The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19th 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 30th. 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 31st. 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 30th. 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 30th 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 29th 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.