The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19^th day of May, 2014, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Jeff Blake, John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

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

Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the budget amendment for FYE 2014. Rickertsen reported the expenditure increases were due to the Wescott Park playground equipment, land purchase, and demolition costs. No oral or written comments were received. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from May 6, 2014, and the April 2014 financial reports. Motion carried.

Audience. Denise Bulat, Tammy Owens, William Belz, and Gabrielle Belz.

Approval of Minutes from May 05, 2014. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the minutes from May 5, 2014. Motion carried. Mengler abstained due to absence from meeting.

Approval of Minutes from May 14, 2014. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the minutes from May 14, 2014. Motion carried. Jacob Puck abstained due to absence from meeting.

Bi-State Regional Commission. Denise Bulat was present to inform the council of the services provided by the Bi-State Regional Commission. Bi-State serves as a forum for intergovernmental cooperation and delivery of regional programs and assists local organizations in planning and project development. Walcott is currently a participating member with Bi-State.

William Belz : Request Permission to Allow Pit Bull at Residence. William Belz was present and stated he was not aware that pit bulls were prohibited within city limits until after he purchased a house in Walcott. He distributed information, including a petition with 16 signatures (which include many non-residents), and requested the City Council consider changing the City Code to allow his pit bull to reside at his residence. Non-resident, Tammy Owens, was present and stated that she did not know Belz but she previously worked at a veterinary clinic and urged the council to consider changing the code to prohibit just vicious animals instead of being breed specific. Attorney Schirman stated the current ordinance is appropriate and was enacted to protect the citizens of Walcott. Following further discussion, Belz was told he is not allowed to have the pit bull at his residence, but if he wants the City Council to consider a City Code change he would need to provide more relevant and local information, including documentation from a veterinarian regarding temperament evaluations.

Approval of 2^nd Half TIF Rebate Payments. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the TIF rebate payments in the amount of $50,556.76 to the following: Iowa 80 Truckstop Inc. ($12,061.43), Ossian Walcott Investments LC ($15,680.00), JDW Holdings LLC ($3,901.61), T&C Storage ($1,860.18) and Petersen Health Systems Inc. ($17,053.54). Motion carried.

Purchase Approval of New Mower. Brockmann presented a project worksheet to purchase a new John Deere Max-997, Frame Z-Trak with 72" deck. He stated this is a zero turn radius mower which will be used at the parks, including the recreational trail area. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to purchase a new John Deere mower from River Valley Turf Inc. at a cost of $15,416.10. Motion carried.

Resolution 2014-19, Approving Budget Amendment for FYE 2014. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2014-19. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Mengler. Motion carried.

Resolution 2014-20, Approving Contract & Bonds for West Bryant Street Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2014-20. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Latimer, Koehler, Jacob Puck, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried. Brockmann stated the contractor plans on starting the project around June 1^st and they intend to work on the side streets and storm sewer first.

Ordinance 471-14, Amending Chapter 99 Regarding Sewer Rates. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 471-14. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Mengler, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Koehler. Motion carried. The sewer rates will increase $.25 per 1,000 gallons of water usage, beginning with the July 1^st bill.

Ordinance 472-14, Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the 2014 Addition to the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 472-14. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Mengler. Motion carried.

Building at 1113 N. Main Street. Brockmann reported that the air conditioners are now working and he had previously received interest in purchasing the small restaurant hood. Brockmann was asked to contact a plumber to check the status of the water heater, contact interested parties regarding the small hood, and de-energize and remove the large hood. Brockmann stated there will be costs to de-energize the hood and also roofing expenses following removal of the hoods. Discussion was held on a monthly lease amount and other lease conditions. The council expressed their intent to sell the property, therefore at this time the lease would only be for a one year period. Attorney Schirman will contact the potential tenant and report the lease details as discussed.

Policy & Administration Committee Recommendations. The Policy and Administration Committee, Jacob Puck and Mengler recommended wage increases of 1.5% for employees for FYE 2015. They also recommended twenty hours of paid time off for Building Official, Linda Rivers, starting July 1, 2014. Rickertsen will prepare Resolutions for the next regular meeting with the changes as recommended by the committee.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported Titan (K9) was recently recertified for another year.

Public Work's Report. Brockmann reported on the status of the inflow and infiltration project. He also reported he received a permit from the IDNR regarding the James Street water main repairs.

Mayor's Report. Again, Mayor Kostichek extended another invitation to citizens that have concerns to attend council meetings.

Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:57 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 Wednesday, May 14, 2014, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, and Jackie Puck. Absent: Jacob Puck. City employees present were: Lisa Rickertsen and Tom Schirman. Audience: Joe Brammeier.

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

Discussion was held on the proposal from Joe Brammeier regarding his interest in utilizing the city-owned building at 1113 N. Main Street as a fitness center. Details were discussed with Brammeier regarding a potential lease agreement. Mr. Brammeier is requesting utilization of the building by June 9^th. City Council expressed their interest in pursuing a lease agreement and discussed the necessity of obtaining the status on the air conditioning system. In addition, the removal of the old restaurant equipment in the building would be required. Council directed Rickertsen to contact Tri City Equipment regarding the restaurant equipment and Mayor Kostichek will contact the Public Works Director regarding the urgency of the air conditioning system status.

Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to adjourn at 6:10 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present were: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman. Audience: Joe and Lynne Brammeier.

Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the agenda.

Joe Brammeier was present to discuss his interest in the city-owned building at 1113 N. Main Street. He presented a general proposal for utilizing the building as a fitness center. Following discussion, the council requested the Building Official walk through the building with Brammeier and requested further information be brought to a subsequent council meeting.

Jackie Puck moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 5:45 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 5^th day of May, 2014, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Lisa Mengler. City employees present: Jeff Blake, John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

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

Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the designation of an urban renewal area and on an urban renewal plan amendment. The notice of the intention of the City Council to conduct a public hearing on the designation of May, 2014 Addition to the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area and on an urban renewal plan amendment had been published according to law and as directed by the Council and that this is the time and place at which the Council shall receive oral or written objections. No oral or written comments were received except the letter from the Scott County Supervisors which expressed their concerns and objections related to the use of tax increment financing for all three of the proposed projects. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from April 21, 2014, and Resolution 2014-16, Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried.

Audience. Roger Siebke and Eric Chalus, North Scott Press.

Class C Liquor License & Sunday Sales – Foley Entertainment d/b/a Walcott Coliseum. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the Class C Liquor License & Sunday Sales for Foley Entertainment. Motion carried.

Resolution 2014-17, Award Contract for the West Bryant Street Paving Improvements Project. Based on the City Engineer's recommendation to award the project to the low bidder, Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2014-17. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried. The bid was awarded to N.J. Miller Inc. in the amount of $663,952.75.

Resolution 2014-18, Declare Necessity and Establish an Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.4 of the Code of Iowa and Approve Urban Renewal Plan Amendment for the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area. Koehler expressed his concerns regarding the letter received from the Scott County Supervisors. Schirman responded that the projects listed in the amendment are a legal use of tax increment financing. Mayor Kostichek stated the City respects the Scott County Supervisors opinion but the City needs to do what they feel is best for our community. Following further discussion, Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2014-18. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried.

Ordinance 470-14, Amending Certain Provisions Pertaining to Parking Prohibited. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 470-14. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Latimer, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Latimer. Motion carried. The amendment includes a change in the introduction of Chapter 69.06, to define that vehicles include towables/trailers, and adding that front yard parking in residential R-1, R-2, and R-3 zoning areas is prohibited unless parking is on an approved driveway surface.

Ordinance 471-14, Amending Chapter 99 Regarding Sewer Rates. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 471-14. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried. The sewer rates will increase $.25 per 1,000 gallons of water usage, beginning with the July 1^st bill.

Ordinance 472-14, Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the 2014 Addition to the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. Koehler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 472-14. Seconded by Jackie Puck. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented his monthly call for service report. He also presented a proposed agreement with Scott County Sheriff's Department to house two quad-runners. Discussion was held on utilization of the quads, insurance costs, maintenance, and liability concerns. Additional information will be obtained and the agreement will be placed on a future agenda.

Public Work's Report. Brockmann presented his report including that the new sidewalk across from the school is not completed yet. He also reported on issues with the recent city clean-up day including illegal disposal of hazardous and electronic items that were disposed in the dumpsters anyway. Both electronic and hazardous waste can be disposed of for free at the Electronic Demanufacturing Facility in Davenport for all Scott County residents.

Mayor's Report. Mayor Kostichek stated he heard from citizens within the last week and encouraged them to come to the council meeting. He also told the council he feels they are doing good things and making progress in the City.

Questions/Concerns. Jacob Puck questioned the status of the Vision Committee and whether or not they should be disbanded since they have not met in over a year. Mayor Kostichek will contact the committee chair.

Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

May Newsletter