May 21, 2018 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 21st day of May, 2018, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: John Brockmann, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Absent: None. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Randy Scott reported on his website, America’s Road Trip, and stated he considers Walcott his home base and would like to add that to signage. He will be listed on the June 4th agenda to discuss it further with Council.
Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on a rezoning request for parcel #912555005 from Avery Land & Farming, LLC and Iowa 80 Group, Inc. Rickertsen stated that this property is located between the City’s water tower and Walcott CB and the request is to change the zoning from SA Suburban Agricultural District to C-3 Interstate Highway Commercial District. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended to approve the rezoning request as presented. No written or oral comments were received. Puck moved and Koehler 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 May 6, 2018, Class C Liquor License Renewal for the New Walcott Coliseum, participation with Scott County in the 2018 and 2019 pavement markings, and Resolution 2018-17, Approving Agreement with Iowa Interactive, LLC to Accept Credit & Debit Cards Payments. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Brockmann, Koehler, and Smith. Motion carried.
Avery Land & Farming, LLC and Iowa 80 Group, Inc.
- Ordinance 499-18, Amending the Official Zoning Map. Mengler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 499-18. Seconded by Smith. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Smith, Koehler, Puck, and Brockmann. Motion carried. This rezones parcel #912555005 from SA Suburban Agricultural District to C-3 Interstate Highway Commercial District.
- Resolution 2018-18, Approving Preliminary Plat for Exit 284 First Addition. The Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Preliminary Plat. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2018-18. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Puck, Mengler, Smith, and Brockmann. Motion carried.
- TIF Program Application. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to accept the TIF Program Application as submitted. Motion carried. This is for the construction of a 100,000 square foot warehouse and distribution center to be utilized by Atlantic Bottling Company.
Hearts & Hands Foundation – Electronic Sign Policy. A lengthy discussion was held on the proposed electronic sign including the following: guidelines, ownership and control, sign and landscaping maintenance, liability concerns, and land ownership/lease. Attorney Schirman will further research the land and ownership options.
Walcott School Changes. Residents Joe Quick and Kristal Schaefer expressed concerns with upcoming cuts to an administrative position, who deals with behavior issues, at the school in Walcott. They expressed concerns that eliminating or reducing this position could potentially require additional services from the Walcott Police Department, especially if additional kids are transferred to the school in Walcott from other district schools. Discussion was held on district proposals regarding potential school closing options and they informed the City Council of an upcoming Vision 2020 meeting on June 12th at West High School at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the options. Mayor Kostichek thanked them for the updates and sharing their concerns. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to have the City Clerk work with Schaefer & Quick on a letter to send to the School Board regarding the concerns in cuts to administrative staff in Walcott and bring it to the June 4th meeting. Motion carried.
Ordinance 500-18, Amending Chapter 106 Regarding Solid Waste Collection Fees. This ordinance increases the garbage rates from $12.33 to $12.87. Rickertsen stated the contractor cost to the City increases each year on July 1st. Koehler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 500-18. Seconded by Puck. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Puck, Brockmann, Mengler, and Smith. Motion carried.
Fire Department – Bunker Gear Purchase Approval. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to purchase one set of bunker gear from Alex Air Apparatus at a cost of $2,100 plus freight. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake and City Insurance Agent, Brent Arp, reported on adding an endorsement of off-duty coverage to the City’s general insurance policy for police officers that work off-duty and wear the City’s uniforms. The coverage would cover all department full-time and part-time officers for $236/year and would be paid for by the officers. Mengler stated she didn’t feel this should be included under the City’s policy and also had issues with coverage for part-time officers that are employed full-time for other police departments. Following further discussion, Smith approved and Puck seconded to add the off-duty coverage endorsement on the City’s policy with the officers to reimburse for the annual cost. Motion carried with Mengler opposing.
Public Works Department Report. Discussion was held on the Main Street slab maintenance repair. Stagg stated he had not yet received the quotes from the two contractors he contacted. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to allow Stagg to accept the low quote and schedule the repairs, in order to avoid further delays. Motion carried. Stagg reported that hydrant flushing equipment was budgeted for the next fiscal year but he has it lined up to borrow the necessary equipment from a local community later this week.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek reported the Knights of Columbus intend to be at Casey’s during the weekends this summer for their Tootsie Roll Drive.
