted. The Council agreed to the expenditure of approximately $1,750 for the survey.
City Clerk Diane Sweeney presented the Council with a health insurance renewal proposal from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, noting that the premium increase is literally only pennies. The Council approved the proposal.
Councilman John Ellingson suggested that the Council convene earlier than usual November 4 due to the possibility that Waukon High School could be hosting a football game that evening. The Council agreed to meet at 5 p.m. that day.
In other matters, Mayor Loren Beneke reported that there may be a buyer interested in purchasing the City-owned hangar at the airport. City Attorney Jim Garrett said that he would look into the matter and report to the Council on the possibility of the sale.