March 19, 2012

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19^th day of March, 2012, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Couper called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, John Kostichek, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Jeff Blake.

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and January 2012 financial reports. Motion carried.

Audience. Denise Bulat, Kristal Koberg-Schaefer, Larry Koberg, Sharon Hesse, Brent Arp, and Janice Dawson.

Bi-State Regional Commission – Denise Bulat. Denise Bulat was present to inform the council of the services provided by the Bi-State Regional Commission. Bi-State serves as a forum for intergovernmental cooperation and delivery of regional programs. They are a local organization that assists member local governments in planning and project development. Walcott is currently a participating member with Bi-State.

Vision Committee : Kristal Koberg-Schaefer. Discussion was held on the request from the last meeting regarding participating in the Main Street Assessment program. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve allowing the Vision Committee to solicit private funds for the program, with the City's financial participation up to $100. Motion carried.

Street Closure : E. Bryant Street. Kostichek moved and Jackie Puck seconded to close E. Bryant Street, between Main Street and Henry Street, on March 24^th from Noon – 5:00 p.m. Motion carried. The closure is for a fundraiser event for a local sports team.

Fast-pitch Softball Tournaments : Fencing. Larry Koberg was present and reported that there will be two fast-pitch softball tournaments this summer. The fast-pitch invitational tournament will be held from May 25^th : May 27^th and the Iowa Area ISC men's fast-pitch tournament will be from June 8^th : June 16^th. Koberg requested fencing both Wescott and Victory Parks for the tournaments, beginning on Wednesday, May 23^rd. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to allow the fences to be installed at Wescott and Victory Parks on May 23^rd and be removed on June 17^th at Wescott Park and partial removal at Victory Park. Remaining fence at Victory Park will not be removed until July 22^nd, the day after Walcott Day. Motion carried.

Park Board Recommendations. Discussion was held on the recommendation from the Park Board to charge a $25 reservation for the gazebo at Welcome Park and a $50 fee for the gazebo at Prairie View Park, along with requiring a $50 damage deposit for the gazebo at Prairie View Park. Following discussion, Mayor Couper referred the issue to the Park Committee, Koehler and Jacob Puck. The Committee will attend the next Park Board meeting; scheduled for April 4^th at 5:30 p.m. Discussion was also held on the recommendation to proceed with a grant request to purchase two defibrillators, to be located at the concession stands in Wescott and Victory Parks. Insurance Agent, Brent Arp, stated our insurance carrier had concerns that whoever is operating the defibrillator be trained. Chief Blake stated untrained public would be covered under the Good Samaritan laws. Jackie Puck moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve pursuing grant funds to place one defibrillator at each park (Wescott & Victory). Motion carried.

Spring Clean-up. Kostichek moved and Mengler seconded to have springclean-up day on Saturday, May 5^th from 2:5 p.m. Motion carried. This will be located at the Public Works building for Walcott residents only. No electronic, business, or household hazardous waste. Tires, appliances, and bulky items will be accepted at no charge.

Resolution 2012-13, Setting Employee Wages for FYE 2013. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2012-13. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Koehler, and Kostichek. Motion carried.

Resolution 2012-14, Approving Iowa 80 Site Plan & Partial Vacation of Drainage Easement. Rickertsen stated thePlanning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Site Plan, following two separate review meetings. Approval was received by the City Engineer and Attorney Schirman stated he had a quit claim deed for the vacation of the drainage easement. Kostichek moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2012-14. Roll call ayes: Kostichek, Koehler, Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried.

Review of Employee Handbook. This topic was tabled until the next regular meeting.

Ordinance 456-12, Amending Sewer Rates. Jackie Puck moved to introduce and approve the first reading of Ordinance 456-12. Seconded by Kostichek. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Kostichek, Mengler, Koehler, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried. The rates will increase $.50 per 1,000 gallons of water usage, beginning with the July 1^st bill.

Review of City Code. This topic was tabled until the next regular meeting.

Public Work's Report. Brockmann presented his report including several project updates and the sludge removal plan.

City Clerk's Report. Rickertsen reported on the following:

Koehler moved and Jake Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:08 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.