January 25, 2021 Budget Minutes
A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa was held on Monday, January 25, 2021, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Council members present were: Everett Bieri, John Brockmann, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. City staff: Paul Stagg and Josh Geigle were present and Jeff Blake and Lisa Rickertsen participated remotely. Due to COVID-19, this meeting was held electronically via 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.
Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
FYE 2022 Budget Review and Discussion. Discussion was held on the proposed FYE 2022 budget, including a review of the general, general reserve, special revenue, and proprietary (water, sewer, and garbage) funds, property valuations, and max levy rate. Rickertsen will make changes to the proposed budget as discussed.
Set Budget Max Levy Hearing Date. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to set the FYE 2022 budget max levy public hearing date for February 15, 2021, at City Hall at 6:00 p.m.
Mengler moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:02 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.
January 18, 2021 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 18th day of January, 2021, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, John Brockmann, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. City staff: Paul Stagg was present and Lisa Rickertsen participated remotely. Due to COVID-19, this meeting was held electronically via 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. Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. None.
Consent Agenda. Smith moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from January 4, 2021, December financial reports, and Class C liquor license renewal for Gramma’s Kitchen & The Checkered Flag Bar & Grill. Motion carried.
Durant Ambulance Support. Smith moved and Brockmann seconded to approve payment, as budgeted, of $1,000 to Durant Ambulance. Motion carried.
Resolution 2021-6, Providing for a Notice of Hearing on Proposed Plans and Specifications, Form of Contract and Cost Estimate for the 2021 N. Downey Street Water Main Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2021-6. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, Smith, and Brockmann. Motion carried. A public hearing on the plans and specifications will be held on February 1, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.
Ordinance 516-21, Amending Chapter 167 Pertaining to Floodplain Management Overlay Districts and Standards. Stagg reported the Ordinance was drafted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the City needs to adopt it prior to FEMA’s adoption of the new floodplain maps. Smith introduced Ordinance 516-21 and moved to approve the first reading. Mengler seconded. Roll call ayes: Smith, Mengler, Brockmann, Puck, and Bieri. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported on a grant received from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources/U.S. Forest Service for two hundred tree seedlings. These seedlings can be planted on public and private properties within the City of Walcott. Information on how residents can request a seedling will be in the February Chamber of Commerce newsletter and posted on the City’s website.
City Clerk Report. A budget meeting is scheduled for January 25, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.
Council Member Comments. Brockmann expressed concerns regarding snow removal and his disappointment in allowing hammerhead street turnarounds. It was noted that the hammerheads were included in the subdivision plans that were approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council last fall. Smith reported on snow being thrown or pushed onto the streets, which is against City and State Code.
Smith moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:23 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
January 4, 2021 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 4th day of January, 2021, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, John Brockmann, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg. Due to COVID-19, this meeting was held electronically via 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. Josh Geigle, Fire Chief, thanked the Public Works Department for their assistance during recent snow events. Geigle left the meeting and there were no other public comments at this time.
Consent Agenda. Rickertsen reported on the Resolutions listed in the consent agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from December 21, 2020, Resolution 2021-1, Designating the North Scott Press as Official Newspaper, Resolution 2020-2, Authorizing Certain Payments Before a Council Meeting, Resolution 2021-3, Transfer of Funds, Resolution 2021-4, Establishing the Standard Mileage Rate Reimbursement, and Resolution 2021-5 Adopting the Annual Supplement to the Code of Ordinances. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Smith, Bieri, and Brockmann. Motion carried.
326 E. Lincoln Street – Request for Tree Trimming Reimbursement. The property owner was not present so no council action was taken, however, discussion was held on a memo from the City Attorney referencing the City Code, which states the property owner is responsible for maintenance of trees between the lot line and curb line unless the tree is dead or diseased which is the responsibility of the City.
1949 Fire Truck. During the December 7th meeting, Brockmann stated the Walcott Historical Society inquired about the City donating the 1949 fire truck to them. The City Attorney and a representative from the state auditor’s office both provided information and the auditor’s office recommends the City should go through the bidding process to dispose of the truck. Joe Hahn participated via phone and stated he would like to see the truck stay in Walcott and be restored so the Fire Department can drive it in parades. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to table the issue until more information is obtained from the Fire Department. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented the department’s monthly report.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg provided department updates and Smith complimented the department for their efforts during the recent snow storms.
Council Member Comments. Brockmann expressed his concerns, which included snow removal and street improvement priorities. Puck questioned the decision to discontinue plowing on the night of a recent snowfall. Stagg replied that the lack of visibility created unsafe conditions.
Puck moved and Smith seconded to adjourn at 6:36 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.