The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 20^th day of May 2019, 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, Larry Smith, and Tim Koehler.  Absent:  None.  City staff present:  Jeff Blake, Paul Stagg, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Larry Seiler reported on maintenance concerns with the graveled portion of Memorial Road and that the barricades for the alley, between N. Century and N. Grove Streets, are gone.  The alley barricades were relocated to another project last week and were moved back earlier today.  Bridget Geigle questioned Seiler if he had a dark truck with tool boxes, as she observed it drive through the grass alley adjacent to her residence, between N. Century and N. Grove Streets, twice today and two weeks ago.  Seiler confirmed it was him and she stated that Seiler driving in the grass alley has caused it to be in a deteriorated condition, including mud-covered sidewalks where he exited.  She also expressed her frustration with Seiler regarding concerns with the safety of children at her child care facility and that the adjacent property owners maintain the grass alley.  Attorney Schirman stated that he cannot intentionally damage or destroy public property.  Josh Geigle also expressed concerns with Seiler driving through the grass alley and that this is the first time there has been a problem with the alley in the thirteen years he has lived there.  Stagg stated it was never his intention to open the alley but the barricades were needed for an emergency project. Kevin Foss stated he would like to see the barricades permanently remain in the alley behind his residence on W. Durant Street and he expressed issues he has with the requirement for him to install a sidewalk at his residence and placement requirements for a new shed he would like to put up.

Public Hearing.  The public hearing was opened on the changes to Chapter 167 pertaining to the separation distance requirements from primary structures for accessory buildings in residential zoning areas.  Rickertsen stated a change was made in 2011 to require new accessory buildings be located fifteen feet from primary structures but it has made it impossible for some property owners with easements to locate a small accessory building on their property.  The Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing on May 13^th and recommended a five feet separation requirement for accessory buildings 288 square feet or less.  No written comments were received.  Resident Melissa McCourt stated she cannot locate an accessory building in her back yard with the current fifteen feet separation requirement.  Mengler moved and Puck seconded to close the hearing and resume the regular meeting.  Motion carried.

Consent Agenda.  Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from May 6, 2019, April 2019 financial reports, fireworks permit for Iowa 80 Truckers Jamboree on July 11^th & 12^th, new Class E Liquor & Sunday Sales license for Casey’s General Store #1922, and Resolution 2019-23, Transfer of Funds (from Road Use Tax and Local Option Sales Tax Funds to W. Otis Street Project Fund).  Roll call ayes:  Koehler, Puck, Brockmann, Mengler, and Smith.  Motion carried.    

Kirk Koberg – Sewer Issues.  Kirk Koberg reported that he has resided at his house on E. James Street since 1996 and has had sewage backup in his basement on three different occasions.  He reported that the sewer main in the alley adjacent to his residence has needed to be replaced/repaired for years and he hopes it gets done soon.  Discussion was held on the issue causing the recent backup, sizing of the sanitary sewer main, and tree roots in the main.  Stagg stated the roots were addressed last summer as part of the sewer televising project and this main is his next sewer project priority, following completion of the W. Bryant Street sewer project and contingent upon funding.     

W. Otis Street Improvements Project.

• Approval of Payment #7 to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc.. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve payment number seven to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc. for $73,474.72.  Motion carried.
• Resolution 2019-24, Approving Change Order for the West Otis Street Improvements Project. Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the change order in the amount of $7,467.86. Roll call ayes:  Smith, Puck, Brockmann, Mengler, and Koehler.  Motion carried.

Ordinance 504-19, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates.   This Ordinance will increase the water rates 3% and establish a base fee beginning with the June 1^st bills.  The base fee will be $3.00/month and the usage rate increases from $5.03 to $5.18 per 1,000 gallons of water.   Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 504-19, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates. Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Koehler, Smith, Puck, and Brockmann.  Motion carried.

Ordinance 505-19, Amending Chapter 167 Pertaining to Accessory Buildings.  Mengler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 505-19.  Seconded by Smith.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Smith, Koehler, Brockmann, and Puck.  Motion carried.  The separation distance requirement from primary structures will be five feet, for accessory buildings 288 square feet or less as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Ordinance 506-19, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees.  Koehler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 506-19, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees.  Seconded by Puck.  Roll call ayes:  Koehler, Puck, Brockmann, Mengler, and Smith.  Motion carried.  This ordinance increases the garbage rate 2%, from $12.87 to $13.12 beginning with the July 1^st bills.     

Council Member Comments. Brockmann had concerns including the following:  the Building Official’s car is parked and blocking the sidewalk in front of City Hall on weekends and evenings and the City of Durant had an issue with a contractor that is currently being utilized by Walcott.  It was explained that the Building Official’s car will be kept inside once the transfer of the police squad is completed and staff has researched the issues Durant had with the contractor and will be mindful of those concerns.  Koehler questioned the next steps to address the sewer issue in the alley by Kirk Koberg’s residence.  Stagg responded that he will discuss the options for that sewer main with a contractor.  Mengler questioned the timeframe regarding the Splash Pad project.  Stagg responded that it is delayed due to the weather conditions.

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

May 20, 2019

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 6^th day of May 2019, 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, Larry Smith, and Tim Koehler.  Absent:  None.  City staff present:  Jeff Blake, Paul Stagg, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments.  Joe Aubry questioned if the compost area could be open longer on the weekends.  It was reported that the Police Department closes the gates, which is typically at sunset.

Consent Agenda.  Rickertsen stated the effective date of the new liquor license for Cling Coliseum, Inc., DBA Walcott Coliseum, was recently changed and the dram shop insurance effective date has not yet been updated on the online system.  Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, Class C liquor license including outdoor and Sunday sales for Lampliter, Inc, new Class C liquor and Sunday sales license for Cling Coliseum, Inc. (pending date changes), and the utility permit application for Century Link.  Motion carried.   

