May 17, 2021 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 17th day of May, 2021, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Lisa Mengler, and Larry Smith. Absent: Jacob Puck. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg. Due to COVID-19 and as permitted under the Iowa Code, Chapter 21.8, which allows an electronic meeting where individuals 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 Bieri seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.

Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the budget amendment for fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. Rickertsen reported the amendment includes expenditure increases attributable to expenses related to the derecho. No other oral or written comments were received. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda.  Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from May 3, 2021, Class E liquor license renewal including Sunday sales for the Casey’s General Store #1922, April 2021 financial reports, renewal of IDOT 5-year agreement for maintenance and repair of primary roads, and Resolution 2021-21, Approving the Adoption of the FYE 2021 Budget Amendment. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koberg, Bieri, and Smith. Motion carried.

Ron Fick – Sidewalks at 302 N. Century Street. Ron Fick, owner of the vacant corner lot at 302 N. Century Street, was present to discuss the requirement for him to install a public sidewalk along E. James Street. Fick’s property was identified in 2018 as a sidewalk gap property and was prioritized for the Residential Sidewalk Reimbursement Program (RSRP) since it is the only property located on E. James Street, on the main route to school, without a public sidewalk. Following a previous two-year deferment, Fick was allowed until July 1, 2021, to install the public sidewalk along E. James Street. Potential buyer, James Medema, stated he is interested in building a house on the lot, possibly next year, and he requested to defer installing the sidewalk along James Street until after a home is built due to concerns with the sidewalk being damaged during construction. Discussion ensued that during home construction the equipment could enter off Century Street to avoid crossing the sidewalk on E. James Street. It was noted that the sidewalk installation during home construction is required but does not qualify for the RSRP. Following discussion, council consensus was to enforce the requirement for Fick to install a public sidewalk on his lot along E. James Street by July 1, 2021. Fick was advised that he needs to submit his application for the RSRP to the Building Official.

Park Board Recommendations.

  • Dana Arp Family Bistro Bar Tables Donation. Rickertsen reported the Park Board recommended approval of the donation of eight tables, as presented, from the Dana Arp family. It was reported that during the last Park Board meeting the concession stand workers would be responsible for storing the tables in the concession stand each night after use. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the tables from the Dana Arp Family. Motion carried.
  • Recreational Trail Surfacing. Stagg reported the Park Board had expressed concerns about cracks in the recreational trail and subsequently recommend proceeding with the repairs as presented. Stagg stated there are portions of the trail that don’t meet the City’s sidewalk regulations and reported the bids include crack sealing, asphalt overlay in three locations, and two coats of sealant over the entire trail. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the recreational trail repairs and resurfacing as presented, with the low bid from Manatts at a total bid price of $19,971. Motion carried.
  • Tournament Fences. Rickertsen reported the Park Board recommends pursuing portable fencing for tournaments, instead of permanent perimeter fences. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Smith seconded to allow Chief Blake to pursue grants (as offered) for portable fencing. Motion carried.

Sale of Merry-Go-Round. Rickertsen reported one bid was received for the sale of the merry-go-round. Smith moved and Bieri seconded to approve selling the merry-go-round to Joe Hahn, in the amount of $25. Motion carried.

Resolution 2021-22, Iowa 80 Truck Museum Expansion Site Plan. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Iowa 80 Truck Museum Expansion Site Plan, with detention basin/storm water modifications. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2021-22. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Koberg, and Smith. Motion carried. The detention basin/storm water modifications are listed in Resolution 2021-22.

Ordinance 519-21, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates. Ordinance 519-21 was introduced and Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to approve the first reading. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Mengler, and Bieri. Nays: Smith. Motion carried. Effective with the July 1st billing, each customer shall pay a minimum bill of $15.75 per month (increase of $2.00/month), which includes usage up to 1,400 gallons. All usage over 1,400 gallons shall be $5.60 per 1,000 gallons (increase of $.16/1,000 gallons). The rate increase is needed to pay for improvements to the aging water system.     

Ordinance 520-21, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees. Ordinance 520-21 was introduced and Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the first reading. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Smith, Koberg, and Bieri. Motion carried. Effective with the July 1st billing, the monthly garbage rate increases from $13.64 to $14.18, which is a 4% increase the City pays to the collector each contract year.

City Code Review.  Discussion was held on the request from the Planning & Zoning Commission to review the current garage size limits. Council will review this further at the next regular meeting. Chief Blake reported the Iowa Code states golf carts can only be operated on city streets from sunrise to sunset so our chapter will change accordingly.  

