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Curbside Service Now Available! : Leah White

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Contact-free curbside pickup is now available at the Waukee Public Library!

Library cardholders can now place holds on items using the online catalog on our website or by phone. Patrons will be notified to schedule a pickup time when their items are ready.

Curbside return of library materials is also available during our curbside hours. Patrons can return items to the bins on the labeled carts. If you are only returning items, please leave the parking spaces closest to the pickup location for people using curbside pick-up. Due to construction, the drive-up return will remain closed at this time. Returned items will be checked in after at least 72 hours of quarantine.

Curbside service is available Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the library’s front entrance. This location could change due to weather or parking lot construction. Please follow the directional signs. 

Place your holds now!
💻 waukeepubliclibrary.org
☎ 515-978-7944

Curbside FAQs
• Curbside pickup service is available for library materials including books, audiobooks, DVDs and magazines.

• The library is closed at this time and will remain closed to the public.

• No fines were charged during our closure.

• All library cards set to expire in 2020 have been renewed until July 1, 2021.

• All items checked out prior to our closing in March are due July 1. If you cannot return your items before then, please let us know and we can extend that date further.

Reopening
• The library has a multi-phase plan for reopening based on federal reopening guidelines. We will open as soon as it is safe to do so. We are closely monitoring the situation.

Getting a Library Card
• You can create a digital library card on our website.

• If you would like to be able to check out items, you will first need to create a digital library card. Once you do that, let us know and we can upgrade your digital card to a temporary card. The temporary card will allow you to continue to use digital resources as well as check out five items at a time. We will send your new library card number to you via email and mail.

Donations
• The library is not accepting book, DVD or magazine donations at this time.

• We are not accepting donations of craft supplies or envelopes at this time.

Parking Lot
• The library is currently undergoing a parking lot project that will double the number of parking spots. This project will last into the fall.

Interlibrary Loan
• At this time, we are unable to take any requests for interlibrary loans. We hope to resume this service in the near future.

• Any interlibrary loans that were checked out prior to our closing should be returned as soon as possible.

For more information on our new curbside services, please visit waukeepubliclibrary.org/curbside.

Waukee School District

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The fifth season in Iowa is construction, and the same is true in Waukee. Sugar Creek Elementary, the district’s tenth elementary school, held its groundbreaking event on May 21. The new school is located in the southwest area of the district, north of Ashworth Road and southwest of the Sugar Creek Golf Course. Construction has begun, and the building is scheduled to open in the fall of 2022.

The district is working on several improvement projects over the summer. We are looking forward to further enhancing our facilities and learning environments for

staff, students and families. We were able to start some of these projects early due to the school year ending early this year.

Vince Meyer Learning Center Preschool and Office Addition
This project will add 20 preschool classrooms and administrative areas to the east side of the existing Vince Meyer Learning Center building in order to consolidate the district’s preschool programs into one location.

  • The project also includes a smaller office addition to the west side of the building for the technology and community education departments. 
  • The existing “ranch” or “bus barn” building will be demolished over the summer of 2021.
  • Construction activities will significantly impact the use and occupancy of the VMLC building for a good portion of the construction timeframe.

Waukee High School and Prairieview Parking Lot Improvements
This project entails removing and replacing the asphalt and concrete in both south parking lots, selected driveways and the WHS north loading dock areas. This project is a continuation of the paving improvements that began last summer.

  • Parking and access to Prairieview will be impacted the most by Phase 3 and 4 of the project. During this time, primary parking will be provided in the WHS east parking lot with access to the building through the Theater Arts Center. Both street entrances from University will be closed during this time, as well.
  • WHS’ north driveway and loading dock will be closed during Phase 5 of the project.
  • Barricades and signage will be provided to assist motorists and visitors. Please do not drive around the barriers.
  • The project schedule may change depending on the weather.

Timberline Stadium Improvements
Phase 1 of this project includes improvements to the existing stadium to prepare it for competition use. This will include lights, fencing, an entrance area for spectators, bleachers, a press box and a scoreboard.

  • Phase 2, scheduled for the summer of 2021, will include field turf, a concessions area and restroom facilities.
  • Phase 1 work will mainly affect the track and field areas, which will be unavailable for use during the project timeframe.
  • If all goes according to plan, Waukee Community School District will hold competitive athletic events at Timberline Stadium beginning in the fall of 2020.

