A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present were: Steve Bowman and Lisa Rickertsen.

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

FYE 2017 Budget. Discussion was held on the proposed FYE 2017 budget, including a review of potential wage increase percentage for employees (budgeted at 2%), part-time staffing at compost facility, funding request for entrance signs, watering of Main Street hanging flower baskets, and current and possible future projects.

Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.

January 20, 2016 Signed Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 18th day of January, 2016, 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, Steve Bowman, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

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

Consent Agenda. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from January 4, 2016, minutes from January 11, 2016, Class C Liquor License renewal for Gramma’s Kitchen & The Checkered Flag, December 2015 financial reports, and Resolution 2016-5, Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Mengler, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Koehler. Motion carried.

Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project. Pay request #5, in the amount of $74,826.37, was reviewed and recommended for approval by Missman, Inc. and Linda Rivers, Building Official. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve payment #5, based on Rivers’ approval, to Brandt Construction in the amount of $74,826.37. Motion carried.

Engineering Fee – Review of Rowe Street ROW Survey/Plat. Rickertsen reported on the cost for the City Engineer to review the plat of survey from Rita Stender. Stender previously questioned if the City would deed her 40 feet, half of the Rowe Street right-of-way (ROW), adjacent to her property that she has been utilizing and maintaining. Council consensus was to have the City Engineer review the plat, following confirmation from Stender that she agrees to reimburse the City for all costs to vacate any

Review of Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment Results. The report from MSA Professional Services regarding the results of the Phase 2 environmental site assessment of the vacant lot at 101 S. Main Street was reviewed. The report indicates that they did not detect contamination indicating a release to the environment that exceeded State standards at this property. No further investigation was recommended however, they did note that only a limited number of borings were performed and there may be pockets of contamination that were not encountered during this assessment. Council consensus was to invite the architect hired for the proposed municipal building project to the next regular meeting.

Ordinance 481-16, Amending Chapter 65 Amending Certain Provisions Pertaining to Stop Intersections. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 481-16. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Koehler, and Jackie Puck. This is the second of three readings to approve adding six stop signs to the following four intersections:
1. W. Durant Street at S. Parker Street – 2 stop signs on S. Parker Street
2. W. Durant Street at S. Rowe Street – 2 stop signs on S. Rowe Street
3. W. Bryant Street at S. Parker Street – 1 stop sign on S. Parker Street
4. W. Bryant Street at S. Rowe Street – 1 stop sign on S. Rowe Street

Ordinance 482-16, Amending Chapter 69 Concerning Parking Regulations. Jackie Puck introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 482-16. Seconded by Latimer. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Latimer, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Mengler. Motion carried. This Ordinance amends sub section 17 of Section 69.06 (Parking Prohibited), and adds a new sub section to Section 69.08 (No Parking Zones) to read as follows:
• 69.06 (17). Area between Lot Line and Curb Line. The area of the public right-of-way not covered by sidewalk and lying between the lot line and the curb line, where curbing has been installed. If curbing has not been installed the “curb line” shall be defined as the outside line of the improved portion of the public right-of-way.
• 69.08 (3). Unimproved Street Right-of-Ways. That area of the public right-of-way which has not been improved by the installation of street-grade hard surfacing, including but not limited to grassed areas.

Police Report. Chief Blake reported on the supervised inspections he and Officer Mayberry are required to complete as part of the IDOT Inspector training. Mayor Kostichek questioned the difference in the total number of calls compared to other Scott County police departments as listed in the annual report from SECC (Scott Emergency Communications Center). The report provided a total number of dispatched calls for service for all county police and fire departments for 2015.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen presented information, as a review, of the basics of council meetings and the open meetings law. Attorney Schirman also reported on a recent seminar he attended which addressed issues concerning open meetings and issues surrounding defamation concerns as it relates to City officers and employees.

City Attorney Report. Attorney Schirman reported that a portion of the N. Plainview Road right-of-way (ROW), adjacent to the Iowa 80 Truckstop, is an easement for road purposes. He stated it needs to be determined if the easement is being used for something other than road purposes prior to any release of the easement area, as requested by the adjacent property owner.

Council Member Comments. Jackie Puck reported the recent Hearts & Hands Foundation is currently researching a few concepts for signs and asked the City Council to consider paying for ½ the costs of two signs, which would be approximately $20,000. This will be discussed further during the next budget meeting.

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

January 18, 2016 Signed Minutes & Claimss

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Monday, January 11, 2016, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:35 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, Steve Bowman, Josh Geigle, and Lisa Rickertsen.

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

FYE 2017 Budget. Discussion was held on the proposed FYE 2017 budget, including a review of the general fund, general reserve funds, and proprietary (water, sewer, and garbage) funds. Discussion also included the possibility of adding another full-time employee to the Public Works Department. Discussion ensued regarding current overtime hours, weekend duties, department scheduling, flower baskets maintenance, and seasonal staffing were discussed. Current staffing will be slightly adjusted and the increase to part-time wages for the Parks Department will remain as proposed. Further review of the proposed budget, including a review of current and future capital projects, will be discussed at the next budget meeting on January 20, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. If you can’t see the date then try here.

Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.

January 11, 2016 Signed Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 4th day of January, 2016, 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, Steve Bowman, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

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

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from December 21, 2015, Resolution 2016-1, Designating the North Scott Press as Official Newspaper, Resolution 2016-2 Authorizing Certain Payments Before a Council Meeting, Resolution 2016-3 Designation of Financial Institutions as Depositories, and Resolution 2016-4 Establishing the Standard Mileage Rate Reimbursement. Roll call carried: Koehler, Latimer, Jacob Puck, Mengler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried.

Dave Meier – Iowa 80 Truckstop. Meier reported on the status of their north driveway widening project, as approved by council at the previous meeting. He also reported on his discussion with Attorney Schirman regarding straightening the N. Plainview Road right-of-way (ROW). Schirman will research to see if the property in question is city-owned ROW or an easement.

Appointments by Mayor. Mayor Kostichek made the following appointments:
• Park Board. Reappoint Brian Mengler to Park Board with a term ending 12/31/20. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the Mayor’s appointment. Motion carried.
• Council Committees:
 Police, Fire, Street Lights, Animal Control, Civil Defense, and Zoning Board of Adjustment – Latimer & Jackie Puck
 Sanitary Sewer and Solid Waste – Jackie Puck and Jacob Puck
 Streets, Parks, Equipment Operations – Koehler and Latimer
 Policy & Administration, Mayor, Council, Clerk, Treasurer, P&Z, Elections, City Hall & Building – Koehler and Mengler
 Water Plant Operations, Distribution & Maintenance – Jacob Puck and Mengler
• Mayor Pro Tem – Jacob Puck

Appointments by Council.
• Planning & Zoning –Latimer moved and Mengler seconded to reappoint Trish Moses and Bernard Brus to the Planning & Zoning Commission, terms ending 12/31/20. Motion carried.
• Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to reappoint Brent Arp to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, term ending 12/31/20. Motion carried.
• City Attorney. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to reappoint Tom Schirman as the City Attorney, term ending 12/31/2017. Motion carried.
• City Clerk. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to reappoint Lisa Rickertsen as the City Clerk, term ending 12/31/2017.

Donation to Durant Ambulance. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the annual donation to Durant Ambulance, in the amount of $1,000. Motion carried.

Ordinance 481-16, Amending Chapter 65 Amending Certain Provisions Pertaining to Stop Intersections. Ordinance 481-16 was introduced and Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 481-16. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Koehler, Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Latimer. This is the first of three readings to approve adding six stop signs to the following four intersections:
1. W. Durant Street at S. Parker Street – 2 stop signs on S. Parker Street
2. W. Durant Street at S. Rowe Street – 2 stop signs on S. Rowe Street
3. W. Bryant Street at S. Parker Street – 1 stop sign on S. Parker Street
4. W. Bryant Street at S. Rowe Street – 1 stop sign on S. Rowe Street

Police Report.
• Approval of Training – Fire/Arson Investigator School. Discussion was held on the value and potential liability risk. Currently, an investigator from the County or State is utilized, at no cost, if needed. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to not approve the training. Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report.
• E. Durant Street Tree Removal. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve the low bid in the amount of $1,050, from Turkle Tree Service to remove the tree in the city ROW, in front of 324 E. Durant Street. Motion carried
• S. Downey Street Reconstruction Project Update. Bowman reported he received preliminary plans for the project and is reviewing them. Comments were made regarding installing sidewalks and storm sewer connections.
Bowman also reported he received the survey plat from Rita Stender regarding her request that the City deed her 40 feet, half of the Rowe Street ROW, adjacent to her property. He reported possible utility conflicts and stated he will investigate it further. Attorney Schirman suggested the Council may want the City Engineer to verify the utility locations within the Rowe Street ROW. Following further discussion, Koehler requested an estimate from the City Engineer to review the plat. Mengler stated she had an inquiry from her neighbor regarding having tiling work done and directing it to the storm sewer on Memorial Road. The water currently drains there and Bowman had no issues with it.

City Attorney Report. Attorney Schirman reported on his earlier conversation with Dave Meier. Resident Joe Hahn was present and expressed concerns about allowing parking areas closer to the road, which could create visibility issues. Jackie Puck questioned the status of an ordinance change prohibiting parking on grassy ROW’s. Schirman stated he would have a draft for the next regular meeting.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek reported he heard comments from citizens about the excellent job done on the streets following the last snowfall. He also stated he wants to see the Main Street Streetscape Enhancement, James Street Watermain, and S. Downey Street Reconstruction projects get completed this year.

Council Member Comments. Koehler questioned the status of the IDNR permit regarding the walkway addition to the Main Street bridge. Rickertsen will inquire with the project engineers. He also inquired about updates of eliminating sources of infiltration and inflow. Bowman stated they have been making progress. Mengler questioned the status on the splash pad project. Mayor Kostichek will contact the committee chairperson.

Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:49 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

January 4, 2016 Signed Minutes & Claims