April 15, 2019 Minutes.  Koehler moved and Smith seconded to approve the minutes from April 15, 2019.  Motion carried.  Brockmann abstained due to absence from meeting.

April 25, 2019 Minutes. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the minutes from April 25, 2019.  Motion carried.  Brockmann abstained due to absence from meeting.

Platinum Information Services, Inc. – Computer Equipment and IT services.  Rickertsen reported that following a Request for Proposal process with Bi-State Regional Commission and other Scott County communities, staff is recommending to proceed with Platinum Information Services, Inc. to assist the City with securing, protecting, and upgrading the City’s computer network system. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the services and equipment purchases from Platinum Information Services, Inc., as proposed on the project worksheet.  Motion carried.  The project worksheet includes hardware purchasing for replacing the server and three desktops, SMART backup (local storage) device, other required networking hardware, and installation costs.

Resolution 2019-22, Approving Non-Potable Water Well Agreement with Iowa 80 Group.  A new non-potable water well agreement with Iowa 80 Group was prepared, following a request at the April 15^th meeting from Dave Meier, Iowa 80 Group.  This agreement allows Iowa 80 Group to drill a well for the sole purpose of filling their decorative pond.  Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2019-22.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Koehler, Smith, Brockmann, and Puck.  Motion carried.

Larry Koberg – Fastpitch Tournaments.   Larry Koberg reported there are three tournaments planned for this summer.  The Fastpitch Invitational will be held May 25^th & 26^th, a softball youth tournament June 7^th – 9^th, and the Iowa Area ISC Qualifier Men’s Fastpitch Tournament June 21^st – 23^rd.  This is the 35^th consecutive year the Iowa Area ISC Qualifier Men’s Fastpitch Tournament will be held in Walcott.  Koberg requested approval to install temporary fencing at Wescott and Victory Parks from May 22^nd – June 25^th.  Puck moved and Koehler seconded to allow temporary fences to be installed at Wescott and Victory Parks from May 22^nd – June 25^th.

Larry Seiler – Streets and Alleys.   Larry Seiler requested the rules and regulations of alleys and expressed his discontent that the alley behind his commercial property, located at 200 W. Flagg Street, has been barricaded to prevent through traffic.  Seiler was given a copy of the alley maintenance policy following a reminder that a copy was also presented to him during the council meeting on February 6, 2017.  The alley, between S. Parker and S. Rowe Streets, was closed to through traffic by the Public Works Director following complaints from adjacent property owners and observation of deteriorated conditions.  Several of the adjacent residents on the block were in attendance and discussion included their agreement with the placement of the barricades due to alley deterioration, standing water, heavy vehicle traffic on alley and around barricades, and that two adjacent property owners have paid to apply gravel to the alley (as required per the policy).  Resident Norman LeCompte expressed his frustration with the fact that there has never been a problem with the alley until a few years ago when heavy vehicles/equipment started driving through it, especially the grassed portion of the alley.  Attorney Schirman stated that the City has a right/obligation to close an alley.  The policy states that the Public Works Director may close an alley when it appears by reason of overweight abuse, deterioration, or climate conditions that an alley can be seriously damaged by vehicular travel.  Seiler stated that the alley between N. Century and N. Grove Streets should also be closed.  Resident Karolyn Williams stated that the alley behind her house (between W. James and W. Otis Streets) has had increased traffic due to the W. Otis Street project and now has a few large ruts.  Stagg will look at the other two alleys mentioned.  Seiler also complained about the condition of the graveled portion of Memorial Road.  

Ordinance 504-19 Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates.   This Ordinance will increase the water rates 3% and establish a base fee beginning with the June 1^st bills.  The base rate will be $3.00/month and the usage rate increases from $5.03 to $5.18 per 1,000 gallons of water.   Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 504-19, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates. Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Puck, Brockmann, Smith, and Koehler.  Motion carried.

City Clerk Report.   Rickertsen stated a motion was made in August, 2018, to have the City hire a contractor to install a new sidewalk, to complete a gap, for a property owner that was sent a notice as part of the Residential Sidewalk Repair Program and to set-up a payment plan for the owner to reimburse the City for 50% of the cost.  Rickertsen stated she was approached by another property owner in the same situation regarding installing a new sidewalk and council consensus was to offer the same agreement.

Council Member Comments. Brockmann expressed several concerns, which include the following:  the hazards with the shoulders on Plainview Road (A.K.A. 60^th Avenue); dissatisfaction with the condition of the graveled portion of Memorial Road; frequency of grass cutting and that he was told that no trimming is being done; and he feels that inspections are not being performed on construction projects. Stagg responded that the County will be performing maintenance on the shoulders on Plainview Road; staff is trimming and cuts grass as often as needed; and inspections are being done on projects.  Smith stated he has observed Stagg at the water main project site many times.  Puck thanked Stagg and Blake for closing the alley between S. Parker and Rowe Streets and he questioned who moved the porta potty from Water Tower Park to the Lampliter on May 4^th. No one responded, except Stagg who stated no one had permission to move it.  Mengler questioned the time frame on the W. Otis Street Project and Stagg stated the concrete is complete and the final grading is dependent on the weather.  Smith had a few comments including an email, which he read, from Mike Hill, 571 S. Downey Street, in which Hill felt his yard was not entirely graded following the completion of the S. Downey Street project in 2016.  Discussion was held on the email and council consensus was to allow Stagg to dump a few loads of dirt, per Hill’s request, on his property.

Mengler moved and Smith seconded to adjourn at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

May 6, 2019 Minutes and Claims

MAY 2019 CHAMBER NEWSLETTER