January 19, 2015 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19th day of January, 2015, 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, John Brockmann, Josh Geigle, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

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, minutes from January 5, 2015, December 2014 financial reports, liquor license renewal for Gramma's Kitchen & The Checkered Flag, and Resolution 2015-5, Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Latimer, Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.

Introduction of Audience. Bernard Brus, Gene Meyer, Brent Puck, Jason Holdorf, and Donna Housley.

Vision Committee Report. Committee member Brent Puck was present on behalf of the Vision Committee to discuss items from their January 14th meeting. Items discussed include the following: revamping the organization board by Casey's, forming a non-profit group, potential welcome sign sites, school liaison, and one member resignation. Council members had no objections to committee member Jason Holdorf being the new liaison between the Walcott School and City. Mengler thanked the committee members for their efforts.

Fire Department Report. The proposed department budget for FYE 2016 was reviewed and discussed. Chief Geigle presented a vehicle schedule and possible replacements within the next ten years. He also stated the new truck will be arriving on Wednesday, January 21st.

W. Bryant Street Project.
Resolution 2015-6, Approval of Change Order #5. Latimer moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2015-6. Roll call ayes: Latimer, Mengler, Koehler, Jacob Puck, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried. This change order totals $818.50 for curb cuts and painting handicap symbols. Mayor Kostichek reported on standing water/drainage concerns next to the new sidewalk on the corner of W. Bryant and Power Street. Brockmann was not aware of any problems but will look at the area.
Resolution 2015-7, Approving Early Release of Retainage. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2015-7. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Latimer, Mengler, Koehler, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried. The project is substantially complete and remaining items are seeding and fertilizing, amounting to $6,600, which will be completed later this spring. The Resolution approves a payment to N.J. Miller, Inc. in the amount of $24,830.76, as recommended by the Project Engineer, and funds in the amount of $13,200 will be retained until the remaining project items are completed.
Engineering Fees for Early Release of Retainage. Brockmann stated he has questions regarding the invoice received and will talk to the project engineer. Following a brief discussion, Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to table the issue until a response is received from the project engineer regarding the invoice and engineering contract. Motion carried.

Bryant Street, Powers Street, Rowe Lane, and Parker Street Sidewalk Improvements Project.
Resolution 2015-8. Accepting work Covering the Sidewalk Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2015-8. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Koehler, and Latimer. Motion carried. The total cost of the sidewalk improvements project is $27,892.64, of which the sum of $13,946.32 shall be assessed against private property.
Resolution 2015-9, Adopting Final Assessment Schedule for Sidewalk Improvements Project. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2015-9. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Mengler. Motion carried.

Boundary Survey for 101 S. Main Street. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the proposal from J & M Civil Design for the site survey, in the amount of $2,000, to determine accurate property boundaries at 101 S. Main Street. Motion carried

Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented a project worksheet to purchase four body cameras. He reported the department received a grant in the amount of $1,800 from the Iowa 80/CAT Scale Go Iowa Fund Grant Program for the cameras. Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the purchase of four cameras, not to exceed $1,800. Motion carried. Chief Blake reported the remaining No Weapons" signs arrived. Attorney Schirman and Chief Blake will work on a policy for enforcement procedures.

Public Work's Report. Brockmann presented three bids for a new pick-up truck. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the purchase of a 2015 Ford F150 from Ron Alpen Ford for $25,064. Motion carried. Brockmann stated he will also have the bed liner sprayed which will be an additional cost. Brockmann reported on the water line breaks inside the city-owned building at 1113 N. Main Street. He stated he felt the heating failure in the building was due to dead batteries in the thermostat. Brockmann also reported on blockage with sewer lines at the end of W. Lincoln Street and stated a tree causing the problem will be removed. Brockmann presented proposals for engineering services for conceptual plans for a new splash pad park area and improvements along W. Otis Street. Proposals ranged from $12,900 to $62,955. Latimer moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the Park Board's recommendation on hiring J & M Civil Design in the amount of $12,900. Motion carried.

City Clerk's Report. Rickertsen presented the Building Department's report and stated 191 permits were issued in 2014.

Mayor's Report. Mayor Kostichek read a letter from Dr. Bartelt Brouer, Mayor of Sister City, Bredenbek, Germany. Several mugs, from their 750 year celebration, were sent from Bredenbek.

Questions/Concerns. Questions arose on the car wash on Main Street. It is temporarily closed and the property is for sale. Mengler reported she spoke with the Walcott Day Committee regarding the holiday lights and reported they are always looking for more volunteers and would accept donations towards the lights. She stated they are looking at purchasing new lights and also garland and wreaths for the new decorative poles to be located on N. Main Street.

Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 7:10 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.