The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 20^th day of December, 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. None.

Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the budget amendment for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 (FYE 2022). Rickertsen reported the amendment includes expenditure increases attributable to the Victory Park Improvements project and Prairie View Park trail repairs and pond rock. No other oral or written comments were received. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from December 6, 2021. Motion carried.

Resolution 2021-47, Approving the Adoption of the FYE 2022 Budget Amendment. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2021-47, FYE 2022 Budget Amendment. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Koberg, Mengler, and Smith. Motion carried.

Approval of Fire Department Member. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the membership of Courtney-Jade Hudson to the Walcott Volunteer Fire Department. Motion carried.  

Engagement of Northland Securities as Underwriter. Rickertsen reported this was the first step when borrowing funds. It is non-binding and there would be no fee due to Northland Securities should the E. Lincoln Street project financing not proceed. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the engagement of Northland Securities as underwriter for future bonds in connection with the proposed E. Lincoln Street project. Motion carried.

Stanley Consultants, Inc. Services Proposal. Stagg reported the sewer ordinances need to be updated to meet current IDNR regulatory requirements. Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the proposal with Stanley Consultants, Inc. to review and update the sewer ordinances, not to exceed $7,325. Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported on the completion of repairs to the recreational trail bridges and updates on the proposed E. Lincoln Street project.

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on office closures during the upcoming holidays.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek presented a certificate of appreciation to Smith for his four years of service on the City Council.

Council Member Comments. Mengler also thanked Smith for his service and extended thanks to the Fire and Police Departments for their assistance with the Walcott Women organization’s recent Santa event.

Smith moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:17 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

December 20, 2021

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 6^th day of December, 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, Korry Kraft, 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. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from November 15, 2021, November 2021 financial reports, Resolution 2021-44 – Wage Increase of Officer Horihan for defensive instructor certification, and Resolution 2021-45 – Approving Applications for Residential Tax Abatements within the 2017 Urban Revitalization Area.  Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koberg, Puck, Bieri, and Smith. Motion carried.

Victory & Wescott Park Concrete Improvements Project. Discussion was held on the pay request from All American Concrete, Inc. for the park concrete improvements project. Council members expressed their frustrations and dissatisfaction with the project, particularly the timeliness and landscaping. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve payment #1 to All American Concrete, Inc., for $123,189.92, as recommended by the City Engineer. Ayes: Mengler, Puck, and Bieri. Nays: Koberg and Smith. Motion carried.

Review of Alley Policy. Following discussion of the current alley policy, Koberg moved and Smith seconded to make no changes to the policy. Motion carried.

Ordinance 522-21, Amending Chapter 69 Pertaining to No Parking Zones. Bieri moved and Puck seconded to waive the second reading of Ordinance 522-21, Amending Chapter 69 Pertaining to No Parking Zones. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Puck, Koberg, Mengler, and Smith. Motion carried. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 522-21. Roll call ayes: Smith, Mengler, Bieri, Puck, and Koberg. 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.

Resolution 2021-46, Transfer of Funds. Rickertsen reported on the details of Resolutions 2021-46, Transfer of Funds. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2021-46, Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Smith, Bieri, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Fire Department Report. The Fire Department held officer elections and the members elected Korry Kraft as the Fire Chief. Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the appointment of Korry Kraft as the Fire Chief, term ending December 31, 2022. Motion carried.  

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen presented her report including the proposed budget amendment for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 (FYE 2022). Puck moved and Bieri seconded to set the public hearing date for the FYE 2022 budget amendment for December 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried. Discussion was held on installing public sidewalks with the proposed E. Lincoln Street project, Water Tower Park lease, and utilizing direct deposit for all payroll (council, boards, and commission) after January 1, 2022.

Council Member Comments. Koberg questioned if citizens are allowed to take dirt from the pile behind the compost area. Stagg responded he has consistently turned residents away from taking City materials (dirt, mulch, rock) and the materials are stockpiled behind signs that prohibit unauthorized vehicles. He explained there may be a need for dirt for a project and if residents are removing it from the stockpiles the City may end up paying for dirt. Residents should obey all signs at the area.

Smith moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:52 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

December 6, 2021 Minutes & Claims

DECEMBER 2021 CHAMBER NEWSLETTER