March 18, 2013
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 18th day of March, 2013, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Pro Tem John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Other council members present were: Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Mayor Couper. City employees present: John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.
Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from March 4, 2013, and the February 2013 Financial Reports. Motion carried.
Audience. Nicole Schoeller, Mary Lincoln, Loretta Beitel, Carol Snay, Wayne Latimer, Verlyn and Josie Dietz, Janice Dawson, Mike Engler, Barb Sissel, and Donna Housley.
Allied Waste : Recycling Recognition. Nicole Schoeller, Municipal Manager with Allied Waste, presented a plaque to the City recognizing the City's recycling efforts in 2012. She congratulated the City on recycling 165 tons of material (4 tons more than last year) which saved 2,822 trees and eliminated 85 tons of air pollutants.
Spring Clean-up. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to schedule spring clean-up day on Saturday, May 4th from 2:5 p.m. Motion carried. This will be located at the Public Works building for Walcott residents only. No electronic, business, or household hazardous waste. Tires, appliances, and bulky items will be accepted at no charge.
Iowa 80 Truckstop TIF Rebate Application. Rickertsen explained this project includes demolition of an existing building and replacing with a larger Morton building. Koehler moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the TIF rebate application from Iowa 80 Truckstop. Motion carried.
Fire Department Tube Heater : Electrical Issues. Brockmann requested direction on how to proceed with electrical fixtures that need to be installed in the Fire Department bays. Consensus was to have Central City present a bid amount for the installation of electrical fixtures which have been previously purchased. Discussion was also held on Central City replacing the electrical panel in order to accommodate the tube heater that was recently installed. Power to the Fire Department/City Hall building is expected to be off for several hours in order to replace the panel. City Hall will be closed on Friday, March 29th, so the electrical panel can be upgraded.
Proposed Municipal Building Renovation at 1113 N. Main Street. Rickertsen reported on changes on the proposed flyer, including updated figures received from the architect. Verlyn and Josie Dietz asked the Council to look at cutting items from the proposed renovation project that are not needed or required. A lengthy discussion followed and Council Members Koehler and Kostichek both reported on various code requirements the City must follow when renovating a city-owned building. Final review of the proposed flyer and mailing materials will be on the next agenda for approval.
Ordinance 462-13, Amending Chapter 65 Pertaining to Four-Way Stop Intersections. Donna Housley questioned if any studies had been completed or if anyone had been injured at the area of the proposed four-way stop at Main and James Streets. She stated during ball season, most people cross Main Street at Otis Street. Brockmann presented two proposals: install stop signs on Main Street that fold in half which would only be utilized during school crossing times at an approximate cost of $492 or install a permanent red flashing stop light at an approximate cost of $8,358. Following discussion, Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to proceed with proposal #1, purchase the folding signs as presented. Motion carried. The proposed Ordinance 462-13 was not presented for a second reading, therefore is considered defeated and will not become effective.
Ordinance 461-13, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates. Kostichek moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 461-13. Roll call ayes: Kostichek, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Mengler, and Koehler. Motion carried. The rates will increase $.50 per 1,000 gallons of water usage, beginning with the July 1st bill.
Public Work's Department Report. Brockmann reported on recent sewer blockages and a water main break.
City Clerk's Department Report. Council scheduled a joint meeting with the Vision Committee for April 10th at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor's Report. In absence of Mayor Couper, Mayor Pro Tem Kostichek proclaimed March 26th as Walcott Lion's Day.
Questions/Concerns. Rickertsen stated Fire Chief Hahn had a conflict with attending this meeting and plans on being present at the April 1st meeting.
Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.