Prairieview Fitness Center Addition
This project allows for a dedicated fitness center for students in grades 8-9 that are in the Northwest High School feeder. This fitness center will be used for curricular physical education at Prairieview, along with before- and after-school and summer strength and conditioning.

  • This project mainly affects the north and west areas adjacent to the existing gym and locker rooms.
  • The school’s north entrance/exit doors will remain largely available for use.
  • Parking in the northernmost lots may be temporarily adjusted to accommodate construction traffic.

Brookview Elementary Classroom Addition
This project will add three new classrooms, a band room and two small group rooms for personalized instruction.

  • This project mainly affects the northernmost ends of the kindergarten and first-grade wings of the existing building.

Eason Elementary Classroom Addition and Parking Lot Improvements
This project will add five new classrooms, a band room, a small group room for personalized instruction and other support spaces.

  • Part of the project will include the complete reworking of the south parking lot and driveway to improve the safety and efficiency of student drop-off and pick-up. It will significantly increase the amount of driveway length available for vehicle stacking, and should help prevent vehicles from backing up onto SE Boone Drive.
  • The addition portion of this project mainly affects the northernmost end of the second-grade wing of the existing building.
  • The parking lot improvements are expected to take place over the summer of 2021.

Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce

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Thank You for Shopping Local
The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting growth and prosperity in our local economy. Thank you for continuing to support our Waukee business community! 

Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce 2020 Annual Golf Outing
The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce 2020 Annual Golf Outing was held on June 18 at the Beaver Creek Golf Course. Golfers participated in activities at each tee, sponsored by member businesses. Our guests enjoyed a round of golf and business networking. The western theme offered each guest the opportunity to wear their protective face mask (provided by the Chamber) in style. The Chamber also provided a boxed lunch and lots of bottled water from Waukee Hy-Vee!

Thanks to all of our business member sponsors, who were highlighted on signage throughout the golf course. The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank our Board of Directors, Community Development Committee, Ambassadors, staff and other volunteers for helping to make the day so enjoyable for all of our members!

Best Ways to Enhance Your Membership Experience
1.) Volunteer on a Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce Committee (Government Affairs, Community Development, Economic Development, Membership, Scholarship, Waukee YP & Ambassadors).

2.) Refer local business.

3.) Get involved by attending Good Morning Waukee, our monthly Waukee Chamber Networking Luncheon or After Hours (provided virtually on Zoom through the summer).

4.) Highlight your business at a signature event, such as the Annual Dinner & Silent Auction, What’s Cookin’ in Waukee, Golf Outing or the Waukee Economic Development Bus Tour.

5.) Patronize existing businesses.

6.) Support new businesses by welcoming them to our community and being a part of their Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony!

7.) Stay “in the know” with the weekly Waukee Chamber Business Report.

8.) Share your successes, job openings and events in our communications to Chamber membership.

9.) Collaborate with local organizations to strengthen our community.

10.) Connect with the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce by using our online or printed membership directory.

Waukee Farmers Market

The Waukee Downtown Business Group will host the Waukee Farmers Market on Wednesdays starting June 17 through September from 4 -7 p.m.in the historic Waukee Triangle Park.

Waukee School to Work Graduation
Congratulations to all Waukee High School (WHS) students who participated in the School to Work program. Thank you to Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce intern, Lily Couchman! WHS connects high school seniors with local business internships for hands-on experience in a field of interest and class credit! Thanks to our business community for supporting this awesome program!

Waukee Scholarship Recipients Recognized
The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce, along with Board Scholarship Chairs Ray Meister of Security National Bank and Ashley Rottinghaus of West Bank, recognized two Waukee High School Seniors, Caitlin Henriksen and Frances Loeffelholz, as recipients of the Chamber’s 2020 scholarships on May 28!

More information can be found on the Chamber’s website at www.waukeechamber.com. If you have any questions, please email info@waukeechamber.com or call 515-978-7115.

Give Love : Kellyn Pappas

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Unrest continues nationwide in response to the death of George Floyd and the larger discussion regarding racism and police brutality in our culture. However, there have also been numerous instances of communities coming together in the wake of the turmoil. One such event took place right here in Waukee on June 12.

