The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, December 18, 2023, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Harry Knutsen, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.

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

Introduction of Audience & Public Comments. Korry Kraft and Ben McKibbin were present on behalf of the Fire Department.

Public Hearing on Rezoning at 303-305 E. Walcott Road. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the request from Andrew Snyder to rezone the property located at 303-305 E. Walcott Road from M-2, Moderate Industrial District, to C-2, Central Business District. Rickertsen stated the Planning & Zoning Commission met on December 11^th and recommended approval of the rezoning. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from December 4, 2023. Motion carried.   

Fire Department Report.

• Fire Chief Appointment. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to reappoint Korry Kraft as the Fire Chief with a term ending 12/31/2024. Motion carried.
• Change Order for New EMS Truck (Unit #6 Replacement). Kraft and McKibbin responded to several questions on the proposed change orders for the new truck. They reported that equipment will be removed from Unit #6 and be delivered to Ward Apparatus in New York this spring. The truck is expected to be completed in July. Puck moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the change orders for the new EMS truck, in the amount of $4,795.26. Motion carried. The total truck purchase price with the change orders is $609,378.26.

Appointments by Mayor.  Mayor Kostichek made the following appointments:

• Council Committees:
• Police & Animal Control – Knutsen and Koberg
• Policy & Administration/City Hall – Puck and Bieri
• Streets, Solid Waste, & Parks – Koberg and Puck 
• Fire & Civil Defense – Mengler and Knutsen
• Water & Sanitary Sewer – Bieri and Mengler
• Mayor Pro Tem – Jacob Puck
• Park Board. Mayor Kosticheck reappointed Lisa Hagen to the Park Board with a term ending 12/31/28. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Lisa Hagen to the Park Board. Motion carried.

Appointments by Council.

• Planning & Zoning Commission. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to reappoint Christine Thompson to the Planning & Zoning Commission with a term ending 12/13/2028. Motion carried. 
• Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to reappoint Bernard Brus to the Zoning Board of Adjustment with a term ending 12/31/28.  Motion carried.
• City Clerk. Bierimoved and Puck seconded to reappoint Lisa Rickertsen as the City Clerk with term ending 12/31/25. Motion carried. 
• City Attorney. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to reappoint Brooks Law Firm/Tom Schirman & Jeff McDaniel as the City Attorney with term ending 12/31/25. Motion carried

Ordinance 543-24, Amending the Official Zoning Map. Ordinance 543-24 was introduced and Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the 1^st reading of Ordinance 543-24. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Knutsen, Puck, Mengler, and Bieri.   

Ordinance 544-24, Amending Provisions Pertaining to All-Terrain Vehicles. Ordinance 544-24 was introduced and Mengler moved and Puck to approve the first reading of Ordinance 544-24. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, Knutsen, and Koberg.

Review of Capital Improvements Project. This will be discussed at the next regular meeting.

Police Department Report. Blake reported the squad is at the dealership but it will take a few more months before the equipment installation is completed and the squad is in service.   

Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported the sewer main lining project was completed last Monday and two water main breaks, which happened at the same time, were fixed on Friday. He expressed thanks and appreciation to Needham Excavating Inc. for their quick response in repairing the breaks.    

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported the City recently launched a new website. City offices will be closed on December 25^th & 26^th and January 1^st. The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, January 2^nd.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kosticheck thanked Kraft and McKibbin for attending and providing explanations on the change orders for the new fire truck.

Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:23 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted. 

December 18, 2023 Signed Minutes & Claims

December 2023 Chamber Newsletter

October 2023 Chamber Newsletter

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, December 4, 2023, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Harry Knutsen, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.

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

Consent Agenda. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from November 20, 2023. Motion carried.   

Park Board Recommendations.

• Acceptance of Flag Poles Donation at Victory Park from Walcott American Legion. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to accept the donation of two flag poles from the Walcott American Legion for Victory Park. Motion carried. 

Review of Chapter 75, All-Terrain and Off-Road Utility Vehicles. Rickertsen reported on concerns from the City Attorney regarding council’s direction to change the City Code to allow ATV’s on Plainview Road, Walcott Road, and Blue Grass Road. Chief Blake reported the Code of Iowa allows ATV’s to drive on two lane roads over the most direct and accessible route (to and from the nearest allowed County or City road or from residence). Following discussion, Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to proceed with the code changes to Chapter 75 as discussed. Motion carried. 

Review of Capital Improvement Projects. Stagg reviewed the proposed water, sewer, and streets capital improvement projects. Council was asked to rank the projects prior to the next meeting.

Resolution 2023-49, Accepting Improvements for the 2023 W. Otis Street Reconstruction Project. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2023-49. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.       

Police Department Report. Blake reported he has left messages but has not received any communication from the dealer (Stew Hansen Dodge) on the squad that was ordered in October 2022.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen presented election certificates and administered the oath of office to Council Members Bieri, Mengler, and Puck. These members were elected for another four-year term.

Puck moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:55 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted. 

