The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 20^th day of March 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: Lisa Rickertsen and Paul Stagg.

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

Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the proposed ordinance amending Chapter 160 of the Walcott City Code, which will align with the State of Iowa’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing codes. No written or oral comments were received. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from March 6, 2023, and set Spring Clean-Up Day for May 6, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Motion carried. The dumpsters will be located at the compost area and the area will be closed from Friday, May 5^th until Monday, May 8^th, except during the clean-up day hours.

Park Board Recommendation – Naming of Field at Wescott Park. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the Park Board’s recommendation to name the field at Wescott Park, Larry Koberg Field, and purchase two signs, to be placed on backstop and third base line. Motion carried.

Resolution 2023-11, Deleting Property from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area. Bieri moved the adoption of Resolution 2023-11, Deleting Property from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area, and the motion was seconded by Koberg. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Koberg, Knutsen, Mengler, and Puck. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Ordinance 534-23, Amending Provisions Pertaining to Chapter 160, Building Codes. The proposed ordinance amends Chapter 160 to adopt the State of Iowa plumbing, electrical, and mechanical codes, which will align with Scott County and other local communities. Koberg moved and Puck seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 534-23. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Puck, Mengler, Bieri, and Knutsen. Motion carried.

Ordinance 535-23, Amending Chapter 47 Prohibiting Bounce Houses and Other Inflatables. Mengler expressed concerns with some wording in the proposed ordinance and suggested changes in sections A, B, and D. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 535-23 with the changes as presented. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Ordinance 536-23, Deleting Property from the Tax Increment Financing District. The proposed ordinance removes Lot 1 of the Iowa 80 9^th Addition from the tax increment financing district. Knutsen moved and Bieri seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 536-23. Roll call ayes: Knutsen, Bieri, Mengler, Puck, and Koberg. Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented a project worksheet to inspect the water tower and replace the outdated safety climb system in the tower. Koberg expressed concerns regarding the cost and necessity. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the purchase of the safety climb system and tower inspection as presented at a cost of $5,424 (Utility Service Co., Inc.). Motion carried with Koberg opposing.

City Clerk Report. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to set the public hearing date on the FYE 2024 budget for April 17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried. Rickertsen presented information on the proposed FYE 2024 budget. Following discussion, council consensus was to list the levy rate on the hearing notice at 10.59934.

Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to adjourn at 6:32 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

March 20, 2023 Minutes & claims

March 2023 Walcott Chamber Newsletter

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 6^th day of March, 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. Attorney Jeff McDaniel was also present.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Kendall Mattson, Korry Kraft, Crystal Bolser, and Vinh Phan were present. Kendall Mattson presented photos of areas of concern on W. Otis Street that he felt were not identified on the map from IMEG (presented to City Council on 2/13/23), as sections they intend to replace, and Mattson wanted to be sure the City was aware of the areas. Mayor Kostichek thanked Mattson for the information.

Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, February 2023 financial reports, and Resolution 2023-10, Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried.

Approval of Minutes from February 20, 2023. Knutsen moved and Puck seconded to approve the minutes from February 20, 2023. Motion carried with Koberg abstaining due to absence at meeting.

Approval of Fire Department Members. Chief Korry Kraft introduced residents Crystal Bolser and Vinh Phan and stated they both completed the required training and the department members voted to approve their membership, pending council approval. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to appoint Crystal Bolser and Vinh Phan to the Walcott Volunteer Fire Department. Motion carried. Mayor Kostichek and Council members expressed their appreciation to Bolser and Phan and thanked them for volunteering to join the Fire Department.

All audience members left the meeting.

Kaitlynn Capper & Nic Butcher – Sewer Backup at 133 N. Downey Street. Neither Capper or Butcher were in attendance so the matter will be brought up again at the end of the meeting.

 Ordinance 533-23, Amending Chapter 162 Pertaining to Requirements for Rental Property. The proposed change references the City’s Rental Housing Guide, which will exclude single family homes occupied by children or parents of the owner from rental housing inspections. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 533-23. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report.

• Replace Gas Monitoring System at WWTP (Wastewater Treatment Plant). Stagg presented a project worksheet to replace the gas monitoring system at the WWTP. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the purchase of the gas monitoring system as presented, in the amount of $9,485. Motion carried.
• Set Public Hearing Date on Amending Chapter 160, Building Codes. Stagg reported the Building Official, Scott Bengfort, is recommending to adopt the State of Iowa Plumbing, Electrical, and Mechanical codes. Scott County and other communities in the County are also adopting these same codes. Bieri moved and Knutsen seconded to set the public hearing date for March 20, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.

Stagg also reported on equipment recently ordered for the UV system at the WWTP. Mengler and Koberg had questions and concerns on the E. Lincoln Street project. Stagg also reported he intends to obtain quotes on a sewer lining project.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen presented information on the proposed FYE 2024 budget, including changes to the taxable valuations due to recent legislation, lower property tax revenue, General Fund revenue account details, and levy rate history. Questions arose on the fine revenue and discussion ensued on why traffic violations were written on state codes instead of local codes since the revenue from the local code violations would come to the City instead of the state. Chief Blake will research and provide information at a future meeting. Rickertsen reported on her communication with the City Attorney that local organizations should not be using the City’s address as that of its registered agent when registering and submitting reports with the Iowa Secretary of State.

Kaitlynn Capper & Nic Butcher – Sewer Backup at 133 N. Downey Street. Rickertsen reported Capper had requested to be placed on the agenda, which was verified via email on 3/3/23. Since both Capper and Butcher failed to attend the meeting the matter is closed.

Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:52 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

March 6, 2023 Signed Minutes & Claims