December 19, 2016

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19th day of December, 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, Jacob Puck, and Jackie Puck.   Absent: Tim Koehler.  City employees/consultants present:  Jeff Blake, Randy Reimers, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.

Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Public Comments.  Andy Brus complimented the Public Works Department for doing a great job on the streets during recent snow.  Janice Dawson reported there is a lot of ice on the street, in front of post office and bank (business area), and expressed safety concerns for residents.  Stagg stated the Public Works Department will pay extra attention to that area.

Consent Agenda.  Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the consent agenda, which includes the invoices, minutes from December 5, 2016, and the November financial reports.  Motion carried.

 Stanley Consultants.  Engineer, Jay Brady, presented and reviewed a summary explaining the development of local limits for industrial users discharging to a city wastewater treatment plant. Local limits are limits on pollutants of concern that are discharged into the sewer system and treated at a city’s wastewater plant.  The limits are designed to protect the treatment plant and the environment by limiting the amounts of certain pollutants that enter the plant.  Brady reported on the recent local limits results and the next steps, including submitting the local limits study to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and meeting with and finalizing treatment agreements with the two significant industrial users.  Brady also briefly discussed proposed changes to the City’s current sewer service surcharge ordinance.

Downey Street Improvements Project. Project engineer, Dennis Keitel, MSA Professional Services, Inc., was present to answer any questions regarding the project.

  • Resolution 2016-65, Approving Change Order #4. Change order #4 is for the extra core-out and granular backfill due to wet unacceptable subgrade material, at a cost of $2,085.06. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2016-65.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, and Jackie Puck.  Motion carried.
  • Resolution 2016-66, Authorizing the Transfer of Funds. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-66.  Roll call ayes:  Jackie Puck, Latimer, Jacob Puck, and Mengler.  Motion carried.  The transfer of $1,900.11 will be from the Road Use Tax fund to the Project fund.
  • Resolution 2016-67, Accepting Improvements and Authorizing Final Payment for the South Downey Street Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-67.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Latimer, Jacob Puck, and Jackie Puck.  Motion carried.  The total project cost is $404,656.42 and a final payment will be sent to All American Concrete, Inc., in the amount of $22,213.63.

Downey Street Sidewalk Improvements Assessment Project.

  • Resolution 2016-68, Accepting work covering the S. Downey Street Sidewalk Improvements Project. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-68.  Roll call ayes:  Jacob Puck, Latimer, Jackie Puck, and Mengler.  Motion carried.
  • Resolution 2016-69, Adopting Final Assessment Schedule for the Sidewalk Improvements Project and Confirming and Levying the Assessments.  Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-69.  Roll call ayes:  Jacob Puck, Latimer, Mengler, and Jackie Puck.  Motion carried.  The total cost of the sidewalk improvements project is $12,510.46, of which the sum of $6,255.23 shall be assessed against private property.

 Resolution 2016-70, Approving Grant of easement for Sign Location and Use between the City of Walcott, Iowa and Eugene Meyer.   Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2016-70.  Roll call ayes:  Jackie Puck, Mengler, Latimer, and Jackie Puck.  Motion carried.  This easement is for a portion of property on the NE corner at 123 W. Walcott Road, for purposes of construction, installation, maintenance, repair and replacement of a municipal welcome sign, landscaping, and lighting.

Public Works Department Report.  Stagg commended his staff for their response to the snow events that occurred during the last three weekends.

City Clerk Report.  Rickertsen stated the next regular council meeting will be on Tuesday, January 3rd.

Attorney Report.  Attorney Schirman reported on an update on the property purchase at 116 W. Lincoln Street and he is working on drafting a memo regarding a request of right-of-way use.

Council Member Comments.  Mengler thanked the Police and Public Works Departments for a quick response in repairing a damaged stop sign.

Latimer moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:39 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes were unanimous, unless noted.

Signed Minutes & Claims

Read More

December 5, 2016

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 5th day of December, 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/consultants present:  Adam Hill, Randy Reimers, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.

Approval of Agenda. Latimer moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda.  Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda, which includes the invoices and minutes from November 21, 2016.  Motion carried.

Minutes from November 23, 2016.  Latimer moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the minutes from November 23, 2016.  Mengler and Jacob Puck abstained due to absence from meeting.  Motion carried.

James Street Water Main Project. 

  • Resolution 2016-63, Establishing Project Funds and Authorizing Transfer of Funds. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2016-63.  Roll call ayes:  Koehler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Mengler, and Jackie Puck.  Motion carried.  $73,116 will be transferred from the water fund to the project fund.
  • Approval of Payment #1 to Sulzco LLC. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve payment #1 to Sulzco LLC in the amount of $66,056.45.  Motion carried.  Mayor Kostichek stated the contractor must clean off the concrete splattered on the ADA pads.

