September 17, 2018

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 17th day of September, 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. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Resident Jim Paulsen questioned if the graveled portion of W. Memorial Road could be seal coated or dust control applied.  Stagg responded that he will obtain a quote for dust control.  Paulsen also suggested lowering the speed limit in that area.  Chief Blake did not have any issues with lowering it from 35 MPH to 25 MPH.  The speed limit topic will be on the next agenda.

Public Hearings.  Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and cost estimate on the Water Main Improvements Project along sections of E. James Street, N. Downey Street, and N. Grove Street.  City Engineer, Jason Holdorf, reported on the project details. He stated they plan to bid the project this winter with construction starting in the spring.  The current estimated cost is nearly $182,000.  Koehler moved and Smith seconded to close the public hearing and open the public hearing on the plans, specifications, form of contract, and cost estimate on the Sanitary Sewer Repairs/Improvements along sections of W. Bryant Street and S. Rowe Lane.  Motion carried.  Holdorf stated 100 feet of sanitary sewer on W. Bryant Street and 40 feet on Rowe Lane must be replaced but the other project areas can just be lined.  Resident Andy Brus questioned why this wasn’t done when W. Bryant Street was paved (in 2014).  Smith responded that the former Public Works Director did not check the mains prior to the paving project. Resident Jackie Puck questioned if there was any way costs could be recouped from the former engineer and Public Works Director.  Resident Rita Long questioned the time line for the project.  Holdorf stated this project would also be bid in the winter and started next spring.  The current project cost estimate is around $239,000.  Smith moved and Koehler seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting.  Motion carried.                    

Consent Agenda.  Rickertsen reported on the transfer amounts of $425,150 from Local Option Sales Tax Fund and $360,350 from the Road Use Tax Fund in Resolution 2018-33.  Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, Resolution 2018-33, Establishing Project Fund (W. Otis Street Project) and Authorizing Transfer of Funds, and the August 2018 financial reports.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Puck, Smith, Koehler, and Brockmann. Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

September 4, 2018 Minutes.  Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the minutes from September 4, 2018.  Motion carried with Smith abstaining due to absence at meeting.

Christina McDonough, Scott County Health Department. McDonough reported on the recent walk audit she performed in Walcott and the audit tools and ranking system utilized for the report.  She also asked for comments regarding the report material and layout.  Following discussion, McDonough was thanked for her time.        

Iowa 80 Truckstop Sign Request for Right-of-Way (ROW) Overhang.  Mike Hutchinson, Iowa 80 Group, and Tom Ely, The Sign Group, were present to discuss a proposed sign that would be installed on private property but the west side of the sign will overhang the City ROW.  The proposed sign location is north of the truck entrance/exit and would not overhang any public or private driveable areas.  Attorney Schirman reported that the City Council needs to be satisfied with any safety and visibility issues.  The lowest section of the sign would be 14 feet above ground level, therefore allowing allowing visibility for semi drivers.  Koehler moved and Puck seconded to allow the sign overhang in City ROW, as presented.  Motion carried.          

Disposal of 1967 CAT Road Grader.  Four bids were received, ranging from $3,250 – $6,250.  Mengler moved and Smith seconded to sell the 1967 CAT Road Grader to John Galt, LLC for $6,250.  Motion carried with Brockmann opposing.

Jason Holdorf, City Engineer.

  • Water Main Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to continue with the project.  Motion carried.  The Resolution approving the plans and specifications and setting the bid letting date is planned for the October 15th meeting agenda.
  • Sanitary Sewer Repairs/Improvements Project. Koehler moved and Smith seconded to continue with the project.  Motion carried.   The Resolution approving the plans and specifications and setting the bid letting date is planned for the October 15th meeting agenda.

Holdorf also provided an update on the W. Otis Street Improvements project.

Fire Department Steak Fry.  Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve closing a portion of W. Durant Street (west side of bank ATM to the west side of Legion property) on September 29th until the next morning.  Motion carried.  Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the payment to Kalmes Catering in the amount of $8,500.  Motion carried.

