March 3, 2014

City of Walcott March 3, 2014

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 3rd day of March, 2014, 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, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

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

Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the FYE 2015 budget. Rickertsen stated the proposed tax levy will increase to $10.12 per 1,000 tax valuation on regular property. This 12 cent increase is the first levy rate increase in seven years. Rickertsen reported the budget includes $385,000 for a proposed fire truck and $1,660,000 in proposed capital projects. No written or other oral comments were received. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to close the public hearing and 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 17, 2014. Motion carried.

Audience. Jason Holdorf, Janice Dawson, Jay Stanley (Stanley Consultants), Devon Arp, Eugene Meyer, Kent Arp, Larry Koberg, Shane Smith, John Schliekelman, Dan Mays, Randy Prine, and Glenn Houghton.

Contract Approval for Sanitary Sewer Inflow & Infiltration Study. Attorney Schirman stated the contract has been revised and his concerns have been addressed, therefore he recommended approval of the contract. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the contract for a Sanitary Sewer Inflow & Infiltration Study with Stanley Consultants. Motion carried. Contract services shall not exceed $155,000 without prior authorization from the City.

Contract Approval for WET Source Identification Project. Jay Brady reported on the testing results on the Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) test, which was required by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Brady reported the proposed contract with Askew Scientific Consulting LLC will help to identify the sources of toxicity. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the WET Source Identification Project contract with Askew Scientific Consulting LLC. Motion carried. Contract services shall not exceed $11,400.

Eugene Meyer. Eugene Meyer stated he was very discouraged with the City as there was never any indication that the property he purchased on North Main Street was in a flood plain area. Attorney Schirman responded that flood plain maps are prepared by FEMA and they are not recorded on individual lots by any city. Schirman stated the flood plain maps for Walcott are not very detailed. He also stated the City has done nothing wrong and has followed the Site Plan process where the City Engineer determined that the proposed building may be in the flood plain area during his review. Jason Holdorf stated Meyer's parcel is an unstudied area and the IDNR is in the process of determining elevations of the project area. Jackie Puck and Mayor Kostichek expressed the City's enthusiasm with his project and that the City's proposed Main Street Enhancement project will help provide safe pedestrian access to the proposed development. Kent Arp reported on a similar situation in Davenport and questioned why the City can't recommend approval of the Site Plan, contingent upon receiving elevations by the IDNR. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to ask the Planning and Zoning Commission to review and recommend approval of the Site Plan, contingent upon final IDNR elevations/approval, if that is the only issue with the Site Plan. Motion carried. The Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on March 10th to review the Site Plan.

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 Jackie Puck seconded to renew the insurance with EMC Insurance Company. Motion carried.

Urban Renewal Area. Rickertsen presented the current Consolidated Urban Renewal Area map and most recent plan amendment. Discussion was held on adding the entire Main Street right-of-way to the Urban Renewal Area along with other properties located along Main Street. A larger map which indicates property lot lines was requested prior to any council action. This will be on the next regular meeting agenda.

Ordinance 469-14, Amending Provisions Pertaining to Mobile Home Park Regulations. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 469-14. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Mengler. Motion carried. This amendment is in regards to building permit fees and inspections for mobile homes.

Resolution 2014-9, Approving the Adoption of the FYE 2015 Budget. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2014-9. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Koehler, and Latimer. Motion carried.

Resolution 2014-10, Approving Contract for Demolition of Building per Dangerous Building Order. Attorney Schirman stated everything is in order with the contract with Holst Trucking and Excavating and Building Official, Linda Rivers, is addressing concerns from the property owner. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2014-10. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Mengler. Motion carried.

City Clerk's Report.

  • Computer Purchase. Rickertsen presented a project worksheet to replace the Deputy City Clerk's computer. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve the computer purchase and a ten hour block package from Computer Evolutions at a total cost not to exceed the $1,920. Motion carried.
  • Prairie View Park Native Plantings Presentation. Dan Mays was present and stated he would like to give a presentation to the community outlining what native plants they can expect to see at Prairie View Park/Heritage Trail. Council was supportive of the presentation and agreed he could utilize the Fire Department meeting room, based on availability. Once the date is confirmed, an article will be placed in the Chamber newsletter. Questions arose on a spring prairie burn. Brockmann stated it is planned for this spring when conditions are favorable.
  • Right-of-Way and Front Yard Parking Restrictions. Rickertsen reported that an ordinance has been prepared for prohibiting parking as discussed at the last meeting but staff is in the process of identifying areas that may need to be exempted. The ordinance will be presented to council at a future meeting.

Rickertsen also reported on the progress of the new redesigned website for the City and stated she would like additional pictures to be added prior to the website going live.

City Attorney Report. Discussion was held on the letter from City Engineer, Jon White, regarding the W. Bryant Street project. White requested an extension to the end of March to complete the engineering construction documents. Rickertsen stated possible dates for the project plans and specifications public hearing and bid letting if the documents are completed by the end of March. Council consensus was to have Attorney Schirman respond to White's letter.

Mayor's Report. Mayor Kostichek reported on the Splash Pad Committee's first meeting and their excitement on the project. He expressed his thanks to the committee members for volunteering their time towards the project. He also thanked the audience for attending the meeting and the Public Works Department for their snow removal efforts, especially on so many weekends this year.

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

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