October 17, 2016 Minutes
City of Walcott
October 17, 2016
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 17th day of October, 2016, 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, Jacob Puck, and Jackie Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Adam Hill, Randy Reimers, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman. Employees Neal Krebs, Jody Siebel, and Scott Brockmann were present in the audience.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Public Comments. John Brockmann had questions about the South Downey Street Project. The project engineer will be asked to attend the November 7th meeting. Brockmann also questioned the method of disposing of city equipment. Randy Moeller questioned why ATV’s and golf carts are not allowed to be operated year-round. This will be on the November 7th agenda. David Bauer stated there are pollutants from the corn drying process at River Valley and he expressed his concerns with the air quality and health of residents. He stated he contacted the EPA. Janice Dawson questioned if leaves can be taken to the compost area. Leaves are permitted but do not leave bags.
Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the minutes from October 3rd & 10th, 2016, invoices, September 2016 financial reports, and the following TIF rebate payments, totaling $18,111.41:
- JDW Holdings – Midfield Pattern Project $2,508.50
- Iowa 80 Truckstop – Morton Building Project $578.32
- Iowa 80 Truckstop – 60×240 Building Project $1,604.40
- Ossian, Inc. – Salt Processing/Storage Project $3,391.31
- Sterling Partners – Multi-Use Building Project $9,045.06
- Eugene Meyer – Geno’s Project $983.82
Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes from October 13, 2016. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the minutes from October 13, 2016. Motion carried with Latimer and Jacob Puck abstaining due to absence from meeting.
Stanley Consultants. Local Limits study and Treatment Agreement. Engineer, Jay Brady, was present to provide an update on the local limits study and treatment agreement development. He stated he hopes to finalize both the treatment agreement and local limits study and present recommendations to council during the November 21st meeting.
Concrete Pavement Replacement at Fire Station. Discussion was held on the quotes for concrete replacement, in front of the fire station doors, city hall parking area, and a patch on the southwest corner of building. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve bid, in the amount of $4,608, from Paustian Concrete for all three concrete replacements as discussed. Motion carried.
Level Dirt at Wastewater Treatment Plant Area. Attorney Schirman reported the farm lease states that the City will level out the dirt. John Brockman, Brockmann Excavating, stated he wanted to withdraw his bid. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the low bid from Needham Excavating at $1,600. Motion carried.
Hearts and Hands Foundation – Tree Planting Project. A lengthy discussion was held on the plan for tree plantings on City-owned property at the west end of Cedar Lane Drive. Austin Burt stated the goal of the plan is to provide a wind and dust break and visual screening for the Westbrook development area. Siebel expressed concerns that the location of the trees will cause a greater problem with snow drifting at the area, causing greater difficulties for city equipment to access the area during the winter. Discussion was held on snow fence/tree line set-back requirements from roadways, possibility of a snow fence on the west side of the drive (private property), and additional snow plowing in the area. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the tree plantings, with any required placement set-back from road. Motion carried. Council thanked Burt for his work on the project.
City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported the City was notified of a public hearing with the Scott County Zoning Board of Adjustment for a special use permit for the property located at 20580 60th Avenue to expand a home industry.
Council Member Comments. Mengler stated she appreciates the work the Public Works Department is doing during staffing disruption.
Closed Session. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to go into a closed session under Iowa Code Chapter 21.5 (1) (J) to discuss the purchase of particular real estate. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jackie Puck, Koehler, Jacob Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried. All audience members left the council chambers and the following employees were authorized to remain: L. Rickertsen and Attorney Schirman. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to close the closed session and resume the regular meeting at 7:40 p.m. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Jackie Puck, and Mengler. Motion carried.
Property Purchase – 116 W. Lincoln Street. Latimer moved and Koehler seconded to have Attorney Schirman draft an offer, with contingencies of a property walk through inspection and obtaining demolition and asbestos removal costs for the property located at 116 W. Lincoln Street. Motion carried.
Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:50 p.m. Motion carried. All votes were unanimous, unless noted.