January 15, 2018 Minutes
City of Walcott
January 19, 2018
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 15th day of January, 2018, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: John Brockmann, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Absent: None. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.
Consent Agenda. Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from January 2, 2018, and the December 2017 financial reports. Motion carried.
Walcott Historical Society – Donation Request. Karen Puck, Brenda Warner, and Karla Burt were present on behalf of the Walcott Historical Society. Karen Puck reported over 400 copies of their book, Walcott Early Years, has been sold and they are working on other books. She stated they will be utilizing the building at 102 E. Vernon Street for storage and display of historical items. During Walcott Day weekend, July 20th & 21st, they will be open for a temporary display of their historical items. The City’s support of a $9,000 donation was requested to assist with utilities, computer, printer, software program, archiving supplies, and liability insurance costs. Koehler thanked Karla Burt for letting the Historical Society utilize the building at no cost and requested written documentation of expenses for the donation request. Mengler thanked the Historical Society members for everything they are doing and stated it’s important to the City to keep the history alive. Discussion was held that the donation request is for consideration in the City’s next budget year, FYE 2019, which starts July 1, 2018. Brockmann moved to consider putting $5,000 in the budget. Motion died due to a lack of a second since the donation request will be considered during the FYE 2019 budget meeting held later this month.
Potential Capital Improvements Projects. The list of proposed future capital improvement projects was reviewed and discussed. The Mayor and Council Members will individually rank the projects and the rankings will be discussed at a future meeting.
Ordinance 496-17, Designating an Area of Walcott as the 2017 Walcott Urban Revitalization Area. This designates an area of the City as a revitalization area for economic development of and the promotion of housing and residential development. Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the 3rd reading of Ordinance 496-17. Roll call ayes: Puck, Smith, Mengler, Koehler, and Brockmann. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported on a recent water main break over the weekend. He also presented emailed responses from the televising company in regards to questions that were raised at the January 2nd council meeting. He reported that due to the different equipment that is used, lateral service lines are typically not televised during main line televising. He also reported that repairs cannot be made at the same time as the televising due to there being too many variables in the type of repairs that might be needed on any given section of main. Brockmann stated this company uses a different process and they don’t have the proper equipment to seal joints while televising. He was asked to provide the name of the company that provides this service.
City Clerk Report. The budget meeting was scheduled for Monday, January 22nd at 5:00 p.m.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kosticheck stated that the Historical Society is providing a vision so people can be proud of the city heritage.
Council Member Comments. Brockmann complimented the Public Works Department about the recent snow removal.
Puck moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted