August 20, 2018 Minutes
City of Walcott
August 20, 2018
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 20th day of August, 2018, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: John Brockmann, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Absent: None. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.
Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from August 6, 2018, and the FYE 2018 Annual Financial Report. Motion carried.
Cen-Pe-Co – Request to Place Flag Pole in City Right-of-Way (ROW). At the last meeting, Cen-Pe-Co requested to install a heavy duty commercial grade 25’ – 30’ flag pole, which includes a private sign, in the City right-of-way (ROW). Attorney Schirman reported on various City Code provisions, specifically the Sign Chapter (which includes flags), that states they are not permitted in the City right-of-way (ROW) unless approved by the Council. Council members stated while they support what Cen-Pe-Co is trying to do they can’t allow the request for this permanent structure and private sign in the ROW. It was suggested that Cen-Pe-Co look at other alternative locations on their own property. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to deny the request from Cen-Pe-Co to place a commercial grade flag pole in the City ROW. Motion carried.
Jason Holdorf – City Engineer Updates. Holdorf provided an update on the W. Otis Street Improvements Project and proposed E. James Street Watermain Project and gave a design update on the W. Bryant Street Sanitary Sewer Mains Project.
Ron Fick – Property Owner. Ron Fick stated he is the owner of the vacant lot on the corner of James and Century Streets and he felt it would create a burden for him to install public sidewalks on the lot before it is developed. Fick’s property is part of the FYE 2019 Residential Sidewalk Reimbursement Program, approved by Council on June 4, 2018. His property was identified as a gap situation, located on a main route to school, and sidewalk installation would complete sidewalks in the neighborhood. Following discussion regarding the lot, potential development, and the City’s new home residential tax abatement program, Smith moved and Koehler seconded to temporarily defer the installation of public sidewalks at 302 N. Century and to reassess the property during the annual Sidewalk Program review in May, 2020. Motion carried.
Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning. Stagg introduced Emily Swihart, Trees Forever, and she explained Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program. If selected, through a competitive application process, the program provides professional planning, landscape architecture consultants, and design assistance for transportation enhancements. Communities selected must agree in writing to commit at least $2,000 toward implementation of a project proposed through the visioning process. Part of the application process is commitment and support letters from the City and local organizations and or businesses. Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve support for the program application and commitment of $2,000 for a future project if selected. Motion carried.
Quad Cities Convention Bureau Annual Contribution. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve payment to the Quad Cities Convention Bureau for the budgeted contribution amount of $1,000. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented an email from a service manager at Altorfer, regarding the availability of parts and service for the 1967 CAT Motor Grader, as requested at the last meeting. Brockmann stated the City should keep the Grader and that he didn’t feel the City’s other plows could handle large amounts of snow. Puck responded that the hour meter on the equipment currently indicates it has only increased 2 hours since an inventory sheet dated February 1, 2010. Smith moved and Puck seconded to allow the item to go out for bid. Motion carried with Brockmann opposing. Stagg also reported the City was awarded $8,000 from the Alliant Energy Branching Out program he applied to for tree plantings at Prairie View Park.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek reported that he and Koehler met with the SECC (Scott Emergency Communications Center) Director regarding the City’s concerns with the timing of the weather alert sirens. They will also be attending a meeting this Friday with the Local Emergency Planning Committee to express the City’s concerns.
Council Member Comments. Brockmann questioned who inspects sewer repairs on the weekends and Stagg replied that per the permitting process contractors are required to schedule inspections during normal working hours. Brockmann stated he was aware of work that was completed over the weekend but he refused to name the contractor and location.
Puck moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 7:04 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.