Waukee resident Erin Dahl was one of the primary organizers of the Give Love event, which took place in the Glynn Village neighborhood of Waukee, just west of the Waukee Police Department on SE LA Grant Parkway. “Waukee Elementary School has a slogan: ‘Give love.’ They always teach kindness,” said Dahl. “I borrowed that idea to give love to the families struggling in the neighborhood. I wanted them to feel our arms around them.”

Dahl said it was particularly important to involve the neighborhood kids in the event. “Our children have been so blessed to have grown up with kids of every color as their friends. Most of our children have close friends and neighbors of color, so they have a hard time understanding why racism even exists. It was difficult to explain this to them and hard to talk about.”  

According to Dahl, it was just as important to include law enforcement officers in the event. “We know that our officers here in Waukee are part of our community,” she explained. “Their children go to school with our children.”

The event was intended to foster unity in the face of apparent division. “I thought this demonstration of unity could comfort families of color who are worried for themselves and their children, as well as officers in our neighborhood,” said Dahl. “Both sides needed comfort, and both sides are loved, valued and appreciated here.”

For the Give Love event, Glynn Village residents and Waukee community members were encouraged to decorate their driveways with messages of love and peace. Dahl commented that people began decorating early in the morning on June 12. “We started posting photos, and the excitement grew,” she said. She added that the sidewalk and driveway decorating was a great way to get kids involved, as well. “The sidewalk decorating was a perfect way to bring children into a positive, productive demonstration of caring,” she said.

At 7 p.m. on June 12, drone footage captured more than 50 people taking a knee (while social distancing) in memory of George Floyd. Dahl made a Facebook Live video as the community observed 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence. Afterward, “I called for unity [and] expressed my heartfelt love and appreciation for all and that together, we can get through this,” she said.

Dahl said the response has been positive. “There were so many families that reached out to say how much this meant to them. Many families of color were so kind with their words of encouragement and hope,” she said. She went on to say she hopes that everyone—children and adults alike—goes forward knowing that there are ways to turn a divisive issue into one that brings people together instead.

“Another quote they use at Waukee Elementary is ‘Seek first to understand,'” she said. “If we can listen long enough to understand the point of view of both, we can see the big picture. We can find a common ground,” she explained.

Dahl said she hopes the Give Love event demonstrates the value of community, particularly to the children involved. “I hope our children see that even in a pandemic, we can do something,” she said. “We can help in positive ways, even when the world seems crazy and scary. I hope our neighbors see that we love them and support them, regardless of our differences. I hope they see that community comes from these moments when we pull together.”

Waukee Leadership Institute Profile : Kellyn Pappas

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Over the past few years, miniature food pantries have sprung up all around the Des Moines metro. These small boxes, stocked with nonperishable food, are available any time of day for anyone in need—a small-scale way to help combat food insecurity in the community. Waukee residents will soon see these Little Free Food Pantries in their neighborhood as well, thanks to the recently-graduated Waukee Leadership Institute Class of 2020.

The Waukee Leadership Institute began in 2006 as the brainchild of Waukee’s former mayor Bill Peard and co-founder Larry Lyon. Both men were serving on the Waukee City Council at the time, and according to Peard, both thought the city of Waukee was in need of a way to “keep the leadership pipeline full”—not just for elected officials, but for community leaders, as well. The two created the program as a way to develop leaders through education, networking, mentoring and roundtable discussions.

A significant amount of time and effort went into developing the Institute, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. “It was a labor of love for a lot of people,” said Peard. “It’s truly a volunteer effort.” The founders took some cues from other leadership institutes in the area, but ultimately, Peard explained, “We kind of just jumped in the deep end of the pool and figured it out from there.” The Institute’s first class graduated in 2007.

Class members apply online each year over the summer and meet on a monthly basis from September to April. Each year’s class is capped at 20-25 people. “We feel that is a good size,” said Institute Board Director Terry Snyder, an Institute Class of 2012 graduate herself. “It’s not too big, not too small.”

