February 20, 2012

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 20^th day of February, 2012 at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Pro-Tem John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Other council members present were: Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Mayor Couper. City employees present: John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Adam Hill.

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

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and January 2012 financial reports. Motion carried.

Audience. Kristal Koberg-Schaefer, Janice Dawson, and Wayne Latimer.

Minutes from 02/06/2012. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the minutes from 02/06/2012. Jackie Puck abstained due to absence from meeting. Motion carried.

Vision Committee : Kristal Koberg-Schaefer. Koberg-Schaefer stated the Vision Committee would like feedback on trying to acquire property located at 123 Walcott Road for Main Street Enhancement and future location of a city sign. Following discussion, she requested approval for the Vision Committee to solicit private donors to acquire and purchase the property and gift it to the City for the placement of a city sign. Council expressed concerns that prior to accepting the property donation they would need confirmation that the property did not have any environmental issues. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to allow the Vision Committee to pursue private donors that would purchase the property at 123 W. Walcott Road and gift it to the City, free and clear of all financial and environmental issues. Motion carried with Jackie Puck voting against.

1113 N. Main Street : RFP. Rickertsen presented a proposed Request for Proposals (RFP) for the renovation of the building at 1113 N. Main Street. Discussion was held on adding more focus on experience and qualifications, pre-proposal meeting date and time, proposal submittal date and preference of local architect firms. Council consensus was to not send the RFP to an interested firm that is located in Madison, WI. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the RFP with additions as discussed. Motion carried.

Resolution 2012-10, Reduce Speed Limit on Walcott Road. This Resolution requests the Scott County Board of Supervisors to extend the 50 MPH speed limit to include all city limits from west to east. The City maintains the south side of the road and Scott County maintains the north side, therefore a joint agreement is needed when changing the speed limit. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2012-10. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Mengler, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Kostichek. Motion carried. An ordinance changing the speed limit will be a prepared for a future meeting.

Sludge Removal & Disposal : Engineering Fees. Brockmann presented proposals from two engineering firms for assistance with the sludge disposal process from a closed wastewater lagoon. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to accept the bid from Stanley Consultants, Inc. at a fee of $5,660. Motion carried.

Summer Youth Program. Rickertsen reported the proposed rate for a six-week summer youth program with Scott County YMCA has increased by 3% ($5.40) per participant. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the 2012 Summer Youth Program, June 18^th : July 27^th, with a fee of $65 per participant for residents of the Walcott community (inside city limits and Fire District #6) and charge the full cost of $191.70 for non-residents. Motion carried. The program will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. : Noon.

Wages and Benefits. Mengler reported on the following recommendations from the Policy and Administration Committee:

• FYE 2013 Wages : 2% average wage increase ($.47/hour) for full-time staff and department heads to grant increases to part-time staff not to exceed 2% of wage and no greater than $.47/hour.
• Grant holiday pay for Building Inspector as follows: If the holiday falls on a Monday, he will receive 4 hours holiday pay with the option to make up the remaining 4 hours another day and 4 hours holiday pay when it falls on his remaining regular scheduled days (Tuesday : Thursday).
• Allow employees to carry over two weeks (80 hours) of vacation instead of the current 40 hours.
• Leave all other benefits as is.

Koehler expressed concerns regarding the medical reimbursement policy. Rickertsen explained that the budgeted numbers are the City's exposure although the actual numbers typically are around 45% of the budgeted amount. The Policy and Administration Committee, Mengler and Jackie Puck, moved and seconded to approve the wages and benefits as discussed. Motion carried. Resolutions approving FYE 2013 wages and benefit changes will be prepared for a future meeting.

 

Public Work's Report. Brockmann presented his report including project updates, NPDES permit for wastewater treatment facility, and potential donation of picnic tables from Walcott Day Committee.

City Clerk's Report. Rickertsen presented a memo to the council regarding reimbursement of a portion of the CAT (Community Attraction & Tourism) grant funds for the Recreational Trail & Park Project. She explained that the grant writer included project funds in the application that had already been paid. These expenses are not considered as qualified (reimbursable) expenditures by the CAT grant program and should not have been included. Rickertsen stated that during the last Recreational Trail Committee meeting they made a motion to ask the City to cover the balance needed to complete the project. A committee member will be asked to attend a future meeting in April.

City Attorney Report. Schirman reported that after further investigation of the parcel on Cedar Lane Drive regarding the tree stump, it has been determined that it's a very unusual situation where the property extends to the middle of the street and a street easement is dedicated to the City instead of City owned right-of-way. Schirman recommended that since there is no liability and the stump is not obstructing traveled surfaces that it be left alone and be the sole responsibility of the property owners. The tree ordinance will be reviewed during a future meeting.

Questions/Concerns. It was reported that the letter was sent to the Mobile Home Park owner regarding a street light request but a response has not been received.

Jackie Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.