Police Department Report. Chief Blake provided department updates including a project worksheet to prepare the new squad for use. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the quote from Karl Emergency Vehicles for $6,653.56 for the squad install/upfit. Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported he extended an offer of employment to a local resident. Council had no objections to the starting wage offered. He also reported on updates for the Downey Street water main improvements projects.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on the need to review the current public health disaster policy, including the waiving of electronic check and credit card processing fees. This will be on the next regular meeting agenda.

Council Member Comments. Smith thanked the public works department staff for monitoring the compost area. Mengler thanked the police department for addressing recent parking issues and questioned the status of the W. Otis Street project concerns. Stagg reported he met with the City Engineer last Monday who is following up with the contractor.

Smith moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:12 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

 

May 17, 2021 Signed Minutes & Claims

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May 3, 2021 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 3rd day of May, 2021, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith.  City staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg. Due to COVID-19 and as permitted under the Iowa Code, Chapter 21.8, which allows an electronic meeting where individuals 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 Mengler seconded to approve the agenda with the deletion of item two, Oath of Office. Motion carried. The Oath of Office was given to Council Member Kirk Koberg at the end of the last meeting.

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. None.

Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from April 19, 2021, and Class C liquor license renewal including outdoor and Sunday sales for the Lampliter. Motion carried.

Ordinance 518-21, Amending Chapter 155 Pertaining to Above Ground Storage Tanks. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 518-21. Roll call ayes: Smith, Mengler, Koberg, Puck, and Bieri. Motion carried. As discussed at prior meetings, changes included in the ordinance are to align more with the Code of Iowa and fire codes.

Fire Department Steak Fry. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve closing a portion of W. Durant Street (west side of bank ATM to the west side of Legion property) on May 15th. Motion carried. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the payment to Kalmes Catering in the amount of $9,500 for the Fire Department Steak Fry fundraiser. Motion carried.

Badger Beacon Software & Training. Stagg presented a project worksheet to upgrade the current meter reading software and devices (endpoints) since the current remote meter reading devices are no longer available. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to transition to the Badger Meter Beacon software for new meter reading devices at a cost of $7,400. Motion carried. This cost includes software training and ten new endpoints, which are compatible with the current meters and registers.

Purchase Approval – Rock Around Pond. A project worksheet was presented to place 12” depth rock around the north and west sides of the pond at Prairie View Park. This was recommended by the Park Board and the Council requested Stagg to pursue bids at an earlier meeting. It was mentioned that it is difficult to mow close to the pond so the rock will help with weed growth around the pond. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Smith seconded to accept the low bid of $6,500 from Needham Excavating. Motion carried.    

Review of Proposed Code Changes – Chapters 90 – 125. Proposed City Code changes to chapters 90 – 125 were reviewed. These changes will be incorporated in the City Code recodification process.

Park Tournament Fences. Koberg reported that the installation and removal of the temporary fences for the tournaments are labor intensive for volunteers. At a prior meeting, the Council allowed temporary fences to be installed at Wescott and Victory Parks from April 28th – May 5th and again from May 26th – June 30th for the four scheduled ball tournaments. Koberg requested postponing the fence removal and questioned installing a permanent perimeter fence. Discussion included the following: current temporary fence condition, new temporary fencing, recent donated improvement, park expenses, and that the parks provide an open space for the public to enjoy. Park fencing will be discussed at the next Park Board meeting. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to allow the fences to remain up until Friday, May 7th. Motion carried with Koberg opposing.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg provided updates on the Downey Street water main improvements project and reported a resident was interested in the merry-go-round that was removed from Water Tower Park. Following discussion, Council consensus was to post a notice to accept sealed bids. Stagg was asked about the opening of the splash pad and he noted it would open around Memorial Day.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reviewed the proposed water and garbage rate increases. The minimum water bill (up to 1,400 gallons) is proposed to increase $2.00/month and a 3% increase on the usage rate above 1,400 gallons. Rate increases are needed to pay for water system improvements. The garbage rate will increase 4%, per the contract with the hauler. Ordinances will be prepared for the next meeting. Rickertsen reported that the Iowa 80 Truckstop will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic next week. Discussion was held on participating with the Scott County Emergency Management Agency regarding a county-wide messaging alert system, at no cost to the community.

Mayor Report. Mayor Kostichek stated he has recently received many positive comments regarding the latest park improvements. He expressed thanks to the individuals, businesses, and local clubs and organizations who were involved with donated funds and labor.

Council Member Comments. Council comments include the possibility of transforming the old water plant at Water Tower Park to restrooms and relocating clean-up day dumpsters to the compost area.

Puck moved and Smith seconded to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

May 3, 2021 Signed Minutes & Claims

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