The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 18^th day of May, 2020, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were: Lisa Mengler, with Everett Bieri, John Brockmann, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith participating remotely by phone. City staff present were Jeff Blake, Jackie Huston, and Lisa Rickertsen with Paul Stagg participating remotely by phone. Due to COVID-19, this meeting was held electronically via a conference call, permitted under the Iowa Code, Chapter 21.8, which allows an electronic meeting where members may participate remotely when an in-person meeting is impossible or impractical. Call-in information was provided to the public on the meeting agenda notice.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. None.

Consent Agenda. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from May 4, 2020, and the April 2020 financial reports. Motion carried.

Summer Youth Program. Rickertsen stated that only one parent called City Hall expressing interest in the program. Huston reported on her conversation with staff from the Scott County Y and their concerns about how to administer the program with the current sanitizing and distancing guidelines. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Smith seconded to not proceed with the program this year, due to COVID-19, and feedback from the Scott County Y. Motion carried.

Ordinance 512-20, Amending Chapter 92 Pertaining to Water Rates. Bieri moved and Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 512-20. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Puck, Brockmann, and Mengler. Nays: Smith. Motion carried. Effective with the July 1^st billing, each customer shall pay a minimum bill of $12.00 per month (increase of $1.75/month), which includes usage up to 1,400 gallons. All usage over 1,400 gallons shall be $5.31 per 1,000 gallons (increase of $.13/1,000 gallons). Effective with the October 1^st billing, the minimum rate shall increase by $1.75 per month (total of $13.75/month) and the usage over 1,400 gallons shall increase $.13 per 1,000 gallons (total of $5.44/1,000 gallons). The rate increase is needed to pay for improvements to the water system.

Ordinance 513-20, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees. Ordinance 513-20 was introduced. Effective with the July 1^st billing, the monthly garbage rate increases from $13.12 to $13.64, which is the 4% increase the City pays to the collector. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 513-20. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Brockmann, Bieri, and Smith. Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported that the seal coating maintenance has been completed and the manhole replacements and installation will be done this week.  

• Fire Bay Door Operators. Stagg presented a project worksheet to replace three fire bay door operators. Smith moved and Bieri seconded to approve the project as presented, hiring Raynor Door at a cost of $2,868. Motion carried.
• Clean-up Day. Stagg asked for guidance on the scheduled clean-up day of June 6^th since the dumpsters need to be scheduled by the end of this week. Mengler reported that the group sponsoring the garage sales would be willing to move the garage sale date to June 27^th. Following discussion, Smith moved and Bieri seconded to postpone clean-up day to June 27^th. Motion carried.
• Century Street Sewer Repairs. Stagg presented a project worksheet to replace a small section (approximately 100’) of sewer main on N. Century Street. Brockmann stated there is only one bid and no engineering. Stagg responded that it’s a small replacement project and due to the timing with the contractor mobilizing for the manhole project he felt this was the best price. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Puck seconded to hire Needham Excavating (labor and rock cost at $6,445) to replace the sewer main on N. Century Street as proposed. Motion carried with Brockmann opposing.

Council Comments. Council discussed park closures, ball diamond maintenance, and staff work schedules (allowed by declaration of public health disaster emergency). The City’s public health disaster emergency policy will be on the June 1^st meeting agenda.

Mengler moved and Smith seconded to adjourn at 6:36 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

May 18, 2020

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 4^th day of May, 2020, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were: Lisa Mengler, with Everett Bieri, John Brockmann, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith participating remotely by phone. City Clerk, Lisa Rickertsen, was present and Public Works Director, Paul Stagg participated remotely. Due to COVID-19, this meeting was held electronically via a conference call, permitted under the Iowa Code, Chapter 21.8, which allows an electronic meeting where members may participate remotely when an in-person meeting is impossible or impractical. Call-in information was provided to the public on the meeting agenda notice.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. None.

Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from April 20, 2020, and Class E liquor and Sunday sales license renewal for Casey’s General Store #1922.  Motion carried.

Summer Youth Program. Rickertsen stated the program is scheduled to start on June 15^th but if it’s held the program could have changes and participant limits. Discussion was held on seeing if there is still an interest in the program this summer. Interested parents should call City Hall by May 18^th.

Solid Waste Collection & Regulations.  Rickertsen reported on possible future changes to Chapters 105 & 106 regarding solid waste collection, including adding a section regarding the compost/yard waste area. An amendment will be drafted for the next meeting for the 4% garbage rate increase, per the contract with the hauler, and other changes will be incorporated into a future amendment.

Ordinance 511-20, Amending the Code of Ordinances Concerning Livestock. Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 511-20. Roll call ayes: Smith, Puck, Brockmann, Bieri, and Mengler. Motion carried. This change would allow chickens (but not roosters) in Suburban Agricultural zoning districts, with the following restrictions: limit of twenty-five chickens, must be confined to a coop at all times, and coops may only be located in rear yards and at least 500 feet from all other zoning districts.

Ordinance 512-20, Amending Chapter 92 Pertaining to Water Rates. Ordinance 512-20 was introduced. Effective with the July 1^st billing, each customer shall pay a minimum bill of $12.00 per month (increase of $1.75/month), which includes usage up to 1,400 gallons. All usage over 1,400 gallons shall be $5.31 per 1,000 gallons (increase of $.13/1,000 gallons). Effective with the October 1^st billing, the minimum rate shall increase by $1.75 per month (total of $13.75/month) and the usage over 1,400 gallons shall increase $.13 per 1,000 gallons (total of $5.44/1,000 gallons).  Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 512-20. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Brockmann, and Puck. Nays: Smith. Motion carried. The rate increase is needed to pay for improvements to the water system.     

Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported on the closure of 200^th Street from Walcott to Durant and presented project worksheets for street maintenance and manhole replacements and installation. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the street maintenance project as presented. Motion carried. This includes spot repairs and seal coating on W. Cedar Lane Drive and portions of N. Henry and N. Downey Streets at a cost of $29,819.25, from LL Pelling. Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the manhole project as presented. Motion carried. This includes installing three manholes at a bid price of $15,850.00 from Needham Excavating. Stagg also reported on the water system flushing and stated that during flushing operations only strategic hydrants are operated to flush the mains, not every hydrant in the system.

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on the City’s 2020 Census return rate which is lower than the county-wide rate and stressed the importance that everyone’s response matters. All residents are encouraged to complete the 2020 Census.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek thanked the community for their recent yard clean-up efforts. A letter was sent to the Iowa Interstate Railroad regarding overgrown areas in the ditch on their property which is impeding the natural drainage flow.

Council Comments. Mengler reported on the recent cancelation of youth league ball games, thanked the police department for their quick response to recent calls, and reminds residents to lock their property (vehicles, garages, and homes). Brockmann reported on heavy use of the gravel road going west out of town due to the road closure on 200^th Street and expressed visibility concerns, due to the dust, from the City limits to the west. Stagg will relay the concerns to Muscatine County.

Smith moved and Bieri seconded to adjourn at 6:27 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

May 4, 2020