May 2017

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 17^th day of April, 2017, 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, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.

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

Public Comments.  There were no public comments.

Consent Agenda.  Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from April 3, 2017, March 2017 financial reports, Class C Liquor license renewal (including Sunday license and outdoor area) for Lampliter, Resolution 2017-18, Transfer of Funds, and the following TIF rebate payments, totaling $18,111.39:

• JDW Holdings – Midfield Pattern Project $2,508.49
• Iowa 80 Truckstop – Morton Building Project $578.32
• Iowa 80 Truckstop – 60×240 Building Project $1,604.40
• Ossian, Inc. – Salt Processing/Storage Project $3,391.31
• Sterling Partners – Multi-Use Building Project $9,045.06
• Eugene Meyer – Geno’s Ice Cream & Subs $983.81

Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Koehler, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, and Latimer.   Motion carried.

Brenda Warner – SBDF Run Approval & Appropriate Street Closures.  Brenda Warner presented information about SBDF (Shelly Bridgewater Dreams Fund) and requested approval to have a 5K run on October 28^th.  The route will be the same as last year, which is the same route used for the Walcott Day 5K.  Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the 5K Run and closure of appropriate streets, from approximately 9 – 11 a.m., on October 28^th .  Motion carried.

Utility Right-of-Way Application.  Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the utility permit application from Century Link for expanding their services in the right-of-way on Walker Street.  Motion carried.

Disposal of Vehicles.  Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve selling the 1983 Ford dump truck to the high bidder for $851, as recommended by Stagg.  Motion carried.  Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve selling the 1993 Ford fire truck (mini pumper) to the high bidder for $10,101, as recommended by Chief Geigle.  Motion carried.        

Resolution 2017-19, Accepting Project & Approval of Final Payment for the Main Street Channel Shaping Project.  Koehler moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2017-19, as recommended by the project engineer.  Motion carried.  The final payment, $1,516.55, will be made to Brandt Construction Company.

Ordinance 492-17, Amending Chapter 165 Pertaining to Signs.  Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 492-17.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Jacob Puck, Koehler, Latimer, and Jackie Puck.  Motion carried.  This ordinance will allow electronic, freestanding, and monument signs in all commercial and industrial zoning classifications.

Police Department Report.  Chief Blake presented quotes on purchasing a new squad car which would replace the 2011 Crown Victoria.  Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the purchase of a 2017 Dodge Charger AWD, not to exceed $26,188, as recommended by Chief Blake.  Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report.

• Well #5 Update. Stagg asked if there were any questions on the timeline of events, as requested by the Council, which was presented at the last meeting regarding well #5.  Stagg stated that during the March 20^th council meeting resident John Brockmann called the competence of the affidavit water operator into question and alleged that well #5 was out of service for ninety days with nothing being done to address the problem. The timeline clearly illustrates that the response by the affidavit water operator was swift and adequate for the situation, and that the allegations made are not supported by the facts.
• Lighting Upgrades. Stagg presented costs to upgrade to LED lighting at the public works shop and the water plant.  The upgrade will save on energy costs, reduce maintenance, and increase lighting.  Following discussion, Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the LED lighting upgrades at the water plant and public works shop as presented.  Motion carried. The initial project cost is $11,025 but $4,295 will be received in rebates from Alliant Energy, bringing the total project cost to $6,730.
• Main Street Bridge Closure. Stagg stated that the bridge on North Main Street will be closed for approximately ½ day on Thursday, April 27^th for repairs.

Attorney’s Report.  Attorney Schirman reported the property at 1113 N. Main Street has sold and the developer expressed their appreciation of the cooperation provided by city staff.

Mayor’s Report.   Mayor Kostichek stated he was glad the property will go back on the property tax rolls and appreciated everyone’s hard work in helping with this worthwhile project.

Hearts and Hands Foundation – Donation Request for Electronic Sign.  No committee members were in attendance so the request will be placed on a future agenda.

Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:32 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

April 17, 2017 Signed Minutes and Claims

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 3^rd day of April, 2017, 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, Jackie Huston, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.

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

Public Comments.  John Brockmann reported there is a pot hole by the bank.  Randy Moeller questioned when the water would be turned on at the parks and mowing the soccer field at Watertower Park.

