November 15, 2021 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 15th day of November, 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. City Engineer, Jason Holdorf, was also present.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Harry Knutsen reported the speed limit sign on 200th Street/F58 has not been restored at the culvert project site. This was a county project so the Scott County Engineer will be contacted.

Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from November 1, 2021, and the October 2021 financial reports. Motion carried.

Ordinance 522-21, Amending Chapter 69 Pertaining to No Parking Zones. Ordinance 522-21 was introduced and Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the first reading. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Koberg, Bieri, and Smith. Motion carried. This ordinance adds a no parking zone to the west side of the 200 block of S. Grove Street, between E. Bryant Street and E. Durant Street. Council consensus was to list both the second and third Ordinance readings on the next meeting agenda.

Police Report. Chief Blake reported he picked up the new squad.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported on the delivery of the new John Deere X739, City Hall tuck-pointing project, lift station grinder project, and the recent planting of 18 trees. Stagg was questioned about non-operable outlets at Welcome Park, recreational trail bridge plank repairs, and low spots on the trail. Stagg responded that the bridge plank repairs are not yet completed and he will follow-up on the other two items. Concerns regarding deficiencies on the W. Otis Street project were expressed and Holdorf responded that they intend to have an action plan, which will be submitted to Council, by spring. Council members expressed their disappointment with the Victory and Wescott Parks Concrete Improvements Project, especially the landscaping (sod) work. A lengthy discussion was held on their concerns, which includes the following: sod unevenness and trip hazards; transitions into existing sod (Wescott Park); and contract time frame. Holdorf provided written information regarding his contact with the project contractors, along with a remedy solution from the sod company which they intend to complete in the spring. Following further discussion, Holdorf will contact the general contractor and request the contractor move the bleachers off the grass and correct severe trip hazards now instead of waiting until spring.

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on the upcoming Iowa League of Cities training workshops for the Council and that the City Code draft from Iowa Codification has been received and is being reviewed.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek expressed his thanks to the members of the Walcott Volunteer Fire Department for their commitment to provide emergency services to the Walcott community. He also expressed thanks and appreciation to Central Petroleum Company for allowing their Fire Department member employees to respond to emergency calls during working hours.

Council Member Comments. Puck questioned if citations are being issued for those not obeying the four-way stop at James & Main Streets and if bikes and golf carts are required to follow the same traffic rules as vehicles. Chief Blake stated all traffic regulations for motor vehicles also apply to golf carts (including ATV’s & UTV’s) and bicycles on roadways. Following an outburst earlier from Smith, Mengler stated the Council needs to support each other and staff.

Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:48 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

November 15, 2021 Signed Minutes & Claims

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November 1, 2021 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 1st day of November, 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 and Lisa Rickertsen.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No public comments at this time.

Consent Agenda. Rickertsen reported details of the Resolutions. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from October 18, 2021, Resolution 2021-40 – Transfer of Funds, Resolution 2021-41 – Obligating TIF Funds from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal, and Resolution 2021-42 – Designating Financial Institutions and Depositories. Roll call aye: Puck, Mengler, Smith, Bieri, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Request for One-Way Alley Traffic in 200 Block Between N. Parker & N. Main Streets. A written request, signed by six residents in the 200 block between N. Parker & N. Main Streets, proposed that the alley be one-way, northbound. Property owners in this block had the following comments: Karolyn Williams submitted a letter in support of a one-way alley; Kylie Moore reported on vehicles speeding through the alley and expressed safety concerns; Brent & Nancy Arp mentioned concerns of their business parking located off this alley and are not in favor of restricting it to a one-way; and Kendall Mattson was not in favor of restricting the alley to a one-way. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to deny the request to designate as a one-way and to have Chief Blake contact drivers observed to be speeding. Motion carried. Council thanked the citizens for attending and reminds all residents that the speed limit in alleys is 15 MPH.

Hearts & Hands Foundation – Wescott Park Concession Stand Improvements. Austin Burt presented proposed renovations to the Wescott Park concession stand and restrooms. He reported that the Hearts & Hands Foundation has applied for a grant to assist with the improvements and they have support/funding from other local organizations. All renovations to city-owned buildings require approval from the City Council. The Park Board will discuss future Wescott Park restroom fixture upgrades, to be paid by the City, at their next meeting. Following further discussion, Puck moved and Smith seconded to allow the Hearts & Hands Foundations to proceed with the proposed building related plans at the Wescott Park concession stand and restroom and to obtain any required permits. Motion carried.

Parking Concerns – 200 Block of S. Grove Street. Mengler again expressed safety concerns with restricted visibility and street narrowness due to parking on the west side of S. Grove Street, near the E. Bryant Street intersection. Joe Hahn stated that several years ago, prior to the Grove Street paving project, the west side of that block had signage prohibiting parking but the signs were not reinstalled following the project. Rickertsen will check with Attorney Schirman to see if an ordinance is required to institute a no parking zone or if this area falls under City Code section 62.06(13) Hazardous Locations. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to proceed with establishing a no parking zone on the west side of the 200 block of S. Grove Street, between Bryant and Durant Streets. Motion carried.

Resolution 2021-43, Approving Agreement with Scott County Emergency Management Agency (SCEMA) Regarding the Deployment of Unmanned Aircraft System(s). This allows the Fire & Police Departments to contact SCEMA to request drones during specific emergencies. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2021-43. Roll call ayes: Smith, Mengler, Puck, Bieri, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Fire Department Report. Interim Fire Chief Korry Kraft reported the department has banners, advertising recruitment, and requested permission to place them on City property. Following discussion, Smith moved and Koberg seconded to allow the Fire Department, as a department of the City, to place the signs on City property but not in City right-of-way. Motion carried.

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported the health insurance premium for 2022 will increase by 3.05% and the dental insurance rates will remain the same. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to approve the 2022 employee health and dental insurance renewal with Wellmark. Motion carried.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek thanked the citizens in attendance, as well as the Hearts and Hands Foundation and Fire Department volunteers.

Council Member Comments. Council members expressed concerns with the Victory Park project landscaping. Koberg questioned the recent concrete pour on Main Street.

Smith moved and Koberg seconded to adjourn at 7:02 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

Nov 1, 2021 Signed Minutes & Claims

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