The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 21^st day of June, 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, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Absent: Lisa Mengler. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Elaine Arp was present on behalf of the Legion and inquired about getting a water connection closer to the Veteran’s memorial garden on the north side of Welcome Park. Stagg will obtain a cost estimate to run a water line to the area. Jim Paulsen reported on concerns regarding dust on the graveled portion of W. Memorial Road and suggested seal coating the road. Cost estimates for sealcoating were obtained in the past and the council did not feel the expense was justified and applying dust control was a better option for now. Following further discussion, W. Memorial Road will be placed on the next agenda. Paulsen also suggested placing red flags on the speed limit signs along Memorial Road.     

Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from June 7, 2021, Resolution 2021-24 – Transfer of Funds, Resolution 2021-25 – Acceptance of 5’ Easement Dedication from CDN Investments, LC, Resolution 2021-26 – Establish New Fund & Transfer, renewal of Class C Beer Permit for Pilot #043, renewal of Class C Liquor License & Sunday License for the New Walcott Coliseum, Inc., and annual cigarette permit renewals for Casey’s, Dolgencorp (Dollar General), Iowa 80 Truckstop, and Pilot Travel Centers #043 and #268.  Roll call ayes: Puck, Koberg, Smith, and Bieri.  Motion carried.

Police Department Report. Blake reported a grant of $1,200 was awarded from the Iowa 80/Cat Scale Go Iowa Fund towards temporary portable fencing at the parks.

Burt Clinic – Request to Allow Sign in City Right-of-Way (ROW). Mickey Burt requested permission to locate a two-post panel sign in the ROW east of their parking lot between the sidewalk and row of trees. Burt stated Rock Valley Therapy will be moving into a portion of Suite B and the sign will direct patients to the parking lot and the entrance door on the east side of the building. Mayor Kostichek and Smith expressed concerns regarding setting a precedent allowing structures in the ROW. City code prohibits signs in the City ROW or on City property unless specifically approved by the Council. A memo from Attorney Schirman was reviewed which included a historical background, City Code provisions, practical and factual concerns, liability exposure, and setting a precedent for future requests. It was questioned if the City could abandon some ROW. The Street Committee, Bieri and Mengler, will meet with Stagg and Burt and the subject will be placed on the July 6^th meeting agenda.

City Hall/Fire Department. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to direct Stagg to obtain bids on replacing the rubber flat roof on the Fire Station and obtain bids for tuckpointing the front and east side of City Hall. Motion carried.

Downey Street Water Main Improvements Project. Stagg recommended payment to Hagerty Earthworks, LLC for the portion of the project completed and Smith commended the crew for an excellent job. Smith moved and Koberg seconded to approve payment #1, in the amount of $92,630.94, to Hagerty Earthworks, LLC. Motion carried.

Parking Lot Improvements Project. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2021-27, Accepting Improvements and Authorizing Final Payment to Aero Concrete, LTD, in the amount of $3,861.00. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Smith, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Resolution 2021-28, Setting a Public Hearing on Proposed Plans, and Specifications, Form of Contract and Cost Estimate for the Wescott & Victory Parks Concrete Project. Smith moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2021-28, setting a hearing date for July 6^th at 6:00 p.m. Roll call ayes: Smith, Bieri, Smith, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Resolution 2021-29, Requesting Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve Resolution 2021-29. Roll call ayes: Puck, Smith, Bieri, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Ordinance 519-21, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates. Bieri moved and Koberg seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 519-21. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Koberg, and Puck. Nays: Smith. Motion carried. Effective with the July 1^st 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.     

Smith left the meeting for another meeting obligation.

