The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 15th day of August, 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, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Jeff Blake, Steve Bowman, Josh Geigle, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda with the correction that the fire truck purchase is for unit #2, not unit #3 as listed on the agenda. Motion carried.
Public Hearing on Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract & Cost Estimate on the Main Street Bridge Channel Shaping Project. Mayor Kostichek opened the hearing. Rickertsen stated the project includes earth and channel excavation, located underneath, and on both sides of the Main Street bridge. The cost estimate is $33,300 and no written or oral comments were received. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to close the public hearing and open the Public Hearing on Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract & Cost Estimate on the E. James Street Water Main Project. Motion carried. Rickertsen stated this was for construction of 560’ of 8” water main along James Street and Downey Street. No written comments were received and the cost estimate is $82,232. John Brockmann questioned why the City staff is not installing the water main. Based on the estimated cost of the project the City is following the process set out by the Iowa Code. Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Rickertsen reported on the details of the resolutions listed in the consent agenda. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda, including the invoices, beer permit renewal for Casey’s General Store #1922, July financial reports, FYE 2016 Investment report, Resolution 2016-37, Establishing New Project Fund and Authorizing the Transfer of Funds, Resolution 2016-38, Authorizing the Transfer of Funds, and Resolution 2016-39, Approving the Annual 2016 Fiscal Year Street Finance Report. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Koehler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes from July 18, 2016. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the minutes from July 18, 2016. Mengler abstained due to absence from meeting. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes from August 1, 2016. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the minutes from August 1, 2016. Koehler and Latimer abstained due to absence from meeting. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes from August 8, 2016. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the minutes from August 8, 2016. Mengler and Jacob Puck abstained due to absence from meeting. Motion carried.
Resolution 2016-40, Approving Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Cost Estimate for the Main Street Bridge Channel Shaping Project. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2016-40. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Mengler, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.
Resolution 2016-41, Approving Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Cost Estimate for the E. James Street Water Main Project. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2016-41. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koehler, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried.
Request for Lights at Recreational Trail. John & Brenda Swanson requested lights be placed on the north side of the recreational trail between the mobile home park and the west bridge. They reported it is very dark in that area and they have had trespassing and damage to their property. In an effort to curb the problems, they have installed: an electric fence, lights on their building, cameras, and “No Trespassing” signs. They presented information with wired and solar lighting options. Chief Blake expressed concerns that installing lights may give juveniles another place to congregate. He stated officers have been patrolling the area on patrol bikes. Following discussion, Swansons were told to contact the Police Department when any trespassing or disturbances are happening and Bowman was asked to obtain installation pricing on both options as presented.
Hearts and Hands Foundation. Hearts and Hands Foundation representatives, Austin Burt, Jason Holdorf, and Kirk Koberg, presented an update on the proposed entrance signs to be located on North Main Street. Burt stated the signs will be 4’ high with a curved wall and they are estimating the total cost to be $50,000. They also reported on a fundraiser they are hosting at Victory Park on Saturday, August 27th beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Economic Development Incentives. Rickertsen reported that the former TIF (Tax Increment Financing) rebate policy expired in December, 2015 and that the laws have changed and now require all TIF rebate development agreements be included in the City’s Urban Renewal Plan. A proposed TIF program criteria and application were reviewed. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to proceed with the program and application as discussed. Motion carried.
Zoning Board of Adjustment Appointment. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to appoint Everett Bieri to the Zoning Board of Adjustment with a term ending December 31, 2018. Motion carried.
City Engineer Appointment. Rickertsen stated the City Engineer position became vacant and Jackie Huston, Zoning Administrator, has recommended Jason Holdorf be appointed as the City Engineer. Questions arose on the position and Rickertsen stated the City Engineer is defined in the code to review site plans and plats and provides floodplain assistance. Koehler requested rate information prior to approving the appointment. The appointment will be placed on the next regular meeting agenda.
Fire Department Report.
- Resolution 2016-42, Approving Fire Department Uniform Policy. Chief Geigle reported on the details of the Uniform Policy, as stated in the Resolution. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2016-42. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jackie Puck, Koehler, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.
- Approval to Purchase New Gear. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the purchase of one full set of turnout gear from Alex Air Apparatus at a cost of $2,015. Motion carried. The purchase will be funded from a $1,000 grant from Iowa 80/Cat Scale Go Iowa Fund and $1,015 from the department donation fund.
- Approval to Purchase New Truck – Replace Unit #2. Chief Geigle presented the council with a project worksheet to replace unit #2. A memo had also been presented, listing reasons why the department only received one bid. Geigle reported that Alexis Fire Equipment has built every pumper and tanker that the department currently has and they are the closest fire apparatus manufacturer. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to purchase a new brush truck (mini pumper) from Alexis Fire Equipment at a cost not to exceed $163,000. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented a project worksheet to replace the radar in the Crown Victoria. Latimer moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the purchase of a radar unit, not to exceed $2,866. Motion carried. Blake also reported his department will be participating in two multijurisdictional Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau events on August 19th and September 2nd.
Public Works Department Report. Bowman stated he requested a price to add subbase rock under the sidewalk areas on the S. Downey Street Improvements Project. A project change order will be placed on the September 5th agenda for the rock, at a cost of $3,100. Discussion was held on the proposed alley maintenance policy. Concerns were expressed regarding speed limit, weight limit, and maintenance responsibility. Attorney Schirman stated you can impose weight limits, with exemptions for utility vehicles, and alleys can also be barricaded when necessary. Discussion was held on integrating the policy proposed by Bowman and comments provided by Schirman into a policy.
City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on a proposed change to manufactured housing. Council consensus was to proceed with the ordinance change.
Mayor Report. Mayor Kostichek read a letter from Vision 2020 (Drexel University College of Medicine), which presented the City of Walcott a Certificate of Equality for advancing gender equality though leadership among women and men on all boards and commissions in Walcott.
Audience Comments. John Brockmann expressed concerns about the length of grass on the N. Main Street right-of-way and the handling of certain public works matters. Janice Dawson questioned if the railroad had been contacted regarding the brush behind her property. Bowman stated he had left them a message and will contact them again.
Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to adjourn at 7:28 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
Signed Minutes and Claims August 15, 2016