The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 17^th day of December, 2012, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Jim Couper called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, John Kostichek, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Lisa Rickertsen, John Brockmann, and Tom Schirman.

Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Jacob Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from December 3, 2012, and November 2012 financial reports. Motion carried.

Audience. Wayne Latimer.

Purchase Approval of Aluminum 24' Player Benches. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the recommendation from the Park Board to purchase four aluminum player benches from Boland Recreation at a cost of $2,300. Motion carried.

Appointments by Mayor. Mayor Couper made the following appointments:

Park Board. Reappoint Mike Clayton to Park Board with a term ending 12/31/17. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the Mayor's appointment. Motion carried.

Council Committees:

Police, Fire, Street Lights, Animal Control, Civil Defense, ZBA, Forever Green : Jackie Puck & Koehler

Sanitary Sewer, Solid Waste : Kostichek & Jackie Puck

Streets, Parks, Equipment Operations : Jacob Puck & Kostichek

Policy & Administration, Mayor, Council, Clerk, Treasurer, P&Z, Elections, City Hall & Building : Koehler & Mengler

Water Plant Operations, Distributions & Maintenance : Mengler & Jacob Puck

Mayor Pro Tem : Kostichek

Appointments by Council. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to appoint Cloe McKinley to the Planning & Zoning Commission, term ending 12/31/17. Motion carried. Kostichek moved and Mengler seconded to reappoint Sandy Liebbe to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, term ending 12/31/17. Motion carried. Kostichek moved and Jackie Puck seconded to reappoint Jon White, Verbeke-Meyer, as the City Engineer, term ending 12/31/13. Motion carried.

TIF Rebate Program. Discussion was held on the current TIF rebate program that expires December 31, 2012. Kostichek moved and Mengler seconded to have Rickertsen prepare a Resolution, extending the current program until December 31, 2013, for the next meeting. Motion carried.

Resolution 2012-42, Approving Park Shelter Reservation Policy. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2012-42. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Koehler, Kostichek, Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.

Ordinance 460-12, Amending Provisions Pertaining to No Parking Zones. Jacob Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to waive the second reading of Ordinance 460-12. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Kostichek, Mengler, Koehler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 460-12. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Koehler, Mengler, Kostichek, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried. This change adds No Parking Zones to the following locations: On the west side of South Henry Street between the railroad tracks to the intersection of East Bryant Street and on the east side of South Henry Street between East Bryant Street and East Durant Street.

Public Work's Department Report. Brockmann presented his report including the recent asbestos results at 1113 N. Main Street. He will obtain prices for asbestos removal as required by code. Brockmann also reported on the recent watermain break on S. Downey Street.

City Clerk's Report. Rickertsen reminded the council that City Hall will be closed December 24^th & 25^th and January 1^st. A special council meeting workshop will be held on January 14^th at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to review and discuss the FYE 2014 budget.

City Attorney Report. Attorney Schirman reported on his findings regarding the platted street that runs east and west, south of Memorial Road through the Wegener property that was questioned at the last meeting. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to forward this issue to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a recommendation. Motion carried.

Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:29 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 3^rd day of December, 2012, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Jim Couper called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, John Kostichek, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Lisa Rickertsen, Jeff Blake, Tom Schirman, and Joe Hahn.

Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from November 19, 2012. Motion carried.

Audience. Wayne Latimer, Perry Gere, John Wegener, and Recreational Trail Committee members: Chad Burt, Lee Muller, Brenda Thrapp, Jason Holdorf, and Brent Puck.

1113 N. Main Street. Architect, Perry Gere, presented updated costs for the proposed building renovation project at 1113 N. Main Street. He is estimating the base renovation cost at $1,092,451. Alternates, not included in the cost, include basement renovation and additional parking lot paving with a 2″ overlay with curb & gutter, at an additional cost of $174,980, bringing the total estimated cost to $1,267,431 if both alternates are completed. These are renovation costs only and do not include the purchase price of the property. At this time, it is unknown what the costs of any asbestos removal in the building will be. No action was taken as council requested time to review the information.