Ordinance 520-21, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees. Koberg moved and Puck seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 520-21. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Puck, and Bieri. Motion carried. Effective with the July 1^st 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.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented project worksheets for the following equipment:

• John Deere X739 Lawn Tractor. Discussion was held on the proposed tractor purchase with attachments (snow blower, tiller, bagger, and bar mower). This purchase will consolidate functions and replace four tractors. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to approve the purchase as presented and budgeted, from Sinclair Tractor, at a cost of $27,283.51. Motion carried. The current tractors will be advertised for bids at a later date.
• John Deere Zero Turn Mower. Stagg reported this mower will assist in mowing approximately twenty-three acres of city property and will allow a mower to be kept at the water plant so staff isn’t trailering a mower back and forth which is time consuming. Koberg moved and Puck seconded to approve the purchase as presented and budgeted, from Sinclair Tractor, at a cost of $17,200. Motion carried.
• GPS System and Training. Stagg reported this purchase will ensure utility maps remain up to date as infrastructure is added or replaced and will allow the ability to map additional assets. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve the purchase as presented and budgeted, from Seiler Geospatial for $6,109 for the GPS equipment and $2,500 from SAM Companies for the training. Motion carried.

Stagg reported on and presented a certificate of excellence for sewer lab testing proficiency. Council commended Stagg and the Public Works staff, particularly Justin Richardson who performs the testing.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek reported he received a letter from someone traveling through and they expressed their thanks to Chief Blake for his dedication, sensitivity, and willingness to help those in need.

Koberg moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:17 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

June 21, 2021 Signed Minutes & Claims

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 7^th day of June, 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. Mengler moved and Bieri 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 May 17, 2021, renewal of Class A Liquor license including Sunday and outdoor service for the Walcott Legion Post #548, May 2021 financial reports, fireworks permit for Walcott Day Display at Prairie View Park on July 16^th, and fireworks permit for Iowa 80 Group Truckers Jamboree display on July 8^th and 9^th. Motion carried with Puck abstaining due to absence from May 17, 2021, meeting.

Parks Concrete Project. Stagg reviewed the timeline for the concrete project this fall at Wescott and Victory Parks.  Council requested IMEG change the project location to reflect it’s for both Wescott and Victory Parks. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the engineering and surveying proposal with IMEG for the Wescott & Victory Park Improvements Project in the amount of $6,200. Motion carried.

Ordinance 519-21, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 519-21. Roll call ayes: Puck, Koberg, Mengler, and Bieri. Nays: Smith. Motion carried. Effective with the July 1^st 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. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 520-21. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Smith, Bieri, Koberg, and Puck. Motion carried. Effective with the July 1^st 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.

Resolution 2021-23, Establishing Hourly Wage for Kevin Raap, Public Works Laborer. Koberg moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2021-23. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Puck, Mengler, Bieri, and Smith. Motion carried.

Review/Deactivate Public Health Disaster Emergency Policy. The Public Health Disaster Emergency Policy, which was approved on March 30, 2020, was reviewed. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to deactivate the Public Health Disaster Emergency Policy. Motion carried.  

City Credit Card Processing Fees. The Public Health Disaster Emergency Policy waived all credit/debit card and online electronic check processing fees during the declaration of the emergency. Since the policy has been deactivated, all electronic check and credit/debit card processing fees will revert to being charged to the customer, beginning July 1, 2021.

City Code Review. Proposed City Code changes to chapters 135 – 162 were reviewed. These changes will be incorporated in the City Code recodification process. Discussion was held on the request from the Planning & Zoning Commission to review the current garage size limits. Council consensus was that they were willing to increase the size of attached garages up to 1,250 square feet as long as thirty percent of the lot, including any accessory buildings, remains unused and open (green space). This will go back to the Planning & Zoning Commission for further review.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported he received a $17,000 grant from the Scott County Regional Authority for the purchase of a new squad.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported the splash pad is open daily from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. He also provided department updates including the Downey Street water main improvements project and upcoming county road and culvert projects.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on recent complaints about dogs in the parks, which is not allowed except for leashed dogs on the recreational trail. Mengler referred to a recent North Scott Press article regarding city audits and commended Rickertsen and staff for doing a great job with the city finances.

Smith moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:07 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

June 7, 2021 Minutes & Claims