The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19^th day of July, 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.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.

Consent Agenda. Smith moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, FYE 2021 Investment report, and Dolgencorp, LLC Class C beer, Class B wine, and Sunday sales permits renewal. Motion carried.

Approval of Minutes from July 6, 2021. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve minutes from July 6, 2021. Motion carried with Puck abstaining due to absence from meeting.

Resolution 2021-31, Approving Site Plan for Ossian, Inc. Rickertsen reported the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the site plan with stipulations. Mike Ossian stated the temporary construction drive was to remain gravel until after construction of Phase 2 improvements instead of Phase 1 as noted in the Planning & Zoning minutes. Rickertsen will verify with the Planning & Zoning Administrator. Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2021-31, as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Roll call ayes: Smith, Puck, Koberg, Mengler, and Smith. Motion carried.

Gravel Portion of W. Memorial Road. Stagg presented costs, as requested, following a suggestion from a resident during the meeting on June 21, 2021, to either seal coat or apply dust control to the gravel portion of W. Memorial Road. Following discussion, council consensus was not to proceed with either option at this time.  

Public Works Department Report. Stagg provided updates on the W. Otis Street project defects and reported he has started mowing creek banks after receiving the bar mower last week. Mengler questioned the status of the Prairie View Park projects. Council consensus was to obtain quotes to remove and install the bridge planks. Other items discussed included leveling out areas at Victory Park during the upcoming concrete improvements project. Consensus was to have Stagg contact the City Engineer to amend the project plans by adding additional areas to grade and sod.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek expressed thanks to the Walcott Day Committee, local organizations, volunteers, and residents who helped make it a successful weekend.

Mengler moved and Smith seconded to adjourn at 6:51 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

July 19, 2021 Signed Minutes & Claims

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Tuesday, the 6^th day of July, 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.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. None.

Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and cost estimate for the Victory and Wescott Parks Concrete Improvements Project. Rickertsen reported on the project start and completion dates and that competitive quotes would be received until 2:00 p.m. on July 28, 2021. No public 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 Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, Class C Beer Permit for Pilot #268, and the June 2021 financial reports. Motion carried.

Approval of Minutes from June 21, 2021. Smith moved and Koberg seconded to approve minutes from June 21, 2021. Motion carried with Mengler abstaining due to absence from meeting.

New Class C Liquor License for The Coliseum, LLC. Rickertsen reported the property closing date is expected to be on July 14^th.  Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the Class C liquor and Sunday sales license for The Coliseum, LLC, contingent upon ownership of property. Motion carried.

Walcott Day Events. 

• Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the Walcott Day Parade and temporary closure of route streets on July 17, 2021. Motion carried.
• Street Closures. Smith moved and Koberg seconded to approve closing N. Henry Street, between James and Lincoln Streets; E. Otis Street, between Main and Downey Streets; N. Downey Street, between James and Otis Streets; and E. James Street, between Henry and Downey Streets on July 17, 2021. Motion carried.
• Fireworks Donation. Bieri moved and Mengler seconded to approve the donation of $1,000 to the Walcott Day Committee for the fireworks display. Motion carried.
• 5K Race & Temporary Street Closures. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the 5K race route on July 17, 2021, as presented. Motion carried.
• Police Department Part-Time Wages. Due to the pay differences between officers paid by the City and those paid by the Walcott Day Committee, Koberg moved and Smith seconded to approve a special wage of $26.75/hour for part-time police officers working for the City during Walcott Day events on July 16^th and 17^th. Motion carried.

Resolution 2021-30, Approving Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract, and Cost Estimate for the Victory and Wescott Parks Concrete Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve Resolution 2021-30. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Smith, Bieri, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Review of Proposed Code Changes – Chapters 165 – 168. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to table the review of Chapters 165-168 until a council meeting in August, to allow additional time to review. Motion carried. Council consensus was to request the Zoning Administrator, Jackie Huston, attend the meeting to provide additional information regarding the proposed changes from the Planning & Zoning Commission.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg provided an update on the N. Downey Street project. Council expressed their frustration and concerns that the project is not completed and the completion deadline was July 1, 2021. Discussion was held on the daily liquidated damages fee. Council requested Stagg continue to contact the contractor and encourage them to complete the project as soon as possible, preferably by early next week. Mengler expressed these concerns: W. Otis Street project defects the contractor is responsible to repair; mowing and creek overgrowth; and status of various projects at Prairie View Park. Stagg responded with the following: he will contact the Otis Street project contractor again; he is waiting on delivery of a bar mower to mow city ditches and creek banks on city property; and he will complete the other items mentioned as time allows. Mengler felt it is important to have the items completed and suggested utilizing overtime if necessary, with no objections from other council members.         

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on upcoming Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremonies at S&V Fence and Rock Valley Physical Therapy. She also reported on resident compliments on the flowers and the City‘s support and sponsorship of the summer youth program.

Council Member Comments. Bieri reported the Streets Committee met with Stagg and Dr. Mickey Burt on June 23^rd regarding Burt’s request to place a sign in the City right-of-way. After discussion, Dr. Burt decided to place the sign on private property instead of City right-of-way. It was requested to remind citizens to leave distance between the garbage and recycling totes when placing at the curb for collection.

Smith moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:58 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

July 6, 2021 Signed Minutes & Claims

JULY 2021 CHAMBER NEWSLETTER