April 1, 2024 Minutes
twright@cityofwalcott.com
April 1, 2024
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, April 1, 2024, 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. Absent: None. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, Paul Stagg, and Tabetha Wright.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Randy Moeller, Jeremy and Jenn Schaeffer, Joanne Pohl, Kurt Easton, Lisa Tauke, Chris Hebbel, Jeff and Lindsay Frantz, Kristal Schaefer, Darryl Schwarz, Ethan and Skylar Roling, Rick Needham, Brian Garlock, and Tim and Andrea Newcomb.
Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices minutes from March 18, 2024, and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) rebate payments per agreements to Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc. for ½ of the 4th year rebate on the main building expansion in the amount of $9,578.92 and Atlantic Bottling Company for ½ of the 3rd year rebate on the distribution building in the amount of $29,875.07. Motion carried.
Kristal Schaefer/Westbrook Residents – Proposed Recreational Trail Extension – Phase 2. Kristal Schaefer stated during the first phase of the recreational trail the residents on Michelle Lane worked with the former recreational trail committee to move the trail to the north side of Mud Creek, and to the west side of the creek (west side of the Westbrook Subdivisions) for the future trail extension (Phase 2). Several concerns were expressed from the property owners adjacent to the proposed trail extension. Their concerns include the following: claims of insufficient communication from the City regarding the proposed trail extension; proposed location of trail behind their homes; limited or no options available to provide delineation between city and private properties (due to flood plain and easements on their properties); current trail maintenance and snow removal; and safety concerns with flooding, trail hours, no trail lighting, proximity of the trail to the creek, and potential trespassing. Ethan Roling stated past council minutes reflect that only two people asked about pursuing phase 2 of the trail and the residents in attendance tonight are all against it. Lindsay Frantz stated she was told by City staff that the trail was to be located on the west side of the creek, instead of on the city-owned parcel between the creek and her property. Frantz also stated that Davenport replaces the Duck Creek Parkway asphalt trail every two years. Darryl Schwarz stated they have maintained the property (parcel between their property and creek) for over 20 years, not because they had to but because they wanted to and Schaefer stated they didn’t mind maintaining and taking care of it. During the October 2, 2024 meeting, the City Council directed the Recreational Trail Advisory Committee to continue with the trail on the south side of Mud Creek, adjacent to the north and west sides of the Westbrook subdivisions, connecting to the current trail and following the creek to W. Otis Street (all on city-owned property).Residents requested the City research other options, including re-routing the proposed trail extension to the north side of Mud Creek and the west side of the North-South creek and looking into utilizing cement culverts instead of bridges to potentially reduce costs. The residents were thanked for attending the meeting. All audience left the meeting except for Kurt Easton. Council directed the proposed recreational trail extension, phase 2, to be on the next regular meeting agenda.
Special Class C License including Outdoor & Sunday Sales for Walcott Unified Fund at Victory Park. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the Special Class C license for Walcott Unified Fund at Victory Park, effective 04/22/2024, pending submittal of insurance. Motion carried.
Special Class C License including Outdoor & Sunday Sales for Walcott Unified Fund at Wescott Park. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the Special Class C license for Walcott Unified Fund at Wescott Park, effective 04/22/204, pending submittal of insurance. Motion carried.
Approval of 2024 Seal Coat Project. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the chip seal maintenance project with LL Pelling in the amount of $29,442.20. Motion carried. This work will be on portions of N. Downey St., E. Otis St., S. Parker St., S. Main St., and W. Memorial Road.
Resolution 2024-17, Approving Contract and Bonds for the 2024 CIPP Sewer Main Lining Project. Bieri moved and Koberg seconded to approve Resolution 2024-17, Approving Contract and Bonds for the 2024 Sewer Main Lining Project. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Koberg, Knutsen, Puck, and Mengler. Motion carried.
Resolution 2024-18, Approving Contract and Bonds for the 2024 Walcott N. Plainview Road/Walker Street Pavement Patching Project. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve Resolution 2024-18, Approving Contract and Bonds for the 2024 Walcott N. Plainview Road/Walker Street Pavement Patching Project. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Knutsen, Koberg, Puck, and Bieri. Motion carried.
Personnel Policy Handbook. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to table item 11, personnel policy handbook items (sick leave and medical reimbursement policies), until the next meeting. Motion carried.
City Clerk’s Report. Set Public Hearing Date for FYE 2025 Budget. Knutsen moved and Koberg seconded to set the public hearing date for the FYE 2025 budget for April 15, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried.
Council Member Comments. Mengler expressed thanks to the residents that attended the meeting and for providing feedback about the proposed trail project. She stated she wished more residents would be involved, and not only when they have concerns, which would help to foster communication.
Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to adjourn at 7:05 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.