Resolution 2016-64, Approving Purchase Offer with Jillene Hernandez.  Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-64.  Roll call ayes:  Jacob Puck, Latimer, Koehler, Jackie Puck, and Mengler.  Motion carried.  This is for the property adjacent to City Hall at 116 W. Lincoln Street.

Public Works Department Report.  Stagg reported on his department activities and discussion ensued regarding snow plowing to the curb where sidewalks abut the curb.  He stated that problems resulting in not clearing the snow from curb to curb include traffic impediments and storm drain obstructions.  It was stated that complaints do arise from snow being pushed onto abutting sidewalks but it was determined that it is the City’s responsibility to clear the streets from curb to curb.

City Clerk Report.  Koehler moved and Jackie seconded to approve the $25,000 grant from Scott County Regional Authority for the Splash Pad project.  Motion carried. Additional grants and fundraising efforts are still needed for the project.

Attorney Report.  Council consensus was to have Attorney Schirman update the abstract for the city owned property at 1113 N. Main Street.

Mayor Report.  Mayor Kostichek reported the joint sealing done on the S. Downey Street project was done within the specifications of SUDAS (Statewide Urban Design and Specifications), which has been adopted by the City.

Council Member Comments.  Koehler questioned the status of the pretreatment agreements.  Reimers stated the engineer working on the agreements will be at the next regular meeting.

Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:53 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes were unanimous, unless noted.

 

Read More

November 23, 2016 – Special Meeting

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Wednesday, November 23, 2016, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.  Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, and Jackie Puck.  Absent:  Lisa Mengler and Jacob Puck.  City employee present:  Lisa Rickertsen.

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

Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project.  It was stated there the decorative lights are under warranty and the electrical contractor will be onsite on November 28th to address concerns with the GFCIs.  Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-58, Accepting Project and Approval of Final Payment.  Roll call ayes:  Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Koehler. Motion carried. A final payment, in the amount of $35,946.84, will be submitted to Brandt Construction Company.     

Koehler moved and Latimer seconded to adjourn at 4:06 p.m.  Motion carried.

All motions were unanimous.

Read More

November 21, 2016 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 21st day of November, 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/consultants present:  Adam Hill, Randy Reimers, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

Approval of Agenda. Latimer moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Public Comments.  The audience introduced themselves but no public comments were made.

Consent Agenda.  Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the consent agenda, which includes the minutes from November 7th & 10th, invoices, Resolution 2016-54 – Approval of Annual Urban Renewal Report, Resolution 2016-59 – Approval of Transfer of Funds, Resolution 2016-60 – Obligating Funds from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area, 2016-2017 Winter Maintenance Proposal with Scott County, and the October 2016 financial reports.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Latimer, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Jackie Puck.  Motion carried.

Walcott Day Committee – Decorations on Main Street Decorative Poles.  Mengler reported that Walcott Day Committee members painted the brackets and placed a rubber barrier between the pole and bracket to hang the decorations.  It was stated that they were having issues with some of the outlets not working.        

Walcott Hearts & Hands Foundation – Austin Burt. 

  • Tree Planting Update and Payment. Burt reported that 275 trees were planted on October 29th, with the help from approximately 30 volunteers on City property at the west end of Cedar Lane Drive.   The Foundation received a Trees Forever grant, in the amount of $2,500, towards the tree purchase, which totaled $3,750.  Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve payment of $1,250 to the Walcott Hearts and Hands Foundation for the trees.  Motion carried.
  • Main Street Entrance Signs – Approval of Final Design & Placement. Burt reported on the proposed entrance sign design and placements at the intersection of Walcott Road and Main Street.  He stated they are still fundraising for the sign costs but would like to do the footings this fall, due to a contractor donation towards the footings.  The City is in the process of obtaining additional right-of-way on the west side of the intersection, for the sign, but Burt stated the property owner has agreed with the project and has signed the building permit for the footings.  Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the design and sign placement in City right-of-way, for the entrance signs as presented, and to move forward with the footings.  Motion carried.  Burt also reported he spoke with the adjoining property owner on the east side who expressed concerns with snow drifting at the sign location.  The property owner suggested placing a snow fence on the north side of Walcott Road (County Road F58). 