Consent Agenda.  Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from March 20, 2017, and beer permits for Walcott Unified Fund (including Sunday license and outdoor area) for Wescott and Victory Parks.  Motion carried.

Larry Koberg – Fastpitch Tournaments.  Larry Koberg reported there will be three fastpitch softball tournaments this summer.  The Fastpitch Invitational will be held May 26^th – 28^th, the Iowa Area ISC Qualifier Men’s Fastpitch Tournament will be from June 16^th – 18^th, and the third tournament is scheduled July 21^st – 23^rd.  Koberg requested approval to install temporary fencing at Wescott Park from May 24^th – July 24^th and at Victory Park for the June tournament.  Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to allow temporary fences to be installed at Wescott Park from May 24^th – July 24^th and at Victory Park for the June tournament.   Motion carried.

Hearts & Hands Foundation – Community Organization Sign.  Austin Burt presented information on the proposed community organization sign that will be located on Main Street, adjacent to Casey’s. Burt stated that due to a large donation from the Richard (Dick) Hagen family, the sign will be dedicated in Hagen’s memory.  The sign will have an electronic message center, stone columns to match the entrance signs at North Main Street, and black aluminum trellises for community organization signs.  Burt stated the information for the electronic message center could be inputted by the Hearts & Hands Foundation and the City by cell phones or by line of sight from Burt Clinic, pursuant to future guidelines.  The City will be responsible for maintenance of the sign and landscaping upkeep.  Burt questioned if the City would contribute money towards the project.  This request will be listed on the next agenda.  Puck moved and Koehler seconded to allow Hearts & Hands Foundation to proceed with the sign as proposed.  Motion carried.

Utility Right-of-Way Applications.  Rickertsen stated both applications are for installing fiber optic in the public right-of-way (ROW).  Central Scott Telephone Company will be coming from the north, within County limits to Sterling Drive.  Stagg reported the County has approved their permit in County ROW. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the utility permit application from Central Scott Telephone for installing fiber optic in the ROW on Sterling Drive.  Motion carried.  Century Link will be coming from Exit 284, along Plainview Road to Sterling Drive.  This permit application must be submitted to the Iowa DOT for their approval. Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the utility permit application from Century Link for expanding their services in the ROW on the east side of Plainview Road to and along Sterling Drive.  Motion carried.

Fireworks Permit for Truckers Jamboree Display on July 13^th & 14^th.  Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the fireworks permit for the Truckers Jamboree display on July 13^th and 14^th at the Iowa 80 Truckstop.  Motion carried.

Main Street Flower Baskets.   Rickertsen reported on the research and updated costs received from vendors for the hanging baskets on the decorative light poles.  Discussion was held on the basket size and audience members questioned utilizing artificial flowers.  Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to proceed with purchasing 56 hanging flower baskets from Blooming Ideas in Wilton, at a cost not to exceed $3,346.  Motion carried.  This cost includes the hanging baskets, coco liner, flowers, soil, and labor.  Rickertsen stated Walcott Day Committee had previously donated $3,200 towards the flower baskets.

Ordinance 492-17, Amending Chapter 165 Pertaining to Signs.  Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 492-17.  Roll call ayes:  Koehler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Mengler, and Jackie Puck.  Motion carried.  This ordinance will allow electronic, freestanding, and monument signs in all commercial and industrial zoning classifications.

Resolution 2017-17, Approving Site Plan for Dollar General at 1113 N. Main Street.  Koehler moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2017-17, as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission.  Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report.  Stagg reported the Main Street bridge will be closed for repairs sometime during the last week of April.  He also reported on other upcoming street repairs, including pot holes.  He stated the water will be turned on at the parks after a few leaks are repaired and he presented the timeline of events regarding issues with well #5, as requested, to the Council.

Mayor’s Report.   Mayor Kostichek stated he proclaimed April 6^th as JA Day, as an opportunity to recognize and celebrate Junior Achievement of the Heartland for inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy.

Council Member Comments.  Mengler thanked the Hearts & Hands Foundation members for their contribution to the community.

Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:51 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

April 3, 2017 Signed Minutes & Claims