February 15, 2016 Regular Meeting

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 15th day of February, 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, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Lisa Mengler. City employees present: Jeff Blake, Steve Bowman, Jackie Huston, and Tom Schirman.

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

Consent Agenda. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from February 1 and February 11, 2016, and January 2016 financial reports. Motion carried.

Rita Stender, Rowe Street Right-of-Way. Ms. Stender wants to purchase a portion of the unimproved Rowe Street ROW that is adjacent to her property on Bryant Street. She stated that the last time she was at a Council meeting to discuss this, she was told that she would need to get a survey of her property and that she would also be responsible for any legal costs incurred by the City Attorney regarding this transfer. Stender had a company do the survey, but the first draft did not indicate the correct placement of the sanitary sewer in the ROW. She was told the survey had to be corrected and indicated that Bowman had been present both times the survey company was at her property. She then was told the Council would not move forward unless the City Engineer reviewed the plat and she would have to pay for that cost. Stender stated she was unaware that she would incur that cost and felt her costs were already higher due to mistakes on the plat. The Mayor noted that the Council requested the engineer’s review because they believed the first survey was incorrect. Bowman stated that he indicated to the surveyor where the utilities were, but they were shown incorrectly. Huston questioned if since both the retired and current Public Works Directors agreed that the amended survey was correct, was the engineer’s review still necessary. The Council agreed that the review was not necessary and Attorney Schirman would prepare a quick claim deed and bring it back to the Council for approval. Ms. Stender will still be responsible for the legal fees.

Jeff Heuer, Ruhl Commercial Realtor. Mr. Heuer reported on the contacts he has made regarding the sale of 1113 N. Main Street and recommended the sale price stay as is.

Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project. Rivers reported on additional costs requested by Brandt Construction due to delays in the project. These costs will be discussed and negotiated with Brandt. Following discussion, Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve payment #6 to Brandt Construction in the amount of $3,408.13. Motion carried.

After reviewing applications from two candidates, Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to appoint Tom Sweeney to the Planning & Zoning Commission, term ending 12/31/16. Motion carried.

2016 Summer Youth Program. Huston reported the rate for the six week program with the Scott County YMCA will remain the same this year. Koehler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the 2016 Summer Youth Program. Motion carried. Fees will be $70 per participant for children residing within city limits or Fire District #6 and the full cost of $196.45 for non-residents.

Liability/Property/Worker’s Compensation Insurance Renewal. Clerk Rickertsen is recommending renewing the IAMU Safety Group Insurance Program with EMC Insurance Company, utilizing local agent, Brent Arp. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to renew the insurance with EMC Insurance Company. Motion carried.

Ordinance 482-16, Amending Chapter 69 Concerning Parking Regulations – 3rd Reading. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 482-16. Motion carried with unanimous roll call vote. This is the third and final reading, which 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.
It was stated that the Police Department would be responsible for enforcement.

Building Department Report.
Ordinance 482-16, Amending Chapter 160 Pertaining to Building Codes-1st reading. Rivers explained the need to update the codes to maintain our current insurance rating. She explained that the property maintenance code only applies to rental property under our current code and that she wanted this to apply to all properties. Latimer introduced Ordinance 482-16 and moved to approve the 1st reading and Jacob Puck seconded. Motion carried with unanimous roll call vote.

Police Department Report.
Replacement of Radar Units. Chief Blake explained that he was only requesting the purchase of one unit at this time because he intends to apply for a grant to purchase an additional unit. He is recommending the Stalker unit. Jacob Puck moved and Jackie Puck seconded to purchase one radar unit from Stalker in the amount of $2,866.00, including shipping and installation. Motion carried.

ATV’s/Golf Carts on City Streets. Chief Blake reported that a citizen had requested that the Council allow these vehicles to be ridden on the streets. He gave the Council an ordinance from Wilton allowing the vehicles and discussed requirements: drivers must be licensed and at least 18 years of age, display orange flag, have insurance, only during daytime hours, and not on Y40 or Highway 6. Koehler expressed concerns with allowing unlimited use even with those restrictions. Schirman has Dewitt’s ordinance and will supply that to the Council for the next meeting.

Public Works Department. Bowman requested that the Council meet with MSA to discuss the S. Downey Street project. This will be on the next agenda.

City Clerk Report. Huston reported that a citizen had received a letter regarding water service line insurance that she thought had come from the City. The City has not sent out any letters regarding this insurance.

Audience Comments. John Brockmann stated that if the City is going to allow fishing in the pond at Prairie View Park, they should install a 2 foot fence around the pond for safety.

Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to adjourn at 7:05 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

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February 15, 2016 Special Mtg

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Monday, February 15, 2016, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Lisa Mengler. City employees present were: Jeff Blake, Tom Schirman, Linda Rivers, and Jackie Huston.

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

Janice Dawson requested hearing regarding a nuisance abatement notice. Rivers gave the following reasons for the notice:
• Several junk vehicles on property, not operable
• Vehicles with flat tires, broken windows, weeds, and sunk in mud
• Unsafe semi trailers that are leaning
• Three trailers are encroaching on the Lincoln Street right-of-way
Rivers stated that she sent the notice and Ms. Dawson had requested a hearing.

Brian Dawson (Janice’s son) spoke for his mother regarding the notice. He stated that the property had always been zoned Heavy Industrial and has operated in a similar manner for several decades. He indicated that he has been trying for the last year, since his father passed away, to clean up the older vehicles. He stated: he had disposed of 10 cars last summer, got all the other vehicles running, the trailers are used for storage, and they are trying to improve the property, not be a nuisance. He also said that he doesn’t consider the vehicles to be junk when they are operable and he moves them around the property. He indicated that his goal is to consolidate the equipment that is in the trailers and dispose of the oldest ones and the broken window is a result of consistent vandalism that he reports to the police.

Latimer stated that the property looks better than it ever has and several on the Council and in the audience agreed. Following a lengthy discussion, Mr. Dawson stated that he would move the three trailers off of the right-of-way and continue to make improvements to the property by disposing of the older trailers. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to have the Dawsons return to the first meeting in September 2016, to discuss the status of the property. Motion carried.

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 5:48 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.

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February 11, 2016

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Thursday, February 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, Lisa Rickertsen, and Linda Rivers.

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

Proposed Municipal Building. David Nichols, Downing Architects, presented the proposed municipal building space analysis and preliminary design plans. This building would house City Hall staff, Council Chambers, and Police Department and would be located at 101 S. Main Street. Discussion was held on space analysis for departments and the request from Karen Puck for the City to provide space for the Walcott Historical Society. Following discussion, it was determined that there would not be space available for the Walcott Historical Society but the current City Hall offices could be considered as a future alternative. Nichols will rework the designs and present at a future meeting.

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:50 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.

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February 1, 2016 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 1st day of February, 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 January 18, 2016, and minutes from January 20, 2016. Motion carried.

Lambda Phi Sorority – Project Blue Light Update. Elaine Arp & Brenda Arp were present on behalf of Lambda Phi Sorority to present checks to the Police Department and Fire Department Association for $606 each from their Project Blue Light fundraiser.

David Nichols, Downing Architects – Proposed Municipal Project. Nichols presented the initial design drawings of the proposed municipal building. This building would contain all city hall staff and the police department. Karen Puck stated she would like a room for historical items. She stated the Library may have space available for display cases but not for larger items she has acquired. A special meeting will be held with Nichols on February 11th at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Ordinance 481-16, Amending Chapter 65 Amending Certain Provisions Pertaining to Stop Intersections. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 481-16. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Jackie Puck, and Koehler. This is the final reading 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. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 482-16. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jackie Puck, Mengler, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried. This is the second of three readings, which 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.

Public Works Department.
• Purchase Approval for Expansion Joints for Sewer Plant. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the purchase of two expansion joints for the sewer plant. Motion carried. The parts will be purchased from The Belcon Regis Group in the amount of $541.02 plus freight.
• Purchase Approval for Transducers for Lift Stations. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to purchase three spare transducers at a cost of $1,488.40 plus freight. Motion carried.
• Purchase Approval for Door Locks/Security. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to proceed with option #3 (keypad locksets with audit trail) from Doors Inc. at a cost of $2,286 for the Public Works Department building. Motion carried.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on the proposed FYE 2017 budget. The current property tax levy rate will remain the same but water and sewer rates will increase beginning with the July 1st bills. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to set the public hearing date for the FYE 2017 budget on March 7, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at Walcott City Hall. Motion carried. Rickertsen reported the TIF rebate policy, initially established in 1997, expired on December 31, 2015. The goal at that time was to expand development and the policy was an effective tool for that endeavor. The political climate and laws have changed and it was noted that most communities handle these types of developments on a case-by-case basis.

Audience Comments. Janice Dawson questioned the amount of snowfall when residents are required to clean their sidewalks. It was noted that snow and ice must be removed but the State and City Codes do not specify an amount of accumulation. Elaine Arp questioned snow removal at the entrance to the crosswalk on James Street north of the school. Bowman stated he would have his employee clear the crosswalk entrance.

Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:43 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

Feb 1st Signed Minutes/Claims

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