August 20, 2018 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 20th day of August, 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. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.
Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from August 6, 2018, and the FYE 2018 Annual Financial Report. Motion carried.
Cen-Pe-Co – Request to Place Flag Pole in City Right-of-Way (ROW). At the last meeting, Cen-Pe-Co requested to install a heavy duty commercial grade 25’ – 30’ flag pole, which includes a private sign, in the City right-of-way (ROW). Attorney Schirman reported on various City Code provisions, specifically the Sign Chapter (which includes flags), that states they are not permitted in the City right-of-way (ROW) unless approved by the Council. Council members stated while they support what Cen-Pe-Co is trying to do they can’t allow the request for this permanent structure and private sign in the ROW. It was suggested that Cen-Pe-Co look at other alternative locations on their own property. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to deny the request from Cen-Pe-Co to place a commercial grade flag pole in the City ROW. Motion carried.
Jason Holdorf – City Engineer Updates. Holdorf provided an update on the W. Otis Street Improvements Project and proposed E. James Street Watermain Project and gave a design update on the W. Bryant Street Sanitary Sewer Mains Project.
Ron Fick – Property Owner. Ron Fick stated he is the owner of the vacant lot on the corner of James and Century Streets and he felt it would create a burden for him to install public sidewalks on the lot before it is developed. Fick’s property is part of the FYE 2019 Residential Sidewalk Reimbursement Program, approved by Council on June 4, 2018. His property was identified as a gap situation, located on a main route to school, and sidewalk installation would complete sidewalks in the neighborhood. Following discussion regarding the lot, potential development, and the City’s new home residential tax abatement program, Smith moved and Koehler seconded to temporarily defer the installation of public sidewalks at 302 N. Century and to reassess the property during the annual Sidewalk Program review in May, 2020. Motion carried.
Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning. Stagg introduced Emily Swihart, Trees Forever, and she explained Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program. If selected, through a competitive application process, the program provides professional planning, landscape architecture consultants, and design assistance for transportation enhancements. Communities selected must agree in writing to commit at least $2,000 toward implementation of a project proposed through the visioning process. Part of the application process is commitment and support letters from the City and local organizations and or businesses. Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve support for the program application and commitment of $2,000 for a future project if selected. Motion carried.
Quad Cities Convention Bureau Annual Contribution. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve payment to the Quad Cities Convention Bureau for the budgeted contribution amount of $1,000. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented an email from a service manager at Altorfer, regarding the availability of parts and service for the 1967 CAT Motor Grader, as requested at the last meeting. Brockmann stated the City should keep the Grader and that he didn’t feel the City’s other plows could handle large amounts of snow. Puck responded that the hour meter on the equipment currently indicates it has only increased 2 hours since an inventory sheet dated February 1, 2010. Smith moved and Puck seconded to allow the item to go out for bid. Motion carried with Brockmann opposing. Stagg also reported the City was awarded $8,000 from the Alliant Energy Branching Out program he applied to for tree plantings at Prairie View Park.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek reported that he and Koehler met with the SECC (Scott Emergency Communications Center) Director regarding the City’s concerns with the timing of the weather alert sirens. They will also be attending a meeting this Friday with the Local Emergency Planning Committee to express the City’s concerns.
Council Member Comments. Brockmann questioned who inspects sewer repairs on the weekends and Stagg replied that per the permitting process contractors are required to schedule inspections during normal working hours. Brockmann stated he was aware of work that was completed over the weekend but he refused to name the contractor and location.
Puck moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 7:04 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
August 6, 2018 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 6th day of August, 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, Josh Geigle, 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. No comments.
Consent Agenda. Rickertsen conveyed information regarding the fiscal year 2018 street finance report. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from July 16, 2018, July 2018 financial reports, Casey’s Class C beer permit renewal, Dolgencorp LLC (Dollar General) Class C beer permit and Class B wine permit renewal, and Resolution 2018-28, Approving the Annual 2018 Fiscal Year Street Finance Report. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Brockmann, Smith, and Koehler. Motion carried.
Cen-Pe-Co – Request to Place Flag Pole in City Right-of-Way (ROW). Amber Chenault presented information from Cen-Pe-Co requesting to install a heavy duty commercial grade flag pole, approximately 25’-30’ tall, in the City ROW. The proposed location would be to the north-east of their front door on the north side of the sidewalk, adjacent to E. Lincoln Street. Chenault stated the flag pole would also include a Cen-Pe-Co sign. Attorney Schirman stated the City doesn’t typically allow structures and private signs in the ROW and questioned if they could find alternate locations on their property. Schirman will research the request and provide information by the next meeting.
