October 17, 2011

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 17^th day of October, 2011. Mayor Jim Couper called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Larry Koberg, Tim Koehler, John Kostichek, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. City employees present: J. Brockmann, L. Rickertsen, J. Hahn, T. Schirman, and A. Hill.

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

Consent Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Koberg seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from 10/03/2011, minutes from 10/05/2011, and the September 2011 financial reports. Motion carried.

Audience. Scott County Supervisors Tom Sunderbruch, Jim Hancock, Larry Minard, William Cusack, and Carol Earnhardt, citizens Brent Puck, Mike Byington, Lisa Mengler, Kristal Schaefer, Janice Dawson, and Virgil & Beth Latimer.

Scott County Supervisors. Sunderbruch presented a brochure on Scott County services, budget, and goals. Minard stated Scott County will celebrate its 175^th birthday in 2012 and reported the PutnamMuseum is coordinating activities for the event. Fire Chief, Joe Hahn, and Police Sergeant, Adam Hill, both reported on issues (dead spots) with the new radio system. Hill also reported on issues with the new county-wide software the police department is having. Sunderbruch stated that they are working on taking care of the software issues and this is the first time they have heard of any problems with the radio system. The supervisors stated they would welcome information from both departments regarding the issues as discussed so they can look into the complaints.

Preliminary Plat : Iowa 80 6^th Addition. Rickertsen reported that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the preliminary plat for Iowa 80 6^th Addition but noted that the driveways indicated on the plat are for informational purposes as they are not required to be shown on the plat. Koehler moved and Koberg seconded to approve Resolution 2011-49, Approval of Preliminary Plat for Iowa 80 6^th Addition. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Koberg, Kostichek, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.

N. Downey Street Project. Koberg moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve payment #1 to Muscatine Bridge Co. in the amount of $224,348.44. Motion carried. The payment is for completion of approximately 92% of the project.

Fire Station Expansion Project. Koehler questioned if warranties were received on the roof. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2011-50, Accepting Improvements & Authorizing Final Payment, contingent upon receiving any warranties on materials. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jackie Puck, Koberg, Kostichek, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.

Real Estate Purchases.

• Resolution 2011-51, Approving Purchase Offer for 1113 N. Main Street. Jackie Puck moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2011-51. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, Koberg, Koehler, and Kostichek. The total purchase amount for the property at1113 N. Main Street is $183,750. Discussion involving both audience and council members was held regarding the following:
  • There was no clear consensus as to the actual future use of the building at 1113 N. Main Street.
  • The Vision Committee offered to compile information from the community and various sources regarding potential options for municipal facilities.

Rickertsen reported she will place the Vision Committee and municipal facilities on the next agenda.

• 106 W. Lincoln Street & Witt Property. Koehler questioned if the properties have value and if the City can afford them. Rickertsen stated there are funds available in the Municipal Building Fund but it depends on what the City's overall plan is and cautioned spending funds at this time. Following further discussion, Jackie Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to rescind previous motions regarding the purchase of the Witt property and to not pursue the purchase at this time. Ayes: Jackie Puck, Kostichek, Jacob Puck, and Koehler. Nays: Koberg. Motion carried. Koehler stated he felt there was still value in purchasing the property at 106 W. Lincoln Street and he moved and Jacob Puck seconded to continue to pursue purchasing the property. Motion carried.

Fire Department Report. Discussion was held on compensating volunteer fire department members that receive a subpoena for performing duties as a volunteer. Chief Hahn and Rickertsen will check with other communities for policies. Chief Hahn reported he felt the remaining work on the expansion area should be less than $5,000. He will present a project worksheet at a future meeting.

Public Work's Report. Brockmann presented updates on current projects and activities. He reported it would cost approximately $1,200 for sod in place of the additional turf reinforcement matting (TRM) along Rowe Lane for the Recreational Trail & Park Project. During the last regular meeting, council approved proceeding with the TRM and ditch grading at a cost not to exceed $4,200. Brockmann stated he will be adding additional rock to the proposed gazebo area and Rickertsen questioned if it was in the flood plain. Brockmann responded that he didn't think the area was in the flood plain. Koehler requested a list of costs related to the Recreational Trail and Park Project that is being done by city staff instead of the contractor. Brockmann also stated he will be requesting approval from the Park Board to install a 3-foot green chain link fence around the pond.

City Clerk's Report. Rickertsen reported on the disclosure agreement with Bankers Trust relating to the 2011 General Obligation Bonds. Koberg moved and Koehler seconded to approve hiring Bankers Trust as the dissemination agent in connection with the General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2011A. Motion carried. Earlier this year the 2006 bonds for the wastewater treatment plant were refinanced. The bonds will be paid off in June, 2016. Rickertsen reported that the budget needs to be amended due to the recent purchase of the building located at 1113 N. Main Street. Jackie Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to set a public hearing for the budget amendment on November 7, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

City Attorney Report. Attorney Schirman reported that he has not received any information from Wulf's attorney regarding the purchase of agriculture land for the sewer lift station project but he did receive the appraisal which was $2,425.

Questions/Concerns. Kostichek reported on some non-operable street lights. It was discussed that Alliant Energy has an online form at www.alliantenergy.com/UtilityServices/CustomerService for the public to report a street light that is out, blinking, damaged or needs other repairs.

Koberg moved and Kostichek seconded to adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.