February 6, 2012

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

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

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from January 16, 2012, minutes from January 18, 2012, and the liquor license renewal for Gramma's Kitchen & The Checkered Flag. Motion carried.

Audience. Sharon Hesse, Joe Taylor, Brent Puck, Josie & Verlyn Dietz, Mike Byington, Laura Berkley, Janice Dawson, Dick Hagen, Kristal Schaefer, and Wayne Latimer.

Resolution 2012-8, Supporting Approval & Adoption of the Scott County Multi-Jurisdiction Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Bi-State Representative, Laura Berkley, attended the meeting and reported that Bi-State has been working with ScottCounty communities for the past three years on a multi-jurisdiction local hazard mitigation plan. Berkley gave a brief presentation on the plan and stated communities that participate in the plan will have access to FEMA funds. Koehler questioned the local hazard mitigation actions and Berkley stated communities are under no financial obligation to act on all the mitigation actions listed in the plan but they must be identified in order to apply for FEMA funding. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2012-8. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Mengler, Kostichek, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.

Quad City Convention Bureau. Joe Taylor, Quad City Convention Bureau, was present and stated the Bureau closed in LeClaire on December 30, 2011, but they are looking at other locations to impact visitors. He requested a partnership contribution of $5,000 from Walcott as they are working on a location at the Truckstop area for a small visitor's kiosk. Further discussion on the contribution request will be held during the budget discussion later in the meeting.

Vision Committee.

Appointment of Members. Following a request to add two members to the Vision Committee, Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the appointment of two new members, Josie Dietz and Dick Hagen. Motion carried.

Community Development Internship Program. Discussion was held on the Community Development Internship program with the University of Iowa in the Urban & Regional Planning Department. The program allows a graduate student to work with a community in identifying possible funding sources and providing valuable information and ideas at no cost. Mengler moved and Kostichek seconded to participate in the program and allow the Vision Committee to work with a graduate student. Motion carried.

Review of Visioning Meeting. Discussion was held on the Visioning Meeting held on January 25^th. Council member comments included the lack of attendance from all age groups, positive feedback on breaking into small groups, and overall consensus that it was a positive meeting. Ballots collected at the conclusion of the meeting indicated relocating City Hall to the building at 1113 N. Main Street was the most popular of the various options. A lengthy discussion was held on the next steps and how to proceed. Council consensus was to list a RFP (Request for Proposals) for an architect on the next regular agenda.

Tree Stump in City Right-of-Way on Cedar Lane Drive. Rickertsen read a letter from the property owner on Cedar Lane Drive that stated their intent is to turn the tree stump into a carving. A dead tree, located in the right-of-way, was removed by the City but several feet of the stump remains, per the adjacent property owner's request. Following discussion it was determined that Attorney Schirman will research this issue.

Street Light Request. A petition was received from residents in the Walcott Estates Mobile Home Park requesting the City install a street light at the east entrance in the park. Attorney Schirman stated the site plan that was approved for this addition twelve years ago included proposed street lights and it appears that one was to be located at the private entrance. He also reported the City Code states that lighting of private streets in mobile home parks is the responsibility of the park owner. Council consensus was to send a letter to the park owner, along with a copy of the petition.

Resolution 2012-9, Approving Change Order #1 for the North Lift Station Improvements Project. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2012-9. Ayes: Jacob Puck, Mengler, and Kostichek. Koehler abstained due to conflict of interest since Koehler Electric is a subcontractor for the project. Motion carried. This change order includes multiple items but overall it reduces the total project amount by $1,990.

Asbestos Removal at 106 W. Lincoln Street. Brockmann presented a project worksheet to remove the asbestos at 106 W. Lincoln Street. Kostichek moved and Mengler seconded to accept the low bid from Environmental Management Services of Iowa, Inc. to remove and dispose of asbestos in the amount of $1,980. Motion carried. Brockmann reported that all utility services have been contacted to disconnect services.

Police Report. Chief Blake presented a project worksheet to purchase an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) for the second squad. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to purchase an AED at a cost not to exceed $1,800 and to purchase the infant/child electrodes not to exceed $140. Motion carried.

Public Work's Report. Brockmann presented his report including updates on the following: new tractor, wastewater treatment plant, reflective signs, and lift station project.

FYE 2013 Budget. Discussion was held on the FYE 2013 budget. A contribution to the Quad City Convention Bureau in the amount of $2,500 was added to the proposed budget and this contribution will only be made if a kiosk in installed at the Iowa 80 Truckstop. Kostichek moved and Koehler seconded to set the levy rate at $9.99999 per $1,000 valuation on regular property. Motion carried. The current levy rate is $10.00. Discussion was held on the need to increase sewer rates, effective July 1, 2012. Rickertsen will prepare an ordinance amendment for a future meeting. Kostichek moved and Mengler seconded to set the public hearing for March 5, 2012, at 6 p.m. Motion carried.

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:55 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.