June 6, 2011

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 6^th day of June, 2011. Mayor Couper called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Koberg, Koehler, Kostichek, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. City employees present: L. Rickertsen, J. Brockmann, T. Schirman, J. Blake, and J. Hahn.

Koehler moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Public Hearings. Mayor Couper opened the public hearing on the plans and specifications for the N. Downey Street Pavement Improvements Project. No oral or written comments were received from the public. Jackie Puck moved and Koberg seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Koberg seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from 05/16/ 2011. Motion carried.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake introduced his new officer, Brian Mayberry. Jackie Puck moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2011-28, Approving Hourly Wage for New Officer. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, Koehler, Kostichek, and Koberg. Motion carried. Mayor Couper welcomed Officer Mayberry and administered the oath of office to him. Resolution 2011-29, Regulating the Operation of Golf Carts During the Annual Walcott Day Celebration. Discussion was held on allowing carts to be operated on the Sunday following Walcott Day until 2:00 p.m. The resolution already included use on Friday and Saturday nights until Midnight. For use in this resolution "golf cart" is defined as a motorized vehicle designed to transport person(s) on a golf course and includes ATV's and utility vehicles. Kostichek moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2011-29 with the change as discussed. Roll call ayes: Kostichek, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Koberg, and Koehler. Motion carried. No "golf cart" may be operated during the annual Walcott Day celebration unless the operator obtains a permit from the Walcott Police Chief and meets all requirements as listed in Resolution 2011-29.

Street Closure Request. Jacob Peters attended and requested approval to close E. Bryant Street in front of the Walcott Coliseum on Saturday, June 11^th. Peters will be getting married on June 11^th and the reception will be at the Walcott Coliseum. Rickertsen will check with the insurance agent regarding liability concerns. Koehler moved and Koberg seconded to close E. Bryant Street, from Main Street to Henry Street, from 6 : 11 p.m. on June 11, 2011, contingent upon endorsement from the insurance agent. Motion carried.

Walcott Day Fireworks & Street Closures. Diane McKinley was present to discuss the fireworks display on July 15, 2011. Following discussion, Koberg moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the concept/location of the fireworks display on July 15, 2011. Motion carried. The fireworks permit cannot be approved until an application and all required documents are submitted. McKinley also discussed street closures needed around Victory Park during Walcott Day, particularly for the car show. Following discussion, Kostichek moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the following street closures on July 15, 2011: N. Henry Street, between James Street and Otis Street; E. Otis Street, between Henry Street and Downey Street; and N. Downey Street, between James Street and Lincoln Street. Motion carried.

Midfield Pattern : Compaction Issues. Koberg reported the council Park Committee (Koberg & Koehler) met with Jake Worden and John Brockmann regarding the compaction issues on his lot on Main Street. Following discussion with Jake Worden, citizen Mike Sissel questioned if it had been considered that maybe the soil wasn't the type that is suitable for compaction and he referenced the compaction issues he had when building the assisted living facility, located adjacent to the recreational trail area. Discussion was held on requesting the City Engineer, Jon White, attend a council Committee of the Whole meeting on June 27, 2011 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the issue. The reimbursement request for dirt excavation costs as discussed during the May 16^th council meeting was withdrawn.

Vision Committee Report. Brent Puck updated the council on topics the Vision Committee has been working on and encouraged input from the council. Mayor Couper expressed his appreciation with the Committee's efforts.

Recreational Trail & Park Project.

• Committee Update. Brent Puck also updated the council on the Recreational Trail and Park Project. Discussion was held on the seeding that was done last fall. It takes approximately three years for a native seeding to become established and regular mowings will be necessary to control weeds and help the native plants become established. Discussion was also held on project items that have not been resolved.
• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held in the evening on Friday, July 15^th, prior to the fireworks display.
• Name. Puck reported they received approximately thirty recommendations name of the park/trail. The committee recommended naming the park Prairie View Park and naming the trail Heritage Trail. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the Recreational Trail & Park Committee's naming recommendations of Prairie View Park and Heritage Trail. Motion carried. Mayor Couper expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Committee.
• Approval of Payment No. 6. Due to unresolved project items, Jackie Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to table payment no. 6, in the amount of $26,294.37, to McCarthy Improvements Company. Motion carried.

