February 19, 2018

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19th day of February, 2018, at Walcott City Hall.  Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were: John Brockmann, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Absent:  None.  City staff present:  Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Several residents were in attendance for agenda item nine, Mail Delivery/Sidewalks Abutting Curb.  Bernard Brus reported on a concrete panel at the intersection of Main Street & Bryant Street.

Public Hearing – Plans and Specifications, Form of Contract and Cost Estimate for the Splash Pad Project.  Rickertsen reported there were no written comments received.  Project Engineer, Bryce Johnson, reported on the base bid costs and alternates.  Bids will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on March 13, 2018.  There were no additional comments.  Puck moved and Smith seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting.  Motion carried.

Consent Agenda.  Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, January 2018 financial reports, and the insurance renewal with Arp Insurance & EMC Insurance. Motion carried.

Resolution 2018-8, Approving Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract, and Cost Estimate for the Splash Pad Project.  Smith moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2018-8, Approving Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract, and Cost Estimate for the Splash Pad Project.  Roll call ayes:  Smith, Koehler, Mengler, Puck, and Brockmann.  Motion carried.

February 5, 2018 Minutes.  Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the February 5, 2018, minutes.  Koehler abstained due to absence.  Motion carried.

Mail Delivery/Sidewalks Abutting Curb.  Complaints from several residents regarding the recent letter from the Walcott Postmaster, requiring those who live more than a ¼ mile from the Post Office to pay box rent if they do not request curbside delivery, prompted Rickertsen to request that a compliance officer from the United States Postal Service (USPS) explain the options.  Rickertsen stated the USPS compliance employee from Des Moines confirmed the recent audit of the PO Box section at the Walcott Post Office and the requirements stated in the resident’s letters.  Most of the residents in attendance live on streets with sidewalks abutting the curb, therefore new mailboxes cannot be placed at the curb in front of their residences. Resident Billy Brown expressed his frustration with the letter he received from the USPS and requiring him to pay for a box since he cannot place a home delivery mailbox behind his curb.  He proposed placing a cluster mail box unit(s) at Prairie View Park parking lot and requested the City’s assistance in purchasing the unit(s).  Mengler stated that streets are the first priority during snow removal, not the parking lot, and therefore the park would not be a good location and in her opinion, the City shouldn’t pay for mail units for residents.  Other residents also expressed their frustration with the USPS letter, communications with the USPS, and the short time frame allowed to comply.  Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Smith seconded to have the Building Official work with residents and Postmaster to find a possible location to locate a cluster box unit(s) and request the USPS extend their deadline to May 1st.  Motion carried.

Disposal of HVAC Equipment.  Rickertsen stated only one bid was received on the HVAC equipment.  Brockmann moved and Puck seconded to accept the bid from Korry Kraft in the amount of $20 for the HVAC equipment.  Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report.  Stagg reported on the estimates from the City Engineer to prepare cost estimates for top projects as ranked by City Council for future capital improvement projects.  Council consensus was to have the City Engineer prepare cost opinions for W. Otis Street improvements and water main replacements on N. Downey Street and E. James Street.

City Clerk Report.  Rickertsen requested to utilize the State Auditor’s Office to perform the required annual examination for FYE 2018.  Puck moved and Mengler seconded to request the State Auditor’s Office perform an annual examination for FYE 2018.  Motion carried.

City Attorney Report.  Attorney Schirman stated he would prepare a waiver of liability for the removal of the HVAC equipment. 

Mayor’s Report.  Mayor Kostichek thanked the citizens for attending and expressing their concerns. 

Mengler moved and Smith seconded to adjourn at 6:50 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

February 19, 2018 Signed Minutes & Claims

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February 5, 2018 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 5th day of February, 2018, at Walcott City Hall.  Mayor Pro Tem Jacob Puck called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were: John Brockmann, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Absent:  Tim Koehler.  City staff present:  Jeff Blake, Jackie Huston, and Paul Stagg.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.

Consent Agenda.  Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from January 15, 2018, January 22, 2018, and January 29, 2018, Resolution 2018-5, Establishing Reserve Fund and Authorizing the Transfer of Funds, Resolution 2018-6, Adopting the Annual Supplement to the Code of Ordinances.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote with the January 29th minutes corrected by listing Koehler as absent.

Walcott Historical Society – Donation Request.  Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve a $5,000 donation to the Walcott Historical Society for this fiscal year and a $2,500 matching fundraising donation for fiscal year ending 2019.  Motion carried.

Splash Pad Project – Resolution 2018-7.  Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve Resolution 2018-7, to Provide for a Notice of Hearing on Proposed Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract, and Estimate of Cost for the Splash Pad Project.  Motion carried with unanimous roll call vote.  The Public Hearing will be on February 19, 2018, with bids being accepted until and read aloud at 2:00 p.m. on March 13, 2018.

2018 Summer Youth Program.  Huston stated that the program will be held June 11th through July 20th on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  The cost remains the same of $196.45 per child from the YMCA, so the proposal is to again charge $70 per child for Walcott and Fire District #6 residents and $196.45 for non-residents.  Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the Summer Youth Program as presented.  Motion carried.

Sidewalks Abutting Curb – Mail Delivery.  Huston explained that the Post Office is now requiring residents who live more than a ¼ mile from the Post Office to pay box rent if they do not request home delivery.  For many of those residents, their sidewalk abuts the curb and since it is against City Code to drive on the sidewalks, no new home delivery boxes could be placed behind those sidewalks.  Maria Green was present and stated her concerns regarding this new requirement.  Other options were discussed and the issue will be placed on the next agenda when more information will be available.

City Clerk Report.  Huston stated that a Public Hearing needed to be set for the 2019 budget and the levy rate will go from $10.08258 to $10.08263.  Mengler moved and Smith seconded to set the FYE 2019 Budget Public Hearing date for March 5, 2018, at 6:00 p.m.  Motion carried.

Mengler moved and Smith seconded to adjourn at 6:17 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

 

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