January 20, 2022 Minutes

A special meeting of the City Council of the City of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Thursday, January 20, 2022, with Mayor John Kostichek calling the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Council members present were: Everett Bieri, Harry Knutsen, Kirk Koberg, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. City staff present: Paul Stagg and Lisa Rickertsen. Jeff Blake, Police Chief, and Korry Kraft, Fire Chief, were present for review of their department budgets only.

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

FYE 2023 Budget Review and Discussion. Discussion was held on the proposed FYE 2023 budget, including a review of all departments in the general, general reserve, special revenue, and proprietary (water, sewer, and garbage) funds, property valuations, and the max levy rate. Rickertsen will make changes to the proposed budget as discussed. Further review will be held during the next regular meeting on February 7, 2022.

Set Budget Max Levy Hearing Date. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to set the FYE 2023 budget max levy public hearing date for February 7, 2022, at City Hall at 6:00 p.m. 

Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to adjourn at 7:03 p.m. Ayes: All. Motion carried.

 

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January 17, 2022 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 17th day of January, 2022, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Harry Knutsen, Kirk Koberg, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.

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

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

Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the rezoning request for 231 & 233 E. Walcott Road from M-2, Moderate Industrial District, to M-1, Light Industrial District. Rickertsen stated the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change during their meeting on January 10, 2021. No written comments or other oral comments were received. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, December 2021 financial reports, and Class C liquor license renewal for Grammas Kitchen & The Checkered Flag Bar & Grill. Motion carried.

Ordinance 523-22, Amending the Official Zoning Map. Ordinance 523-22 was introduced and Puck moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 523-22. Seconded by Bieri. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried. This rezones 231 and 233 E. Walcott Road from M-2, Moderate Industrial District, to M-1, Light Industrial District.

Minutes from January 3, 2022. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the minutes from January 3, 2022, with a correction to reflect the City Attorney appointment of Tom Schirman to include Brooks Law Firm. Motion carried with Koberg abstaining due to absence from meeting.

Lincoln Street Improvements Project. IMEG representatives, Jason Holdorf (City Engineer) and Matt Dotson, were present to discuss the proposed E. Lincoln Street Improvements project. Discussion included the following:

  • Angle parking locations in the first two blocks.
  • Asphalt versus concrete. Dotson explained that asphalt provides greater flexibility and is easier to maintain and replace. He reported the longevity for either option, based on designs, will be thirty years. Holdorf will provide a cost estimate on both options.
  • Stagg reported he contacted the school and two affected businesses. The sidewalk is proposed to go to the west side of the school entrance. Stagg stated he asked the school if they were interested in extending the sidewalk or adding any off-street parking but is still waiting for a response.

Durant Ambulance Support. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve the budgeted payment of $1,000 to Durant Ambulance. Motion carried.

Review of Capital Improvements Projects. Stagg reviewed the current Capital Improvement Plan and potential future infrastructure projects. Mayor Kostichek and Council members will rank the projects.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported the University of Iowa is seeking additional law enforcement to assist at sporting events. Currently Walcott officers have City permission to work during University of Iowa football games. This will be listed on the next regular meeting agenda. Mengler questioned the regulations regarding parking in front of mailboxes. Blake stated the City Code prohibits parking within twenty feet of either side of a mailbox. Residents William and Patricia Stone reported on issues they have had with neighbors, including parking in front of their mailbox. They were advised to contact the police department with any issues.

Public Works Department Report. Fire Chief, Korry Kraft, questioned Stagg if roads were pre-treated on January 8th and reported on icy road conditions that evening. Stagg replied that every winter weather event is unique and operations are based on forecast, experience, staffing, and safety. He stated the forecast for the 8th was rain which would’ve washed away any pre-treatment on the roadways. Discussion ensued and Koberg thanked the public works staff for the great job on the last snow event.

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen briefly reviewed the budget orientation information provided to council. The budget meeting scheduled for January 24th was rescheduled to January 20th at 5:30 p.m.

Council Member Comments. Koberg thanked Stones for attending the meeting and Knutsen questioned the possibility of adding stop lights on Plainview Road by the interstate ramps.

Knutsen moved and Koberg seconded to adjourn at 7:45 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

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January 3, 2022

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 3rd day of January, 2022, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Harry Knutsen, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Kirk Koberg. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.

Approval of Agenda. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda with deletion of item 8, E. Lincoln Street Improvements Project. Motion carried.

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. None.

Consent Agenda. Rickertsen reported on the resolutions listed in the consent agenda. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, Resolution 2022-1, Designating the North Scott Press as Official Newspaper, Resolution 2022-2, Authorizing Certain Payments Before a Council Meeting, and Resolution 2022-3, Establishing the Standard Mileage Rate Reimbursement. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, and Knutsen. Motion carried.

Minutes from December 20, 2021. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the minutes from December 20, 2021. Motion carried with Knutsen abstaining due to absence from meeting.

Appointments by Mayor.  Mayor Kostichek made the following appointments:

  • Park Board. Reappointed Kelly Quick to the Park Board with a term ending 12/31/26. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the Mayor’s appointment. Motion carried.
  • Council Committees:
  • Police & Animal Control – Koberg and Puck
  • Policy & Administration/City Hall – Bieri and Mengler
  • Streets, Solid Waste, & Parks – Puck and Knutsen
  • Fire & Civil Defense – Knutsen and Bieri
  • Water & Sanitary Sewer – Mengler and Koberg
  • Mayor Pro Tem – Jacob Puck

Appointments by Council.

  • City Attorney & City Clerk. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to reappoint Tom Schirman as the City Attorney and Lisa Rickertsen as the City Clerk with terms ending 12/31/23. Motion carried.
  • Planning & Zoning Commission. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to reappoint Tom Sweeney and Joe Aubry to the Planning & Zoning Commission with terms ending 12/31/26. Motion carried.
  • Zoning Board of Adjustment. Bieri moved and Puck seconded to reappoint Jason Holdorf to the Zoning Board of Adjustment with a term ending 12/31/26. Motion carried.

Stanley Consultants, Inc. Services Proposal. Stagg reported the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) requires the City to perform feasibility studies on reducing nutrient discharges from the wastewater treatment plant. A proposal and schedule was received from the engineering firm that designed the wastewater treatment plant, Stanley Consultants, Inc. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the proposal with Stanley Consultants, Inc. to conduct a wastewater nutrient study as required by the IDNR, not to exceed $27,175. Motion carried.

City Clerk’s Report. A budget meeting was scheduled for January 24th at 5:00 p.m.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek took a moment to recognize Leon Downing who served as Walcott’s mayor for sixteen years.  

Council Member Comments. Comments included possible flashing lights at the four-way stop intersection and notices for sidewalk snow removal.

Puck moved and Bieri seconded to adjourn at 6:21 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

January 3, 2022 Signed Minutes & Claims

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