March 21, 2022 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 21st day of March, 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. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience. Residents, Bob Peters and Matt Ziegenhorn, and IMEG representatives, Jason Holdorf (City Engineer) and Walter DeDoncker, were in attendance.
Public Hearings.
- FYE 2023 Budget. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 (FYE 2023). Rickertsen stated the proposed tax levy tax rate of $10.12356 is slightly below the current levy rate. The budget includes a water rate increase to cover costs associated with the maintenance and future improvements to the water system and a garbage rate increase to cover the annual rate increase from the garbage contractor. No written or other comments were received. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to close the public hearing and open the public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and cost estimate for the E. Lincoln Street improvements project. Motion carried.
- E. Lincoln Street Improvements Project Proposed Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract, and Cost Estimate. Holdorf stated the project includes new concrete paving, curb and gutter on E. Lincoln Street from Main Street to Blue Grass Road and on Henry Street from Lincoln Street to the railroad tracks; new water mains and storm sewer; and a culvert replacement. Holdorf reviewed the plans and discussed the project details including: parking, sidewalks, drainage inlets, and a 4” sloped curb in front of Twin State. Mengler expressed concerns about the same issues potentially occurring on this project as there are on W. Otis Street. Holdorf reported those problems may be attributed to the challenges with W. Otis Street, including soil conditions and extreme temperature changes and weather conditions during the project construction. Questions arose on increasing the depth of the concrete and/or drainable subbase. Discussion ensued regarding increasing the concrete and drainable subbase depth from 7” to 8” each. Holdorf stated there are no guarantees with the challenging soils and weather conditions. Mengler moved and Bieri 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, minutes from March 7, 2022, and set Spring Clean-Up Day for May 7, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Motion carried. The dumpsters will be located at the compost area.
Resolution 2022-10, Approving the Adoption of the FYE 2023 Budget. Bieri moved and Koberg seconded to approve Resolution 2022-10 as proposed. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Koberg, Knutsen, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried.
Resolution 2022-11, Approving Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract, and Cost Estimate for the E. Lincoln Street Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve Resolution 2022-11, per changes as discussed (increasing concrete and subbase depths to 8”). Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koberg, Knutsen, Bieri, and Puck. Motion carried.
W. Otis Street Deficiencies. Holdorf stated IMEG provided construction observation on the W. Otis Street Improvements project and they did not see anything unusual at the time. Council expressed their dissatisfaction with the street defects and questioned what may be causing the problems, how to correct it, and who is liable. Holdorf stated he has reached out to the contractor but they have not come to a resolution yet. He stated that IMEG has done additional testing exploration to find the cause of the problems, at no cost to the city, but they have not found anything conclusive yet. Following further discussion, Holdorf agreed to provide a final report and resolution to the City by May 31, 2022.
Summer Youth Program. Rickertsen presented information on the proposed Summer Youth Program with the Scott County YMCA. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the 2022 Summer Youth Program as presented. Motion carried. Fees will remain the same as last year: $70 per participant for children residing within city limits or Fire District #6 and the full cost of $196.45 for non-residents. The program will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from June 20th – July 29th.
Park Board Recommendations.
- Allow Plugs for Temporary Tournament Fences at Wescott and Victory Parks. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to allow installation of plugs in the parks for temporary tournament fences, as recommended by the Park Board. Motion carried.
- Tennis Courts Crack Sealing. Stagg presented a project worksheet to repair the cracks on the tennis courts. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the crack sealing at the tennis courts, not to exceed $3,400, as recommended by the Park Board. Motion carried.
City Code Review/Update. Rickertsen reviewed proposed changes to the City Code, which were previously discussed at several council meetings. Council had no further changes so they will be submitted to the recodification company.
Ordinance 524-22, Amending Chapter 167.22 Regarding Accessory Buildings. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 524-22. Roll call ayes: Puck, Koberg, Knutsen, Bieri, and Mengler. Motion carried. This will increase the maximum attached garage size from 864 sq. ft. to 1,250 sq. ft.
Public Works Department Report.
- Purchase of Used Broom for JD X739 Tractor. Stagg presented a project worksheet that included multiple quotes on a used broom for the JD X739 tractor. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve purchasing a used broom for the JD X739 tractor, at the lowest cost of $2,500. Motion carried.
- Main Lift Station Pump Repairs. Stagg presented a project worksheet to rebuild a failed pump in the main lift station. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the main lift station repairs, not to exceed $15,865. Motion carried.
Stagg also reported the traffic paint won’t be available for at least another 6 – 8 weeks and the equipment which was approved to be disposed of at the last meeting, is listed at www.govdeals.com. The two-week auction ends on April 4th and bids will be presented to council for approval during their meeting that evening.
Knutsen moved and Koberg seconded to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
March 7, 2022 Minutes
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 7th day of March, 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. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Kendall Mattson expressed concerns regarding defects with the W. Otis Street project. This will be discussed at the next regular meeting.
Consent Agenda. Bieri moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and the February 2022 financial reports. Motion carried.
Minutes from February 7, 2022. Koberg moved and Puck seconded to approve the minutes from February 7, 2022. Motion carried with Mengler and Knutsen abstaining due to absence from meeting.
Minutes from February 21, 2022. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the minutes from February 21, 2022. Motion carried with Koberg abstaining due to absence from meeting.
Appointments by Council. Puck moved and Knutsen seconded to appoint Larry Smith to the Planning & Zoning Commission, term ending December 31, 2025. Motion carried. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to appoint Bernard Brus to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, term ending December 31, 2023. Motion carried.
Lincoln Street Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2022-9, Approving Notice of Hearing on Proposed Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Cost Estimate. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried. The public hearing will be on March 21, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
Ordinance 524-22, Amending Chapter 167.22 Regarding Accessory Buildings. Bieri moved and Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 524-22. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Puck, Mengler, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried. This will increase the maximum attached garage size from 864 sq. ft. to 1,250 sq. ft.
Engineering Services for Future Development Utility Plan. Stagg presented a proposal from IMEG for engineering services to look at six potential development areas and determine how the areas can be served with sanitary sewer and water. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve the engineering agreement with IMEG for $5,800. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report.
- Water Tower Cleaning. Stagg presented a project worksheet for cleaning the north water tower. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve hiring National Wash Authority, at a cost of $6,900, to clean the north water tower. Motion carried.
- ADA Ramps at Intersection of James and Century Streets. Stagg presented cost estimates from the City Engineer for construction of ADA ramps on E. James Street. Bieri moved and Knutsen seconded to have staff obtain bids for construction of ADA ramps at the intersection of James and Century Streets. Motion carried.
- Equipment Disposal. Bieri moved and Koberg seconded to proceed with advertising for disposal of the following equipment: 1988 Ford 6610 tractor, 1989 JD 430, 1990 JD 955, 1994 Vermeer Chipper, and 2008 JD x360. Motion carried.
Stagg also reported on the schools request to add 400’ of sidewalk, east of their driveway, along E. Lincoln Street. Council consensus was to allow the sidewalk along the curb, for drop-off and pick-up, and to add the 400’ of sidewalk to the E. Lincoln Street Improvements project plans and specifications.
Mayor Report. Mayor Kostichek proclaimed April 7th as Junior Achievement Day in the City of Walcott.
Council examined the 1997 Freightliner (Unit 6) which Chief Kraft requested to replace during a prior budget meeting.
Puck moved and Knutsen seconded to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.