The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 20^th day of June, 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. Knutsen moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the consent agenda, which includes the invoices and minutes from June 6, 2022. Motion carried.

Walcott Day Events. 

• Parade Approval and Temporary Closure of Route Streets. Discussion was held on the proposed parade route, from the school on E. James Street, turning north on Main Street to E. Parkview Drive. Although the parade route will stop at E. Parkview Drive, in order to get back to the school, most of the floats will turn at E. Parkview Drive and then at N. Downey Street to return to the school. Following discussion, Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the Walcott Day Parade route, temporary closure of route streets, and to include no parking on the south side of E. Parkview Drive and west side of N. Downey Street on July 16, 2022. Motion carried.
• Street Closures. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve closing N. Henry Street, between James and Lincoln Streets; E. Otis Street, between Main and Downey Streets; N. Downey Street, between James and Otis Streets; and E. James Street, between Henry and Downey Streets on July 16, 2022. Motion carried.
• Fireworks Contribution. Knutsen moved and Koberg seconded to approve a contribution of $1,000 to the Walcott Day Committee for the fireworks display. Motion carried.
• 5K Race & Temporary Street Closures. Discussion was held on repairs to W. Otis Street, changing the route to exclude W. Otis Street and moving that portion of the route to W. James Street. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the revised 5K race route on July 16, 2022 as discussed. Motion carried.
• Police Department Part-Time Wages. Due to the pay differences between officers paid by the City and those paid by the Walcott Day Committee, Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve a special wage of $28.09/hour for part-time police officers working for the City during Walcott Day events on July 15^th and 16^th. Motion carried.
• Approval to Sell Food at Prairie View Park on Friday, July 15^th. Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to allow the Walcott Lions Club to sell food at Prairie View Park on July 15^th. Motion carried.
• Approval to Close Heritage Recreational Trail for Kids Run and Fireworks on July 15^th.

Puck moved and Bieri seconded to close Heritage Recreational Trail at Prairie View Park for the kids run and fireworks on July 15^th. Motion carried.

Resolution 2022-31, Transfer of Funds. Rickertsen reported this resolution includes budgeted year-end transfers and additional transfers to the E. Lincoln Street Project fund. Bieri moved and Knutsen seconded to approve Resolution 2022-31. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Knutsen, Koberg, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried.   

Resolution 2022-32, Approving Revised Site Plan at 140 E. Lincoln Street for Central Petroleum Company. The revised site plan excludes a sidewalk on the east side of the lot at 140 E. Lincoln Street. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve Resolution 2022-32. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Knutsen, Koberg, Bieri, and Puck. Motion carried.

Ordinance 526-22, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates. Effective with the July 1^st billing, each customer shall pay a minimum bill of $17.00 per month (increase of $1.25/month), which includes usage up to 1,400 gallons. All usage over 1,400 gallons shall be $5.82 per 1,000 gallons (4 % increase = $.22/1,000 gallons). The rate increase is needed to pay for improvements to the aging water system. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 526-22. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Bieri, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Ordinance 527-22, Amending Chapter 99 Regarding Sewer Rates. Effective with the July 1^st billing, the usage rate will increase 2% ($.13/1,000 gallons) to $6.46 per 1,000 gallons of water used per month for all usage over 1,400 gallons. The rate increase is needed to pay for improvements. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 527-22. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried.

Ordinance 528-22, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees. Effective with the July 1^st billing, the monthly garbage rate increases from $14.18 to $14.89. The City pays an increase each year per the contract with the hauler. Knutsen moved and Bieri seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 528-22. Roll call ayes: Roll call ayes: Knutsen, Bieri, Koberg, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported on changes to the Code of Iowa regarding ATVs and UTVs. He stated the City will need to amend the City Code since the City will no longer be able to charge registration fees for ATVs and UTVs but they must have a valid State of Iowa registration. Mengler questioned noise regulations regarding barking dogs. Chief Blake stated residents should call the Police Department for noise disturbances.         

Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented an update on the E. Lincoln Street project. Mengler questioned his plan for the weeds in the rocks around the pond and Stagg responded they will spray them this week. Stagg will also check on a dying tree near or in the right-of-way on S. Main Street.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported the gravel road (60^th Avenue) south of W. Memorial Road will be closed to through traffic for a culvert replacement project. She stated the next regular council meeting will be on Tuesday, July 5^th.

Mayor Report. Mayor Kostichek stated he appreciates the volunteer efforts from the Walcott Day Committee members.

Council Member Comments. Koberg reported a resident was told to move a structure that was recently built in an easement area and he questioned the easement regulations. Stagg stated the City Code states that structures are not allowed in city easements. Knutsen reported on defective sidewalk sections on the Main Street bridge. Stagg stated it is on a list, along with other areas, and he is still pursuing concrete bids. Knutsen also suggested additional police patrol at the four-way stop at the Main and James Streets intersection.

Knutsen moved and Bieri seconded to adjourn at 6:39 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

June 20, 2022

Walcott Chamber Newsletter June 2022

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 6^th day of June, 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: Lisa Rickertsen and Paul Stagg.

