January 5, 2015

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 5th 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: Virgil Wayne Latimer, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: none. City employees present: Jeff Blake, Josh Geigle, Jackie Huston, and John Brockmann.

Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the agenda with the deletion of "Purchase of Vehicle" under the Public Works report. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, Resolution 2015-1 Authorizing Certain Payments Before a Council Meeting, Resolution 2015-2 Designation of Official Newspaper, Resolution 2015-3 Designation of Financial Institutions as Depositories, and Resolution 2015-4 Establishing the Standard Mileage Rate Reimbursement. Motion carried with unanimous roll call vote.

Introduction of Audience. None

Minutes from 12/15/14. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the minutes from 12/15/14. Motion carried with Koehler abstaining due to absence.

EMC Insurance Recommendation. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the recommendation from EMC Insurance regarding requirements for installation of equipment on water towers. Motion carried.

Donation to Durant Ambulance. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the annual donation to Durant Ambulance for $1,000. Motion carried.

Rezoning for 101 S. Main Street. Huston informed the Council that this city-owned property would need to be rezoned if a municipal building is to be constructed on it. She recommended rezoning to C-2, which would be appropriate zoning for the building and be contiguous to property on the north side of Lincoln that is zoned C-2. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to start the rezoning process from M-1 to C-2. Motion carried.

Fire Department Report. Fire Chief, Josh Geigle, reviewed the Project Worksheet that had been submitted to the Council for a new computer and software. The lowest of three bids was from Dell for $1,488 and the Chief recommended that bid. Latimer moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the bid from Dell. Motion carried.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported that he had declared a snow emergency that required vehicles to be parked on alternating sides of the streets from 6 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The Police Department will be contacting vehicle owners to move illegally parked vehicles. He also stated that the proposal to purchase body cameras will be ready for the next agenda.

Public Works' Report. Brockmann had nothing to report.

City Clerk's Report. Dates and times for budget meetings were chosen: January 22nd and February 5th, both at 5:30 p.m.

Mayor's Report. Mayor Kostichek read and discussed a letter from a citizen regarding the condition of the boulevard in front of the church. Following discussion, it was determined that nothing can be done at this time, however seeding would follow in the spring.

Questions/Concerns. Koehler questioned the following items:
If the "No Weapons" signs had been received : Chief Blake stated they had not.
A Walcott sign being placed at the north end of Main Street with discussion.
Status of mobile home that was supposedly exceeding the ordinance regarding number of dogs allowed : Chief Blake stated that the owner claims only three dogs are left.
Christmas lights that have bulbs burned out. He wondered if the city should assist in maintenance. Mengler stated that Walcott Day purchases and maintains the lights and she would discuss this with the committee.

Jacob Puck moved and Jackie Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:27 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.