The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 16^th day of December, 2019, at Walcott City Hall.  Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were: Everett Bieri, John Brockmann, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith.  Absent:  None.  City staff present:  Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No public comments at this time.

Public Hearing.  Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the rezoning request for 210 & 230 W. Flagg Street from R-3 (Multiple Family Dwelling District) to R-1 (Single Family Dwelling District).  Rickertsen stated the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change.  Currently, 210 W. Flagg Street is a vacant lot and 230 W. Flagg Street is a single family home.  To the north of these lots, across the alley, the entire 200 block of W. Durant St is zoned R-1.  No written or other oral comments were received. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting.  Motion carried.

Consent Agenda.  Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, November 2019 financial reports, Resolution 2019 – Approving Applications for Residential Tax Abatement within the 2017 Walcott Urban Revitalization Area, and ITC Midwest LLC right-of-way permit.  Roll call ayes:  Puck, Smith, Mengler, Bieri, and Brockmann.  Motion carried.

Minutes from December 2, 2019.  Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the minutes from December 2, 2019.  Motion carried with Brockmann abstaining due to absence from the meeting.

Rezoning Request for 210 and 230 W. Flagg Street.  Smith introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 510-19, Amending the Official Zoning Map.  Seconded by Mengler.  Roll call ayes:  Smith, Mengler, Bieri, and Brockmann.  Motion carried with Puck abstaining due to conflict of interest. This Ordinance changes the zoning for 210 and 230 W. Flagg Street from R-3 to R-1.

Joe Aubry – Water Concerns. Aubry reported on concerns expressed on a local Facebook group regarding occasional water discoloration.  Other residents in attendance, including Kari Arivett, stated she notices discoloration periodically when running bath water and David Trees provided water samples and a picture of a whole house filter in his home.  Stagg stated that naturally occurring minerals and sediments can be stirred up in City mains or internal plumbing (private lines/pipes, softeners, and heaters) by high flows (bulk water sales, hydrant flushing, and water main breaks).  Stagg reported that the water is tested on a daily basis to ensure that it is safe to drink and he presented information on testing results indicating that iron and manganese levels are well below the recommended action levels.  Earlier this year Stagg implemented a unidirectional flushing program to proactively remove any mineral or sediment deposits within the system.  After further discussion, it was recommended by the Mayor and Council that residents should contact the appropriate City staff directly anytime they have questions or concerns related to City issues, rather than posting on social media.

Ordinance 509-19, Concerning Parking Regulations.  Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 509-19, Concerning Parking Regulations, with no parking on both sides of Walker Street and on the south and west sides of Sterling Drive.  Roll call ayes:  Puck, Mengler, Smith, and Bieri. Nays:  Brockmann.  Motion carried.

Police Department Report.  Chief Blake reported the Police Department received a $1,000 grant from Iowa 80/CAT Scale GO Iowa Endowment for load bearing tactical vests.

City Clerk’s Report.  Rickertsen reported the Planning & Zoning Commission supports changes to the accessory building code section.  The changes include prohibiting shipping containers and requiring accessory buildings to have weather resistant material treatment, both in single family and two family dwelling districts.  Council consensus was to move forward with the proposed code changes. Both the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council will have future public hearings on the proposed changes. 

Council Member Comments.  Brockmann questioned why all City vehicles do not have City of Walcott decals on them.  Stagg responded that he is more getting decals.  Mengler questioned when restoration of the easement, along the south side of Memorial Road, would be completed.  Stagg stated the restoration work will be completed in the spring.

Smith moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:43 p.m.  Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

December 16, 2019

December 2019 Chamber Newsletter

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 2^nd day of December, 2019, at Walcott City Hall.  Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were: Everett Bieri, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith.  Absent:  Brockmann.  City staff present:  Jeff Blake, Josh Geigle, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.        

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.

Consent Agenda.  Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, Alliant Energy right-of-way permit, and minutes from November 18, 2019, and November 25, 2019.  Motion carried.

Dan Fellman – Tree Removal at 309 W. Bryant Street.  Discussion was held on the unique situation, with the power lines and not being able to access the tree by the driveway or street without damaging the yard.  Smith moved and Puck seconded to grant an extension past December 15^th, with Fellman removing the tree once the ground is frozen, and to revisit on January 6, 2020 meeting.  Motion carried.       