Class of 2020 graduate Gretchen Stanger, who works as the Youth and Family Program Director at the Waukee YMCA, became interested after hearing about a coworker’s experience in the program the year before. “[She] shared her experience with me and it piqued my interest,” she said.  Larry Hingst, also a 2020 graduate, had just accepted a new role as a sales manager at Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber Company in Waukee when he enrolled. “I was asked to enroll…about one week before it was going to start,” he said.

Fellow classmate April Samp, who worked as the News Director and creator of the We Are Iowa brand at WOI-TV Channel 5 and currently owns her own producing and consulting company, first heard about the Institute on the golf course. “I first heard about WLI from current President Rick Kyser in a fortuitous meeting on the Sugar Creek Golf Course,” she explained. “I was paired with Rick and his wife for a round of golf, and he talked to me about the program.”

Despite varying levels of familiarity with the Institute and with the curriculum, class members quickly realized they had made a good decision.  “I quickly felt it would be a good fit, both personally and professionally,” said Stanger.

Hingst agrees. “Going in, I really did not know a lot about the program,” he said. “I realized this was going to be more fun and interesting than I had anticipated!” 

Although class content has been refined somewhat over the years, the core components of the curriculum remain the same. According to Snyder, each class “learns how the Waukee city government works, how our economic development department attracts new business to Waukee, and how the school district handles the population growth of the city.”

Waukee’s mayor and city administrator are regular annual presenters, as is Waukee’s police chief, John Quinn, whose Introduction to Leadership class has become a staple on the schedule. Snyder commented that the curriculum has been enhanced over time, as well. “Former Governor Tom Vilsack presented for the class of 2020, and he is scheduled to present again [for] the class of 2021,” she explained.

A session on state government, presented by Iowa Senator Charles Schneider and Representative Kenan Judge, is also on the schedule for next year. The Institute has also added a class where representatives from a small, medium and large business in Waukee present to class members on their leadership style and how the size of their business impacts the way they lead.  

Graduates have high praise for the class content and presenters. “I appreciated how carefully the topics and presenters were planned. It truly made for an immersive experience,” said Stanger.

Hingst said he learned a lot about the operations of the city government and was impressed by what he heard from presenters. “One of the things that really stood out [was that] the leaders that we have in our community really put the city first in their decisions,” he said. “That was refreshing to see.”

The capstone each year is a final project, the aim of which is to enhance the Waukee community. “We encourage the class to think outside the box and look around town and see what they think is needed,” said Snyder. Class members pitch ideas to one another and talk through the logistics of each one. Eventually, the class as a whole makes the final decision on which project they would like to pursue.

Past class projects have included the construction of the amphitheater in Centennial Park (Class of 2013) and the installation of bike ramps on Waukee’s bike trails (Class of 2016). After talking through numerous pitches, the class of 2020 decided to tackle food insecurity in Waukee by working with Waukee Area Christian Services (WACS).

A nonprofit outreach ministry supported by Waukee-area churches, WACS operates a food pantry, a free medical clinic, a community garden and additional seasonal and children’s programs that serve all of Dallas county and into the surrounding area, as well.

The project aimed to raise awareness in the community about food insecurity and elevate the impact of WACS. For starters, the group created a marketing toolkit for WACS to use to create marketing materials to reach out to volunteers, donors and clients. According to Samp, the group also engineered “a self-functioning…food donation network.” 

This network is built around local businesses that agree to host month-long donation drives and then challenge another business to do the same in another month. “We also created a database of potential and current donors for [them] to use,” said Samp. Another major part of the marketing campaign was a short video the group produced for WACS to increase awareness of the services they provide. According to Samp, the video explains “not only what they provide, but also how people can help.” 

The class also solicited materials and labor from local businesses to construct roughly half a dozen Little Free Food Pantries, which will be placed throughout Waukee in the coming months. The pantries provide “a way for people to get the basics without having to go into WACS,” said Samp. The group also aimed to raise funds for WACS, and although some of the group’s progress fundraising was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they still managed to raise over $4,700 by the time their efforts were slowed in March. “I am pleased our class remains committed to completing the project we began in September and I’m elated to witness our efforts take shape in the community,” said Stanger.