December 4, 2023 Signed Minutes & Claims

 

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, November 6, 2023, 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. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg. Council member Kirk Koberg arrived at 6:03 p.m.  

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

Consent Agenda. Knutsen moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, October 2023 financial reports, Resolution 2023-45 – Acknowledging New Investments, and Resolution 2023-46 -Reconfirming Purchase of a 2024 Rescue Vehicle and Approving Payment for the Chassis. Roll call ayes: Knutsen, Bieri, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried.   

Minutes from October 16, 2023. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the minutes from October 16, 2023. Motion carried.

Liqui-Grow – Request to Resize or Cut Curb at 737 E. Lincoln Street. Hovey Tinsman, Liqui-Grow, had submitted a letter to the City Council regarding his concerns with the size of the curb that was installed in front of Liqui-Grow’s property at 737 E. Lincoln Street. He requested the City cut out the current curb for a smoother transition, from the east end of their property to just west of the earthen dike. Koberg arrived. Stagg stated the 4” sloped curb in front of their property was specified in the original construction plans and is per the SUDAS (Statewide Urban Design and Specifications). Stagg expressed concerns about gravel from the parking lot currently rolling onto the street and believes it could become worse if the curb was cut down to 2” in height. Koberg stated he disagreed and feels the gravel is coming from trucks spinning out. Tinsman stated if it was more of a gradual sloped curb it would be easier to drive over. Discussion was held on cutting down the curb, a length of approximately 400’. Additional concerns were expressed about the rock and water drainage. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to saw cut the current curb down, at the City’s cost, similar to a driveway drop curb per SUDAS to create a smoother approach from the east end of their property to the telephone pole by their storage tank. Motion carried with Mengler abstaining due to employment conflict of interest. Koberg stated that Liqui-Grow is responsible for pulling the gravel back to try and eliminate gravel coming onto the street and Tinsman agreed. 

Sale of 1949 Fire Truck. Stagg reported the high bid for the 1949 fire truck was $2,225. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the sale of the 1949 fire truck to the high bidder on GovDeals for $2,225. Motion carried.Stagg reported the high bidder is local. Assistant Fire Chief Joe Hahn was present and provided updates on the 2024 rescue vehicle which is currently being built. 

Request for Holiday Lights on Utility Poles along Memorial Road. Koberg reported that Walcott Day Committee is requesting approval to install holiday lights on approximately 16 light poles on Memorial Road. Following discussion, Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the request from the Walcott Day Committee to install holiday lights on utility poles along Memorial Road, once approved by Alliant Energy. Motion carried.

Residential Development. Discussion was held about areas located both in and out of current city limits for possible future residential development.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek reported on a recent meeting he and Puck had with Davenport Community School Superintendent Schneckloth and Board President Gosa. Puck reported they were informed that 6^th grade students from Blue Grass and Buffalo would be attending Walcott next year.   

Council Member Comments. Koberg stated he feels the City’s regulations on ATV’s & UTV’s should match the State of Iowa’s. He requested this topic be placed on the next agenda.     

Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to adjourn at 7:12 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted. 

November 6, 2023 Signed Minutes & Claims

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, October 16, 2023, 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. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg. 

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. None.

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

Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from October 2, 2023, September 2023 financial reports, Resolution 2023-41 – Transfer of Funds, Resolution 2023-42 – Obligating TIF Funds from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area, Resolution 2023-43, Approval of FYE 2023 Annual Urban Renewal Report, and Resolution 2023-44, Acknowledging New Investments. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, and Knutsen. Motion carried.   

Letter to MidAmerican Energy Requesting Increase of Gas Load Capacity. City staff reported concerns were brought forth, following the recent commercial growth near the Interstate 80 interchange area, regarding the need for natural gas infrastructure improvements to provide for future commercial growth in that area. Staff prepared a letter addressing the concerns and requested MidAmerican’s intentions to expand and provide a projected timeline. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to send the letter to MidAmerican Energy. Motion carried.    

Permission for use of Barbed Wire Top on Fence. Stagg reported MidAmerican Energy has requested to use a barbed wire top on a new fence at their facility located south of the railroad tracks and east of Blue Grass Road. This facility is considered a critical facility and the request meets the minimum safety standard requirements but the City Code requires permission from the City Council to use barbed wire. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the request from MidAmerican Energy to use barbed wire on their fence. Motion carried. 

Residential Development. Discussion was held on additional areas for possible future residential development.

Clerk’s Report. 2024 Employee Health and Dental Insurance Benefits Renewal. Rickertsen reported the 2024 employee health and dental insurance will increase a combined 3.58%. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the 2024 employee health and dental insurance renewal. Motion carried. Rickertsen noted the recent minutes from the Park Board and Recreational Trail Advisory Committee meetings are included in the meeting packet. 

Council Member Comments. Mengler expressed thanks to the volunteers on the Recreational Trail Advisory Committee.    

Knutsen moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:19 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted. 

October 16, 2023 Signed Minutes & Claims

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