June 5, 2017 Minutes
City of Walcott
June 5, 2017
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 5th day of June, 2017, 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, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Public Comments. John Brockmann complained that the area north of the cemetery, along Memorial Road (road ditch and park), was not freshly mowed before Memorial Day.
Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from May 15, 2017, and Class C Liquor License and Sunday License for the New Walcott Coliseum Inc. Motion carried.
Approval of Fireworks Permit – Walcott Day Display at Prairie View Park. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the fireworks permit on July 14th, with a rain date of July 15th, for the Walcott Day display at Prairie View Park. Motion carried.
Splash Pad Project Update. Rickertsen reported on recent grant awards and stated the engineer utilized for the preliminary design work will be attending the next Park Board meeting. The engineer will be asked to provide a cost estimate for the final engineering design, bidding, and contract administration.
Resolution 2017-25, Setting Wages for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2017. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2017-25. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Mengler, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.
Ordinance 494-17, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees. This ordinance increases the garbage rates to $12.33, effective July 1, 2017. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 494-17. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jackie Puck, Koehler, Jacob Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported he met with Fire Chief Geigle and they recommended keeping the fireworks ban in place within city limits. However, they did propose more restrictive dates and times for allowing class two fireworks if the council chose to allow them. Due to the limited time frame and lack or public input, Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to keep the current ban on use of fireworks within the city limits. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report.
- Park Picnic Tables. Stagg requested guidance from Council on the borrowing of picnic tables from the park shelters. Past problems have arisen when shelters are reserved and picnic tables have been removed from the shelter. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to allow Walcott residents to reserve available picnic tables, with the resident to be responsible for any damages. Motion carried. Signs will be posted at the shelters with the reservation details.
- Disposal of 1997 Ford Truck. Stagg reported the new truck Jacob Puck and Latimer seconded to proceed with placing the 1997 Ford truck out for bid. Motion carried.
- Disposal of Lighting Fixtures. Stagg reported the lighting upgrade projects at the public works building and water plant have both been completed. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to proceed with placing the old lighting fixtures out for bid. Motion carried.
City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported the employment law attorney recommended not to proceed with the proposed changes to the insurance benefits for new employees. Koehler stated he felt the proposed changes should be considered during the hiring process. Following discussion, Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to proceed with obtaining a detailed opinion letter from the employment law attorney, at a cost up to $1,500, regarding new hire insurance benefits. Motion carried.
Council Member Comments. Jacob Puck expressed his thanks to the Walcott American Legion and Walcott Day Committee members for their work on the flags during Memorial Day weekend. Koehler questioned the flower basket watering. Stagg responded that he is now watering the baskets daily and it takes up to an hour.
Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:35 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.