August 26, 2019 Minutes
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Monday, August 26, 2019, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. Council members present were: Everett Bieri, John Brockmann, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Absent: None. City employees present: Lisa Rickertsen and Tom Schirman.
Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Attorney Schirman introduced Jeff McDaniel, another attorney with Brooks Law Firm, who has several years of legal municipal experience. Schirman stated that he is relocating from the local area but will continue to practice law and proposed to continue to serve as the City Attorney through voice, electronic, and video communications. McDaniel, or other attorneys at Brooks Law Firm, would be available to function as the City Attorney if Schirman is unavailable. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to have Tom Schirman continue to serve as the City Attorney as proposed. Motion carried.
Puck moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:05 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
August 19, 2019 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19th day of August 2019, 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 Koehler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Resident Joe Hahn reported he has heard a lot of positive comments regarding the new splash pad.
Public Hearings. The public hearing was opened for rezoning of 342 E. Bryant Street from M-2 (Moderate Industrial District) to C-2 (Central Business District). Rickertsen reported that an application was received from Dan & Jodeen Stepleton which request the property be rezoned to allow it to be used for storage and repair of their personal vehicles and equipment. Their intention is to expand the building to the required setbacks for C-2. The Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing on the request on August 12th and unanimously recommended the property be rezoned to C-2. Mengler questioned if this would have any effect on the parking area for the Lampliter. Any expansion to the building would be on their own property. No written or other oral comments were received. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to close the public hearing and open the public hearing on the rezoning request for 107 E. Walcott Road from M-2 and M-1 (Light Industrial) to C-2. Rickertsen reported that an application was received from Bryan Newell which requests the rezoning to allow construction or restoration of an automotive repair shop due to recent storm damage. The property has been utilized as an automotive repair shop for many years under a non-conforming use status. The request is so the business would be in compliance with the C-2 zoning classification. The Planning & Zoning Commission held a public hearing on the request on August 12th and unanimously recommended the property be rezoned to C-2. No written comments or other oral comments were received. Puck moved and Koehler seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from August 5, 2019, July 2019 financial reports, Class C beer permit and Sunday sales renewal for Dolgencorp, LLC (Dollar General), and Resolution 2019-28, Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Mengler, Smith, Brockmann, and Puck. Motion carried.
Rezoning Request for 342 E. Bryant Street – Ordinance 507-19, Amending the Official Zoning Map. Smith introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 507-19. Seconded by Puck. Roll call ayes: Smith, Puck, Koehler, and Mengler. Brockmann abstained as he is the current property owner. Motion carried. This Ordinance changes the zoning for 342 E. Bryant Street from M-2 to C-2.
Rezoning Request for 107 E. Walcott Road – Ordinance 508-19, Amending the Official Zoning Map. Mengler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 508-19. Seconded by Koehler. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koehler, Smith, Puck, and Brockmann. Motion carried. This Ordinance changes the zoning for 107 E. Walcott Road from M-2 and M-1 to C-2.
Proposed City Hall/Fire Station Parking Lot. The current budget includes funds for a proposed parking lot, which would be paid from the Municipal Building Reserve Fund. Discussion was held on the three options presented by the City Engineer last fall. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to proceed with option A (lot adjacent to City Hall). Motion carried with Brockmann opposing.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported on the department’s participation with the recent multi-jurisdictional traffic enforcement event. He also introduced, Timothy Horihan, as the new full-time officer he hired. Smith moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2019-29, Establishing Hourly Wage for Police Officer Timothy Horihan. Roll call ayes: Smith, Koehler, Brockmann, Puck, and Mengler. Motion carried. Rickertsen administered the Oath of Office to Officer Horihan.
Public Works Department Report. The high bid of $2,125 was one of three received for the 2011 Ford Crown Victoria. The Council felt that the high bid was too low and it was noted that the notice stated that the City has a right to reject any or all bids. Stagg also reported he has a 2000 Chevy pickup to dispose of since the new truck is ready for delivery. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Smith seconded to re-advertise the sale of the 2011 Crown Victoria with a minimum bid of $3,500 and to also list the 2000 Chevy pickup for sale, with Stagg determining a minimum bid for the pickup. Motion carried.
