Waukon City Council takes action on funding measures for new fire truck, fire station

by Bob Beach

During its regular meeting Tuesday, February 18 - delayed a day due to the President's Day holiday Monday, the Waukon City Council held a public hearing regarding a loan to cover the City's share of the cost of a new fire truck for the Waukon Area Fire Protection District. No comments were made and City Clerk Diane Sweeney reported that no written comments had been received. Without any discussion, the full Council voted unanimously to authorize a $186,000 loan from Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank to be sent to the Fire Protection District for the new truck, which is expected to be delivered in April.
The Council also discussed plans for the construction of a new fire station, the total cost of which has been estimated at $1.5 million. City Attorney Jim Garrett reported that while nothing has been finalized, its possible that a significant portion of the cost of the project may be paid for with a zero-interest Rural Economic Development Loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture administered by Dairyland Power Cooperative/REC. Councilman Trent Mitchell said that the Dairyland Power Board would discuss the loan soon and that approval could be expected by the end of March.
In the meantime, the Council directed Garrett to draft a letter of intent to enter into a loan agreement with the Dairyland Power Board and to obtain a document from Waukon Economic Development formalizing the gift of the land on which the new fire station will be built.
Garrett also reported that in order to authorize borrowing the money for the fire station, the City would need to amend the Southeast Urban Renewal Plan. Council action on the amendment has been scheduled for March 3.

In other business, the Council met with real estate developer Dick Sullivan, who asked about selling a lot on the west end of Logan Street. Sullivan said that the buyer is not interested in connecting to City water or sewer, but that the lot is large enough to accommodate a septic system and a well. He also presented the Council with a development agreement regarding the extension of the street. After some discussion with the City Attorney, the Council agreed to refer the matter to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The Council also met with Kelly Wille, owner of the Inside Story building on Main Street, who informed the Council that the issues surrounding the water line shared with the neighboring S&D Cafe appear to have been resolved. Wille said that the water lines had been appropriately added to an existing agreement and that the buyer of her building is satisfied with the resolution. Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell suggested that the location of the water line should be verified and volunteered to do so. City Attorney Jim Garrett said that he had received notification that the two buildings also share a chimney, which may cause additional legal difficulties.
In more routine matters, the Council approved street closures for upcoming parades through downtown Waukon. The Council also approved Community Development Block Grant payments to The Restyling Specialists and Stone Construction.