October 21, 2019
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 21st day of October, 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: Adam Hill, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the agenda with the deletion of item 5, per request from Rita Stender. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments at this time.
Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from October 7, 2019, TIF rebate payment per agreement to Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc. for Morton Building Project for $678.52, FYE 2019 Annual Financial Report, Resolution 2019-33 Transfer of Funds, and Resolution 2019-34 Obligating TIF Funds ($40,000) from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area for FYE 2021. Roll call ayes: Smith, Mengler, Bieri, Puck, and Brockmann. Motion carried.
Request for 4-Way Stop at Downey & Otis Street Intersection. Joe Aubry reported a neighbor mentioned a request for a four-way stop at the intersection of Downey and Otis Streets. There are currently stop signs on Downey Street for the north and south bound traffic. Aubry stated he has observed the east and west bound traffic slow down to stop, causing confusion for other drivers, and inquired about installing signs that state that cross traffic doesn’t stop. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Smith seconded to deny the request of a four-way stop at the intersection of Downey and Otis Streets. Motion carried.
Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU) Safety & Health Management Services. Rickertsen reported that IAMU is looking for cities and utilities that would be interested in a new service to have a Safety Coordinator in our area to provide on-site-training and assist, create, and maintain OSHA compliance and safety culture. The City currently pays $1,800/year for participation in the current IAMU safety group and the estimated fee for a Safety Coordinator would be approximately $8,000/year. Services provided from a Safety Coordinator are still available to the City for a fee under the existing safety group services. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to deny proceeding with a Safety Coordinator. Motion carried.
City Parking Lot Improvements Project. Stagg reported on the two cost opinions of borings versus exploratory excavation on the lot for a proposed parking lot. Council consensus was to table until the next regular meeting, pending further details from the City Engineer.
Resolution 2019-35, Accepting Improvements and Authorizing Final Payment for the West Otis Street Improvements Project. Stagg reported on the recommendation for payment and project acceptance by the City Engineer. Stagg stated the contractor installed the inlet according to the plans and specifications and that the contractor has agreed to come back in the spring to weed and feed the area since it could not be done in the fall over new seed. Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2019-35, which includes a final payment to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc. for $27,763.56. Roll call ayes: Smith, Puck, Brockmann, Mengler, and Bieri. Motion carried.
Street Committee Recommendation – Tree Hazards. Smith reported on the findings by the Street Committee (Smith and Puck) regarding trees, particularly ash trees, on private property that pose a danger to adjoining property, passing motorists, or pedestrians. Resident Joe Hahn expressed his frustration that property owners are required to trim trees that overhang onto sidewalks and questioned when the City would enforce people to use the sidewalks instead of walking in the street. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Puck seconded to have the Building/Code Enforcement Official send notices, with photos, to property owners regarding tree maintenance and extended deadline to seven weeks. Motion carried.
Council Member Comments. Brockmann stated that the graveled portion of W. Memorial Road has potholes. Stagg responded that he will look at it and spot rock if needed.
Puck moved and Smith seconded to adjourn at 6:40 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
October 7, 2019 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 7th day of October, 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, Paul Stagg, and Jason Holdorf, City Engineer.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Karla Burt provided an update on the donated shelter and recently purchased property cleanup. Joe Aubry requested consideration of a four-way stop at the intersection of N. Downey & E. Otis Streets. This will be placed on the next agenda for council discussion.
Consent Agenda. Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from September 16, 2019, and the September 2019 financial reports. Motion carried.
Scott County Board of Supervisors. Scott County Supervisors, Tony Knobbe and Ken Croken, County Administrator, Mahesh Sharma, and Community Services Director, Lori Elam, were present. Knobbe reported on recent projects and issues which include the following: county-wide radio project financing; lake restoration project and new cabins at West Lake; secondary roads five year plan and challenging year with gravel roads; and the jail and juvenile detention study. Elam reported on the free mental health and developmental disability services available to residents, including a 24 hour crisis line and mobile crisis services.
Donation to Walcott Historical Society. Smith moved and Bieri seconded to donate $2,500, per the city budget, to the Walcott Historical Society. Motion carried.
City Parking Lot Improvements Project. Discussion was held on the proposed plans for a city parking lot adjacent to City Hall. Council would like Holdorf to compare both options for storm flow and soil testings.
Resolution 2019-32, Approving Overhang Easement with ITC Midwest, LLC. Rickertsen reported the agreement was amended and approved by Attorney Schirman. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2019-32. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Brockmann, Smith, and Bieri. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported there were four bids received for the 2000 Chevy Silverado and he recommended selling the truck to the highest bidder. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to sell the 2000 Chevy Silverado to the high bidder, Martz Brothers, for $2,050. Motion carried. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to accept the high bid of $2,125, from Kendall Mattson, for the 2011 Ford Crown Victoria. Motion carried.
Council Member Comments. Smith questioned the status of restoration along the recent water main project and Stagg responded that the contractor has not been back to do a final walk through yet. Brockmann questioned the status on the storm intake along Memorial Road. Stagg responded that the line was televised and a contractor is scheduled to replace the current 12” intake with a 30”.
Smith moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:03 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.