May 16, 2011

City of Walcott May 16, 2011

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 16th day of May, 2011. Mayor Pro Tem Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Other council members present were: Koberg , Koehler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. City employees present: L. Rickertsen, J. Brockmann, T. Schirman, J. Blake, and J. Hahn.

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

Public Hearings. Kostichek opened the public hearing on the Budget Amendment for FYE 2011. Rickertsen stated that no oral or written comments were received. The revenue increase is due to special assessments, receipt of grants, and refunding (refinancing) the 2006 General Obligation Sewer Improvement Bonds. Expenditure increases due to installation of new storm sewer, sidewalk repair program, Welcome Park walkway, new metering system, and fees related to the bond refunding. Koehler moved and Ms. Puck seconded to close the public hearing and open the public hearing on the plans and specifications for the Fire Department Expansion Project. Motion carried. No oral or written comments were received. Ms. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Ms Puck moved and Koberg seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and April 2011 Financial Reports. Motion carried.

Approval of Minutes 05/02/2011. Koberg moved and Mr. Puck seconded to approve the minutes from 05/02/2011. Koehler abstained due to absence from meeting. Motion carried.

Resolution 2011-21, Approve Budget Amendment for FYE 2011. Koberg moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2011-21. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Koehler, Mr. Puck, Ms. Puck, and Kostichek. Motion carried.

Resolution 2011-22, Approving Plans and Specifications for Fire Department Expansion Project. Koehler moved and Mr. Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2011-22. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Mr. Puck, Ms. Puck, Koberg, and Kostichek. Motion carried

Resolution 2011-23, Provide for a Notice of Hearing : N. Downey Street Pavement Project. Koberg moved and Kostichek seconded to approve Resolution 2011-23. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Kostichek, Koehler, Mr. Puck, and Ms. Puck. Motion carried. This Resolution sets a public hearing for the plans and specifications for June 6th with project bids to be received on June 16th.

Midfield Pattern.

  • Resolution 2011-24, Approval of Site Plan. The Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Commission recommended approval of the Site Plan with a condition that a building permit not be issued until the City receives a copy of the Storm Water NPDES permit for the project. Attorney Schirman reported he spoke with two IDNR (Iowa Department of Natural Resources) representatives regarding the NPDES permit. Schirman stated the City doesn't need to be concerned with the NPDES permit issued by the IDNR as the liability in regards to starting a project prior to receiving a NPDES permit lies with the developer, not the City. There are cities that do require a copy of the NPDES permit prior to issuance of a building permit but those are cities that are involved in the Municipal Separate Storm Water Systems (MS4s), which Walcott is not. Koehler moved and Ms. Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2011-24, disregarding the recommendation from P&Z to require a copy of the NPDES permit. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Ms. Puck, Mr. Puck, Koberg, and Kostichek. Motion carried. It was noted that if P&Z had known the information obtained by Schirman they probably wouldn't have made the recommendation requiring a copy of the NPDES permit prior to issuance of a building permit.
  • Dirt Excavation Costs. Jake Worden, Midfield Pattern, was present and stated he paid a contractor to have some of the dirt moved off his property that was deposited there from the Recreational Trail and Park Project and he would like to be reimbursed for the costs. He also stated the dirt was never compacted and if the soil samples come back substandard he will also approach the City regarding those costs. Brockmann stated he felt the project contractor met their obligation and leveled the dirt to the grade per specifications but didn't think the project specifications stated it had to be compacted. Koehler moved and Kostichek seconded to table the issue for thirty days, for further review and until the soil borings tests results are received. Motion carried. Project Engineer, Jon White, will be asked to attend the next meeting.
  • TIF Rebate Application. Koberg moved and Koehler seconded to approve the TIF Rebate application for JDW Holidngs, LLC (Midfield Pattern). Motion carried.

Residential Handicap Policy. Rickertsen obtained information from the City of Davenport but will check with the City of Clinton for a written residential handicap policy.

Police Department. Chief Blake stated that Officer Hill has taken on more responsibility and he is promoting him to Sergeant. Ms. Puck moved and Mr. Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2011-25, Setting Hourly Wage for Police Sergeant. Roll call ayes: Ms. Puck, Mr. Puck, Koberg, Koehler, and Kostichek. Motion carried. Chief Blake reported he wants to hire another part-time officer but the officer is required to take the MMPI (mental health personality test). Officers that have not taken an MMPI within one year must re-take the test when starting positions with different departments. Koberg moved and Koehler seconded to approve funding the MMPI test for a new part-time officer. Motion carried.

Public Work's Report. Brockmann stated the price for the building located at 1113 N. Main Street has dropped and he would like the council to look at the building for utilization as a City Hall. He also reported on upkeep with the perennial gardens at Welcome Park, stating that he has trouble finding people to maintain them. Brockmann also reported that the grass is not growing at the new recreational trail and park area and there are a lot of project items unresolved. Project Engineer, Jon White, will be asked to provide an updated punch list for the project at the next meeting.

Welcome Park : Veteran's Memorial. Following discussion, Kostichek moved and Ms. Puck seconded to approve the Veteran's Memorial final plan with the flag pole area to remain grass instead of a perennial garden. Motion carried.

FYE 2012 Wages. Rickertsen will prepare a wage spreadsheet as discussed for the next meeting.

City Attorney Report. Schirman reported he spoke with Rathjen's attorney as discussed during the last meeting and they feel it's a private matter between property owners. Schirman also dictated a letter to Pilot Travel Center's legal department regarding the litter issue. Kostichek questioned the status of the property acquisition for the sewer lift station project. Schirman stated he is waiting to hear back from the property owner's attorney.

Questions/Concerns. Ms. Puck requested an update on RAGBRAI. Rickertsen stated the vendor and volunteer forms are available on the City's website and all volunteers are asked to complete a form as they will be receiving a free t-shirt and the size preference is listed on the form.

Koberg moved and Ms. Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:53 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

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