January 21, 2013

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 21^st day of January, 2013, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Pro Tem John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Other council members present were: Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Mayor Couper. City employees present: Jeff Blake, John Brockmann, Joe Hahn, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, December 2012 Financial Reports, liquor license renewal for Gramma's Kitchen and The Checkered Flag, and Resolution 2013-6, Establishing New Fund and Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Mengler, Kostichek, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.

Audience. Wayne Latimer, Joe Taylor, and Karla Burt.

Approval of Minutes from 01/07/13. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the minutes from January 7, 2013. Mengler and Jackie Puck abstained due to absence. Motion carried.

Approval of Minutes from 01/14/13. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the minutes from January 14, 2013. Jackie Puck abstained due to absence. Motion carried.

Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau. Joe Taylor, Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau, was present to request the council consider a contribution again for FYE 2014. Walcott currently contributes $2,500 annually. Council members expressed concerns that the City was not promoted through the Quad Cities 2013 Visitors Guide. Taylor stated that Walcott organizations can go online and submit community events at www.visitquadcities.com.

Walcott Chamber of Commerce. Karla Burt, Walcott Chamber of Commerce, asked the council to reconsider moving City Hall away from the downtown area.

W. Bryant Street Project. Discussion was held on the engineering fees for the stormwater drainage improvements on W. Bryant Street Project. Preliminary cost opinions were also presented on two drainage route proposals for the stormwater. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the engineering fees for the stormwater drainage improvements with Verbeke-Meyer at a fee of $15,200 plus $1,700 per easement, if needed. Motion carried. Brockmann will continue to work with the City Engineer to determine the best drainage route option. Rickertsen questioned the council's intent to move forward with sidewalk assessments for the properties along the proposed street project route that currently do not have sidewalks. Council consensus was to continue with the special assessment process. Rickertsen reported the City Engineer should have the engineering fees available by the next regular council meeting.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported on upcoming training that various officers will be attending. He also presented the following project worksheets:

• Patrol Bicycle : Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the purchase for a second patrol bicycle at a cost not to exceed $1,424. Motion carried. The purchase will be paid for by funds received from Iowa 80/CAT Scale Go Iowa Endowment Fund.
• Handguns : Kostichek moved and Jacob Puck seconded to purchase six handguns at a cost not to exceed $2,921. Motion carried. Discussion was held on what to do with the six current handguns. Blake reported he will be returning three handguns to the state as they were originally purchased with state funds. He reported all but one part-time officer owns their own gun. Consensus was to keep the remaining three guns for part-time officer use.

Public Work's Department Report. Brockmann presented his report including his memo, regarding 1113 N. Main Street, which contained cost estimates on storm sewer, sidewalks, and asbestos abatement and his recommendation not to proceed with the building renovations at this time.

City Clerk's Report. Discussion was held on the proposed FYE 2014 budget. Consensus was to budget a contribution of $1,000 to Quad City Convention and Visitors Bureau, lower the budget request of a new fire vehicle from $600,000 to $500,000, and increase water rates by $.50 per 1,000 gallons. An ordinance will be prepared for a future meeting for the water rate increase which will be effective with the July 1^st billing. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to request the State Auditor's Office perform the FYE 2013 examination. Motion carried. Rickertsen reported on the building department activities for the month of December and a letter from Scott County Health Department regarding the County budgeting to contract for an EMS system study.

Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:59 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.