November 19, 2018 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19th day of November, 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. Korry Kraft stated he was present on behalf of Continental Fire Sprinkler Co. and Iowa 80 Investments regarding a water pressure fluctuating issue at two of their facilities. Stagg stated there are not any known problems within the City’s system but he will continue to investigate possible causes. Brockmann stated the issues could be a problem with private lines.
Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from November 15, 2018, and the October 2018 financial reports. Motion carried.
Resolution 2018-40, Approving Change Orders for the West Otis Street Improvements Project. The change orders are for extras and modifications for unforeseen elements of the underground utility work, amounting to an additional $10,316.40. A letter from the project engineer states they anticipate the completed project will still come in under the original bid price. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2018-40. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Puck, Brockmann, Mengler, and Smith. Motion carried.
Disposal of Red Fire Department Trailer. Puck moved and Smith seconded to sell the red fire department trailer to Kenneth Adomat for $56.13. Motion carried.
Proposed Parking Lot Adjacent to City Hall/Fire Station. Koehler moved and Smith seconded to postpone discussions of a parking lot until the next fiscal year budget meetings. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported on grants obtained for new body cameras and a squad camera.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented an update on the West Otis Street Improvements project and reported on hiring a new employee. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2018-41, Establishing Hourly Wage for a Public Works Laborer/Water and Sewer Operator (Justin Richardson). Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Brockmann, Koehler, and Smith. Motion carried.
City Clerk’s Report. Discussion was held on disposing of old chairs and replacing the council table. Council consensus was to contact the Walcott Historical Society in regards to the wooden chairs, dispose of the reception chairs, and obtain quotes on a new council table. Rickertsen reported on recent email spoofing (forging) of her email address and cautioned everyone to verify the sender when opening any attachments or links.
Council Member Comments. Brockmann reported on complaints regarding the storage container located at 344 E. Flagg Street.
Mengler moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:36 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
November 5, 2018 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 5th day of November, 2018, at Walcott City Hall. Jacob Puck, Mayor Pro Tem, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Other council members present were: John Brockmann, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, and Larry Smith. Absent: Mayor Kostichek. City staff present: Josh Geigle, Adam Hill, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from October 15, 2018, Resolution 2018-38-Transfer of Funds (from Employee Benefits & Local Option Sales Tax to General Fund), and Resolution 2018-39, Approving Application for a Residential Tax Abatement within the 2017 Walcott Urban Revitalization Area. Roll call ayes: Smith, Mengler, Koehler, Brockmann, and Puck. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Otis Street Improvements Project – Payment #3. Following recommendations from the City Engineer and Stagg, Koehler moved and Smith seconded to approve payment #3 for the W. Otis Street Improvements Project to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc.in the amount of $248,729.29. Motion carried.
2019 Main Street Hanging Flower Baskets. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve purchasing flowers from Rooftop Sedums for $2,086 and replacement liners, up to $700, for the 2019 hanging flower baskets. Motion carried.
Proposed Parking Lot Adjacent to City Hall/Fire Station. Stagg presented a proposed drawing for a twenty space parking lot adjacent to City Hall. Resident Joe Hahn questioned why they are considering spending funds for a parking lot. Several advantages of a parking lot were mentioned. Smith moved and Koehler seconded to proceed with obtaining a cost estimate for a community parking lot. Motion carried.
Ordinance 501-18, Amending Chapter 63, Certain Provisions Relating to Speed Regulations. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 501-18. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Smith, and Puck. Nays: Brockmann and Koehler. Motion carried. The ordinance states that the speed limit on Memorial Road will be 25 miles per hour from the east city limits to the west city limits.
Fire Department Report. Chief Geigle reported on an old fire department trailer that has not been utilized for several years. Council consensus was to post a notice at City Hall to dispose of the trailer through sealed bids.
City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on the changes to the health insurance plan for 2019. Based on current enrollees the health insurance premium increase will be 3.45% and there is no increase for dental insurance. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve the 2019 employee health and dental insurance benefits renewal with Wellmark. Motion carried.
Council Member Comments. Smith reported on the Street Committee meeting that was held on October 29, 2018.
Smith moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 6:26 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.