February 1, 2016 Minutes

City of Walcott February 1, 2016

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 1st day of February, 2016, 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, Steve Bowman, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

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

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from January 18, 2016, and minutes from January 20, 2016. Motion carried.

Lambda Phi Sorority – Project Blue Light Update. Elaine Arp & Brenda Arp were present on behalf of Lambda Phi Sorority to present checks to the Police Department and Fire Department Association for $606 each from their Project Blue Light fundraiser.

David Nichols, Downing Architects – Proposed Municipal Project. Nichols presented the initial design drawings of the proposed municipal building. This building would contain all city hall staff and the police department. Karen Puck stated she would like a room for historical items. She stated the Library may have space available for display cases but not for larger items she has acquired. A special meeting will be held with Nichols on February 11th at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.

Ordinance 481-16, Amending Chapter 65 Amending Certain Provisions Pertaining to Stop Intersections. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 481-16. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Jackie Puck, and Koehler. This is the final reading to approve adding six stop signs to the following four intersections:
1. W. Durant Street at S. Parker Street – 2 stop signs on S. Parker Street
2. W. Durant Street at S. Rowe Street – 2 stop signs on S. Rowe Street
3. W. Bryant Street at S. Parker Street – 1 stop sign on S. Parker Street
4. W. Bryant Street at S. Rowe Street – 1 stop sign on S. Rowe Street

Ordinance 482-16, Amending Chapter 69 Concerning Parking Regulations. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 482-16. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jackie Puck, Mengler, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried. This is the second of three readings, which amends sub section 17 of Section 69.06 (Parking Prohibited), and adds a new sub section to Section 69.08 (No Parking Zones) to read as follows:
• 69.06 (17). Area between Lot Line and Curb Line. The area of the public right-of-way not covered by sidewalk and lying between the lot line and the curb line, where curbing has been installed. If curbing has not been installed the “curb line” shall be defined as the outside line of the improved portion of the public right-of-way.
• 69.08 (3). Unimproved Street Right-of-Ways. That area of the public right-of-way which has not been improved by the installation of street-grade hard surfacing, including but not limited to grassed areas.

Public Works Department.
• Purchase Approval for Expansion Joints for Sewer Plant. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the purchase of two expansion joints for the sewer plant. Motion carried. The parts will be purchased from The Belcon Regis Group in the amount of $541.02 plus freight.
• Purchase Approval for Transducers for Lift Stations. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to purchase three spare transducers at a cost of $1,488.40 plus freight. Motion carried.
• Purchase Approval for Door Locks/Security. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to proceed with option #3 (keypad locksets with audit trail) from Doors Inc. at a cost of $2,286 for the Public Works Department building. Motion carried.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on the proposed FYE 2017 budget. The current property tax levy rate will remain the same but water and sewer rates will increase beginning with the July 1st bills. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to set the public hearing date for the FYE 2017 budget on March 7, 2016, at 6:00 p.m. at Walcott City Hall. Motion carried. Rickertsen reported the TIF rebate policy, initially established in 1997, expired on December 31, 2015. The goal at that time was to expand development and the policy was an effective tool for that endeavor. The political climate and laws have changed and it was noted that most communities handle these types of developments on a case-by-case basis.

Audience Comments. Janice Dawson questioned the amount of snowfall when residents are required to clean their sidewalks. It was noted that snow and ice must be removed but the State and City Codes do not specify an amount of accumulation. Elaine Arp questioned snow removal at the entrance to the crosswalk on James Street north of the school. Bowman stated he would have his employee clear the crosswalk entrance.

Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:43 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

Feb 1st Signed Minutes/Claims

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