October 1, 2012
City of Walcott
October 1, 2012
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 1st day of October, 2012, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Jim Couper called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, John Kostichek, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, Jackie Huston, and Joe Hahn.
Mengler moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Public Hearing : Urban Renewal Plan Amendment. Mayor Couper opened the public hearing on the urban renewal plan amendment for the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area. The amendment to the plan would facilitate the undertaking of a new urban renewal project consisting of renovating a vacant building located at 1113 N. Main Street for use as a new City Hall/Police Department facility and improving the grounds thereof. The proposed debt to be incurred in connection with the project is $1,250,000. No written or oral comments were received. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to close the public hearing. Motion carried.
Public Hearing : Code of Ordinances. Mayor Couper opened the public hearing on theadoption of the proposed "Code of Ordinances of the City of Walcott, Iowa". No written or oral comments were received. Kostichek moved and Mengler seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from September 17, 2012. Motion carried.
Audience. Kristal Schaefer, Wayne Latimer, Janice Dawson, Loretta Beitel, Brent Puck, and Mike Byington.
Resolution 2012-34, Urban Renewal Plan Amendment. Jackie Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to approve Resolution 2012-34. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Kostichek, Mengler, Koehler, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.
Ordinance 459-12, Adopting the Code of Ordinances. Koehler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 459-12. Seconded by Jacob Puck. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Mengler, and Kostichek. Motion carried.
Vision Committee
- Downtown Assessment Report- The Vision Committee requested direction on how to proceed with the Downtown Assessment report and suggested a joint work session with the city council. Following discussion, a special council meeting will be held on Monday, October 8th at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall/Fire Meeting Room. Council members were each asked to identify five priorities in the report. The report will be placed online on the City's website and copies will be taken to the Library and are available at City Hall.
Recreational Trail Committee. Brent Puck reported on the recent additions at Prairie View Park. Mayor Couper questioned the location of the windmill and Puck stated the original plan was to utilize the windmill for pumping water but the placement of the existing well doesn't allow for it. Puck stated that the windmill can be used as an aerator in the pond in the future, if needed.
Resolution 2012-35, Establishing Fund Balance Policies Pursuant to GASB 54. Kostichek moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2012-35. Roll call ayes: Kostichek, Jacob Puck, Koehler, Jackie Puck, and Mengler. Motion carried.
Fire Department Report. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the payment to Kalmes Catering in the amount of $7,750 for 1,000 steaks. Motion carried. Koehler questioned the status of the FEMA Firefighters Grant. Chief Hahn replied that this year's deadline was missed as he didn't have all the information on the proposed vehicle available at the time of the grant filing.
City Clerk's Report. Rickertsen questioned what to do with the two residential properties that have not responded to the sidewalk notices. The topic will be placed on the next regular meeting agenda as two council members volunteered to speak to the individuals involved prior to taking further action. Rickertsen reported on the building department activities for the month of September. Koehler moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the FYE 2012 Annual Report. Motion carried.
Mayor's Report. Mayor Couper commended the Clerk's Department regarding the recent audit. The auditor reported the audit went smoothly and the financial records were in excellent condition and found no irregularities. Mayor Couper reported he had received questions from citizens regarding sewer charges for outdoor water use. Huston stated that some communities purchase, at the city's expense, outdoor water meters for citizens to use during the summer and sewer charges are not applied, however, loss of sewer revenue could result in increasing the sewer rates. Per City Code, residents are currently allowed to purchase and install permanent meters for outdoor water use. Brockmann will be asked to obtain cost estimates for outdoor water use meters and installation.
Old/New Business. City Council scheduled a special meeting with the architect, regarding the building at 1113 N. Main Street, for Tuesday, October 23rd at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:55 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.