Council Comments. Koehler mentioned he appreciated the opportunity to serve the community and felt the experience was educational. Koehler was thanked for his willingness to serve as a member of the City Council for almost nine years.
Council Vacancy Appointment. The two applicants, Joe Aubry and Everett Bieri, were both thanked for their interest in fulfilling the council vacancy. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to appoint Everett Bieri to the City Council, until the next regular election on November 5, 2019. Motion carried. Rickertsen administered the oath of office to Everett Bieri.
Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:39 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
August 5, 2019 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 5th day of August 2019, 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. No comments.
Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from July 15, 2019. Motion carried.
Petition Request for Alley Closure. Jackie Puck presented a petition from neighboring property owners along W. Durant and Flagg Streets requesting that semi-permanent structures, which could be removed for City and/or utility use, be placed on a portion of the alley between S. Parker Street and Rowe Lane. The petition stated that the request was due to the continuing misuse and damage to private and public property. Attorney Schirman stated that per the Iowa Code the City has an obligation to keep the alley open, with an exception that it can be temporarily closed when conditions warrant (overweight abuse, deterioration, rain, snow, ground condition or other climatic conditions that an alley can be seriously damaged by vehicular travel). Schirman stated the City can’t legally do what the petition requests but could discuss load limits and speed limits (currently alleys are 15 MPH) and that individuals caught intentionally damaging the alley or adjacent properties can be subject to criminal charges or municipal infractions. There was some discussion about vacating an alley but it’s not feasible to do so in this area due to utilities and restricting access for property owners. Attorney Schirman, Mayor Kostichek, and council members acknowledged the petitioners’ frustration with this unfortunate situation. Due to legal restrictions, Mengler moved and Smith seconded to deny the request to permanently close the alley to through traffic. Motion carried with Puck opposing.
Otis St Improvements Project.
- Seeding & Clean-up Action Plan. A letter was submitted to the City with the contractors’ action plan to remove rocks and ensure seeding growth and establishment for this fall. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Puck seconded to require the subcontractor to include surface tilling, removal of rocks and debris and to seed again during September. Motion carried.
- Approval of Payment #9 to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve payment #9 to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc. for $9,087.25. Motion carried.
2019 Water Main Improvements Project. Mayor Kostichek reported on a portion of the right-of-way along the project that hasn’t been restored yet. Stagg stated he is aware of the area and he has a punch list that he will discuss with the project manager. It was noted that all construction projects retain funds from the contractor until the City Council accepts the project. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve payment #1 to BWC Excavating, Inc. for $147,106.21. Motion carried.
2019 Sanitary Sewer Repairs/Improvements Project. Stagg stated he also has a punch list for this project. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve payment #1 to BWC Excavating, Inc. for $193,885.02. Motion carried.
Council Vacancy. Mengler stated that it is with a heavy heart that she moves to accept Tim Koehler’s resignation, effective August 19, 2019, and to fill the vacancy by appointment during the August 19th meeting. Smith concurred and reluctantly seconded the motion. Motion carried with Koehler abstaining and Brockmann expressing his regrets at Koehler’s resignation. Koehler is resigning due to an upcoming move outside of City limits.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake had presented information that was provided to him by the Scott County Humane Society regarding a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for cats. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to not proceed with the TNR program since it would be returning feral cats to the community. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg stated that the splash pad equipment was installed today and that an official ribbon cutting ceremony will be at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 7th.
Council Member Comments. Smith inquired about moving a sign post, located on the corner of E. James and N. Downey Streets, which was reinstalled on the opposite side of the street following the recent water main project. Stagg will look into moving the sign. Discussion was also held on a drainage area along Memorial Road between a residence on Memorial Road and S. Downey Street. Stagg is looking into reconstructing the intake.
Smith moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.