Approval of Agenda. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the agenda with deletion of item five, 107 E. Walcott Road Easement.  Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the consent agenda, including the invoices, renewal of Class A Liquor license with Sunday and Outdoor Service for Walcott Legion Post #548 , May 2022 financial reports, minutes from May 16^th and 23^rd, fireworks permit for Walcott Day display at Prairie View Park on July 15^th (rain date July 16^th), and annual cigarette permit renewals for Casey’s, Dolgencorp LLC, Iowa 80 Truckstop, and Pilot Travel Centers #043 and #268. Motion carried.

Hearts and Hands Foundation – Community Beautification Awards. Brent Puck was present on behalf of the Hearts and Hands Foundation to discuss past and proposed community beautification awards to commercial/industrial property owners. Puck reported 2015 was the last year awards were presented and the Foundation is proposing six properties that have made renovations/enhancements since 2015. Puck suggested making this an annual award. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve proceeding with the six community beautification awards, as proposed by the Hearts and Hands Foundation. Motion carried. The Hearts and Hands Foundation will contact the six property owners and an award presentation will be scheduled at a future meeting. Puck reported on a proposed community event the Foundation is working on to promote Walcott civic organizations.

Resolution 2022-29, Authoring and approving a certain Loan Agreement, providing for the issuance of $1,700,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2022A and providing the levy of taxes to pay the same. Rickertsen reported this is borrowing for a portion of the E. Lincoln Street Project. She reported although it provides for levying of taxes to pay the principal and interest, the City intends to use tax increment financing funds to repay the loan.  Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2022-29. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Resolution 2022-30, Resolution Amending the Fire Service Fees Charged by the Walcott Volunteer Fire Department. Rickertsen reported the Fire Department has proposed increasing the hourly vehicle fees for fire protection and other emergency response services to the non-residents of Scott County and Benefited Fire District No. 6 in Muscatine County. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve Resolution 2022-30. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Knutsen, Koberg, Puck, and Bieri. Motion carried.

Ordinance 525-22, Adopting the Code of Ordinances of the City of Walcott. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 525-22. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried.

Ordinance 526-22, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates. Effective with the July 1^st billing, each customer shall pay a minimum bill of $17.00 per month (increase of $1.25/month), which includes usage up to 1,400 gallons. All usage over 1,400 gallons shall be $5.82 per 1,000 gallons (4 % increase = $.22/1,000 gallons). The rate increase is needed to pay for improvements to the aging water system. Bieri moved and Mengler seconded to approve the second reading. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Mengler, Puck, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Ordinance 527-22, Amending Chapter 99 Regarding Sewer Rates. Effective with the July 1^st billing, the usage rate will increase 2% ($.13/1,000 gallons) to $6.46 per 1,000 gallons of water used per month for all usage over 1,400 gallons. The rate increase is needed to pay for improvements. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 527-22. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Knutsen, Bieri, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried.

Ordinance 528-22, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees. Effective with the July 1^st billing, the monthly garbage rate increases from $14.18 to $14.89. The City pays an increase each year per the contract with the hauler. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the second reading. Roll call ayes: Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.

City Engineer Report – W. Otis Street Construction Resolution. City Engineer, Jason Holodorf, and Kirk Nelson, both representatives of IMEG, were present to discuss the proposed resolution of the W. Otis Street project deficiencies. Nelson reported the cracking and heaving of concrete panels and sidewalk appear to be near underground utilities. IMEG evaluated possible contributing factors and reported that the general contractor used slag, which was not in the original specifications but was an approved substitution, for the trench backfill and they believe there was some expansion in the material over the deep utility trenches. He also reported there was no soil exploration completed prior to the design of this project. IMEG proposes to coordinate and pay for the replacement of faulted sidewalk sections and one or two street panels during this 2022 construction season. They will monitor it over the next year to see how it performs and if it is stable they will coordinate replacement of other cracked panels in 2023 and cover the costs. Nelson stated there may be further discovery once a full panel is removed and if their proposal doesn’t work they will continue to do further exploration. Further discussion ensued, including concerns with the underground utility pipe and responsibility if the panels would crack again. Nelson stated the movement would be above the pipe and the pipe would be fine. IMEG will research and report to the City on any additional maintenance bonds. Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to accept IMEG’S proposal to remedy the problems on W. Otis Street as discussed and outlined in a letter, dated June 1, 2022. Motion carried. Stagg commented that the concrete subcontractor was not at fault for the concrete deficiencies with this project.     

Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented a project worksheet to eliminate the overhead electric service at Wescott Park and replace with an underground service. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the Wescott Park electrical upgrade project. Motion carried. The project cost is $10,846, per the proposal from LMI (Lighting Maintenance Inc.). Stagg reported the City’s wastewater lab received a rating of 100% proficiency on their lab tests. He also reported on updates on the E. Lincoln Street project and an inquiry received on reserving the picnic tables for an out of town event. Council consensus was to not allow city-owned picnic tables be reserved/removed for events not within city limits.

Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to adjourn at 6:56 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

June 6, 2022 Signed Minutes & Claims