August 4, 2014

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 4^th day of August, 2014, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Jeff Blake, John Brockmann, Josh Geigle, Lisa Rickertsen, Linda Rivers, and Tom Schirman.

Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, Casey's General Store Class C Beer permit renewal, and renewal of Scott County Humane Society Agreement. Motion carried.

Audience. Sherrie Dietz, Audrey & Duane Hinds, Donna Housley, Janice Dawson, Bernard Brus, Brent Puck, Bill Hudson, Loretta Beitel, Randy & Deb Moeller, Don Holst, and Deb Mathias.

Minutes from 07/21/14. Moved by Jackie Puck and seconded by Koehler to approve the minutes from July 21, 2014. Motion carried. Mengler abstained due to absence from meeting.

Sister City Gift. Discussion was held on a gift to Walcott's sister city, Bredenbek, Germany, for their 750 year anniversary. Sherrie Dietz reported on costs for shipping a bench and presented samples and pictures of barn quilts. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to purchase a barn quilt, add an engraved plaque, and send to Bredenbek, cost not to exceed $500. Motion carried.

Great March for Climate Action. Rickertsen stated she received a request for an overnight camping area to accommodate approximately 35 : 40 walkers with the Great March for Climate Action on August 23^rd. She reported there are activities at Victory Park and the City Code states the parks close at 11:00 p.m. Following further discussion, Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to allow camping on the city owned lot at the SE corner of Main and Lincoln Streets for one night, August 23, 2014. Motion carried.

Resolution 2014-27, Setting Date for Hearing on Development Agreement. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2014-27, Setting Date for Hearing on Development Agreement. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Koehler. Motion carried. The public hearing will be at 6:00 p.m. on August 18^th to take action on a development agreement between the City and Iowa 80 Truckstop in connection with the construction of a 60' x 240' Morton building, in a total amount not to exceed $20,000.

W. Bryant Street Paving Improvements Project.

• Payment #2. Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve payment #2 to N.J. Miller, Inc, in the amount of $203,662.71, as recommended by the Project Engineer. Motion carried.
• Resolution 2014-28, Approval of Change Order #2. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2014 : 28, as recommended by the Project Engineer and accepted by Public Works Director. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Mengler. Motion carried.

Ordinance 475-14, Amending Chapter 140 Regarding Driveways. Jackie Puck moved to introduce and approve the first reading of Ordinance 475-14. Seconded by Latimer. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Latimer, Mengler, Koehler, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.

Fire Department Report. Chief Geigle presented two project worksheets. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to purchase a new 3 stage ram ($3,530) and three new sets of gear ($5,150) from Alex Air Apparatus at a total cost of $8,680. Motion carried. The ram will be paid for from the Fire Department Donation Fund and the gear will be paid from the General Fund and Fire Department Donation Fund. The Fire Department will be having an open house at the Fire Station on Sunday, August 17^th from 4:00 : 6:00 p.m. and the annual steak fry will be on Saturday, September 27^th.

Sanitary Sewer Infiltration & Inflow Study. Stanley Consultants Engineer, Deb Mathias, was present to report on the status of the first phase of the study of the sewer system infiltration and inflow. She reported on the current flow monitoring program and stated the manhole inspection, surveying, and mapping will be starting in a few weeks. Mathias stated they will prepare a report summary for the City Council following collection of all data.

Building Department Report. Building Official Linda Rivers was present and reported on the following:

• Main Street Projects. Rivers stated that a footing inspection at Geno's Ice Cream found the soil did not meet the minimum PSI as required. She stated that following a soil inspection from a testing company, the project engineer revised the footing dimensions in order to meet the requirements. She also reported on the residing of the Custom Dental building and improvements to the apartment complex at 134 N. Main Street.
• Sidewalk Program. Rivers stated that half of the allocated funds of the sidewalk program have been applied for and Paustian Concrete plans on being in Walcott starting next week.
• Parking in Right-of-Way/Nuisances. Rivers reported that notices were sent for parking in the ROW and front yards. She also stated several weed notices have been sent.
• Events. Rivers stated that both Iowa 80 Jamboree and Walcott Day events were inspected and everything was approved except the stage brought in for Walcott Day. She stated the stage was not approved as the assembly does not meet the construction standards per the International Building Code and could not deem it safe for use as assembled. Rivers reported on the letter she gave to Kirk Koberg regarding the use of the unapproved stage. The letter stated she had informed Mr. Koberg in July 2013, during the festivals fire inspection, that it would not be approved for use in 2014 unless certified by an engineer. Mayor Kostichek read the email from a structural engineer, which was received by email on July 19, 2014, that he would certify it for a one time use only with multiple restrictions. Mayor Kostichek will attend a future Walcott Day Committee meeting.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported on his recent K9 training with Titan and on a GTSB (Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau) multi-jurisdiction project on Highway 61, August 15^th : 17^th, which his department will be participating in. Questions arose and Blake described the GTSB grant program which provides grant funds for approved equipment and overtime costs attributed to special enforcement projects. Blake also reported the department has a Facebook and Twitter account, as well as Instagram, apparently they even get cheap instagram views once in a while.

Public Work's Report. Brockmann reported on the misunderstanding regarding the flowers purchased and planted near the Walcott Legion's memorial at Welcome Park. He stated he understood the Legion offered to pay for the City to purchase the flowers and assist with labor in planting. He suggested the City return the Legion's payment, in the amount of $322.94, that had been received for the flowers. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to offer the $322.94 back to the Legion following confirmation by the Legion Commander. Motion carried. Rickertsen will contact Commander Brus to confirm they wish to have their payment amount returned. Loretta Beitel offered to pay for the flowers, in memory of her husband. Brockmann also presented updates on various activities/projects. Mayor Kostichek read a thank you letter from the City of Durant Mayor regarding the clean-up assistance received from city staff following storm damage in Durant.

Attorney's Report. Schirman reported on an Iowa Supreme Court case regarding defining dangerous animals and stated cities have a right to define dangerous animals. Schirman also reported on the status of the railroad right-of-way access for the W. Bryant Street storm sewer project. Council consensus was to have Schirman proceed with a 10 day notice to the railroad/property owner.

Mayor's Report. Mayor Kostichek thanked the citizens for attending the meeting. He stated he wants to move forward with the discussion of a potential new municipal building. This will be on the next regular agenda. Audience members spoke in support of recent actions taken by the council regarding the enforcement of Chapter 57, Dangerous Animals (regarding pit bulls). It was reported that initial discussions, starting in 1986, led to a breed ban being instituted. The pit bull attack on South Main Street earlier this year was also mentioned. Following further discussion, Attorney Schirman will review the appeal process and areas in Chapter 57 that may need to be strengthened.

Questions/Concerns/New Business. Bernard Brus questioned if there was a fence height requirement for park fences. No one was aware of any regulations prohibiting a 4' fence, as proposed, at Victory Park. Discussion was held on obtaining a realtor for the properties the City Council intends to sell. Council consensus was to send letters to three realtor companies, seeking interest from a commercial realtor. Brent Puck was present to report on his involvement as a member of the Citizen's Municipal Building Committee. Mr. Puck stated he contacted the two parties associated with one of the properties adjacent to City Hall to determine if they would consider speaking with city officials regarding a potential sale to the City. He stated the individuals indicated they were willing to enter into a discussion with the City regarding their property and he felt their conversations were non-confrontational and well received. Mengler thanked Puck and expressed her appreciation for his participation on the Committee. Rickertsen stated the council meeting agendas are now posted online at the City's website, www.cityofwalcott.com, on the home page.

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:58 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.