The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 18^th day of October, 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: Tim Horihan and Lisa Rickertsen.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Korry Kraft reported he is the interim Fire Chief, following the retirement of Chief Geigle. No other comments from audience members.

Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from October 4, 2021, and the September 2021 financial reports. Motion carried.

Davenport Community School District Superintendent TJ Schneckloth. Superintendent Schneckloth was present to provide a State of the District report, which included early literacy, behavioral issues, establishing sound financial practices, and long range facility planning. Mengler questioned why it seems that behavioral disorder students residing outside of Walcott are transferred to the Walcott school. Schneckloth replied that past practice to resolve conflict between students was to transfer a student to a different school but they are trying to stop that practice. Following further discussion, Schneckloth thanked the City for giving him the opportunity to address the Mayor and City Council. Mayor Kostichek and Council members thanked Schneckloth for attending the meeting.

Resolution 2021-38, Acceptance of Dedication of Easement at 107 E. Walcott Road. Rickertsen stated this confirms an easement for an existing water main. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve Resolution 2021-38. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Smith, Bieri, Puck, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Resolution 2021-39, Approving Site Plan at 140 E. Lincoln Street for Central Petroleum Company. Rickertsen reported the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the Site Plan during their meeting on October 11^th. The warehouse will operate under a special use permit, as previously approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment, which specifically lists what items may be stored in the building. Only new empty containers and other products that are non-hazardous and non-flammable are permitted. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to approve Resolution 2021-39. Roll call ayes: Puck, Koberg, Bieri, Mengler, and Smith. Motion carried.

Police Department Report. Officer Horihan provided a status update on the new squad. Discussion was held on the four-way stop at the intersection of Main and James Streets. Council consensus was to remove the small crosswalk stop signs to avoid any confusion at the intersection. It was requested that the topic of a no parking area on the west side of 200 block of South Grove Street be placed on the next agenda.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on the following:

• Fiscal year annual report from the Scott County Library System.
• The City is participating with Scott County Emergency Management Agency in the Alert Iowa system, which sends alerts/messages to the public. Additional information, including how to sign-up, will be on the city’s website and in the next Chamber newsletter.
• There is an article in the current Chamber newsletter regarding the Eye on Water app that allows the City’s water utility customers to view their latest water usage on a desktop or mobile device.
• Open house at Deck Supply Services at 11:00 a.m. on October 23^rd.

Council Member Comments. Mengler stated there are electric poles behind the houses located in the block between W. Flagg and W. Memorial Road and stated she was informed by a resident that staff reported there is no City easement in that area. Rickertsen replied that area is in the original part of town and it’s possible Alliant Energy may have their own easement but she would contact Alliant.

Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:38 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

October 18, 2021 Signed Minutes & Claims

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 4^th day of October, 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. Absent:  none. City staff present: Paul Stagg and Jackie Huston.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Harry Knutsen expressed his concerns about vehicles not stopping at the new stop sign on Main Street.  Koberg explained that the police department is responsible for enforcement and drivers are still getting used to the new stop sign.

Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and Tax Increment Financing Rebate Payments Per Agreements – Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc. – Main Building Expansion, ½ of 2^nd year rebate = $14,487.08 & Atlantic Bottling Company – Coke Building, ½ of 1^st year rebate = $43,748.82.  Motion carried.

Minutes from September 20, 2021.  Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the minutes from September 20, 2021.  Motion carried with Smith abstaining due to absence.

IMEG Engineering Proposal.  Stagg presented a proposal for engineering services for the design of the E. Lincoln Street Reconstruction Project.  Following discussion, the Council consensus was to extend angle parking to both sides of the 200 block of E. Lincoln, if possible.  Bieri moved and Puck seconded to approve the engineering proposal for the E. Lincoln Street Resconstruction Project for $148,500 from IMEG.  Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report.  Stagg presented an agreement with the farmer adjacent to Sterling Drive to provide a windbreak to assist in snow removal.  Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve the Standing Corn Windbreak Agreement with Paustian Enterprises Ltd. to leave 16 rows of corn standing for a cost of $2,433.02.  Motion carried.  Stagg also reported on department activities including:  the Victory Park Project should start this week, Public Works has been mowing Prairie View Park instead of burning it off, and the water main break on Main Street was due to holes in the bottom of the main caused by corrosion to the outside of the pipe.

Mayor’s Report and Council Member Comments.  Comments included thanking Stagg and his department, along with Needham Excavating, for their efforts on the lengthy repairs required to restore water service after the recent water main break.

Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:34 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

_________________________                                        ______________________________

Mayor John Kostichek                                                      Jackie Huston, Deputy City Clerk

Signed Minutes & Claims

OCTOBER 2021 CHAMBER NEWSLETTER