May 15, 2017 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 15th day of May, 2017, 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, Jackie Huston, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.

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

Public Comments.  John Brockmann complained about the response time for repairs on the gravel portion of W. Memorial Road.  Stagg responded that the County had already graded the road and Brockmann confirmed that the repairs had been made.  He also took issue with the seasonal help salary structure and the Mayor stated that this was already being addressed.  Brockmann complained about the overgrown lawn at the future Dollar General property and Stagg reported that the owner had been instructed to mow and it should be done by Tuesday.  Larry Seiler questioned why his truck had been given a sticker to be moved when another truck had been parked longer without a sticker.  Chief Blake responded that all vehicles were treated equally.  George Peddle was present again to complain about the water quality at his house and stated that Stagg had not come to his house to collect a sample.  Stagg stated that he had been to Peddle’s home and no one responded to the door bell, so he took a sample from the hose and one at the water plant.  He showed everyone the two samples, which looked identical.  Peddle responded that his door bell was not working.  An appointment was made for Thursday morning for Stagg to go into the house to get a sample.  Verlyn Dietz asked if the hydrants were being flushed and Stagg responded that he was developing a schedule for flushing.

Consent Agenda.  Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from May 1, 2017, April 2017 financial reports, and participation in the 2017 Pavement Markings.  Motion carried.

Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc TIF Program Application.  This application is for the expansion to the main truckstop building.  Following discussion, Koehler moved and Jake Puck seconded to proceed with the development agreement process.  Motion carried.

Resolution 2017-20, Acceptance of Iowa 80 Truckstop Phase 2 Expansion Plat of Survey.  Huston reported that this Plat of Survey and a non-sever agreement for the two lots shown on the survey, was necessary due to the expansion of the truckstop building.  A portion of this expansion will be constructed over the lot line between these two lots.  Koehler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the Plat of Survey for Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc.  Motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

Resolution 2017-21, Acceptance of Dedication of Easement – Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc.  Huston reported that a water main and some electrical equipment needed to be relocated and this was the easement for those relocated utilities.  Jake Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the Dedication of Easement for Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc. Motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote .

Resolution 2017-22, Acceptance of Easement Vacation.  Huston reported that this vacation was due to moving the water main and electrical equipment to the new easement.  Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the Easement Vacation for Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc.  Motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

Resolution 2017-23, Site Plan for Iowa 80 Truckstop Phase 2 Expansion.  Huston reported that the P&Z Commission recommended approval of the Site Plan.  Attorney Schirman stated that all the legal documents were in order.  Jake Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the Site Plan.  Motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

Resolution 2017-24, Approving Adjustment of Supervisory Duties and Hourly Wages for City Clerk and Public Works Director.  This resolution will move supervision of the Building Official from the City Clerk to the Public Works Director.  Wage rates will increase and decrease accordingly.  Mengler moved and Jake Puck seconded to approve Supervisory and Salary adjustments.  Motion passed with a unanimous roll call vote.

Ordinance 494-17, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees.  This ordinance increases the garbage rates to $12.33, effective July 1, 2017.  Mengler moved and Jake Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 494-17.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Police Department Report.  Chief Blake reported on the new state law that allows the sale of fireworks in Iowa.  Attorney Schirman stated that the state is allowing the sale of fireworks, however cities may still regulate the use of fireworks within their communities.  The State Fire Marshall must issue permits that would allow for sales of fireworks within the state.  Chief Blake noted that the use of fireworks is currently prohibited in Walcott and suggested if any usage was allowed that it be restricted to certain types of fireworks and only certain days.  Koehler asked Chief Blake to work with the Fire Chief and bring back a recommendation to the next meeting.

Public Works Department Report. 

Fire Hydrant Replacements.  Stagg presented bids to repair three inoperable hydrants.  Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the low bid of $8,000 from Triple B Construction.  Motion carried.

Culvert/drainage projects.  Stagg presented bids to replace the culvert on Walcott Road and make necessary culvert repairs on W. Memorial Road.  He stated that he worked with the City Engineer to determine the necessary repairs.  Following discussion, Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the low bid of $23,630 from Triple B Construction.  Motion carried.

Seasonal Help.  Stagg reported that he hired a part-time seasonal employee for the summer.  He will work less than 30 hours per week and will be paid $9.83 per hour.

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

Signed Minutes and claims

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May 1, 2017 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 1st day of May, 2017, 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, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.

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

Public Comments.  John Brockmann expressed his disagreement with the minutes from the last meeting (concerning well #5 update) and stated he questioned the need for two certified water operators (during the March 20th meeting). He questioned how long the dumpster will remain on Main Street at the SE corner of the intersection of Main and Durant Streets.  Stagg will contact the contractor about the dumpster.  Brockmann also stated three hydrants are out of service, the fire hydrants haven’t been flushed for over a year, and a light at the water plant has been out for a month and still isn’t fixed. Stagg stated the out of service tags were placed on the hydrants and the City has the new hydrants but is waiting for another bid for installation costs.  Stagg also reported a contractor is scheduled to fix the exterior light at the same time as the lighting upgrade project at the water plant, which was approved during the April 17th meeting.  George Peddle was present and complained about the water quality at his house and expressed concerns that the hydrants hadn’t been flushed recently.  Stagg offered to make an appointment to test his water.

Consent Agenda.  Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from April 17, 2017.  Motion carried.

Entrance Signs Donation.  Mengler moved and Jackie seconded to approve the $5,000 donation request, as budgeted, to the Hearts and Hands Foundation for the entrance signs. Motion carried.

Walcott Day Committee – Request to Sell Food at Prairie View Park.  Brian Mengler questioned if Council would allow food to be sold at the parking lot at Prairie View Park on July 14, 2017, before the kids race and fireworks.  He stated it would be a fundraiser either for the Splash Pad Project or a nonprofit group. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the sale of food at the parking lot of Prairie View Park on July 14, 2017 for a non-profit group as discussed.  Motion carried.  The entity selling the food will be responsible for obtaining a permit from the Scott County Health Department.

Walcott American Legion – Request to Pour Concrete Pad in Right-of-Way (ROW).  Kent Arp stated they would like to pour a concrete pad in the ROW, between the sidewalk and curb, on W. Durant Street, so they can place a grill on it during events.  Following discussion, Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the request for the Walcott American Legion to pour a concrete pad in the ROW behind their building on W. Durant Street.  Motion carried.

Ordinance 494-17, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees.  This ordinance increases the garbage rates to $12.33, effective July 1, 2017.  Jackie Puck introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 494-17.  Seconded by Mengler.  Roll call ayes:  Jackie Puck, Mengler, Koehler, Jacob Puck, and Latimer.  Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report.  Stagg reported he recently notified the Mayor of emergency work on a critical system repair of a valve at the water plant, which has been repaired.  He also reported on the status of the treatment agreement with Blue Beacon Truck Wash, following a letter of inquiry from the IDNR.  Stagg stated that due to the recent wet weather, the Main Street bridge repairs were postponed and a rescheduled date has not yet been determined.  Mengler questioned the status of the fence repairs at the bridge and Stagg responded the contractor has been engaged to make the repairs.                

Attorney’s Report.  Attorney Schirman reported he spoke to Jay Brady (Stanley Consultants Engineer) regarding amending Chapter 99 regarding sewer surcharges to better define the regulations and limitations.

Council Member Comments.  Mengler reported concerns expressed to her that the area to the west of the Legion, on W. Bryant Street, is not lit adequately.  Discussion was held that the Legion currently has a light on their building and if the street light on the corner was upgraded to LED it may help with the lighting issues.     

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:20 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

May 1, 2017 Signed Minutes & Claims

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