March 2, 2015 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 2nd day of March, 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.

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

Public Hearings. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the FYE 2016 Budget.
Public Hearing on FYE 2016 Budget. Rickertsen stated the tax levy will remain at $10.12002 per 1,000 tax valuation on regular property. She stated the budget includes $2,336,948 for proposed capital projects. No written or other oral comments were received. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to close the public hearing and open the public hearing on the rezoning at 101 S. Main Street. Motion carried.
Public Hearing on Rezoning at 101 S. Main Street. Rickertsen stated the Zoning Administrator felt it would be beneficial to lighten the zoning on this lot to from M-1 Light Industrial to C-2 Central Business District (commercial) since it is located in the central part of the community and across the street from residential and an assembly building. She also reported that most industrial businesses may not be able to locate on this lot due to buffer requirements from residential. Rickertsen reported that the zoning change was not recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Brett Marshall, attorney representing Central Petroleum Company (adjacent property owner), was present and stated they oppose the rezoning. Council questioned audience member Bernard Brus, who is a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission, why the majority of the Commission members did not agree to rezone the lot. Brus stated they felt it was best to leave it zoned industrial at this time, especially since it's next to the railroad, and it could be rezoned to commercial at a later date. Mengler stated more types of businesses could locate on the lot if it was zoned commercial. Discussion ensued and it was stated that some of the other concerns from the Planning & Zoning Commission were not relevant to the zoning request. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to close the public hearing. Motion carried. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from February 16, 2015. Motion carried.

Introduction of Audience. Paula Schneckloth, Gene Meyer, Dennis Moran, Bernard Brus, Jason Holdorf, Jill Hernandez, Jim Paulsen, and Brett Marshall.

Alliant Energy. Paula Schneckloth, Alliant Energy representative, introduced herself as the City's new account manager. She stated rebates may be available for current and future projects.

Tree Removal : W. Bryant Street Project. Discussion was held on two trees that were removed at 334 W. Durant Street during the W. Bryant Street project. Mayor Kostichek expressed regret to Jim Paulsen for any misunderstandings.

Resolution 2015-11, Approving the Adoption for the FYE 2016 Budget. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2015-11. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, Latimer, and Koehler. Motion carried.

Ordinance Amending the Official Zoning Map. Mengler stated she feels it's in the best interest of the City to rezone because this lot would be more appropriately used for commercial purposes rather than industrial. Mengler moved to introduce and approve the first reading of Ordinance 477-15. Seconded by Jackie Puck. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, Latimer, and Koehler. Motion carried. This is the first of three readings to rezone the lot at 101 N. Main Street from M-1, Light Industrial, to C-2, Central Business District.

Liability/Property/Worker's Compensation Insurance Renewal. Rickertsen recommended renewing the IAMU Safety Group Insurance Program with EMC Insurance Company, utilizing local agent Brent Arp. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to renew the insurance with EMC Insurance Company. Motion carried.

Fire Department Report.
Light Bar. Chief Geigle presented a project worksheet to replace the light bar on Rescue 6 that is malfunctioning. Latimer moved and Mengler seconded to approve the replacement, at a cost of $2,399 from Alexis Fire and Equipment. Motion carried.
High Pressure Jaws System. Geigle reported they found a used rescue system, for extrication purposes, to place in the new truck, Engine #3. This system would be compatible with the tools on Rescue #6 truck. Funding for the purchase would be from the Fire Department Donation Fund. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the purchase in the amount of $12,500 from Howell Rescue Systems. Motion carried.
Geigle also reported that Engine #3 was selected to be featured in a nation-wide magazine, Fire Engineering, sometime within the next 12 months.

Main Street Enhancement Project. Various styles of decorative lighting options were reviewed. A few options were ruled out and costs will be obtained for some of the remaining options. Mengler stated the Walcott Day Committee donated $3,200 towards the hanging baskets for the new light poles.

101 S. Main Street. A special meeting to discuss the lot and project will be scheduled for a future date.

Public Works Report.
WW Grade lll Operator. Brockmann stated the part-time certified operator, Randy Reimers, will be working additional hours at the plant and Scott Brockmann will continue to be at the plant full-time. Brockmann stated it would not reduce the overtime hours since the plant is in operation seven days a week. Brockmann stated coverage is available for the plant if S. Brockmann takes time off.

City Clerk's Report. Rickertsen stated the Iowa Department of Transportation estimates that Walcott will receive an additional $26,895/year from the gas tax increase. These funds are deposited in the Road Use Tax Fund for street repairs, maintenance and pavement improvements projects.

Questions/Concerns. Joe Quick arrived and reported they had a RAGBRAI meeting. Information will be posted on the City's website when more details become available.

Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to adjourn at 6:58 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.