Splash Pad – Resolution 2019-39, Accepting Improvements and Authorizing Final Payment.  Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2019-39.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Bieri, Smith, and Puck.  Motion carried.  A final payment, in the amount of $6,845.95, will be made to Centennial Contractors.  Motion carried.

Ordinance 509-19, Concerning Parking Regulations.  Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 509-19, Concerning Parking Regulations, with no parking on both sides of Walker Street and on the south and west sides of Sterling Drive.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Bieri, Puck, and Smith. Motion carried. This change is not effective until after three readings and publication of ordinance.  

Fire Department Report.  Geigle stated the Fire Department held officer elections for 2020 and the members re-elected him as Chief.  Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the appointment of Josh Geigle as Fire Chief, term ending 12/31/2020.  Motion carried.  Geigle reported on new trainees and a successful steak fry fundraiser.

Mayor’s Report.  Mayor Kostichek thanked the volunteer fire department members for all their service.

Council Member Comments.  Mengler questioned the status of repairing the defective outlets on the light poles.  Stagg will get an electrician out this week.

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

December 2, 2019

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Monday, November 25, 2019, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.  Council members present were: Everett Bieri, John Brockmann, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Lisa Mengler arrived at 5:45 p.m.  City employees present were:  Lisa Rickertsen and Paul Stagg.

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

Discussion/Review of Future Capital Improvement Projects.  The current Capital Improvement Plan, along with potential future projects, and short and long term goals, were reviewed and discussed.  Rickertsen will prepare changes as discussed and Stagg was asked to prioritize the infrastructure projects prior to the Council’s review and rankings.  Council consensus was to obtain cost estimates from the City Engineer on the potential water main replacement projects identified in the Plan.

Mengler moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:14 p.m.  Ayes:  All.  Motion carried.

November 25, 2019

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 18^th day of November, 2019, at Walcott City Hall.  Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were: Everett Bieri, John Brockmann, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith.  Absent:  None.  City staff present:  Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.

Consent Agenda.  Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from November 4, 2019, October 2019 financial reports, Resolution 2019-37- Approving Iowa Department of Transportation Standard Title VI Assurances, Agreement, and City of Walcott Title VI Policy Statement, and Resolution 2019-38 – Approving Hourly Wage for Sergeant Hill for Instructor Certification.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Smith, Bieri, Puck, and Brockmann.  Motion carried.

Jamie Minnaert – 221 E. Flagg Street.  Minnaert was not present but submitted a letter to Council requesting an extension to March 1^st to remove the ash tree on his property.  His letter also included that if an extension was not granted and the City removed the tree he would request a payment pan to reimburse the City.  Smith moved and Puck seconded to deny the extension and have the City remove the tree and allow a payment plan.  Motion carried.  Stagg reported that six of the ten nuisance trees have already been removed.

Splash Pad Project – Payment #3.  Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve payment #3 to Centennial Contractors for $9,373.37.  Motion carried.

No Parking on Sterling Drive and Walker Street.  During the November 4^th meeting, Stagg had reported he spoke with both the Police Chief and Fire Chief regarding the ongoing parking problems on Sterling Drive and Walker Street, especially during the winter months, and the desire to initiate no parking regulations on those streets.  Stagg again addressed the difficulties with snow removal especially when semis are parked on Sterling Drive and Walker Street.  Iowa 80 Group representatives, Dave Meier and Mike Hutchinson, stated their concerns about restricting parking on Sterling Drive, while acknowledging the issues with snow removal and emergency vehicle access.  Meier spoke about difficulties drivers face with the electronic logbooks and that the I-80 Exit 284 is a permitted exit, by the Iowa Department of Transportation, for oversized loads.  Following further discussion, Mengler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 509-19, Concerning Parking Regulations, with no parking on both sides of Walker Street and on the south and west sides of Sterling Drive.  Seconded by Puck.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Puck, Smith, and Bieri. Nays:  Brockmann.  This change is not effective until after three readings and publication of ordinance.            

