A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at Walcott City Hall, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. Council members present were: Lisa Mengler and Larry Smith, with Everett Bieri and Jacob Puck participating remotely by phone. Absent: John Brockmann. City employee, Lisa Rickertsen, was also present. Due to the COVID-19 virus, call-in information to participate remotely was provided to the public on the meeting agenda notice.

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

Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the Class C liquor and Sunday sales license for the New Walcott Coliseum, Inc., dba Walcott Coliseum. Motion carried.

Mengler moved and Smith seconded to adjourn at 4:33 p.m.  Ayes:  All.  Motion carried.

June 30, 2020 special meeting

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 15^th day of June, 2020, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Pro Tem Jacob Puck called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Other council members present were: Lisa Mengler, with Everett Bieri, John Brockmann, and Larry Smith participating remotely by phone. Absent: Mayor Kostichek. City staff present were Jeff Blake 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 Bieri seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.

Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from June 1, 2020, May 2020 financial reports, Resolution 2020-19, Approving Transfer of Funds (year-end transfers) and annual cigarette permit renewals for Casey’s, Dolgencorp (Dollar General), Iowa 80 Truckstop, and Pilot Travel Centers #043 and #268.  Roll call ayes: Mengler, Smith, Bieri, Brockmann, and Puck.  Motion carried.

Electronic Council Meetings. Rickertsen questioned if the council wanted to continue with the electronic council meetings. She reported on the current Governor’s proclamation which allows holding the meeting by electronic means and restricting public attendance from an in-person meeting location. Council consensus was to wait and see if the governor issues a new proclamation regarding remote meetings past June 25^th.

Ordinance 513-20, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 513-20. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, Smith, and Brockmann. 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.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported that the splash pad is now open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Stagg presented a project worksheet for purchase of a 2020 John Deere Skid Steer. Brockmann questioned the use of it and stated he felt the purchase wasn’t needed. Stagg responded that it is a versatile piece of equipment which can be utilized year round. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the purchase of a 2020 John Deere Skid Steer from Sinclair Tractor at a price of $57,278.06. Motion carried with Brockmann opposing.

Council Member Comments. Comments included compliments received on the flags and hanging baskets on N. Main Street, reinstalling a dead end sign on Michelle Lane, speed limit concerns on Cedar Lane Drive, concrete project at Wescott Park scheduled to start this fall, two discolored water complaints, report of a truck on private property which hasn’t moved for five years, mowing of right-of-ways (specifically along W. Walcott Road), and the letter to Iowa Interstate Railroad regarding cleanup of the drainage area located on their property. Smith questioned why his comments from the last meeting, including that a resident complimented on the nice tar and chip project was not included in the last meeting minutes. Rickertsen stated that the minutes are to include council action and not all comments are included but Council can always request specific comments be included in the minutes.

Bieri moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:24 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

June 15, 2020

WALCOTT NEWSLETTER JUNE 2020

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 1^st day of June, 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 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 Bieri seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.

Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from May 18, 2020, and renewal of Class A liquor license renewal for Walcott Legion Post #548. Motion carried.

Review/Deactivate Sections of Public Health Disaster Emergency Policy. Rickertsen reviewed the current public health disaster emergency policy. Following discussion, Smith moved and Mengler seconded to deactivate sections 1, 4, 5, and 7(H). Motion carried. City Hall will reopen to the public, water disconnects are no longer placed in moratorium, communication with staff is encouraged through phone and email, and staff is allowed to take full week vacations. The fire meeting room will remained closed due to construction of the parking lot.

Ordinance 512-20, Amending Chapter 92 Pertaining to Water Rates. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 512-20. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, and Bieri. Nays: Smith and Brockmann. 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. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 513-20. Roll call ayes: Smith, Mengler, Bieri, Puck, and Brockmann. 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.

Joe Quick – Ball Tournaments. Joe Quick reported on three tournaments planned for this summer. A softball youth tournament is scheduled for June 12^th – 14^th, the Iowa Area ISC Qualifier Men’s Fastpitch Tournament June 26^th – 28^th, and a softball youth tournament August 14^th – 16^th.    Discussion was held on the current proclamation by Governor Reynolds which allows sporting gatherings/events of more than ten people as long as the gathering organizer ensures compliance with the 6’ social distancing, increased hygiene practices, and limits permanent seating to 50% of normal capacity. Quick reported on plans on how to comply with current regulations and also requested to temporarily fence Wescott and Victory Parks for the tournaments. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to allow temporary fences to be installed at Wescott and Victory Parks from June 10^th – June 30^th and August 12^th – August 18^th. Motion carried.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake reminds residents to lock vehicles and doors and not to keep valuables in vehicles. He also reported on recent equipment donations from Officer Kevin Takacs.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported that the parks were opened today and several signs were posted throughout the parks, mainly regarding social distancing and increased hygiene practices. The playground is opened but not sanitized but the splash pad remains closed due to the Governor’s proclamation. Mengler reported on concerns with the park maintenance and Stagg responded that he will have staff continue to work on it.

Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to adjourn at 6:37 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

June 1, 2020