January 18, 2016 Minutes
City of Walcott
January 18, 2016
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 18th day of January, 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. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from January 4, 2016, minutes from January 11, 2016, Class C Liquor License renewal for Gramma’s Kitchen & The Checkered Flag, December 2015 financial reports, and Resolution 2016-5, Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Mengler, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Koehler. Motion carried.
Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project. Pay request #5, in the amount of $74,826.37, was reviewed and recommended for approval by Missman, Inc. and Linda Rivers, Building Official. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve payment #5, based on Rivers’ approval, to Brandt Construction in the amount of $74,826.37. Motion carried.
Engineering Fee – Review of Rowe Street ROW Survey/Plat. Rickertsen reported on the cost for the City Engineer to review the plat of survey from Rita Stender. Stender previously questioned if the City would deed her 40 feet, half of the Rowe Street right-of-way (ROW), adjacent to her property that she has been utilizing and maintaining. Council consensus was to have the City Engineer review the plat, following confirmation from Stender that she agrees to reimburse the City for all costs to vacate any
Review of Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment Results. The report from MSA Professional Services regarding the results of the Phase 2 environmental site assessment of the vacant lot at 101 S. Main Street was reviewed. The report indicates that they did not detect contamination indicating a release to the environment that exceeded State standards at this property. No further investigation was recommended however, they did note that only a limited number of borings were performed and there may be pockets of contamination that were not encountered during this assessment. Council consensus was to invite the architect hired for the proposed municipal building project to the next regular meeting.
Ordinance 481-16, Amending Chapter 65 Amending Certain Provisions Pertaining to Stop Intersections. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 481-16. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Koehler, and Jackie Puck. This is the second of three readings 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. Jackie Puck introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 482-16. Seconded by Latimer. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Latimer, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Mengler. Motion carried. This Ordinance 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.
Police Report. Chief Blake reported on the supervised inspections he and Officer Mayberry are required to complete as part of the IDOT Inspector training. Mayor Kostichek questioned the difference in the total number of calls compared to other Scott County police departments as listed in the annual report from SECC (Scott Emergency Communications Center). The report provided a total number of dispatched calls for service for all county police and fire departments for 2015.
City Clerk Report. Rickertsen presented information, as a review, of the basics of council meetings and the open meetings law. Attorney Schirman also reported on a recent seminar he attended which addressed issues concerning open meetings and issues surrounding defamation concerns as it relates to City officers and employees.
City Attorney Report. Attorney Schirman reported that a portion of the N. Plainview Road right-of-way (ROW), adjacent to the Iowa 80 Truckstop, is an easement for road purposes. He stated it needs to be determined if the easement is being used for something other than road purposes prior to any release of the easement area, as requested by the adjacent property owner.
Council Member Comments. Jackie Puck reported the recent Hearts & Hands Foundation is currently researching a few concepts for signs and asked the City Council to consider paying for ½ the costs of two signs, which would be approximately $20,000. This will be discussed further during the next budget meeting.
Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.