September 6, 2016
City of Walcott
September 6, 2016
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Tuesday, the 6th day of September, 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, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Tim Koehler. City employees present: Jeff Blake, Josh Geigle, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda, including the invoices and minutes from August 15, 2016. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes from August 17, 2016. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the minutes from August 17, 2016. Mengler abstained due to absence from meeting. Motion carried.
Appointment of City Engineer. Rickertsen stated the City Engineer works closely with the Zoning Administrator and is defined in the City Code to review site plans and plats and provides floodplain and other technical questions as they arise. Rickertsen had provided council with additional information regarding hourly rates and stated that the Zoning Administrator has recommended Jason Holdorf from Missman, Inc., to be appointed City Engineer. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Jason Holdorf be appointed the City Engineer. Motion carried.
Larry Seiler – Alley Maintenance. Seiler stated he was following up from previous meetings regarding alley maintenance by his property at 200 W. Flagg Street. Jackie Puck stated she would like the City Attorney to come up with an ordinance to not allow vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds on alleys. Seiler stated he would need a limit greater than 10,000 pounds. Resident John Brockmann stated there is no way for the City to weigh vehicles. Mengler stated a weight limit would be hard to enforce but stated if the property owner wants to place rock down in alleys it would be their responsibility to pay for it, which has been the past policy. Seiler questioned the brush that is still infringing in the alley area. This has been trimmed back already and both Mengler and Jacob Puck stated large vehicles can get through the area with no problems. Seiler stated it should be trimmed back further and Mengler stated she would have Bowman look at the area again.
Hearts & Hands Foundation – Tree Windbreak at Wastewater Plant Property. Brent Puck reported that the Hearts & Hands Foundation was awarded a $2,500 grant from Alliant Energy. The funds will be used to plant trees, with volunteer labor, along the east side of the compost area/wastewater treatment plant property. Jody Siebel stated the proposed planting area is utilized during winter months to dispose of excess snow. Discussion ensued and concerns arose on the maintenance responsibility and that the proposed area is currently being leased. The committee was asked to talk to the Public Works Department about the concerns mentioned.
Dawson Property – 301 E. Lincoln Street. Brian Dawson was present to follow up with a nuisance abatement notice that was received earlier in the year. He distributed photos and reported that a semi-trailer and car parts have been removed from the property and they have been repositioning trailers since he last met with council on February 15th. Jackie Puck stated the property looks nice and Mayor Kostichek thanked them for following up. Mengler asked for another follow-up at the end of March.
Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project – Approval of Payment #9. Rickertsen reported the quantities submitted were reviewed by Bowman and the project engineer, who recommended payment. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve payment #9 to Brandt Construction in the amount of $42,180.50. Motion carried.
Main Street Channel Shaping Project.
- Resolution 2016-44, Approving Temporary Easements. The easements are with Walcott Clinic Properties and Burt Enterprises for dirt disposal, as requested by the property owners, from the project area. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2016-44. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Mengler, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.
- Resolution 2016-45, Awarding Contract for the Main Street Channel Shaping Project. Two bids were received and the project engineer recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder, Brandt Construction. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-45. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Latimer, Jacob Puck, and Mengler. Motion carried. The project is awarded to Brandt Construction in the amount of $34,180.
Resolution 2016-46, Awarding Contract for the East James Street Water Main Project. Three bids were received and the project engineer recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder, SulzCo LLC. Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-46. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Latimer, Jacob Puck, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried. The project is awarded to SulzCo LLC in the amount of $72,166.
South Downey Street Improvements Project.
- Approval of Payment #3. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve payment #3, as recommended by the project engineer, to All American Concrete, Inc., in the amount of $82,456.68. Motion carried.
- Resolution 2016-47, Approving Change Order #1. Rickertsen stated the change order is for adding 3” of subbase rock under the sidewalk areas, as recommended by the Public Works Director. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2016-47. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried.
Resolution 2016-48, Establishing Criteria and Approving Application Regarding the Use of Economic Development Incentives. Rickertsen reviewed the criteria and program application regarding the use of tax increment financing (TIF) property tax rebates in the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-48. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Latimer, Mengler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried. The developer requesting assistance must complete an application prior to the start of any project construction.
Trick-or-Treating. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Trick-or-Treating on October 30th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and the parade from Victory Park to the Walcott American Legion. Motion carried.
Fire Department Report. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the payment to Kalmes Catering in the amount of $8,500 for 1,000 steaks and approve closing a portion of E. Bryant Street, between Main Street and Henry Street, on September 24th for the annual Fire Department Steak Fry. Motion carried.
City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on the annual financial report, ending June 30, 2016. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the FYE 2016 Annual Financial Report. Motion carried.
Audience Comments. John Brockmann expressed concerns about culverts that need to be cleaned out and a water main valve that he said was covered up and not properly fixed.
Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:50 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.