A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Monday, March 30, 2020, at Walcott City Hall, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.  Council members present were: Everett Bieri, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. John Brockmann participated remotely by phone. Absent: Larry Smith. City employees present were: Lisa Rickertsen and Paul Stagg. In order to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, this special meeting was electronically via a conference call, permitted under the Iowa Code, Chapter 21.8 which allows an electronic meeting that members may participate remotely when an in person meeting is impossible or impractical. Call-in information was provided on the meeting agenda notice.

Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on a proposed public health emergency disaster policy which establishes protocol to be utilized by the City of Walcott Officials and employees in the event the Governor of the State of Iowa declares a public health disaster emergency due to an infectious disease outbreak. Following the reading of the policy by Rickertsen, Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2020-12, Approving a Policy for Public Health Emergency Disaster Procedures. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Bieri, and Brockmann. Motion carried. The Mayor’s Proclamation of Public Health Emergency Disaster and Eminent Risk Declaration was read.

Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to adjourn at 5:11 p.m.  Ayes:  All.  Motion carried.

March 30, 2020 Special Mtg

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 16^th day of March, 2020, 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: John Brockmann. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Paul Stagg, and Lisa Rickertsen.

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

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

Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2021 (FYE 2021). Rickertsen stated the tax levy will be at $10.08240 per 1,000 taxable valuation on regular property. The budget includes utility rate increases to cover costs associated with the maintenance and future improvements to the water system and a garbage rate increase to cover the annual rate increase from the garbage contractor. No written or oral comments were received. Smith moved and Puck seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, February 2020 financial reports, Resolution 2020-9-Approving the Adoption of the FYE 2021 Budget, IMEG engineering proposal for the Downey Street Water Main project ($13,450), and Night Owl Wireless right-of-way permit. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, and Smith. Motion carried.

Minutes from March 2, 2020. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the minutes from March 2, 2020. Motion carried with Bieri abstaining due to absence from meeting.

Request for Chickens in Suburban Agriculture Zoning. Angela Felsing was present to request the regulations be changed to allow chickens in SA (Suburban Agricultural) zoning for properties that are located at least 500’ from other residences. Concerns were discussed regarding enclosures, size of flock, and future development. Following discussion, Smith moved and Mengler seconded to have Attorney Schirman proceed with an ordinance change to allow chickens (no roosters) in SA zoning, only to be located at least 500’ from other zoning classifications, require enclosures, and limit the flock to 25. Motion carried.

Resolution 2020-10, Approving Burts’ Second Addition Preliminary Plat. Rickertsen stated that the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the preliminary and final plats during their meeting on March 9, 2020. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2020-10. Roll call ayes: Smith, Mengler, Bieri, and Smith. Motion carried.

Resolution 2020-11, Certificate of Acceptance – Approving Burts’ Second Addition Final Plat. Rickertsen stated that all documents have been reviewed and approved by Attorney Schirman. The City is waiting on one original document to be submitted, although an electronic copy has been received. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2020-11, pending receipt of the final original document. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Bieri, and Smith. Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented information from the City Engineer regarding concerns on utilizing the ductile iron pipe (DIP), which has been stored next to the Public Works building for many years, for the proposed Downey Street water main replacement project. The amount of existing pipe is not enough for the entire project and the cost to purchase additional DIP (to keep the same material for entire project) is approximately three times more than the PVC that is planned for the project. Utilizing the existing pipe would not result in a cost savings and it could result in a liability by the City supplying the material. He further suggested the best use of the existing supply is to utilize it for small water main repairs.

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on the recent briefings with county and state officials regarding COVID-19.Discussion was held on the possibility of restricting public access at City buildings and waiving policy requirements regarding a doctor’s note if an employee is absent for a period of three consecutive days or more. Council consensus was to restrict public access as needed and waive the doctor’s note requirement at this time.

Bieri moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:38 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

March 16, 2020

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 2^nd day of March, 2020, 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, and Larry Smith. Absent: Everett Bieri. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Paul Stagg, and Lisa Rickertsen.

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

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

Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from February 17, 2020, and Spring Clean-Up Day as May 2, 2020, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Motion carried.

Downey Street Water Main Project. Rickertsen expressed concerns with the projected water fund balance if the project proceeds as budgeted. Stagg stated the estimated cost of replacing two blocks of water main is higher than anticipated. Brockmann suggested utilizing the water main pipe that has been stored next to the Public Works building for many years. Following discussion, Brockmann moved and Mengler seconded to proceed with the first block (James Street to Otis Street) and to see if the existing water main pipe is usable. Motion carried.

IDNR Tree Seedlings Program. Mayor Kostichek reported on a free tree seedlings program through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that the City is eligible to apply for. The program allows for plantings on private and public properties and orders must be in increments of 25. Consensus was to pursue applying later this year, for the fall cycle, if enough interest is received from residents.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg stated the 1997 International dump truck (oldest in the fleet) has not been utilized for the past few years and he wants to dispose of it (through sealed bid process). Brockmann stated he thinks it’s sad that the heavy dump truck sits while lighter trucks plow snow. He questioned the next dump truck replacement schedule and suggested keeping the 1997. Smith moved and Puck seconded to proceed with the disposal process for the 1997 International dump truck. Motion carried with Brockmann opposing.

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported the 2020 Census information will be arriving soon and expressed the importance to the community for everyone to complete the census. Every household will have the option of responding online or by phone. Rickertsen presented information on increasing the minimum water and sewer bill which includes 1,400 gallons usage, as well as a 3-5% increase on the water rate for additional usage, which is needed to pay for improvements to the system. Korry Kraft stated he is continuously replacing fixtures due to lime buildup, even though he has a water softener. It was discussed that there is a way to soften the water at the plant but it would be very costly and would require a significant rate increase. Joe Hahn questioned why Iowa 80 Truckstop is not on the City’s water system and why there can’t be a higher water rate for commercial properties. All new construction at Iowa 80 Truckstop is required to connect to the City’s water system and the Council is not interested in pursuing a different rate structure for commercial users. Rate changes require an Ordinance, which will be prepared for a future meeting in April.                   

Council Member Comments. Brockmann expressed concerns which include the following:

• Leaves at Victory Park that haven’t been cleaned up. Smith responded that the leaves were cleaned up in the fall but then it snowed and now the ground is wet. Stagg stated the park will be cleaned up again once the conditions permit.
• Pretreatment of the streets on February 21^st and stated the treatment only lasts two hours. Stagg reported on a predicted upcoming weather event and that applying salt brine is a proactive approach to controlling snow and ice on streets. He stated that it takes four times more salt for removal following a snowfall than it does to pretreat the streets with brine and that the brine lasts much longer than two hours, typically until it snows or rains.

Smith moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:48 p.m.  Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

March 2, 2020 Minutes