May 2, 2016 Minutes
City of Walcott
May 2, 2016
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 2nd day of May, 2016, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Virgil Wayne Latimer, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Tim Koehler and Lisa Mengler. City employees present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, Linda Rivers, and Tom Schirman.
Approval of Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Rickertsen reported on the details of Resolution 2016-20. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the consent agenda, which includes the invoices, minutes from April 18, 2016, Resolution 2016-20, Transfer of Funds, and the following TIF rebate payments, totaling $21,636.77:
- JDW Holdings – Midfield Pattern Project $3,147.54
- Iowa 80 Truckstop – Morton Building Project $898.57
- Iowa 80 Truckstop – 60×240 Building Project $1,558.17
- Ossian, Inc. – Salt Processing/Storage Project $5,151.99
- Sterling Partners – Multi-Use Building Project $10,655.74
- T&C Storage – Building Storage #2 Project $224.76
Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Latimer, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried.
Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project.
- Construction Observation Services for Bridge Walkway. Discussion was held on the proposal from Missman, Inc. for construction observation services. Engineer, John Fellman, reported the contractor anticipates 25 working days and the proposed services include 8 full-time days and 17 part-time days. For critical operations, like driving pile, pouring concrete, etc., they would have someone there for the entire day. Jackie Puck moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the construction observation services agreement with Missman, Inc., in the amount of $12.335. Motion carried. This agreement does not include services for the channel shaping as required per the IDNR permit.
- Channel Shaping Per IDNR Flood Plain Development Permit. Fellman reported on the channel cleanout (150’) under the bridge area per the Flood Plain Development Permit. It was reported both adjoining property owners near the channel cleanout are interested in the dirt from the cleanout. Fellman stated they can only spread 6” of the dirt in the flood plain area. Following further discussion, Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to have Missman, Inc., obtain budget numbers and prepare specifications for the channel shaping. Motion carried.
- Approval of Payment #7 – Brandt Construction. Latimer moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve payment #7 to Brandt Construction, in the amount of $26,679.96. Motion carried.
South Downey Street Improvements Project. Five bids, ranging from $384,040.25 – $483,384.15, were received. Audience member, John Brockmann, stated that in his opinion 8” of concrete pavement is not necessary for the residential street and encouraged the council to not award the bid. Discussion ensued and the project engineer, Dennis Keitel, stated the unit bid for the concrete was much lower than their estimate and he recommended awarding the project. Jackie Puck moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2016-21, Award Contract for the South Downey Street project. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried. The project was awarded to All American Concrete, Inc. for $384,040.25.
Brenda Warner – SBDF Run Approval & Appropriate Street Closures. Brenda Warner presented information about SBDF (Shelly Bridgewater Dreams Fund) and requested approval to have a 5K run on October 22nd. The route will be the same as last year, which is the same route used for the Walcott Day 5K. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the 5K Run and closure of appropriate streets on October 22nd. Motion carried.
Scott County Library Funding Request. The Scott County Library System is working to relocate and expand the library for the Walcott community at the corner of Durant and Main Streets. A written request for the City to consider a commitment of $75,000, which could be paid over a period of up to five years, towards the new library project was received from the Scott County Library System. The library system is actively pursuing grants and fundraising for the project. Jackie Puck moved and Jacob Puck seconded to table the request until all council members are present. Motion carried.
Building Department Report.
- Ordinance 483-16, Amending Chapter 160 Pertaining to Building Codes. Rivers requested the council table Ordinance 483-16, since the topic has been contentious and two council members were absent. Jackie Puck stated she would like the proposed ordinance to be clarified more and would like to see a separation from rental and residential. Rivers stated the code is a set of specifications/standards and she feels the IPMC (International Property Maintenance Code) will clarify the enforcement of Chapter 146, Dangerous Building Chapter, as the IPMC details what conditions are considered dangerous. Following further discussion, Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to table Ordinance 483-16, Amending Chapter 160 Pertaining to Building Codes until all council members are present. Motion carried.
- Residential Sidewalk Repair Program. Rivers stated a lot of repairs have been made to residential sidewalks in the past and there are currently not a lot of problem areas. She is recommending to forego the program this year and to change the program next year to allow for properties that do not currently have sidewalks.
Discussion of Weight Limit Concerns on Streets & Alleys. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to table the discussion (until all council members are present). Ayes: Jacob Puck and Latimer. Nays: Jackie Puck. Motion carried.
Ordinance 484-16, Adding Chapter 74 Pertaining to Golf Carts on City Streets. Jackie Puck introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 484-16, Adding Chapter 74 Pertaining to Golf Carts. Seconded by Jacob Puck. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried. This Ordinance will allow golf carts on most city streets, with restrictions and following permit approval. This is the first of three readings of the Ordinance.
Ordinance 485-16, Adding Chapter 75 Pertaining to UTV’s on City Streets. Jacob Puck introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 485-16, Adding Chapter 75 Pertaining to UTV’s. Seconded by Latimer. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Latimer, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried. This Ordinance will allow UTVs on most city streets, with restrictions and following permit approval. This is the first of three readings of the Ordinance.
Ordinance 486-16, Amending Prohibited Activities at Prairie View Park. This Ordinance will allow fishing, but not ice fishing, at the pond at Prairie View Park. Attorney Schirman stated that Iowa law grants immunity to cities for recreational activities if the user of the facility knew or reasonably should have known of the risk in using the facility. However, he noted that if a City obtains liability insurance to cover the activity the statutory immunity is removed. Rickertsen stated she would invite the City insurance agent to the next regular meeting. Jacob Puck introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 486-16, Amending Chapter 47, Amending Prohibited Activities at Prairie View Park. Seconded by Jackie Puck. This is the first of three readings of the Ordinance.
Police Department Report. Concerned residents were present to inform the City of the intent of the Walcott School to house two behavior disorder classrooms within the school next school year. They expressed concerns, particularly regarding additional demands on city emergency services.
City Clerk Report. Jackie Puck moved and Jacob Puck seconded to postpone the discussion of possible economic development incentives (TIF Rebates) until the June 6th meeting. Motion carried.
Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to adjourn at 7:33 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.