West Otis Street Improvements Project.
- Agreement for Engineering Services. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the engineering services agreement with IMEG at a cost not to exceed $153,300. Motion carried.
- Resolution 2018–29, Awarding Contract & Approving Contract and Bonds for the West Otis Street Improvements Project. City Engineer, Jason Holdorf, reported that eight bids were received and he recommended the City accept the low bid from Cornerstone Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $921,482.65. Rickertsen stated the contractor has signed the contract and filed the required bonds. Smith moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2018-29. Roll call ayes: Smith, Koehler, Mengler, and Puck. Nays: Motion carried. Brockmann stated he opposed since there are other streets that need to be replaced before the 1st block of the project (between Main Street and Parker Street).
Sewer Mains Repairs/Replacements. Holdorf presented a map and cost opinions for sanitary sewer mains replacements on portions of West Bryant Street and Rowe Lane. Following a recent televising report from Visu-Sewer, these sections were identified as critical, with sections having pieces of pipes that have collapsed. Discussion was held on the potential cost savings of saw cutting the concrete street instead of removing and replacing full panels. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to have Holdorf proceed with the design phase part of the project. Motion carried. No one answered the question from Smith, asking why the sanitary sewer mains were not checked prior to the W. Bryant Street Paving Project in 2014 (Stagg & Holdorf were not employed or appointed by the City at that time). Brockmann questioned lining the mains instead of replacing and Holdorf replied that some mains cannot be lined since there are already parts of the mains that are missing. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to have Holdorf check with Visu-Sewer regarding lining options prior to proceeding with the plans and specifications (design phase) as presented. Motion carried.
Water Projects Costs Opinions. Holdorf presented cost opinions for three sections of watermain improvements on East James and North Downey Streets. Stagg stated these projects were the top ranked water projects by the City Council earlier this year and he recommended proceeding with the top two projects as presented. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to have Holdorf proceed with the design phase for the top two projects as presented. Motion carried.
Termination of Farm Lease. Attorney Schirman stated the existing farm lease with Rodney Dietz needs to be terminated as the initial terms are no longer applicable. Staff will consider facility needs and options for sludge disposal and a proposal of a revised lease agreement or alternate option will be presented at a future meeting. Smith moved and Puck seconded to terminate the current farm lease with Rodney Dietz. Motion carried.
Residential Sidewalk Repair Program. Rickertsen stated she was approached by a property owner that was sent a letter to install sidewalks (current gap on property) and they stated they are not in a financial position to install them at this time. Following discussion, Puck moved and Mengler seconded to have the City hire a contractor to install the required sidewalk as discussed and set-up a payment plan with the property owner. Motion carried.
Fire Department Report. Discussion was held with Chief Geigle regarding concerns of the late timing of the weather alert sirens. Geigle stated the sirens are activated by the SECC (Scott Emergency Communications Center) and he has spoken to the SECC Director regarding the City’s concerns. He also reported he is researching options to see if Muscatine County can activate the weather alert sirens. Following further discussion, consensus was to contact other communities to inquire if they are having similar issues and to draft a letter to SECC noting the City’s concerns.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported that a few officers will be working during the Iowa Hawkeyes football games but it will not affect the coverage in Walcott.
Public Works Department Report.
- Equipment Disposal – Motor Grader. Stagg stated there is no intent or need for his department to keep the 1967 CAT Motor Grader and he recommended disposing of it through the standard sealed bid process. Following a lengthy discussion, Mengler stated she would like something in writing from Altorfer regarding the availability of parts needed to repair the machine prior to making a decision. Stagg will obtain the information as requested.
- Snow Plow for 2018 Ford F550. Stagg presented a project worksheet for the purchase of a snow plow from Henderson for the 2018 F550 at a cost of $9,615. Following discussion, Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the purchase of a snow plow for the 2018 F550 from Henderson. Brockmann opposed as he felt the City doesn’t need another snow plow. Motion carried.
City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on the donation and memorial program for benches and tables for the new splash pad. Brochures are available at City Hall and on the City’s website. Karla Burt was present on behalf of the Hearts and Hands Foundation and stated they are open to suggestions for new projects and reported that the Foundation is hosting a corn boil and movie at Victory Park on August 25th.
Smith moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.