April 10, 2013 Minutes – Vision Committee Meeting

City of Walcott April 10, 2013

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Wednesday, April 10, 2013, with Mayor Couper calling the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Vision Committee members present were: Mike Byington, Josie Dietz, Larry Koberg, Brent Puck, and Kristal Schaefer. Absent: John Kostichek and Kris Burt. City Clerk, Lisa Rickertsen and residents Carol Snay and Mike Engler were also present.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the community development projects and goals.

The following priorities were discussed:

• Combining Walcott First, Chamber of Commerce and Vision Committee as a non-profit entity. Discussion was held on sending out letters to businesses and committee members to discuss the advantages of forming an entity, which would be separate from the City.
• New Welcome Sign. Discussion was held on acquiring a parcel, preferably at the entrance of Main Street and Walcott Road, to locate a sign. Council supports the project however would want to limit expenses by purchasing only the size of lot needed for the sign. Kristal Schaefer will continue working to pursue land.
• Organization board by Casey's was an Eagle Scout project several years ago and is in need of repairs and updates. Larry Koberg will obtain costs and designs for a new sign. Discussion was held that the organizations listed on the sign may contribute towards the project.
• Utilization of the chamber newsletter as a communication tool was discussed and encouraged.
• Splash Pad/Skatepark. Carol Snay was present to report that she and her two siblings own lots adjacent to the tennis courts and questioned if the City had any interest in purchasing two of the lots. She felt these lots would be a great location for a splash pad (an area that has water play with no standing water). Following discussion, council consensus was to have the property owners determine their asking price for the two lots. Further discussion was held on the need for more activities for the youth, including a splash pad and a skatepark. Consensus was that a splash pad would cover a broader age range and it was one of the desires from the teens interviewed for the Downtown Assessment report last summer. Rickertsen will gather costs for purchase and maintenance of a splash pad and skatepark.
• Discussion was held on how to promote greater volunteer participation. Some ideas stated were to utilize the newsletter more, coordinate with other volunteer organizations, and be more specific with volunteer activities.
• Discussed visiting Central City to obtain information regarding their success in promoting their community as an attractive residential center.
• Hanging baskets. Josie Dietz reported on the costs for the hanging baskets for the City of Davenport. She reported the flowers need to be watered daily and twice a day in hot weather. She will obtain costs for the brackets, baskets, flowers, and proposed locations for a future meeting. Jackie Puck stated she has a 250 gallon container that she would donate to the City to aid in watering the flowers.
• Decorative lighting and property clean-up were briefly discussed.

Individuals will bring back their findings to future council meetings.

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:32 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.