November 19, 2012
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19th 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 13th. 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 22nd & 23rd 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.