Public Works Department Report.  Mengler questioned the status of the decorative light post on Main Street that was damaged during a storm this past summer.  Stagg responded that he had obtained two quotes and the light has been ordered but there was a twelve week lead time on it.

Council Member Comments.  Brockmann expressed concerns that he had previously brought up that the graveled portion of W. Memorial Road has potholes and it has not been addressed.  Smith responded that as a Street Committee member he looked at the area with Stagg but felt they were small and not worth staff’s time.  Following further discussion, Mayor Kostichek agreed to look at the area with Brockmann.  Brockmann reported the following:

• Low water pressure on the south side of the tracks. Stagg stated he had not received any complaints but will look into it.
• Concerns that the City did not maintain Y-40 during the last snow event. Stagg reported that the City did salt the area during the last snow event and although the County also maintains the road the City does plow and salt as needed.
• Questions on the invoice from Hahn Concrete for concrete lego blocks. These were purchased to organize the compost area by separating materials. Brockmann expressed concerns that a project worksheet was not presented for the project.

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

November 18, 2019

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 4^th day of November, 2019, at Walcott City Hall.  Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were: Everett Bieri, John Brockmann, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith.  Absent:  None.  City staff present:  Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Patricia Clare recently received a notice to remove a dead, diseased, or damaged tree on her property.  She requested an extension for completion and to only remove the dead limbs.

Consent Agenda.  Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from October 21, 2019, and Resolution 2019-36 – Approving Hourly Wage for Officer Horihan for Instructor Certification.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Puck, Bieri, Brockmann, and Smith.  Motion carried.

City Parking Lot Project.  City Engineer, Jason Holdorf, previously provided two options on how to examine the material used for the basement backfill on the lot directly east of City Hall.  Holdorf explained the exploratory excavation option and stated this was the more cost effective option.  Mengler moved and Smith seconded to proceed with the exploratory excavation for the proposed parking lot project. Motion carried.

Dan Fellman – 309 W. Bryant Street.  Fellman recently received a notice from the city to remove a dead, diseased, or damaged tree by December 15, 2019.  He is requesting an extension of the date for removal.  Due to the location of the tree, he reported that a local tree trimming contractor stated they can’t come into his yard until the ground is frozen.  Rickertsen reported on Attorney Schirman’s concerns regarding extending the removal date.  Issues could arise if the tree would fall and cause damage due to a winter storm during the extension period.  Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to revisit his extension request during the December 2^nd meeting to determine ground conditions.  Motion carried.

Jamie Minnaert – 221 E. Flagg Street.  Minnaert also received a tree notice and stated he only wants to remove the dead limbs, instead of the entire tree.  Council discussed safety concerns, especially if it is an infested ash tree and allowing it to stay can become a hazard by dropping limbs or falling over.  Smith and Stagg both reported that ash trees with signs of the ash borer should be removed completely. Minnaert will contact a local tree trimming contractor to verify the type of tree and he will report his findings to the Building Official/Code Enforcement Officer.  Clare was asked to do the same for the tree on her property that she received a notice for.

Public Works Department Report.  Stagg provided conceptual designs, prepared following input from the community during the Iowa Living Roadway’s Community Visioning Program process. These designs can be used during the Council’s review of future capital improvement projects. Stagg also reported he spoke with both the Police Chief and Fire Chief regarding the ongoing parking problems on Sterling Drive and Walker Street, especially during the winter months, and the desire to initiate no parking regulations on those streets.  This topic will be on the next agenda.

City Clerk’s Report.  Rickertsen reported on the changes to the health insurance plan for 2020.  Based on current enrollees, the health insurance premium for 2020 will increase 9.23% and there is no increase for dental insurance.  Rickertsen reported that some of the increase is due to the health insurer tax, which is being reintroduced in 2020 to help fund the ACA.  Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the 2020 employee health and dental insurance benefits renewal with Wellmark.  Motion carried.

Puck moved and Smith seconded to adjourn at 6:33 p.m.  Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

November 4, 2019

The bodies were lying in the streets un-buried. All railroads and vessels carrying food and such things into the great city had ceased runnings and mobs of the hungry poor pillaging.

The bodies were lying in the streets un-buried. All railroads and vessels carrying food and such things into the great city had ceased runnings and mobs of the hungry poor pillaging.