2017 Employee Health & Dental Insurance Benefits.  Koehler reported on the review of possible insurance plans for the January 1st employee insurance renewal during the November 10th Policy and Administration Committee meeting.  The current health insurance policy will no longer be offered as of January 1, 2017, but the dental insurance will remain as is.  The Policy and Administration Committee recommended moving to the Enhanced Blue 1000 HMO which would save the City over $21,000 year in premium costs.  Wellmark’s HMO plan includes approximately 97% of the doctors in Iowa.  Jackie Puck expressed her concern that the local chiropractors are not on the proposed HMO plan.  Employees will still be able to go to their local chiropractors, such as Perth Chiro Centre, but it will be considered a non-covered service and they will be responsible for payment of those services.  The Policy and Administration Committee, Koehler and Mengler, moved and seconded to move to the Wellmark Enhanced Blue 1000 HMO plan for full-time employees, effective January 1, 2017. Motion carried.

Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project – Resolution 2016-58, Accepting Project and Approval of Final Payment.  Concerns were expressed that the GFCIs on the decorative poles were not all in working condition.  Discussion was held that poles, which were installed last fall, should be in working condition prior to the City accepting the project.  Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to table Resolution 2016-58 until the GFCIs are tested and/or fixed.  Motion carried.

Resolution 2016-61, Approving Hiring of Paul Stagg as the Public Works Director, Establishing Vacation Leave, Hourly Wage, and Residency Requirement.  Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2016-61.  Roll call ayes:  Jackie Puck, Mengler, Koehler, Jacob Puck, and Latimer.  Motion carried.

Resolution 2016-62, Approving Hiring of Scott Bengfort as the Building Official and Establishing Vacation Leave and Hourly Wage.  Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-62.  Roll call ayes:  Jacob Puck, Latimer, Jackie Puck, Mengler, and Koehler.  Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report.  Mayor Kostichek reported on a recent site visit at the James Street water main project and the contractor will be working on a list of items as noted during the visit.  The Council thanked Mayor Kostichek for acting as the interim Public Works Director.

City Clerk Report.  Rickertsen reported the Investment Policy is to be reviewed every three years and it was determined that no changes to the policy are needed.  She also reported the City was notified that Scott County Regional Authority will be awarding a grant towards the Splash Pad project.

Mayor Report.  Mayor Kostichek expressed his thanks to the Public Works Department employees for their cooperation and work during this time without a full-time Public Works Director.

Council Member Comments.  Council members also expressed their thanks to the Public Works Department staff.  They also expressed their gratitude to the Walcott Hearts and Hands Foundation and the Walcott Day Committee members for their recent volunteer work in the community.

Jacob Puck moved and Jackie Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:31 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes were unanimous, unless noted.

November 21, 2016 Signed Minutes & Claims

 

Read More

November 10, 2016

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Thursday, November 10, 2016, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.  Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck.  Absent:  None.  City employee present:  Lisa Rickertsen.

Latimer moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

Purchase Offer for 116 W. Lincoln Street.  Discussion was held on two proposed options and the request to extend the closing date, per the request of the contract holder of the property, Jill Hernandez.  Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to proceed with option two of the proposed offer and extend the date to June 30, 2017.  Motion carried.  The offer will be formally approved, by resolution, by the City Council once it is signed by the property owner.  Resident Mike Sissel was present to report on a possible option of moving the house, if purchased.

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 5:07 p.m.  Motion carried.

All motions were unanimous.

Signed November 10, 2016

Read More

November 7, 2016

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 7th day of November, 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/consultants present:  Jeff Blake, Jason Holdorf, Randy Reimers, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

Approval of Agenda. Latimer moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda with a revision of moving item 19, Public Comments, to be included with item 3, Introduction of Audience. Motion carried.

Public Comments.  The audience introduced themselves but no public comments were made.

Consent Agenda.  Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda, which includes the minutes from October 17th & 26th and November 2nd, 2016, invoices, and Resolution 2016-55 – Approval of Transfer of Funds, with a correction to the October 26th minutes that the motion to adjourn was made by Koehler and seconded by Mengler.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Koehler, and Jackie Puck.  Motion carried.

South Downey Street Project. 

  • Resolution 2016-56, Approving Change Order #2. Project engineer, Nate Stevenson with MSA Professional Services, explained that change order #2, in the amount of $11,882.93, was to adjust the depth of the sanitary sewer crossing of the water main due to difference from the design documents, per IDNR regulations and for storm sewer connections for residential sub drains which were previously unknown in the design phase.  Stevenson stated MSA recommends approval of the change order.  Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2016-56.  Roll call ayes:  Koehler, Jackie Puck, Mengler, Latimer, and Jacob Puck.  Motion carried.  Resident John Brockmann had questions about the project, including basement perimeter drains, catch basin installations and drainage concerns.
  • Resolution 2016-57, Approving Change Order #3. Change order #3 is for quantity adjustments of concrete pavement for sidewalk and driveway, driveway removals, and removal and replacement of cracked concrete panels, at a cost of $3,548.18. Stevenson stated MSA recommends approval of change order #3.  Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2016-57.  Roll call ayes:  Jackie Puck, Mengler, Koehler, Jacob Puck, and Latimer.  Motion carried.
  • Approval of Payment #5 to All American Concrete. Stevenson stated MSA recommends approval of payment #5.  Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve payment #5 to All American Concrete, in the amount of $25,157.05. Motion carried.