Resolution 2011-26, Approving Plans & Specifications for N. Downey Street Pavement Improvements Project. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve resolution 2011-26. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Koehler, Jacob Puck, Kostichek, and Koberg. Motion carried. Bids will be received on June 16^th and forwarded to the council for their consideration on June 20^th.

Resolution 2011-27, Awarding Contract for the Fire Department Expansion Project. Rickertsen reported four bids were received, ranging from $58,076.10 – $99,500. Rickertsen stated the lowest bidder did not submit the bid security with the bid as required but he called the day after the bid opening and stated he could provide it. Koehler moved and Koberg seconded to approve Resolution 2011-27. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Koberg, Kostichek, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried. The contract was awarded to Sissel Construction for $58,777.20,

Approval of Fireworks Display for Walcott Truckers Jamboree on July 14, 2011. Koehler moved and Koberg seconded to approve the fireworks display on July 14, 2011. Motion carried.

Handicap Curb Ramps & Alley (sidewalk) Replacements. Brockmann presented a project worksheet for the curb ramps and sidewalks with bids from three contractors. Kostichek moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve hiring Grunder Concrete to replace specific curb ramps and sidewalks at a total project amount not to exceed $5,185. Motion carried. City staff will remove old concrete and purchase the curb detectable warning mats. The approved project amount includes the purchase of curb detectable warning mats.

Residential Handicap Policy. Rickertsen obtained a written residential handicap parking policy from the City of Clinton. Following discussion, Koberg moved and Kostichek seconded to table the issue until a later time. Motion carried.

Ordinance 454-11, Amending the Zoning Map : 131 E. Bryant Street. Discussion was held on the central business district area. Koberg moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 454-11. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Kostichek. Motion carried. Jackie Puck moved and Koberg seconded to waive the third reading of Ordinance 454-11. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Koberg, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Kostichek. Motion carried. This changes the zoning from C-2 (Central Business District) to R-3 (Multiple-Family Dwelling District). The property has been utilized as multiple-family for many years.

Public Work's Report. Brockmann expressed thanks to the Walcott Lions for their donation of plants and planting them in a perennial garden at Welcome Park. Also, a special thanks to Janet Brockmann for the brick donation for edging around the perennial garden. Brockmann reported on what the recent hot weather has done to some of the streets and that they are accepting donations to purchase new picnic tables. Kostichek questioned the guardrail on the bridge along Main Street and Mayor Couper questioned a fence at the Water Treatment Plant. Brockmann stated he will check on the guardrail and he has not pursued a fence yet.

Fire Department Report. Hahn presented a project worksheet for purchasing replacement hoses and nozzles. Questions arose on quotes from other vendors. Hahn stated he received three quotes and Alexis Fire was the lowest. Hahn will forward the other quotes to the council. Mayor Couper offered to pick up the equipment which will save approximately $100 in shipping charges. Koberg moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the purchase from Alexis Fire, not to exceed $2,710. Motion carried. Hahn reported the Fire Department has been recertified as an EMT-I level service. He also reported on questions regarding the siren tones. Discussion was held on obtaining magnets that include information on the siren tones/signals.

FYE 2012 Wages. Discussion was held on wages for FYE 2012. Koberg moved and Koehler seconded to proceed with a $.55 hourly increase for full-time staff and part-time increases as recommended by department heads. Motion carried. A wage resolution will be prepared for the next regular meeting.

City Attorney Report. Schirman reported on the status of the property acquisition for the sewer lift station project. Following discussion, Koberg moved and Jacob Puck seconded to acquire an appraisal on the property. Motion carried.

Mayor's Report. Mayor Couper made a few changes to the council committees. The 2011 Council Committees are as follows:

• Police, Fire, Street Lights, Animal Control, Civil Defense, ZBA, Forever Green : Jackie Puck & Koberg
• Sanitary Sewer, Solid Waste : Jacob Puck & Kostichek
• Streets, Parks, Equipment Operations : Koehler & Koberg
• Policy & Administration, Mayor, Council, Clerk, Treasurer, P&Z, Elections, City Hall & Building Kostichek & Jackie Puck
• Water Plant Operations, Distributions & Maintenance : Jacob Puck & Koehler

Koberg moved and Jackie Puck seconded to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.