The impact of the Waukee Leadership Institute has certainly been felt throughout the city of Waukee over the years. “I think the class projects have made a great impact on the community,” said Snyder. She also points out the great leadership the Institute has produced, such as Class of 2007 graduate Chad Airhart, who is currently the Dallas County Recorder, as well as current City Council member Anna Bergman, a Class of 2017 graduate who recently ran for Iowa State Representative.

Peard agrees. The Institute has become a “definite part of the community,” he said.

That impact is felt by the Institute’s graduates, as well. Snyder enjoyed working with the Class of 2020. “They were all very professional,” she said, adding that she appreciated “their enthusiasm for the class and the project.”

Stanger explained, “The classmates were a delightfully diverse group of welcoming, goal-driven, inspirational, and community-focused leaders.”

Samp agrees. “I enjoyed collaborating with so many smart and caring people,” she said. “I appreciated the kind hearts and strong work ethic of the group.”

Hingst was inspired by presenters’ knowledge and dedication. “Waukee has some tremendous leaders, in our government and in the private sector,” he said. “They take great pride in our community, and this is awesome to see. It inspires me to get more involved.”

That impact was felt by Samp, as well. “My son and I are planning on volunteering more regularly at WACS,” she explained. “It has enriched our family life, as well.”

The Little Free Food Pantries represent the culmination of an experience that enriched the Class of 2020 not only professionally, but personally—an experience that has carried through to their lives after graduation. Stanger perhaps best sums up the impact: “I have developed invaluable relationships with my classmates and local business leaders, gained insight about myself, become more involved with the Waukee community, strengthened my leadership style and reinforced the ambition to be the most authentic version of myself.”

Imagine Your Story this Summer with the Library! : Leah White

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This summer, we encourage everyone to Imagine Your Story with fairytales, mythology and fantasy. With the library currently closed due to COVID-19, this year’s program will be held completely online and will run from June 1 until July 31. All ages are invited to participate!

Watch the library’s website and follow our social media accounts to get up-to-date information about our upcoming schedule of events, including virtual performances, weekly online activities and pickup times for craft packs and prizes.  

Facebook – @WaukeePublicLibrary
Instagram – @waukee_library
Twitter – @WaukeeLibrary

Summer Reading Program FAQs
When does registration begin?
May 1, but reading for the Summer Reading Program doesn’t start until June 1.

How do I register?
Register online at waukeelibrary.beanstack.org.

Who can participate?
All ages!

Do I need a library card to join?
Library cards are not required to participate, but if you would like to get a library card, you can sign up for one at https://waukeepubliclibrary.org/getacard.

How do I earn prizes?
READ! Magazines, audiobooks and eBooks count, too!

To find out more about the library’s Summer Reading Program, go to waukeepubliclibrary.org/summer.

For more library information, contact us at askme@waukee.org or (515) 978-7944.

A New Reality

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Countless hours have been spent pivoting to our new reality of being away from school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every staff member has stepped up and provided our community with their best self during this time of uncertainty. We wish we could be finishing our school year in our buildings, but we will be together again soon.

Although we are not physically together, we have continued to make connections via staff parades through neighborhoods, read-alouds online, and Google Hangouts. We want to express our sincere gratitude to our staff for their outpouring of support and understanding during this difficult time.

● More than 40,000 meals have been served during the school closure and will continue as long as necessary.

● Nearly 1,330 students have been provided with devices and hotspots.

● 2,000,000 sq. ft. of buildings have been cleaned and disinfected.

School District Staff Members Step Up to Help Fight COVID-19

Bille Veach, nutrition purchasing coordinator, is part of the district’s nutrition team preparing free meals for students every Monday-Friday. She quickly realized her team was in need of face masks to help keep everyone healthy, so she reached out to a Waukee High School teacher for help.

Laura Calvert, a family and consumer science teacher, had already recruited her sisters, Kaity Gale and Lacey Calvert, to make masks for local families, and they were happy to make more to help the school district. Calvert and her sisters made 20 masks for the district’s nutrition department, 50 for the operations department, and 26 for families in our community.

“For me, helping is something I’ve always felt compelled to do,” said Calvert. “When times get tough, you roll your sleeves up and help wherever you can. This was one way in which I could help people feel a little safer at the end of the day.”

