October 16, 2017 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 16th day of October, 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, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. John Brockmann questioned if the City was willing to sell him some used concrete pipe. Stagg stated the broken concrete pipe sections were disposed of.
Consent Agenda. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from October 2, 2017, and the September financial reports. Motion carried.
Scott County Board of Supervisors. Scott County Supervisors, Carol Earnhardt, Tony Knobbe, Ken Beck, Diane Holst, and Brinson Kinzer, and County Administrator, Mahesh Sharma, were present. Earnhardt reported on recent projects and presented their secondary roads five year plan. Mayor Kostichek reported on the City’s recent projects and Mengler expressed concerns with a recent Resolution the County approved regarding their review of community TIF (tax increment financing) proposals and their opposition to use of TIF incentives that provides retail or service jobs. Discussion ensued regarding the need for retail and service jobs for smaller communities which can be vital to their economy. Walcott only receives approximately 40% of the local option sales tax generated in Walcott so additional retail and service jobs are benefiting the entire county through increased sales tax. Earnhardt expressed that the Resolution is their baseline policy statement and that all projects are reviewed individually.
Hearts and Hands Foundation – Landscaping Entrance Signs Update. Austin Burt reported on the entrance signs and presented landscaping options to the City Council. Concerns were expressed on the desire to utilize low maintenance plants and some type of landscaping to prevent traffic going through the area on the east side of the intersection. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to allow the Hearts and Hands Foundation to proceed with landscaping with river rock and low maintenance plants. Motion carried.
Scott County Sno-Seekers Swap Meet. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the request from Scott County Sno-Seekers to close a portion of Downey Street, between James and Otis Street, and Otis Street, between Downey and Henry Streets, on November 5th between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. for the annual Sno-Seekers annual swap meet at Victory Park. Motion carried.
Sinksen Strong Benefit. Koehler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the request from Walcott Women, to close a portion of E. Bryant Street, between Main and Henry Streets from Noon – 9:00 p.m. on November 10th for the Sinksen Strong Benefit. Motion carried. Mengler abstained due to conflict of interest (Walcott Women member). Mengler stated they would like to utilize the city-owned lot north of the tracks (former lumberyard lot) for parking during the benefit, pending lot conditions. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to allow parking on the city-owned lot, weather permitting, during the benefit. Motion carried. Mengler abstained due to conflict of interest.
City Property at 116 W. Lincoln Street. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to have staff obtain asbestos and demolition costs, following utilization of the house for fire department training. Motion carried.
City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on the upcoming community meeting at the Walcott American Legion on November 13th at 6:30 p.m. to gather input for the comprehensive plan update. Rickertsen questioned if council wished to pursue providing property tax exemptions for construction of single family homes on the vacant lots in the Westbrook additions. Council consensus was to move forward with pursuing the incentive program to help spur development within the Westbrook additions and other potential areas.
Council Member Comments. Mengler thanked Rickertsen for her research on new residential housing incentives and questioned Sergeant Hill about vehicle burglaries within the county. Residents are reminded to lock their vehicle doors. Jackie Puck asked Stagg about repainting the curb by the bank.
Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to adjourn at 7:02 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
October 2, 2017 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 2nd day of October, 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: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from September 18, 2017, Resolution 2017-34, Approving Building Official Wage Increase per Policy for Commercial Building Inspector Certification, and the following TIF rebate payments per agreements: JDW Holdings – Midfield Pattern Project $1,313.59; Iowa 80 Truckstop – 60×240 Building Project $1,310.19; and Sterling Partners – Multi-Use Building Project $6,924.78. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Koehler, Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried.
Iowa 80 Truckstop – Storm Sewer. Dave Meier, Iowa 80 Truckstop, requested permission to install storm sewer on a portion of Sterling Drive and Plainview Road in the right-of-way (ROW). Jason Holdorf, City Engineer, had submitted a letter of approval for the storm sewer improvements but noted an easement plat should be submitted upon completion of construction. Per the recommendations from Holdorf and Stagg, Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve the storm sewer improvements as submitted. Motion carried.
Night Owl Wireless, LLC .
- Request for Right-of-Way license. Andy Willey, Night Owl Wireless, was present to discuss the proposed ROW license agreement for Night Owl Wireless, LLC to install a fiber optic cable and wireless equipment in city ROW. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2017-35, Approving Right-of-Way License with Night Owl Wireless, LLC. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jackie Puck, Koehler, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.
- Fiber Optic Right-of-Way Application. Rickertsen noted that the placement of a new utility pole, as indicated on the map, was in county limits therefore a permit would also be required from Scott County. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the application as submitted from Night Owl Wireless, LLC, to install fiber optic lines within city limits along a portion of Main Street and Walcott Road. Motion carried.
Hearts and Hands Foundation – Landscaping Entrance Signs Update. This was moved to the October 16th agenda.
Carol Snay – Creek Cleaning Update. Carol Snay stated she had not yet received any response since her last council meeting visit on August 21st when she expressed concerns regarding the condition of the creek behind her residence. She stated when the creek recedes after flooding it leaves debris in her yard. Stagg stated the creek behind her residence is a platted city ROW and when time permits his department will remove any brush impeding the flow. Residents Janice Dawson and John Brockmann both commented on the creek running along the railroad tracks (behind Dawson’s building on E. Lincoln Street) and the unimproved section of Downey Street (between tracks and E. Lincoln Street). Mayor Kostichek scheduled a meeting with Stagg and Brockmann to look at the portion of the creek located in city ROW, between the buildings owned by Brockmann and Dawson.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented a project worksheet to trade-in the John Deere 4300 mower and purchase a John Deere zero turn mower at a cost not to exceed $10,500. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the purchase of a John Deere lawn mower as requested. Motion carried.
City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on the upcoming Scott County Sno Sneekers Swap Meet at Victory Park on Sunday, November 5th. The temporary street closures for the event will be on the next agenda for council approval.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek thanked the Fire Department members for a successful steak fry event and for the support from the community.
Council Member Comments. Koehler requested the house adjacent to City Hall be placed on the next agenda. Mengler questioned the tree in the ditch near the school. Stagg stated the ditch had water in it and he intends to speak to the adjoining property owner once the crops are out for easier access to remove the tree. Mengler stated, on behalf of the Walcott Legion, they were impressed with the work done by the Fire Department volunteers at their steak fry.
Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:22 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.