Police Department Report.  Chief Blake requested to send a part-time officer, Shawn Sullivan, to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy for firearms instructor training.  He stated the City does not have a rifle instructor on staff and this is the first step in order to take the rifle instructor course.  The cost of the training would be paid from the funds received, less wages and taxes paid to Blake and Sullivan for working during the Iowa Football games.  Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve the $700 training fee as presented.  Motion carried.

Council Member Comments. Mengler stated that during the August 20th meeting Brockmann had reported a contractor had done work on the weekend without an inspection.  Mengler asked Brockmann why he had not yet informed Stagg who completed the work so it could be investigated.  Brockmann again refused to identify the contractor.  Brockmann expressed his concerns about the condition of the graveled portion of W. Memorial Road. He also stated he felt that there are other sewer mains that should be repaired prior to the W. Bryant Street project.  Smith responded that the City Council chose to proceed with the W. Bryant Street project after viewing video clips of the deteriorated sewer main.  Visu-Sewer televised the City’s sanitary sewer mains and provided video and a written report which included rankings of the mains, from one to five with five being the worst condition.  Sections of W. Bryant Street and Rowe Lane were ranked a five.

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

Signed Minutes & Claims

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September 4, 2018 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Tuesday, the 4th day of September, 2018, at Walcott City Hall.  Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Absent:  John Brockmann and Larry Smith.  City staff present:  Scott Bengfort, Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.

Consent Agenda.  Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from August 20, 2018, and Resolution 2018-30, Approval of FYE 2018 Annual Urban Renewal Report.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Puck, and Koehler. Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

Bonnie Jackson/Glen Houghton – Parcel #820655138—5, S. Grove Street.  Bengfort reported on his communication with Glen Houghton regarding a nuisance abatement notice for the building that was placed on Bonnie Jackson’s property (behind the Lampliter) without following the City Code.    Bengfort stated he informed Houghton of the steps necessary to place the building on the property prior to placement but those steps were not taken.  Houghton stated he can’t move the building until winter but he would prefer to leave the building there.  Attorney Schirman stated the building is currently in violation of the City Code and stated they need to follow the necessary steps per the City Code if the intention is to keep the building on the property.  Following more discussion, Mengler moved and Koehler seconded that the nuisance must be abated or the building must be removed from the property by December 1, 2018.  Motion carried.  

Trick-or-Treating – October 31, 2018.  Mengler reported that Walcott Women is proposing Trick-or-Treating on October 31st.  Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve Trick-or-Treating on October 31st from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and the parade from Victory Park to the Walcott American Legion.  Motion carried.  

Otis Street Improvements Project – Payment #1. Following recommendations from the City Engineer and Stagg, Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve payment #1 for the W. Otis Street Improvements Project to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc.in the amount of $65,927.63. Motion carried.

 Resolution 2018-31, Providing for a Notice of Hearing on Proposed Plans, Specifications, Forms of Contract and Estimate of Cost for the E. James and N. Downey Streets Water Main Improvements Project.  Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2018-31.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Puck, and Koehler.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.  The public hearing is set for September 17, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. 

Resolution 2018-32, Providing for a Notice of Hearing on Proposed Plans, Specifications, Forms of Contract and Estimate of Cost for the W. Bryant Street Sanitary Sewer Improvements Project.  Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2018-32.  Roll call ayes:  Puck, Koehler, and Mengler.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.  The public hearing is set for September 17, 2018, at 6:00 p.m.

Public Works Department Report.  Stagg reported on the notice from River Valley regarding their intention to sell their property at 400 S. Main Street, therefore canceling their rental agreement with the City for equipment storage. Stagg stated there is a roller/packer in the building and the hour meter has not moved since the latest equipment inventory list from January, 2008, and he doesn’t intend to utilize it.  Koehler moved and Puck seconded to allow the roller/packer to go out for sealed bids.  Motion carried.  Stagg also provided an update on additional sewer televising performed on W. Bryant Street, W. Otis Street Improvements Project, and tree removal at Welcome Park due to emerald ash borer damage.

Council Member Comments. Koehler reported on the Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting that he and Mayor Kostichek attended regarding the County’s weather alert process.  Blake stated the weather siren continues every 15 minutes until the warning is over in Scott County.

Mengler moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:35 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

September 4, 2018 Minutes & Claims

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