Industrial Technology Teachers Help Print PPE

The Waukee Community School District is participating in a statewide effort to provide healthcare workers with the equipment necessary to fight COVID-19. The district has been asked to use its 3D printers to help produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for doctors, nurses and other frontline workers throughout Iowa.

The Waukee Community Schools Foundation is contributing to this remarkable project by providing grant money to purchase the filaments needed for printing. The Foundation also provided a classroom grant to purchase one of the 3D printers in 2019.

Andrew Hauptmann, an industrial technology teacher at Timberline, is coordinating the effort on behalf of the Waukee Community School District. Area515, a local makerspace, initially had the idea as a way to help. Here in Waukee, Hauptmann, South Middle School teacher Cole Kleinwolterink, and Prairieview teacher Jonathan Galli were granted permission by the administration to take all eight of the district’s 3D printers home with them. When the printing is complete, the teachers will take the printed pieces to a drop-off site in the Des Moines area for assembly and distribution. The Iowa Department of Education is involved in the distribution, delivering the face shields through AEAs.

Hauptmann said he’s already looking forward to sharing this experience with students when everyone is able to return to the classroom. “This is really a remarkable lesson in production,” he said. “We never would’ve guessed that we’d be able to contribute to the effort in this way.”

District Earns Award for Outstanding Financial Reporting

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has awarded the Waukee Community School District (WCSD) with the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting (COE). ASBO International’s COE recognizes districts that have met the program’s high standards for financial reporting and accountability. WCSD earned the Certificate of Excellence for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year 2019. Waukee Community School District has participated in the COE program for the past 15 years.

Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce

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As an association of businesses, organizations and individuals, the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting growth and prosperity in our local economy.

Members have the chance to give back to the community and gain exposure in the marketplace by volunteering on one of our seven committees:  Membership, Community Development, Ambassadors, Government Affairs, Economic Development, Waukee YP and Scholarship.

The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce offers opportunities to highlight and promote business at meetings, events and in communications.  Our members are able to share business news, job openings and updates in the weekly Waukee Chamber Business Report.  Each business member is listed in our official Waukee Chamber Directory & Community Guide and in our membership directory at www.waukeechamber.com. 



Waukee Support Local
Local business is a critical part of the Waukee community, and businesses need our support during this time.  Waukee Support Local is a Facebook group serving to promote business in the Waukee area. Business owners are invited to post business news, alternative hours, curbside pick-up, virtual service offerings and more. Waukee Support Local is created by the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce, but is open to all Waukee area businesses.


Virtual Opportunities
The Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting in person events virtually. 

Good Morning Waukee offers business members the opportunity to hear from a local speaker from the comfort of their own desk through ZOOM.  Guests will dial in and connect from their computer to speak with others and learn from a local speaker followed by a question and answer session.

The Virtual Waukee Chamber Networking Luncheon will allow guests to purchase lunch to go from a restaurant in Waukee and then connect on ZOOM to introduce themselves, provide a 30 second commercial and hear from a featured business speaker.

The Chamber will also be holding our Business After Hours as a Virtual Happy Hour on ZOOM.  Guests will introduce themselves and their business, separate into break out rooms to discuss business topics and return to the group.

Waukee YP will continue their Casual Coffees on ZOOM.  This is a great opportunity for young professionals to provide an introduction, connect with others and learn from a local business speaker. 

All Waukee residents and businesses are invited to join us for the virtual meetings offered each month.  Learn more and register today at www.waukeechamber.com!  

Grateful for the Support of Community

Fridley Theatres:  The Palms Theatres & IMAX sold over 500 large curb-side popcorns to go on a single Saturday!

Mi-Fiber:  It’s been very encouraging seeing communities come together in an effort to support local businesses. It shows the kindness and support that our cities are known for.

Rock Valley Physical Therapy:  We had a goal of implementing telehealth in 2020, and the COVID crisis has sped this process up. We are currently working with a patient who lives across the state whose local PT clinic closed. He was referred by a friend from Waukee who was seeing us. These types of word-of-mouth referrals are what gives me assurance that we will come through this stronger than ever!

Fresh Mediterranean Express:  We are so grateful for the amazing support we have received from the community.  They showed up on day one and have continued to show up throughout the crisis.  

