January 16, 2012
City of Walcott
January 16, 2012
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 16th day of January, 2012 at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Jim Couper called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, John Kostichek, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. City employees present: John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, Jeff Blake, and Joe Hahn.
Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Mengler questioned the bill from Voelkers Plumbing for work done at 1113 N. Main Street. This bill was for a new boiler pump and removing and cleaning the burners as they had been under water and were full of rust. Brockmann stated that heat was needed in the building in order to keep the sump pump from freezing. Koehler moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from January 3, 2012, and the December 2011 financial reports. Motion carried.
Audience. Janice Dawson and Wayne Latimer.
Resolution 2012-7, Authorizing Internal Advance to Tax Increment Revenue (TIF) Fund. Rickertsen explained this is an internal loan, $225,000 from the Water Fund and $225,000 from the Local Option Sales Tax Fund, for the North Lift Station Improvements Project. The funds will be repaid from the TIF Fund by June 1, 2014. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2012-7. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Koehler, and Kostichek. Motion carried.
Street Light Request. Brockmann reported he had a citizen request a street light at the intersection of the east Mobile Home Park entrance and Walcott Road. Discussion was held regarding estimated costs and that the entrance is a private drive, not a city street. Following further discussion, Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to deny the request as it's not the City's responsibility to light a private drive. Motion carried. Brockmann was asked to relay the information to the citizen and the Mobile Home Park since it's their private drive.
North Lift Station Improvements Project. Brockmann reported on the preconstruction meeting for the project. Change orders, including credits, will be presented to council at a future meeting.
Police Report. Chief Blake requested training approval for Sergeant Hill and Officer Mayberry to attend a two week training session in Ankeny at a cost of $500 each plus travel and meals. Jackie Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the training for two officers at a total cost of $1,000 plus travel and meals. Motion carried. Chief Blake also reported he would be attending a free instructor class on standardized field sobriety in February.
Public Work's Report. Brockmann updated the council on recent water main breaks and discussed concerns with the Vision Committee/meeting. Discussion was held on the building maintenance at 1113 N. Main Street. Mayor Couper stated he gave Brockmann permission to do some painting at 1113 N. Main Street as the city needs to maintain all city-owned buildings.
City Clerk's Report. Discussion was held on having available department heads present during the open house at 1113 N. Main Street on January 21st.
Questions/Concerns. Jackie Puck questioned Chief Hahn if a full-time fire employee was needed in the near future. Hahn responded he didn't feel it was needed in the next few years and he stated that Walcott is a provisional fire and EMS service and has 28E agreements for mutual aid. Kostichek questioned the county-wide emergency system. Chief Blake responded that the radios are working better and so far the software is running faster.
Municipal Leadership Online Training Session. Audience members and staff, with the exception of Rickertsen, left meeting and the Mayor and council viewed a 40 minute online presentation on city budgets. Following the session, Mayor Couper questioned the tree stump remaining on Cedar Lane Drive. The item will be placed on the next regular agenda and Mayor Couper will contact Brockmann.
Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:47 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.