August 21, 2017
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 21st day of August, 2017, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Virgil Wayne Latimer, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City staff present: 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 stated there is a tree in the City’s right-of-way which he feels is obstructing the view at a stop sign. Austin Burt, Hearts and Hands Foundation, reported on the Foundation’s 2nd annual corn boil event on Saturday, August 26th at 6:00 p.m. at Victory Park.
Consent Agenda. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from August 7, 2017. Motion carried.
Carol Snay – Creek Condition. Carol Snay, 215 W. Otis Street, questioned the City’s responsibility to maintain the creek behind her residence. She stated the creek is unsightly and is full of weeds and trees which impede the flow of water. It was noted that the creek behind her property is located within a platted 20’ city right-of-way. Schirman and Stagg will research the City’s responsibilities and options with the creek.
Night Owl Wireless, LLC . Andy Willey reported on the proposed ROW license agreement for Night Owl Wireless, LLC to install a fiber optic cable and equipment over and above public right-of-ways within the city limits. Following discussion on the details of the agreement, Attorney Schirman stated he would prepare a memo for the next meeting regarding any concerns.
Ordinance 495-17, Amending Certain Provisions of Chapter 41 Pertaining to Fireworks. Rickertsen reported the proposed change is to amend the definitions to mirror the new fireworks definitions in the state code. It will still prohibit the use of fireworks within city limits. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 495-17. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Mengler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried.
City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on the annual financial report, ending June 30, 2017. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the FYE 2017 Annual Financial Report. Motion carried
Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:32 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
Signed Minutes and Claims August 21, 2017
August 7, 2017 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 7th day of August, 2017, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Virgil Wayne Latimer, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City staff present: Adam Hill, Jason Holdorf (City Engineer), Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Public Comments. John Brockmann stated he has not received a written report regarding the water tower inspection results or a copy of plans for the culvert/drainage project. Stagg responded that the amount approved by the City Council for the inspections included a live video recording in DVD format but it did not include a written report, which was an added cost. The project plans have been available at City Hall for viewing.
Consent Agenda. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, July 2017 financial reports, minutes from July 17, 2017, Resolution 2017-31 Approving the Annual 2017 Fiscal Year Street Finance Report, and Casey’s Class C beer permit renewal. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Latimer, Koehler, Mengler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried.
Lions Club Temporary Banner. Kari Puck was present on behalf of the Lions Club to request permission to hang a temporary banner across Main Street, near Casey’s, to promote their fundraiser at Victory Park on August 19th. Following discussion, Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to allow the Lions Club (Walcott non-profit organization) to have a banner hung for their fundraising event, for approximately ten days. Motion carried. Alliant Energy will hang and remove the banner.
Main Street Bridge Fence. Brent Arp, insurance agent, reported on the damaged fence on the Main Street bridge. He stated he has been working with the insurance company of the individual that damaged the fence and the delay is due to the other insurance company. The fence to be repaired has to meet IDOT standards, which increases the cost. I bet that One Sure Insurance would´ve had all of this resolved by now, that´s why I prefer to hire them and not anybody else.
Iowa 80 Truckstop – Storm Sewer. Dave Meier, Iowa 80 Truckstop, and his engineer, Mark Harpole, discussed their plans to install a storm sewer line in the right-of-way on a portion of Sterling Drive and Plainview Road. Jason Holdorf, City Engineer, replied with several questions and concerns regarding their plan. City Council members responded favorably to the installation request, providing the City Engineer’s concerns are addressed.
City Property – 116 W. Lincoln Street. Mike and Barb Sissel reported on their efforts to find a vacant lot within the city to relocate the house at 116 W. Lincoln Street. They stated they will continue to look for a lot as they felt the house was too nice to be torn down. Council thanked them for their efforts and discussed ways to encourage interest in finding a location for the house.
Resolution 2017-32, Approving the 28E Agreement Creating the Lower Cedar Watershed Management Authority. Rickertsen reported that legislation was passed in 2010 authorizing the creation of Watershed Management Authorities (WMA). This is a mechanism for cities, counties, and Water Conservation Districts to cooperatively engage in watershed planning and management. There are seven counties and twenty-five communities in the Lower Cedar Watershed. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2017-32. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Mengler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried.
Ordinance 495-17, Amending Certain Provisions of Chapter 41 Pertaining to Fireworks. Rickertsen reported the proposed change is to amend the definitions to mirror the new fireworks definitions in the state code. It will still prohibit the use of fireworks within city limits. Jackie Puck introduced Ordinance 495-17, and moved to approve the first reading and Koehler seconded. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Koehler, Mengler, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Sergeant Hill reported on a few car burglaries over the weekend and reminded everyone to lock their vehicles.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported on unused equipment he would like to dispose of. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to proceed with advertising for sealed bids on a John Deere 4300 lawn tractor and a Caterpillar generator on trailer. Motion carried.
City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on the need to update the comprehensive plan, which was last updated in 2003, and stated the plan serves as a framework for development polices and decision-making in Walcott. The plan update process will include a public input meeting and several meetings with the Planning and Zoning Commission prior to a public hearing with the City Council. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to proceed with Bi-State Regional Commission for the comprehensive plan update, at a proposed cost of $12,395 (direct cost of $11,293 after dues offset of $1,102). Motion carried. Rickertsen reminded council of the upcoming Iowa League of Cities Annual Conference and stated that candidate guides and nomination papers are available for the upcoming city election. Nomination papers must be filed at the Scott County Auditor’s office between August 28th and September 21st.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek read a letter from the Mayor of Bredenbek, Germany and expressed his thanks for the wooden plaque they sent to commemorate the 20th year anniversary of the sister city partnership with Walcott.
Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:48 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.