Meier Family Chiropractic:  The blessing of technology to be able to connect with those we otherwise wouldn’t be able to. My wonderful patients who understand the value of natural healthcare like chiropractic!

Miller, Fidler & Hinke Insurance:  Iron sharpens iron.  The power of the Chamber is in the connections and the true value comes from the peer to peer experience sharing, especially during times like today.  

Waukee Hardware:  We are most grateful for our customers supporting us and that all our employees are staying healthy since we are in contact with so many people.

Gilcrest/Jewett Lumber Company:  I am grateful that we are allowed to remain open for business and provide continued employment for our employees. . . and equally proud of them for their dedication and sacrifices that they have to make.  I’m also quite proud of our state, its leadership, and all Iowans for locking arms and fighting the fight together.

Marco’s Pizza:   Once a week we take pizza to people who are on front lines – firemen, doctor offices, ICU, urgent care, or day cares that are supporting those fields. We have even had a few people order pizza for those groups as a way to thank you.  

Focus Eye Care:   On a bright note, it is amazing how a simple act can have huge reward for a small business. We asked our Facebook friends to simply invite all of their friends to like our page and within 5 hours we had over 500 more likes! It is amazing to see people band together and support each other during such a challenging time. When we come out of this I hope that everyone has learned how important personal connections are and the good we can do for people in our community.

Home Instead Senior Care:  My business still operates 24 hours a day.  Home Instead brings nursing home care services directly into people’s place of residence.  This allows them to stay safe and independent at home.  

Ankeny Sanitation:  Some meetings done over lunch or in person, have been reduced to Zoom meeting or conference calls, but because of all these restrictions we have gotten the chance to speak on a more personal level with our customers.

Country Lane Lodge:  Life can throw you a curve ball and this is one of the most challenging many of us have experienced.  At Country Lane Lodge we are trying to take this time to get caught up on projects around the property and take a little time to get things done at home.  We are especially grateful to our clients for working with us as we want to host the special event in their lives…soon we hope! 

GIT Insurance:  Here in Waukee, I’ve seen and heard many stories of people really trying to support local businesses.  This is so refreshing and I’d hate to see any economic growth halted for the long term. There has been a reduction in traffic accidents and many of our great auto insurance carriers that we represent are giving refunds or credits to provide some relief.  This is a nice gesture and hopefully it helps. 

Vocal Arts Unlimited:  I see so much good going on around me.  People are stepping up to serve and reaching out to others.  I see an anticipation within myself of exciting things to come.  I am embracing growth and creating new programs and business content; and planning a vibrant next experience for myself and my associates that will help us all survive and thrive.  I see a new reality that can be powerful and rewarding for those who will embrace their inherent capabilities and natural gifts and talents; and recognize that they have great worth and have the capability to determine their future condition.

Willard Garage:  We received a note from Helen, a customer, over the weekend.  Dropped in our key drop box, it read: To Brian and Peggy and everyone; We LOVE you…………    Thank you to Helen, that was an amazing unexpected blessing, it really struck a nerve in a beautiful way amidst all the fog of how uncertain and upside down so many things feel right now.

Waukee Dental:  So many amazing acts of kindness shine through during these times, due to being in the healthcare industry my favorite stories are those donating personal protective equipment and those making cloth masks at home to donate to healthcare providers. I thank everyone who is out there providing assistance and needs in any way!

City of Waukee Celebrates National Public Works Week

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Snowplow team

This May 17-23 marks the 60th annual National Public Works Week, sponsored by the American Public Works Association. The week celebrates public works professionals who focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities. The City of Waukee is one of thousands of cities to celebrate public works accomplishments during this week.

“Public works staff across the country are always doing their part to make communities safe and enjoyable places to live,” said Waukee Public Works Director Rudy Koester. “Recognizing our hard-working, dedicated and humble community service men and women is really important. It means a lot to everyone in the department to hear that their attention to detail and passion in serving Waukee residents is valued.” 

The Gas Department works to install gas service to a new home.

The Waukee Public Works Department has 35 full-time employees who serve the community’s gas, sewer, streets and water systems, and more. The 2020 Public Works Week theme is “The Rhythm of Public Works” which aims to challenge citizens to think about their communities as a symphony of essential services, working in concert to create a great place to live.

