December 2, 2013

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 2^nd day of December, 2013, 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: John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Jeff Blake.

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

Consent Agenda. Latimer moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from November 18, 2013. Motion carried.

Audience. Fire Chief, Joe Hahn, and fire department members Rusty Holzworth and Bridget Geigle.

TIF Rebate Payments. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the semi-annual TIF (tax increment financing) payments to T&C Storage, in the amount of $1,860.19, as per the development agreements. Motion carried.

Resolution 2013-44, Establishing New Fund and Transfer. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2013-44. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Latimer. Motion carried. This Resolution establishes a reserve fund for a future splash pad project and allocates $28,875.73 (Ione Paustian Estate donation) to the new fund.

Fire Department Report.

• Fire Chief Appointment. Hahn reported the Fire Department officer election results for 2014 : Fire Chief : Josh Geigle, 1^st Assistant : Rusty Holzworth, and 2^nd Assistant : Joe Hahn. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to appoint Josh Geigle as Fire Chief, effective 01/01/14 with term ending 12/31/13. Motion carried.
• EMS Transportation Agreement with Durant Ambulance. Hahn reported the EMS Transportation is a standard agreement, renewable every two years. Latimer moved and Koehler seconded to approve the EMS Transportation Agreement as presented. Motion carried.
• EMS Daytime Positions. Hahn stated the temporary part-time paid EMS (emergency medical services) position was approved through December 2013. He reported the Fire Department feels that even with two daytime department volunteers that recently completed EMS classes, there will still be a lack of EMS coverage during the day. The two fire department volunteers have schedules that do not allow them to be available all day, each week day. Discussion was held on possibly hiring a full-time individual that is EMS certified who can assist with the Public Works Department during the day. Chief Blake stated he and his full-time officers are willing to go through EMS classes to assist too. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve extending the part-time paid EMS position until the end of March. Motion carried. Financial information will be prepared and presented to council at a future meeting.

Holzworth reported three vendors are currently bidding on a new truck. The bid results and department recommendation is expected to be presented to the City Council during their January 6^th meeting.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented information as requested from Jackie Puck during the last meeting regarding adding another full-time officer. The information included the following: increased calls for service over the past two years, increased part-time hours/wages, traffic flow numbers at Interstate 80 interchange, fine revenue, and financial information (wages and benefits) for a proposed new officer. Mengler stated she would have a hard time justifying an additional full-time officer and stated that the increased coverage of part-time hours would result in an increase of call volume as the Scott County Sheriff's Department would have previously covered the calls when a Walcott officer was unavailable. She questioned if Chief Blake was recommending hiring an additional full-time officer. Blake stated he could always use more officers, either by hiring a full-time officer or increasing the part-time budget. Further discussion ensued and Chief Blake was requested to start providing a monthly report of calls to the City Council.

Public Works Department Report. Brockmann presented his report including the following:

• A snow fence will be installed on the west side of a portion of Plainview Road.
• S. Downey Street watermain project is complete, with the exception of street restoration which will be done next spring.
• Lot surveying is completed on the lots adjacent to tennis courts. Discussion was held on the type of privacy fence to install on east lot line. This will be on next agenda.

Attorney's Report. Schirman stated the order regarding repair or demolition of a dangerous building for the large barn at 780 E. James Street has not been completed and there has not been adequate progress shown. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to have the Building Official proceed with obtaining bids for demolition of the barn. Motion carried.

Mayor's Report. Mayor Kostichek presented information and names for establishing a Citizens Municipal Building Committee to analyze all city-owned facilities and property for the best possible long range use. Jackie Puck questioned why council members were not listed on the committee. Mayor Kostichek stated it was a citizens committee and they will present their findings and recommendations to the City Council. Mayor Kostichek established the committee as presented and appointed the following citizens: Jason Holdorf, Jeanne Brus, Bernard Brus, Linda Smith, Kris Burt, and Melvin Brus (Fire Department Representative). Mayor Kostichek will chair the committee and employee John Brockmann was asked to be present at the meetings for informational purposes. Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve Mayor Kostichek's appointments to the Citizens Municipal Building Committee. Jackie Puck opposed. Motion carried.

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:28 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.