Calvary United Methodist Church – Parking Lot Expansion into City Right-of-Way.  Bill Hudson stated the Church does not have a lot of parking spots on the east side of the church and he presented a proposed drawing that would enlarge the parking lot, approximately 12 – 14 spaces, but the parking lot would encroach three feet into the city right-of-way.  Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to table any action on the request until the utilities are located and engineered drawings of the proposed parking lot are received. Motion carried.

Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project – Resolution 2016-58, Accepting Project and Approval of Final Payment.  Rickertsen reported the total project costs, with change orders and quantity adjustments, was $718,936.74.  Resident John Brockmann expressed concerns with drainage issues.  Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to table Resolution 2016-58, until the concerns are addressed.  Motion carried.  Mayor Kostichek will meet with the City Engineer, Jason Holdorf, to review the concerns as reported.      

Main Street Channel Shaping Project – Approval of Payment #1 to Brandt Construction.   Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve payment #1, to Brandt Construction, in the amount of $28,814.36, as recommended by the project engineer.  Motion carried

City Engineer Report.  Jason Holdorf reported on the findings on three proposed projects, culvert at driveway entrance to 451 W. Walcott Road, South Main Street culvert, and drainage at the NW corner of Main Street and Memorial Road intersection.  Following discussion, Koehler moved and Jacob seconded to table action until next spring, following budget evaluation and review by new Public Works Director.  Motion carried.

Review of Golf Cart Ordinance.  Chief Blake was asked to communicate with Randy Moeller, who questioned the operation of ATV’s and golf carts, during the last meeting.  ATV’s are permitted year round but golf carts can only be operated between March 1st and November 30th, both with permits and restrictions.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported on the attendance of a Walcott Officer at both funerals for the officers from the Des Moines area.

Public Works Department Report.  Mayor Kostichek reported on the near completion of projects.  The Council thanked Mayor Kostichek for acting as the interim Public Works Director.

City Clerk Report.  Rickertsen reported on the proposed rate increase and other available plans for the 2017 employee health and dental insurance benefits.  Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to send it to the Policy and Administration Committee for their review.  Motion carried.  Rickertsen also reported on the community meeting on November 17th at the Walcott Legion for the Walcott Branch Library project.

Council Member Comments.  The Hearts and Hands Foundation was thanked for their work with the tree planting at the compost area.

Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes were unanimous, unless noted.

Signed November 7, 2016

Read More

November 2, 2016 Special Meeting

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.  Council members present were: Virgil Wayne Latimer, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Jackie Puck.  City employees present:  Lisa Rickertsen and Tom Schirman.

Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

Purchase Offer for 116 W. Lincoln Street.  The contract holder of the property, Jill Hernandez, was present to inquire if the City is interested in purchasing her property, located adjacent to City Hall.  Following discussion, Jackie Puck moved and Jacob Puck seconded to proceed with an offer, contingent upon an amendment to the contract, between Ms. Hernandez and the deed holder, Bonnie Simatovitch, per Attorney Schirman’s recommendation. Roll call ayes:  Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Mengler, and Koehler.  Motion carried.  Hernandez and Schirman left the meeting.

Public Works Director & Building Official Positions.  Council separately interviewed applicants for the Public Works Director and Building Official positions.  Latimer moved and Jackie Puck seconded to offer the Building Official position to applicant #6, at a starting wage of $25.00 – $27.00/hour and two weeks of vacation at start date.  Motion carried.  Discussion was held on the residency requirement for the Public Works Director position.  Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to offer the Public Works Director position to applicant #17, at a starting wage of $30.00/hour, two weeks of vacation at start date, and require the applicant to show progress of relocating within six months of employment and to meet the 30 minute residency requirement within a year of employment.  Motion carried.

Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 8:38 p.m.  Motion carried.

All motions were unanimous.

November 2nd Signed Minutes

Read More

October 26, 2016 Minutes

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Wednesday, October 26, 2016, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 4:50 p.m.  Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck.  Absent:  None.  City employee present:  Lisa Rickertsen.

Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

Council separately interviewed applicants for the Public Works Director and Building Official positions.  Discussion was held on the applicants and proceeding with second interviews for both positions. Another special meeting will be scheduled for Wednesday, November 2nd.

Koehler moved and Koehler Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:20 p.m.  Motion carried.

All motions were unanimous.

October 26, 2016 Speical Meeting

Read More
Skip to content