“The Public Works employees are really sort of the unseen symphony of the City, if you will,” said Waukee Mayor Courtney Clarke. “The department features all of these very specific divisions and skill sets that most people don’t think about too often. Your toilet flushes. Your furnace kicks on. Streets are maintained. Public Works teams work in harmony to deliver these essential functions in high-quality ways.”

With the Waukee community growing by roughly 2,000 people annually, keeping up with the demands on infrastructure and services is a big job. But, Waukee Public Works is rising to the occasion. 

In 2019, department staff:

  • Installed 600 new water meters.
  • Flushed 600 fire hydrants and 150 dead-end water mains to ensure reliability.
  • Replaced 2,700 water and gas meters.
  • Installed 270 individual gas services.
  • Installed 38,065 feet (7.2 miles) of gas main.
  • Received and responded to 155 gas leak calls.
  • Responded to 9,370 Iowa One Call locate tickets.
  • Completed 52 full-depth concrete patches.
  • Cleaned and televised 92,000 feet of sanitary sewer main, checking for problems.
  • Maintained and mowed 75 acres of roadway right-of-way.
  • Issued 37 COSESCO stormwater permits for sites/subdivisions and 190 for individual lots.
  • Provided construction oversight and inspection services on both public and private improvement projects.

Looking at the 2019 numbers, Assistant Public Works Director of Operations Tim Royer said things look quite different since he started with the department nearly 30 years ago.

Crews jet city sewer lines.

“Things have changed dramatically,” said Royer. “The population in 1990 was around 2,700, and we had only four full-time staff members. We each did a little of everything—you might have installed a water meter in the morning and then graded gravel roads in the afternoon. Now, employees have their areas of expertise and really only cross over for tasks such as snow removal.”

While a lot of things have changed in the Waukee Public Works Department, Koester said that delivering top customer service is a constant that remains. And, for the spring and summer months, the department typically beefs up staffing to get even more done while warm weather persists. 

Engineering Technician Scott Campbell inspects a project.

“We hire about 20 seasonal workers each year,” said Koester. “We are hoping to still be able to go through with that for 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing a bit of a delay. Hopefully we can soon bring the additional staff on board to assist with right-of-way mowing, concrete patching, flushing hydrants, jetting sewers, GIS data collection and gas service installations.”

As the nation pays tribute to public works professionals, engineers, managers and employees, Koester said the Waukee team continues to maintain existing infrastructure while making data-driven decisions to prepare for further population growth and development. Thank a Public Works employee today!

Faces of Waukee : Sara Kappos

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Where did you grow up?

I grew up in rural Boone county, near Ledges State Park, the Iowa Arboretum and the 4-H Camp. I graduated from Boone High School and then got my civil engineering degree from Iowa State University.

You recently started a new position with the City of Waukee. Tell us about that.

I lead the city’s engineering, GIS and stormwater teams, and I oversee the construction of the development and capital improvement projects within the city.  

Which projects are you most excited to tackle?

I am super excited for the construction of the stormwater improvements project at the Waukee Public Library this summer. In addition to the replacement and expansion of the library’s parking lot, which is much needed, there will be a new stormwater pond, permeable pavers and bioretention cells to improve water quality in the area.

What do you enjoy most about working in Waukee?

I’ve really enjoyed the positive working environment. Everyone works together as a team to get things done and seems to genuinely enjoy what they do. The days go by fast!

The world is far from normal right now. How have you and your co-workers adapted to social distancing and other measures during the current pandemic situation?

Luckily, my team is predominantly field-based, so they’re used to working out of their trucks! We’ve transitioned to working remotely, conducting meetings via Zoom, and limiting face-to-face interaction as much as possible. Part of what I love about my job is my co-workers and the feeling that we’re all one big team. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has limited our in-person interactions and eliminated our large group gatherings at public works, but I’m looking forward to reconnecting as a group when this is all over!

Let’s end on a high note! Do you have any special plans for this summer?

I’m hoping we get to take the family vacation we’ve planned in northern Minnesota in July. It’s something my family has done since I was a kid, and we enjoy lots of swimming, fishing, games and laughter, and just spending quality time together!

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