Recreational Trail Committee. Committee co-chair, Chad Burt, thanked the council for their support of the project which was kicked off in the fall of 2003. They will revisit the motorhome travelling along the trail at the next meeting. The committee’s term has come to an end as the project is considered complete. Burt also thanked the city staff for their support, committee members, businesses and individual support, capital campaign committee members, and all that participated in making the project a reality. Mayor Couper also thanked the committee members and presented a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Chad Burt, Dr. Mickey Burt, Jason Holdorf, Lee Muller, Brent Puck, and Brenda Thrapp. Mayor Couper also expressed his appreciation to Rickertsen and the Public Works Department for their assistance.

Council/Vision Committee Prioritizing Results. Rickertsen stated she spoke to the Vision Committee chair person about scheduling a joint meeting to review the results. Council agreed to wait until after the holidays before meeting with the Vision Committee. A meeting will be scheduled at a later date.

Resolution 2012-41, Approving Hourly Wage for Building/Code Enforcement Official. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2012-41. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Kostichek, and Koehler. Motion carried. Rickertsen reported that Building Official, Linda Rivers, started on November 20^th.

Resolution Accepting Improvements & Authorizing Final Payment of the North Lift Station Improvements Project. Rickertsen reported there are concerns regarding the project trash basket and whether or not the issue with its operation is an engineering or contractor issue. Following discussion, Kostichek moved and Jackie Puck seconded to table the Resolution but authorize a payment in the amount of $17,170.90 to Jim Schroeder Construction. Koehler abstained due to conflict of interest since Koehler Electric is a subcontractor for the project. Motion carried. The payment amount is $1,000 less than the requested (final) amount.

Ordinance 460-12, Amending Provisions Pertaining to No Parking Zones. Kostichek introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 460-12. Seconded by Jacob Puck. Roll call ayes: Kostichek, Jacob Puck, Mengler, Koehler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried. This change adds No Parking Zones to the following locations: On the west side of South Henry Street between the railroad tracks to the intersection of East Bryant Street and on the east side of South Henry Street between East Bryant Street and East Durant Street.

Capital Improvements Planning. Rickertsen distributed proposed capital improvement projects and asked the Mayor and Council to rank and return them prior to the next meeting.

Fire Department Report. Chief Hahn presented a project worksheet to purchase an accountability system for the Fire Department. The system will provide added safety to fire personnel when operating on the fire scene. Jackie Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the purchase as presented, at a cost of $592. Motion carried. Hahn reported the Fire Department officer election results for 2013 : Fire Chief : Joe Hahn, 1^st Assistant : Josh Geigle, and 2^nd Assistant : Jim Kirkley. Kostichek moved and Mengler seconded to appoint Joe Hahn as Fire Chief, term ending 12/31/13. Motion carried. Hahn reported the department has received 268 calls in 2012.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented a project worksheet for the purchase of three automated external defibrillators. The purchase will be fully funded by grant funds from Scott County Regional Authority. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the purchase of three defibrillators from Physio-Control, Inc. at a cost of $5,446.25. Motion carried

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on the building department activities for the month of November. She also reported the current TIF Rebate Policy program expires on December 31^st. The topic will be on the December 17^th agenda.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Couper reported that he received notification from the Iowa Department of Transportation that they propose to let a patching project on I-80 from the Cedar County line east to the Mississippi River. The project is proposed for construction during 2013.

Old/New Business. John Wegener questioned if the City would be willing to vacate a platted street that runs east and west, south of Memorial Road through Wegener property. Additional information will be obtained for a future meeting.

Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:20 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19^th day of November, 2012, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Jim Couper called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, John Kostichek, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Lisa Rickertsen, Jeff Blake, Tom Schirman, and John Brockmann.

Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from November 5, 2012, October 2012 financial reports, and Resolution 2012-39 : Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Kostichek, Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.

Audience. Wayne Latimer.

