March 20, 2023 Minutes
City of Walcott
March 20, 2023
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 20th day of March 2023 at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Harry Knutsen, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Staff present: Lisa Rickertsen and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Knutsen moved and Koberg seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the proposed ordinance amending Chapter 160 of the Walcott City Code, which will align with the State of Iowa’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing codes. No written or oral comments were received. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from March 6, 2023, and set Spring Clean-Up Day for May 6, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Motion carried. The dumpsters will be located at the compost area and the area will be closed from Friday, May 5th until Monday, May 8th, except during the clean-up day hours.
Park Board Recommendation – Naming of Field at Wescott Park. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the Park Board’s recommendation to name the field at Wescott Park, Larry Koberg Field, and purchase two signs, to be placed on backstop and third base line. Motion carried.
Resolution 2023-11, Deleting Property from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area. Bieri moved the adoption of Resolution 2023-11, Deleting Property from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area, and the motion was seconded by Koberg. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Koberg, Knutsen, Mengler, and Puck. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Ordinance 534-23, Amending Provisions Pertaining to Chapter 160, Building Codes. The proposed ordinance amends Chapter 160 to adopt the State of Iowa plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes, which will align with Scott County and other local communities. Koberg moved and Puck seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 534-23. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Puck, Mengler, Bieri, and Knutsen. Motion carried.
Ordinance 535-23, Amending Chapter 47 Prohibiting Bounce Houses and Other Inflatables. Mengler expressed concerns with some wording in the proposed ordinance and suggested changes in sections A, B, and D. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 535-23 with the changes as presented. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.
Ordinance 536-23, Deleting Property from the Tax Increment Financing District. The proposed ordinance removes Lot 1 of the Iowa 80 9th Addition from the tax increment financing district. Knutsen moved and Bieri seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 536-23. Roll call ayes: Knutsen, Bieri, Mengler, Puck, and Koberg. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented a project worksheet to inspect the water tower and replace the outdated safety climb system in the tower. Koberg expressed concerns regarding the cost and necessity. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the purchase of the safety climb system and tower inspection as presented at a cost of $5,424 (Utility Service Co., Inc.). Motion carried with Koberg opposing.
City Clerk Report. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to set the public hearing date on the FYE 2024 budget for April 17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried. Rickertsen presented information on the proposed FYE 2024 budget. Following discussion, council consensus was to list the levy rate on the hearing notice at 10.59934.
Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to adjourn at 6:32 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.