April 1, 2013 Minutes

City of Walcott April 1, 2013

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 1st day of April, 2013, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Jim Couper called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, John Kostichek, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Jackie Puck. City employees present: Jeff Blake, John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Joe Hahn.

Rickertsen stated she was still waiting for required documentation regarding the beer permits for Walcott Unified Fund. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda, with the deletion of the beer permits for Walcott Unified Fund. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Kostichek moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from March 18, 2013, and the Lampliter Class C Liquor License renewal. Motion carried.

Audience. Wayne Latimer, Larry Koberg, Kirk Koberg, Verlyn and Josie Dietz, Mike Arp, Bridget Geigle, and Rusty Holzworth.

Park Fencing. Larry Koberg was present and reported that there will be two fast-pitch softball tournaments this summer. The fast-pitch invitational tournament will be held from May 24th : May 26th and the Iowa Area ISC men's fast-pitch tournament will be from June 6th : June 9th. Koberg requested fencing both Wescott and Victory Parks for the tournaments, beginning on Wednesday, May 22nd. Discussion was held on fencing needed for Walcott Day. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to allow the fences to be installed at Wescott and Victory Parks on May 22nd and be removed on June 10th at Wescott Park and partial removal at Victory Park, if determined fencing is needed for Walcott Day. Motion carried. Any remaining fence at Victory Park will not be removed until July 21st, the day after Walcott Day. Chief Blake will check with the Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Division on fencing requirements for outdoor areas.

Street Closure. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve closing a portion of E. Bryant Street, adjacent to the Walcott Coliseum, on April 6th until Midnight for a wedding reception. Motion carried. Rickertsen reported two 10' canopies will be placed on the sidewalk sometime after noon and will be moved onto the street later that day, following the wedding ceremony. The street closure is only within property lines and the outdoor service area as shown on the liquor license for the establishment.

Proposed Municipal Building Mailing. Discussion was held on the documents to be mailed to residents and businesses regarding a municipal building. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the mailing as presented with changes as discussed. Motion carried.

Fire Department Report.

  • New Vehicle Update. Chief Hahn presented pictures and discussed the need to replace Engine #3. Hahn stated he had received three bids for a new truck and expects the purchase to be between $500,000 – $600,000. Mayor Couper expressed his disappointment that the Fire Department truck committee was not involved in the truck design and stated he visited Durant Fire Department to look at their new truck, which would be similar to our needs, which was purchased for just under $300,000. Following further discussion, Mayor Couper requested the truck committee meet and proceed with the process of designing a truck to meet the department's needs at the best value.
  • Purchases. Rusty Holzworth presented project worksheets for the following purchases:
    • Air Pack Masks. Mengler moved Jacob Puck seconded to approve the purchase of air pack masks from Feld Fire Equipment for $1,940. Motion carried. The purchase will be made with grant funds from Iowa 80 Endowment Fund.
    • Firefighting Gloves. Kostichek moved and Koehler seconded to approve the purchase of 20 pairs of gloves from Sandry Fire at a cost of $961. Motion carried.
    • Fire Boots. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the purchase of 6 pairs of structural fire boots from Sandry Fire at a cost of $888. Motion carried.
    • Recruiting Banners. Holzworth requested permission to place two recruiting banners at the city-owned property at 1113 N. Main Street. Council members had no objections to the request.
    • Bylaws Resolution. Holzworth reported on the proposed changes to the Fire Department Bylaws & Constitution. The last update was approved by City Council in January, 2006. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2013-12, Approval of the Walcott Volunteer Fire Department Bylaws. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Mengler, Kostichek, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.
    • Constitution Resolution. Kostichek moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2013-13, Approval of the Walcott Volunteer Fire Department Constitution. Roll call ayes: Kostichek, Jacob Puck, Mengler, and Koehler. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on the shortage of daytime responders. The Fire Committee, Jackie Puck & Koehler, will meet with Fire Department officers/members to discuss the issue on April 3, 2013, at 5:30 p.m.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake gave an update on a recent grant submission and the need to replace a taser.

Public Work's Department Report. Brockmann presented his report including the dump truck repairs and the need to proceed with the S. Downey Street watermain project.

City Clerk's Department Report. Rickertsen reported on the building department activities for the month of March and a recent grant submission. She updated the Council on the status of the dangerous buildings abatement procedure located at 780 E. James Street and questioned if the Building Official should proceed with the abatement. Council consensus was to continue proceeding with the necessary actions.

Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:12 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

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