N. Plainview Road. Kostichek and Jackie Puck reported on their Water Committee meeting on November 13^th. Discussion was held on the 25' public utility easement located west of and running parallel to N. Plainview Road. The property is owned by Avery Land & Farming LLC (Iowa 80 Truckstop Inc.). Following discussion, the Water Committee, Jackie Puck and Kostichek, moved and seconded to allow the property owner to cross the easement for drainage purposes. The Styrofoam insulation and erosion control as recommended by the City Engineer, will need to be installed, at the owner's expense, and will be inspected by City staff. Motion carried. A letter will be sent to the property owner regarding this matter and the City Engineer will be asked to determine grade at the site.

Witt Property. Selling prices were obtained in writing from Chip Witt, as requested at the last council meeting, for his property at 100 W. Lincoln Street and 116 N. Main Street. Following a short discussion, council chose not to take action at this time.

Scott County Regional Authority Grant Awards. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to accept the grant award from Scott County Regional Authority in the amount of $30,000 for new playground equipment at Wescott Park. Motion carried. Jacob Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to accept the grant award from Scott County Regional Authority in the amount of $5,670 for defibrillators. Motion carried.

Approval of TIF Rebate Payments to T&C Storage. Jacob Puck moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the semi-annual TIF Rebate to T&C Storage for three storage building projects in the amount of $2,155.25. Motion carried.

2011-2012 Scott County Winter Maintenance Proposal. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the Scott County winter maintenance proposal in the amount of $556.67. Motion carried.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported on recent activities, utilization of cameras, and a proposed no parking location. He will meet with Rickertsen so an ordinance amendment to the Parking Regulation chapter can be prepared for the next meeting.

Public Work's Department Report. Brockmann reported on the televising of sewer lines and discovery of illegal drain connections, recent blacktopping projects, panel at gazebo, and problems with animal waste not being picked up at Prairie View Park.

City Clerk's Report.

• 2013 Employee Benefits Renewal. Following discussion, Jackie Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to renew the employee benefits (health, dental, and life) for 2013. Ayes: Jackie Puck, Kostichek, Jacob Puck, and Mengler. Nays: Koehler. Motion carried. The combined rates for 2013 will be a decrease of $1,550 from the current year.
• Resolution 2012-40, Approval of Annual Urban Renewal Report. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2012-40. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Kostichek. Rickertsen reported the report includes information for each urban renewal area, financing data, and urban renewal projects and is a requirement as a result of action taken during the 2012 legislative session.

Rickertsen reported that 14 applications were received for the Building/Code Enforcement Official position, and Linda Rivers was hired to fill the position. Rickertsen also reported that City Offices would be closed November 22^nd & 23^rd in observance of Thanksgiving.

Old/New Business. Koehler revisited his concerns regarding legal language in city contracts and recommended that the City Attorney review the standard contract to ensure indemnification of the City with future contracts. Schirman responded that the recently settled claim was not a result of a contractual liability, it was a negligence claim but he would review the city's standard contract language. Chief Blake reported that that he is looking for a new Crossing Guard.

Kostichek moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, with Mayor Couper calling the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, John Kostichek, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Others present: City Clerk Lisa Rickertsen, Architects Perry Gere and Richard Gallens, and residents Verlyn Dietz and Kevin Cole.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and review the architect's plans for the proposed building renovation at 1113 N. Main Street.

Following discussion, the architect was asked to prepare two possible options with a vestibule located internally and externally. It was also requested he prepare a model with dimensions of all offices/areas and provide an updated cost estimate.

Estimates will be obtained for an environmental/asbestos inspection and remediation of findings at the property.

Verlyn Dietz questioned if the library could be located in the basement of the building. It was reported that the basement was not large enough to accommodate the requested space for the library.

Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.

• Downtown Assessment Report- The Vision Committee requested direction on how to proceed with the Downtown Assessment report and suggested a joint work session with the city council. Following discussion, a special council meeting will be held on Monday, October 8^th at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall/Fire Meeting Room. Council members were each asked to identify five priorities in the report. The report will be placed online on the City's website and copies will be taken to the Library and are available at City Hall.