April 6, 2015 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 6th day of April, 2015, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Virgil Wayne Latimer and Jackie Puck. City employees present: John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, Linda Rivers, and Tom Schirman.

Audience. Gene Meyer, Brent Puck, Larry Koberg, and Sara Hayden.

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

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from March 16, 2015, minutes from March 19, 2015, Lampliter Class C Liquor License renewal and Walcott Unified Fund beer permits for Wescott and Victory Parks. Motion carried.

Fastpitch Tournaments. Larry Koberg was present and reported that there will be two fastpitch softball tournaments this summer. The Fastpitch Invitational will be held from May 22nd : May 24th and the Iowa Area ISC Qualifier Men's Fastpitch Tournament will be from June 19th : June 21st. Koberg requested fencing for both Wescott and Victory Parks for the tournaments, beginning on May 20th. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to allow the fences to be installed at Wescott and Victory Parks for the tournaments, beginning on May 20th and be removed on June 22nd. Motion carried.

Vision Committee Report. Committee members Larry Koberg and Brent Puck discussed re-establishing the Beautification Awards and sites for welcome signs. The Mayor's Beautification Award was initiated in 1994 by former Mayor Leon Downing and there are two awards listed on the plaque, with the last award in 1997. Mayor Kostichek and Council consensus was to have the Vision Committee bring back ideas. They reported on potential property, both city and county right-of-ways (ROW), to install welcome signs. Signs located in any ROW would have to be located so there are not any visual obstructions. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to proceed with the next steps (pursuing sign designs/costs and engineering fees) for welcome signs. Motion carried.

Urban Renewal Area. Rickertsen reported all TIF rebate/development agreements must be listed in the Urban Renewal Plan. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the TIF rebate application for Gene Meyer (Geno's Ice Cream & Subs) and start the required proceedings. Motion carried.

Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2015-12, Setting Public Hearing on Plans and Specifications and Bid Date for the Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, and Mengler. Motion carried.

City Owned Lots on N. Main Street. Information was received from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) regarding the two city-owned lots, west side of Main Street just north of Mud Creek, regarding the base flood elevation. Engineering services would have to be obtained in order to submit an application to the IDNR for permission to fill the lots. Council requested additional information prior to pursuing any action.

Municipal Building Project. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to table the topic until all council members are present. Motion carried.

Ordinance 477-15, Amending the Official Zoning Map. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the second reading or Ordinance 477-15. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Koehler. Motion carried. This is the second of three readings to rezone the lot at 101 S. Main Street from M-1, Light Industrial, to C-2, Central Business District.

RAGBRAI Committee Report. Larry Koberg reported on a public informational meeting on April 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the Walcott Coliseum, a pre-ride by RAGBRAI officials on June 6th, and this year's theme "Ride the Rails". Koehler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 478-15, Adding Chapter 126, Entitled RAGBRAI. Seconded by Jacob Puck. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, and Mengler. Motion carried.

Building Department Report. Rivers presented her March inspections report and reported on recent fire and rental inspections, upcoming commercial projects, and the recent purchase of the car wash which should be re-opening soon. She also reported on two properties that were sent nuisance abatement notices and have failed to comply. Following discussion, Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve moving forward with abating the nuisances, not to exceed costs as presented by Rivers. Motion carried.

Public Works Report. Brockmann reported the water leak at Wescott Park has been fixed but he is waiting on the contractor to repair the concrete. Mayor Kostichek questioned the recent seeding from the W. Bryant Street Project. Brockmann stated the material will remain dormant until it rains.

Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 6:51 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.