Waukon City Council sets public hearing for new fire station funding; Aveka representative addresses smell complaints

by Bob Beach

The Waukon City Council continued discussions regarding funding for the construction of a new fire station in Waukon during its regular meeting Monday, May 5.
City Attorney Jim Garrett told the Council that the next step in the process for the City to borrow its half of the $1.5 million construction cost would be to schedule a public hearing regarding the proposed loan of up to $800,000. Garrett said that in order to meet the publication requirements prior to the Council's next meeting Monday, May 19, the notice of the hearing would need to be published in the La Crosse Tribune, rather than in The Standard. He noted that the architect for the project would like to be paid soon and that the City could expect for the process to issue the bonds could take as long a six weeks. He added that the County will be borrowing the money for the townships' half of the project cost and that that process would also take up to six weeks. The Council agreed to schedule the public hearing regarding the general obligation loan for Monday, May 19 at 7 p.m. and to publish the notice of that hearing in the La Crosse Tribune.
The Council also met with DuWayne Snitker, who asked the Council to consider a modification of the City's agreement with him for the use of the dog pound he operates. Snitker said that the City's use of the dog pound has tapered off recently and that he would need some guaranteed revenues in order to keep the pound open. He proposed that the City enter into a similar arrangement as he has with County, which pays for the housing of a minimum of two dogs per month at a cost of $210 and $105 per dog after the first two. Snitker explained that dogs brought to the pound must stay for seven days unless they are claimed by their owners and that after seven days, PAW finds homes for the dogs, which saves the City the expense of putting the unclaimed dogs down. He said that if the City does not agree to the new arrangement, he would not renew his license and the dog pound would be closed. The Council instructed the City Attorney to draft an agreement similar to the County's. Garrett suggested that the Council may also want to modify the City's ordinance to reflect an increase in the fees paid by dog owners when they collect their dogs from the pound.
The Council also met with Jane Regan of Leschensky Insurance, who reviewed the City's liability, automobile and workers compensation policies. The Council agreed to renew the City's policies at an annual premium of $133,368.
During public comment time, Todd Naranjo, a representative for the Aveka processing facility on the north side of Waukon, addressed the Council about recent complaints about the smell coming from the plant. He said that the facility is currently processing deactivated yeast, which is processed from a liquid form to a dry form. He said that the emissions into the air have been tested, and contain nothing at all dangerous and are below maximum levels set by the Department of Natural Resources. He added that Aveka is considering adding filters to the stack that could reduce the smell, but that such filters are expensive. Mayor Loren Beneke noted that any kind of industry creates some kind of smell. The Council thanked Naranjo for the information he had presented.
The Council also reviewed and approved a development agreement with Innovative Ag that includes the voluntary annexation of additional land purchased by the company and a five-year tax rebate beginning in 2017, when the new additions to the facility are expected to be completed, beginning at a 100% percent rebate the first year and decreasing by 20% over the following four years.
In other business, the Council agreed to contribute $2,175 to Waukon Economic Development for the payment of property taxes. The Council also approved an agreement with the Iowa Department of Transportation regarding road maintenance and an agreement with the Allamakee Community School District for the use of the City-owned junior high practice field.