The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19^th day of September, 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, Jackie Huston, Jason Holdorf (City Engineer), and Paul Stagg.

Approval of Agenda. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Audience included:  Greg Schaapveld, Shive Hattery Engineering, Kari Kraft, Walcott Women.

Consent Agenda. Knutsen moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from September 6, 2022, and August 2022 financial reports.  Motion carried.

Trick-or-Treating.  Kari Kraft, representing Walcott Women, stated that they would like to have the Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treating on October 30^th.  The Parade would start at 5:00 p.m. at Victory Park and proceed to the Legion with Trick-or-Treating from 6-8 p.m.  Discussion was held concerning the date, since neighboring communities, including Davenport, have Trick-or-Treating scheduled for the 31^st.  Concerns were expressed about unusually large number of children when this occurred in the past.  Mengler stated that she felt that since the Walcott Women has sponsored the parade and dinner for a number of years that the Council should accept their request for the 30^th.  The route for the parade was discussed, since construction on Lincoln Street could be a factor.  Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to set Trick-or-Treating on October 30^th from 6-8 p.m. and the parade to be from Victory Park to the Legion with the Walcott Women and the Police Chief allowed to change it due to construction.  Motion carried.

Inflatables in City Parks. This issue was referred from the last Council meeting to the Park Board for a recommendation.  Some of the concerns addressed at the Park Board meeting were:  liability and the difficulties of requirements from the City’s insurance company, recommendations from the City’s insurance agent against allowing them, and the difficulty of monitoring usage for requirements. Given that information, the Park Board is recommending to not allow inflatables in City parks, except on Walcott Day with appropriate insurance and Council approval.  The City Attorney also recommends against allowing inflatables in the parks.  Puck moved and Bieri seconded to prepare a Code change to eliminate usage of inflatables in the City parks, as is the current policy.  Motion carried.

Grant Application for Ten Spin Playground Equipment.  The Park Board recommended to apply for a grant to assist in purchasing a Ten Spin which would replace the merry-go-round that was removed from Watertower Park because it was not ADA compliant.  Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to apply for the grant.  Motion carried.

Approval of New Fire Department Members.  Puck moved and Bieri seconded to appoint Eric Hupp, Jason Verschoore, and Kaci Zogg to the Fire Department.  Motion carried.

Resolution 2022-36, Approving the Preliminary Plat for Iowa 80 Ninth Addition.  The Planning & Zoning Commission has recommended approval.  Bieri moved and Puck seconded to approve the Iowa 80 Ninth Addition Preliminary Plat.  Motion carried with unanimous roll call vote.

Ordinance 529-22, Amending Provisions Pertaining to Alcoholic Beverage Control. The ordinance amends provisions regarding retail alcohol licenses and changes in terminology that impact sections of the Walcott City Code, due to recent state legislature changes. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 529-22.  Motion carried with unanimous roll call vote. This is the last of three required readings.

Ordinance 530-22, Amending Provisions Pertaining to ATVs and UTVs. The ordinance amends Chapter 75 of the Walcott City Code, including removal of the City permit and fee requirements due to recent state legislature changes. The proposed ordinance does not include any changes to Section 75.05, which requires them to have a slow-moving vehicle sign and a bicycle safety flag.  Bieri moved and Puck seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 530-22. Motion carried with ayes:  Mengler, Bieri, Knutsen, and Puck and Nays:  Koberg.  This is the last of three required readings.

City Engineer Report.

Resolution 2022-37, Accepting Improvements and Authorizing Final Payment for the Victory and Wescott Parks Concrete Improvements Project.  Holdorf recommends this payment.  Koberg mentioned a slight height difference in the concrete from the sidewalk to the bleacher area behind home plate.  Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2022-37.  Motion carried with unanimous roll call vote.  The payment is $6,483.68 to All American Concrete, Inc.

Mayor Kostichek questioned the status of W. Otis Street and stated that its condition is deteriorating.  Koberg stated that it has been 3 years since this project was completed and we have been waiting to get the sidewalk deficiencies corrected.  He would like to find a contractor and get it done now.  Holdorf responded that the contractor that will be paving Lincoln Street is scheduled to make the sidewalk corrections when they pave Lincoln Street.  Holdorf will check to see if other contractors could do it sooner.  The maintenance bond for W. Otis Street was discussed and Holdorf stated that IMEG would cover the slag related repairs for four years.

Street Committee Report.  Stagg reviewed the report presented at the last meeting and gave recommendations on all the trees listed.  Due to numerous trees on the list, the Council requested that Stagg prepare a list of the trees that present the most immediate need of removal.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake stated that the squad is still in for repairs and the Mayor expressed his displeasure about the length of time it was taking and wondered about other alternatives.

