August 20, 2012

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 20^th day of August, 2012, 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, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Lisa Rickertsen, John Brockmann, Jeff Blake, and Tom Schirman.

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and July 2012 Financial reports. Motion carried.

Audience. Approximately thirty nine audience members were in attendance.

Kent Arp : Proposed Fertilizer Plant. Kent Arp was present to report findings on a recent survey of Walcott citizens complied regarding the proposed fertilizer plant. He stated he has a list with 302 signatures opposed to the proposed fertilizer plant, 10 agree, and 40 are undecided. Arp stated they feel the proposed plant is in the wrong location, due to safety, and he hopes to have the City Council send a letter to the Scott County Supervisors opposing the plant location. Jackie Puck stated the council needs to revisit the safety issues. All council members agreed there are safety issues/concerns. Mengler moved and Kostichek seconded to send a letter to the Scott County Board of Supervisors stating the citizens of Walcott are opposed to the location of the fertilizer plant, due to safety concerns. Motion carried with Koehler abstaining due to conflict of interest as his company would be a potential bidder on the proposed project. Motion carried. Other audience expressed concerns regarding pollution, air, water, noise, increased road and rail traffic, and traffic flow interruption relating to emergency response times. Mayor Couper and Mengler both thanked Arp and others for their efforts. Mayor Couper stated he plans on representing the City during the Board of Supervisors meeting on August 28^th.

Minutes from 08/06/12. Koehler requested adding that Phases 1 & 2, as referenced in the motion from the August 6^th minutes regarding the architect contract at 1113 N. Main Street, are per the architect's letter dated 07/13/12. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the minutes from 08/06/12 with the addition as discussed. Motion carried with Mengler abstaining due to absence from meeting.

Recreational Trail Committee. Brent Puck presented information regarding the remaining amenities, including landscaping, entrance sign, informational kiosk, educational signs, trail signs, and windmill for Prairie View Park. Kostichek moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve letting the landscaping out for bid as discussed. Motion carried. The following areas will be included in the landscaping bid: park entrance and parking lot area, east seating area, and west seating area. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the purchase of amenities as recommended by the Recreational Trail Committee. Motion carried. The amenities and cost estimates are as follows: entrance sign : $6,000, informational kiosk – $15,000, educational signs – $6,000, and windmill – $2,500. Kostichek reported that pictures of Prairie View Park were on display as 4-H projects. Discussion was held on the recent vandalism at the parks and gazebo. Chief Blake reported on purchasing additional cameras. Mayor Couper asked for citizen awareness and involvement and encourages reporting suspicious activity to the Police Department. Debbie Moeller volunteered to post a reward regarding the vandalism.

Street Closure Request. A request to close a portion of East Bryant Street on September 8^th from Noon : five was presented on behalf of the 8^th grade D.C. trip fundraising. Discussion was held regarding the insurance requirement for events requesting street closures. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve the E. Bryant Street closure request on September 9^th, subject to receipt of proper insurance. Motion carried. The street will be closed within boundaries of the Coliseum per their outdoor service area.

Witt Property : NW Corner of Main & Lincoln Streets. Schirman reported that the two lots are described separately and are only combined for tax purposes. Discussion involved the Phase 1 environmental study on the previous purchase offer, flood plain area and building setbacks. The topic will be placed on the next agenda.

Resolution 2012-31, Setting Date for Public Hearing on Urban Renewal Plan Amendment. Rickertsen reported that the required consultation meeting with Scott County and school district will be held at 5:00 p.m. on September 17^th. Rickertsen also reported that the bonding attorney is working on preparing the required documents to submit with the public hearing notice. Rickertsen suggested utilizing City funds Local Option Sales Tax funds for the sidewalk and storm sewer installation to the property. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2012-31, Setting Date for Public Hearing on Urban Renewal Plan Amendment. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, Mengler, and Kostichek. Motion carried. The public hearing will be at 6:00 p.m. on October 1, 2012.

City Clerk's Report. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the FYE 2012 Investment Report. Motion carried. Rickertsen reported on a membership proposal received from ECivis. The company has a web-based subscription that allows members to research and track grant programs on one site. Council agreed with Rickertsen that the annual $3,000 fee was too high and they do not wish to participate.

City Attorney Report. Discussion was held on the options available regarding the nuisances at 402 W. Cedar Lane Drive. Following discussion, Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to initiate nuisance abatement procedures. Motion carried.

Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:47 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.