The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 15^th day of October, 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:  Josh Geigle, Adam Hill, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.

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

Public Hearing on Comprehensive Plan Update.  Rickertsen stated that the Planning & Zoning Commission has been working with Bi-State Regional Commission on the Comprehensive Plan update and the Commission has recommended approval of the plan.  Gena McCullough, Bi-State Regional Commission, presented information regarding the proposed plan and draft revisions recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission.  The plan includes the community vision, goals, objectives, land use, infrastructure, services, and implementation strategies.  No written or other comments were received.  Mengler moved and Puck seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting.  Motion carried.        

Consent Agenda.  Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, Resolution 2018-35-Obligating Tax Increment Financing Funds from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area for FYE 2020, and the September 2018 financial reports.  Roll call ayes:  Puck, Mengler, Smith, Koehler, and Brockmann.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

Resolution 2018-36, Adopting the Comprehensive Plan, 2018, of the City of Walcott.  Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve Resolution 2018-36.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Smith, Koehler, Brockmann, and Puck.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.

Minutes from October 1, 2018.  Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the minutes from October 1, 2018.  Koehler abstained due to absence from meeting.  Motion carried.

Dave Donovan – Scott County Emergency Management

• Resolution 2018-37, Approval and Adoption of the 2018 Scott County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Dave Donovan, Scott County Emergency Management Coordinator briefly reviewed the Scott County 2018 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.  This planning document identifies hazards and mitigation actions and is required to ensure communities are eligible for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) disaster and grant programs. Donovan stated the plan has been approved by FEMA.  Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve Resolution 2018-37.  Roll call ayes:  Puck, Smith, Mengler, Koehler, and Brockmann. Nays:    Motion carried.
• Weather Alert Sirens. Discussion was held with Donovan and Rich Kinney, National Weather Service (NWS), regarding the timeliness of weather warnings and ways to improve communications and warning times. Donovan reported on Alert Iowa, a county notification and emergency messaging system that can be used to quickly disseminate emergency information to residents. A meeting will be scheduled at the NWS office to brainstorm and discuss this issue further.

Scott County Sno-Seekers Swap Meet/Request for Temporary Street Closures.  Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the request from the Scott County Sno-Seekers to close a portion of Downey Street, between James and Otis Street, and Otis Street, between Downey and Henry Streets, on November 4^th between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. for the annual Sno-Seekers annual swap meet at Victory Park.  Motion carried. 

Water Main Improvements Project Agreement for Engineering Services.  Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve the Agreement for Engineering Services with IMEG for $23,800 for the James and Downey Streets Water Main Improvements Project.  Motion carried.

Sanitary Sewer Repairs/Improvements Project Agreement for Engineering Services.  Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the Agreement for Engineering Services with IMEG for $14,500 for the W. Bryant Street Sanitary Sewer Repairs/Improvements Project.  Motion carried.

City Hall/Council Chambers Renovation.  Stagg reported on the bids received for renovating the Council Chambers/City Hall.  Following discussion, Koehler moved and Puck seconded to hire the low bidder, Reed Construction, and approve spending up to $35,000 on this phase of the project.  Motion carried. This phase does not include replacing the council table or lighting.     

Sidewalk/Ditch Across from School on E. James Street.  Rickertsen reported that during the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on Oct 8th, a few members requested the Mayor look into the possibility of filling in the ditch behind the 6’ wide sidewalk across from the school on James Street due to safety concerns.  Maps indicate that the public right-of-way only extends a few feet north of the sidewalk and improvements to the ditch area would be on private property.  Attorney Schirman and Brockmann both stated you cannot interfere with the water flow and Rickertsen relayed Chief Blake’s report that he has not heard of any safety complaints from the school or parents since the sidewalk was installed five years ago.  Council consensus was to not pursue filling in the ditch.      

Ordinance 501-18, Amending Chapter 63, Certain Provisions Relating to Speed Regulations. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 501-18.  Brockmann stated he felt lowering the speed limit to 25 MPH all the way to the west city limits was too low.  Roll call ayes:  Smith, Mengler, Koehler, and Puck.  Nays:  Brockmann.  Motion carried.  This is the second of three readings.  The ordinances states that the speed limit on Memorial Road will be 25MPH from the east city limits to the west city limits.

Public Works Department Report.  Stagg reported that two bids were received for the Galion Roll-O-Matic roller and recommended selling the roller to the high bidder for $478.88.  Mengler moved and Puck seconded to sell the roller to David Feuss for $478.88.  Motion carried.  Stagg thanked Scott Brockmann (who was in attendance) for his 35 years of service to the City of Walcott and wished him well.  Mayor Kostichek and council members also thanked Scott Brockmann for his service.  Discussion was held on the delay of the manhole risers, recent reduced water pressure, and the south water tower.    

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported an Alliant Energy representative stated the power issues earlier in the morning were due to a mechanical failure with ITC’s equipment.  Following discussion, Council consensus was for staff to pursue a dialogue with MG Investments regarding additional property for expansion of the recreational trail.

Smith moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:40 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

Signed Minutes October 15, 2018

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 1^st day of October, 2018, at Walcott City Hall.  Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were: John Brockmann, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith.  Absent:  Tim Koehler.  City staff present:  Adam Hill, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Resident Randy Moeller questioned the recent burglary at a local storage unit.  Sergeant Hill responded another officer is investigating.  Resident Jim Paulsen stated the tree limbs on the west side of Blue Grass Road overhang and block the sight of the speed limit sign. He also questioned the recent low water pressure and Mengler reported on her communications with the Public Works Director, Paul Stagg, regarding recent draws of large water volumes from the system.

Consent Agenda.  Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from September 17, 2018, and the following TIF rebate payments per agreements:  Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc. for Morton Building Project- $1,030.21 and Sterling Partners, LLC for Multi-Use Project – $6,924.78.  Motion carried.

Otis Street Improvements Project – Payment #2. Following recommendations from the City Engineer and Stagg, Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve payment #2 for the W. Otis Street Improvements Project to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc.in the amount of $186,955.96. Motion carried.

Ordinance Amending Chapter 63, Certain Provisions Relating to Speed Regulations. Following discussion, Mengler introduced Ordinance 501-18 and moved to approve the first reading.  Seconded by Smith.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Smith, Brockmann, and Puck.  Nays:  None.  Motion carried.  This is the first of three readings.  The ordinances states that the speed limit will be 25MPH on W. Memorial Road (west of Main Street) to the west city limits.  The speed limit on E. Memorial Road is already 25 MPH.

Resolution 2018-34, Approving Amendment to the Contract for the collection of Solid Waste and Recycling.  Rickertsen stated that due to the change in policies on imported recyclables, Republic Services has proposed a contract amendment to include a recycling processing charge and to extend the garbage contract rates an additional five years, to June 30, 2025.  Currently the Waste Commission of Scott County does not charge Republic Services a recycling processing fee but if a fee is charged, that fee would be passed on to the City.  The extension of the garbage contract rates is in line with other Scott County communities.  Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2018-34.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Puck, Brockmann, and Smith.  Motion carried.

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen stated that Scott Brockmann has submitted a resignation letter, effective October 12, 2018, after 35 years of employment with the City.

Council Member Comments. Mengler thanked the Fire Department for their hard work on their recent fundraising event.

Smith moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:13 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

October 1, 2018 Signed Minutes & Claims

October 2018 Chamber Newsletter