Waukon City Council Regular Session meeting, Monday, April 4

The Waukon City Council met in regular session Monday, April 4. Two councilmen were absent, Joe Cunningham and Allen Lyon. Under departmental reports, Police Chief Clark Bollman reported that his department received two new desktop computers and expects two new laptop computers shortly courtesy of a Federal Homeland Security Grant. Water and Sewer Superintendent Robert Campbell reported that he received two bids for work to repair the city well at the fairgrounds. The low bid was from Northway Well, not to exceed $ 5,570.

Waukon Good Samaritan Center Administrator Jay Johnson addressed the council concerning parking on East Main Street. He followed up on an accident which occurred last Monday, March 28. He suggested the council extend the yellow curb near the driveway entrance on East Main 10 feet in either direction in order to enhance visibility. He also suggested the City do the same across the street in front of the William Schneeberger residence. The council and Chief Bollman agreed that this was a good solution.

The council then reviewed a zoning variance request from Darryl Palmer on his property located on the north side of town to continue construction on an existing building. The request was approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment, however, City Clerk Diane Sweeney stated that Waukon Equity Co-op manager Duane Baker called and expressed concern that he, as an area property owner, was not properly informed. The Clerk reviewed the issue with Baker and suggested he attend the council meeting. He was not present, however, the council thought it best to remand the decision to the Board of Adjustment and notify Baker again of the pending decision. The Board will again discuss the issue and will have final approval of the request.

Discussion then turned to the natural gas franchise renewal in September of this year. Aquila. Representatives Bonnie Gilbert and Lynn Markenson were present to address the City’s concerns regarding the proposed lease. Two issues were most discussed, including the contract term. The City proposed a contract review every five years with the option to opt-out, while Aquila requested a 10-year review.

The second issue concerned the after hours availability of an Aquila employee to respond to a gas leak. The council wanted someone more local than the Aquila employee currently located in Decorah or Monona. Markenson pointed out that, based on 74 calls reported in 2004, the longest recorded response time was one hour. He stated locating an employee in Waukon, at the edge of their service area, would potentially compromise call out time in the remainder of the district.

The yard waste disposal site was also on the agenda. City Streets Superintendent Randy Murphy reported that the Allamakee County Fair Board posted a “closed” sign Monday at the disposal site. However, the council reviewed the lease agreement with the Fair Board and determined that the lease spells out the city has the right to operate a disposal site on the grounds and will continue to do so until an alternative site can be found. The county leases the front half of the fairgrounds from the city for one dollar per year plus the right to operate the disposal site. City Attorney Jim Garrett was directed to contact the Fair Board and discuss the lease in detail.

Murphy also presented pictures of a utility shed that was dumped in the disposal site within the past week. The council asked Chief Bollman if he was aware of the illegal act and he responded that the department likely knew who did it and Officer Phil Young was currently working the investigation. There is a $500 fine in place for illegal dumping at the site.

The council passed two new ordinances. The first was an ordinance amending city code by amending provisions pertaining to residential solid waste collection and billing practices. The second was amending provisions relating to the number and residency of airport board members. This reduces the number required from five to three and states that the members be residents of Allamakee County.

Under “other” matters, Councilman Drew Hager reported that he and City Attorney Garrett attended the County Board of Supervisors meeting earlier in the day to discuss the alley paving project behind City Hall as well as the land City Hall is located on. Hager stated the Board will not relinquish title to City Hall. The County also requested the City enter into another 99-year lease. Regarding the alley, the County suggested it would not bill the City for its share of the approximate $6,000 cost to resurface the alley. The county would, however, bill the city $1,705 for the area used by the employees of the Clerk’s office. Upon discussion, Sweeney stated she and her staff would use the public lot across the street if need be. That area is not designated as “City Parking Only”.

The councilmen present thought the proposals by the County were contrary to previous proposals. They decided to table any further discussion until full council was present.