April 16, 2012 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 16^th day of April, 2012, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Pro Tem John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Other council members present were: Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Mayor Couper. City employees present: John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Adam Hill.

Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the agenda with deletion of item six. Motion carried. The item deleted, Municipal Building Committee appointments will be placed on the May 21^st agenda.

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, April 2^nd minutes, and March 2012 Financial reports. Motion carried.

Audience. Jim Woodward, Chris Pauley, Wayne Latimer, and Kristal Schaefer.

W. Memorial Road Dust Control. Chris Pauley and Jim Woodward attended and expressed concerns regarding dust blowing from W. Memorial Road. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve hiring River Valley to apply tree sap on W. Memorial Road at an approximate cost of $600. Motion carried.

Main Street Assessment. Kristal Schaefer presented an update regarding funding and scheduling for the Main Street Assessment program. Schaefer reported that funding commitments of $1,601 have been received from local businesses and individuals toward the program costs.

Farmer's Market. She also reported that a committee has been established under the Chamber of Commerce to organize and manage a Farmers Market. They are requesting to utilize the city-owned site on the SE corner of Main Street & Lincoln Street, beginning Thursday, May 31^st from 5 : 7 p.m. Schaefer also reported the committee requested a monetary donation from the City. Koehler responded he would prefer the City participate with "in-kind" (garbage services, property use, etc.) donations. Jacob Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to allow utilization of the city-owned property at the SE corner of Main Street & Lincoln Street for a Farmer's Market. Motion carried.

Gazebo & Shelter Reservations. Discussion was held on the Park Board recommendationto initiate a rental fee of $50 for the gazebo at Prairie View Park and a $25 rental fee for the gazebo at Welcome Park and the shelters at Wescott and Victory Parks. Rickertsen expressed concerns with changing the current reservation fee to a rental fee. Following discussion, Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to proceed with updating the current policy and increasing the reservation fee for all shelters and gazebos from $25 to $35, beginning January 1, 2013. Motion carried. Rickertsen will update the reservation policy and bring to a future meeting.

Lift Station Building. Brockmann presented a project worksheet for a 12'x12' insulated building. Four bids were received. Jackie Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to hire Brian Ganzer Carpentry & Roofing to construct a 12'x12' insulated building at a cost of $4,913.45. Motion carried.

Resolution 2012-16, Approving Site Plan for Wingfoot Truck Care Center. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2012-16. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Mengler, and Kostichek. Motion carried.

Resolution 2012-17, Establishing New Project Fund & Authorizing Transfer of Funds. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2012-17. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Koehler, Jacob Puck, Mengler, and Kostichek. Motion carried. This resolution establishes a project fund for Flagg Street paving project and authorizes a transfer of $100,000 from the Road Use Tax Fund.

Ordinance 456-12, Amending Sewer Rates. Kostichek moved and Mengler seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 456-12. Roll call ayes: Kostichek, Mengler, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, and Koehler. Motion carried. The rates will increase $.50 per 1,000 gallons of water usage, beginning with the July 1^st bill.

Ordinance 457-12, Amending Speed Zones. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to waive the second reading of Ordinance 457-12. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Mengler, Jackie Puck, Kostichek, and Koehler. Motion carried. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 457-12. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Mengler, Jackie Puck, Koehler and Kostichek. Motion carried. This reduces the speed limit on Walcott Road (County Road F58) to 50 MPH from the west city limits to the east city limits.

Police Department Report. Sergeant Hill reported on the two-week Criminal Intelligence course he recently attended. Discussion was held on having the Police Department look into security issues at the parks.

Public Work's Report. Brockmann presented his report including several project updates: storm water issues on W. Bryant Street, vandalism at Victory Park north shelter, north lift station project, and fence installation at the north water tower.

City Clerk's Report. Rickertsen reported on the following: recent legislative action regarding TIF (Tax Increment Financing), update on CAT Grant meeting, railroad projects, grand opening of QC Visitors Center at 12:30 p.m., May 9^th, and a free Boards and Commissions training session sponsored by Bi-State Regional Commission. Rickertsen questioned if council wishes to pursue sidewalk assessments on both sides of W. Bryant Street and Powers Street. Council consensus was to pursue sidewalk assessments for both sides of Powers Street and W. Bryant Street in conjunction with the proposed street improvements project. Council will interview potential architects for the building at 1113 N. Main Street on May 1^st at 4:00 p.m. A special meeting to review the Zoning and Subdivision chapters of the City Code was scheduled for April 23^rd at 6:00 p.m.

Questions/Concerns. Koehler questioned the status of demolition for 106 W. Lincoln Street and Brockmann responded he is waiting for other utility disconnections before sending out RFP's.

Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:18 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.