November 4, 2013

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 4^th day of November, 2013, 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: John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Jeff Blake.

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

Consent Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, Resolution 2013-36 : Approving Wage Increase for Building Official, and Resolution 2013-37 – Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Koehler, Latimer, Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.

Audience. Nicole Dunkel and Glenn Appler.

October 21, 2013 Minutes. Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the minutes from October 21, 2013. Koehler abstained due to absence from meeting. Motion carried.

Alliant Energy. Alliant Energy Key Account Manager, Nicole Dunkel, was present to discuss Alliant Energy's Community Annual Partnership Assessment (involvement and investments in Walcott) including economic development support, state and regional support, and energy efficiency rebates. Operations Manager, Glenn Appler, reported on recent and future infrastructure investments. Concerns regarding ongoing service interruptions were expressed. Appler suggested squirrels and tree interference are likely causes of service interruptions.

Property at NW Corner of Main & Lincoln Streets. Discussion was held on the south building located at the NW corner of Main and Lincoln Streets. Possible future use of the property could be to connect it to the adjacent parcel for future parking or development. Mengler stated she didn't feel the City should get into the real estate business. Additional comments were made by the Mayor and other council members with Brockmann stated the public wants the City to buy the property and build City Hall on Main Street. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2013-40, Approving Purchase Offer with Charles and Sandra Witt, as discussed. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Koehler, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Nays: Mengler. Motion carried.

S. Downey Street Watermain Project. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve payment #1 to Ellsworth Excavating, Inc., in the amount of $34,634.13, as recommended by the project engineer. Motion carried.

Resolution 2013-38, Obligating Funds from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2013-38. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Mengler, Latimer, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried. This resolution obligates $76,000 from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Tax Revenue Fund with respect to the City's Development Agreements with Iowa 80 Truckstop Inc., T&C Storage, Ossian Walcott Investments LC, JDW Holdings LLC, and Sterling Partners LLC for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014.

Resolution 2013-39, Obligating Funds from the Walcott Urban Renewal Area #2. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2012-39. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Mengler, Latimer, Koehler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried. This resolution obligates $17,000 from the Walcott Urban Renewal Area No. 2 Revenue Fund with respect to the City's Development Agreement with Petersen Health Care for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014.

Ordinance Amending School Stops (crosswalks). Brockmann reported he spoke with the property owner directly across (north) from the school's sidewalk and the owner agreed with the placement of the crosswalk coming straight across the street. Chief Blake stated the school security officer will roll out a stop sign each school day. Mengler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 468-13, Pertaining to School Stops. Seconded by Jacob Puck. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Koehler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented proposals for incorporating the school logo into a design on the squad cars. He stated two of the three vehicles need done now, the new squad and the Crown Victoria due to peeling of current design. Following discussion on the proposals, Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the proposal from Fox Tail Design, at a cost not to exceed $2,500. Motion carried. The funding is available and will be paid from the Police Vehicle Fund.

Public Works Department Report. Brockmann stated they will begin hydrant flushing this week.

City Clerk's Department Report.

• Employee Life Insurance. Rickertsen reported the 2014 employee life insurance rates will remain the same and are guaranteed until January 1, 2016. Discussion was held that the City policy is to provide a $20,000 life insurance policy for all full-time employees but the company states that employees are not eligible for their policy after age 70 due to the age reduction schedule on the basic life. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to renew the current life insurance plan with Dearborn National. Motion carried. Rickertsen will check with other companies for a policy for employees after the age 70.
• Investment Policy. The current Investment Policy was reviewed and it was determined that no changes are needed.
• Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Rickertsen reviewed the projects listed in the CIP for FYE 2014 and 2015. Council agreed that the projects listed will proceed as planned. Rickertsen will proceed with finding services for a streetscape enhancement project on Main Street (sidewalk, storm sewer, and gateway development).
• FYE 2013 Examination Report. Rickertsen presented the examination report for the City for the period July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013, conducted by the Iowa State Auditor's Office. An examination of records is required each year but Rickertsen suggested a full audit report every four years as previously required.

Attorney's Report. Attorney Schirman reported the closing was held on the property for the potential splash pad. Brockmann will obtain bids on a privacy fence as requested by sellers.

Mayor's Report. Mayor Kostichek reported on his conversation with the City Engineer regarding the lack of progress on the West Bryant Street project.

Old/New Business. The Police and Fire Departments were thanked for their participation during the Halloween parade and trick-or-treating.

Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:37 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.