Following a few council member comments regarding the Main Street cross walk, Council Chamber renovations, past GPS work, and hanging of flower baskets, Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:37 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
May 21, 2018 Signed Minutes and Claims
May 7, 2018 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 7th day of May, 2018, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: John Brockmann, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Absent: None. City staff present: Scott Bengfort, Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.
Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from April 16, 2018, Class C Liquor License Renewal for Lampliter, and the April 2018 Financial Reports. Motion carried.
Bonnie Jackson Property Nuisance Abatement – Extension Request. Bonnie Jackson and Glen Houghton were present regarding the nuisance abatement for parcel 820655138-5 on S. Grove Street. Bengfort stated Houghton had verbally requested an extension to May 31, 2018. He reported that cleanup has commenced, after a delay due to weather conditions, and he recommended the extension be granted but noted that the weeds and grasses need to be mowed and maintained. Brockmann moved and Koehler seconded to approve the nuisance abatement extension as requested, until May 31, 2018. Motion carried.
Larry Koberg – Fastpitch Tournaments. Larry Koberg reported there are three fastpitch softball tournaments planned for this summer. The Fastpitch Invitational will be held May 26th & 27th, the Iowa Area ISC Qualifier Men’s Fastpitch Tournament will be from June 15th – 17th, and a third tournament is scheduled July 28th & 29th. Koberg requested approval to install temporary fencing at Wescott Park from May 23rd – July 30th and at Victory Park for the June tournament. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to allow temporary fences to be installed at Wescott Park from May 23rd – July 30th and at Victory Park for the June tournament. Motion carried. This will be the 34th consecutive year the Iowa Area ISC Qualifier Men’s Fastpitch Tournament will be held in Walcott. Mayor Kostichek thanked Koberg for his many years of service with the tournaments.
Resolution 2018-15, Approving Revisions to the Residential Sidewalk Repair Program (RSRP). Rickertsen reported on proposed changes to the RSRP, which include allowing reimbursements for construction of public sidewalks for filling in gaps that can easily connect current sidewalks. The program allows residential property owners, identified by the City and approved for program funding, to receive a reimbursement of 50% of the cost of construction, removal and repair, or replacement of public sidewalks. Koehler moved and Smith seconded to approve Resolution 2018-15, Revisions to the Residential Sidewalk Repair Program. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Smith, Mengler, Brockmann, and Puck. Motion carried.
Resolution 2018-16, Setting Wages for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2019. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2018-16. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Brockmann, Koehler, and Smith. Motion carried.
Ordinance 498-18, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates – 3rd Reading. Rickertsen stated this Ordinance will increase the water usage rate by $.15 per 1,000 gallons of water and the minimum charge for bulk water sales from $20 to $25, effective on the June 1, 2018, billing. The increase is needed to support the operations, maintenance, and improvements of the water utility. Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 498-18, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates. Roll call ayes: Puck, Koehler, Mengler, Smith, and Brockmann. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Blake stated he would be presenting a landlord/tenant policy at a future meeting.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported on the following: tree planting near compost area through IDNR Trees for Kids grant program; staff intends to repair sunken slabs at Main Street this Wednesday; splash pad project construction is underway; and update on sewer televising project. He also stated that the Fire Department has completed their training use of the house at 116 W. Lincoln Street and the contractor is expected to proceed with demolition this week.
City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen recommended proceeding with Iowa Interactive LLC for office and web-based payment processing. Their system provides services at no cost to the City, except for the purchase of a card swipe device. All convenience fees are passed directly to the users at the counter and online. Rickertsen will prepare a Resolution for the next meeting to proceed with Iowa Interactive LLC. Rickertsen reported on an upcoming public hearing on a rezoning request for the property just north of the water plant.
City Attorney Report. Schirman reported the area to be rezoned, as reported by Rickertsen, will also be platted at or around the same time as the rezoning.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek thanked the members of the Splash Pad Committee for their hard work in expanding the recreational facilities in Walcott. This fun-filled activity is slated to open in 2019.
Council Member Comments. Concerns were brought up by council members regarding the following: water discoloration and hydrant flushing; dogs at Victory and Wescott Parks which aren’t allowed; dog waste not being cleaned up by owners; flaking paint off the south water tower; culvert replacement on S. Main Street; Council Chambers renovation status; and sewer televising project. Discussion was held on the Main Street slabs in need of repair. A majority council consensus was to obtain bids for the Main Street slab repair.
Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:35 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.