Public Works Department Report.  Stagg gave an update on the E. Lincoln Street Project.  He questioned if the Council wanted to remove the Main Street flowers on the first of fall as the Council instructed last year.  The Council confirmed that even though the flowers may still look good, they should be removed.  Stagg stated that he intends to close the Splash Pad as soon as the weather cools unless the Council wanted a firm date similar to the flowers.  The Council instructed Stagg to use his judgement for closing the Splash Pad but asked him to put the closure on the electronic community sign.  Koberg questioned the maintenance of the Grove Street ROW south of the railroad tracks, in front of the Lamp Liter.  He stated there were numerous potholes and asked why the City wasn’t putting gravel in there.  Stagg replied that it was an unimproved ROW and the business had been putting gravel there, since they utilized it and that we do not maintain other unimproved ROW areas.  Council consensus was to place some gravel in this ROW.  Mengler stated that the creek area needs more trimming.

Deputy City Clerk’s Report.  Huston reported that HyVee had asked about a Mobile Flu Shot Clinic in Walcott.  They are requesting to hold the clinic on September 29^th from 4-7 p.m. at the Prairie View Park parking lot.  Pre-registration is not required, but please bring your insurance card.  Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the use of the parking lot for the clinic.  Council asked if it could be placed on the electronic community sign.

Mayor Comments.  The Mayor thanked the Legion for improvements to Welcome Park.

Council Comments. Mengler and Koberg encouraged citizens to continue to support the efforts to stop the restructuring of Walcott School by relocating the elementary students.

Puck moved and Koberg seconded to adjourn at 6:57 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

Walcott Chamber Newsletter September 2022

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Tuesday, the 6^th day of September, 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 and Lisa Rickertsen.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Several residents were in attendance regarding the proposed letter to the Davenport Community School District.

Consent Agenda. Knutsen moved and Koberg seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from August 15, 2022, and Resolution 2022-35 – Approval of FYE 2022 Annual Urban Renewal Report. Roll call ayes: Knutsen, Koberg, Bieri, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried.

Fall Clean-up Day – October 8^th. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to set fall clean-up day for residents on October 8^th from 2 – 5 p.m. with the dumpsters to be located at the compost area. Motion carried.

Inflatables in City Parks. Rickertsen stated it has been past policy to not allow inflatables in city parks. She reported one was recently placed in a park without permission but without language in the City Code it makes it difficult for the police department to enforce the policy. Following discussion, council consensus was to have Park Board review the topic during their next meeting on September 14^th.

Purchase New Server & Email Service. Rickertsen presented a project worksheet to purchase a new server in order to upgrade the server platform and upgrade the email service to Microsoft 365 from our current IT provider. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to replace the server ($2,003.95) and upgrade email service from Platinum Information Services. Motion carried.

Davenport Community School District Long Range Plan Letter. Rickertsen stated city staff prepared a letter addressing the concerns expressed during the last council meeting regarding Davenport Community School District’s long-range facilities planning study proposals, which includes converting the Walcott K-8 school into a middle school. Several residents in attendance stated their opposition to the proposed plan. Discussion ensued between council and those in attendance regarding some of the following concerns: long term impact and future of Walcott without an elementary school, busing to other elementary schools, open enrolling to other districts, and potential increase of policing services. Austin Burt reported an online petition was created and a local committee is hosting a Town Hall meeting at the Walcott American Legion on Tuesday, September 13^th at 6:00 p.m. The Mayor and City Council encouraged residents to express their opinions to the school board and state legislators. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to send the letter as presented to the Davenport Community School District regarding their opposition to the school district’s Facilities Master Planning Committee’s proposals. Motion carried. Koberg thanked those in attendance for attending the meeting.

Lincoln Street Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve payment #3 to Needham Excavating, as recommended by the project engineer. Motion carried. Karla Burt questioned why the road closed signs on Walcott Road were still up since Main Street is now open. Rickertsen was asked to contact the project engineer regarding the signage.

Ordinance 529-22, Amending Provisions Pertaining to Alcoholic Beverage Control. The ordinance amends provisions regarding retail alcohol licenses and changes in terminology that impact sections of the Walcott City Code, due to recent state legislature changes. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 529-22. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried. This is the second of three required readings.

Ordinance 530-22, Amending Provisions Pertaining to ATVs and UTVs. The ordinance amends Chapter 75 of the Walcott City Code, including removal of the City permit and fee requirements due to recent state legislature changes. The proposed ordinance does not include any changes to Section 75.05, which requires them to have a slow-moving vehicle sign and a bicycle safety flag. Koberg expressed concerns since our rules are different, requiring the slow-moving sign and flag, which are not state requirements, and some other local communities are not requiring them. Mengler feels these two items provide more safety in town. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 530-22. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, and Knutsen. Nays: Koberg. Motion carried. This is the second of three required readings.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented his report including the status of repairs to the Dodge Durango squad, which is still out of service. Mayor Kostichek questioned Titan’s (K9) status. Chief Blake stated the dog is eleven years old and he will probably retire him by the end of the year.

Council Comments. Knutsen reported the Street Committee (Knutsen and Puck) met and have a list, which will be placed on the next agenda, of dead and/or diseased trees within the community. Mengler thanked the audience members for attending and voicing their opinions.

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

September 6, 2022