April 21, 2025 Minutes
Briana
April 24, 2025
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, April 21, 2025, 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, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Knutsen moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Gary Lucht, Mike Sissel, Joe Hahn (Fire Chief), and Kristi Robinson (Veenstra & Kimm Inc.). Lucht expressed his concerns regarding the watering of grass seed from the recent water main project on North Grove Street.
Public Hearing on Fiscal Year Ending (FYE) 2026 Budget. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 (FYE 2026). Rickertsen stated the proposed tax levy rate is $9.85053, down from the current year rate at $10.13540. Projects include construction of a new well and completion of a water main replacement project. No written or other oral comments were received. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to close the public hearing and open the public hearing on amending Chapter 167 pertaining to definitions, uses, and special uses permitted in business and commercial districts. Motion carried.
Public Hearing on Amending Chapter 167 Pertaining to Definitions, Uses, and Special Uses Permitted in Business and Commercial Districts. The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on April 14, 2025, and recommended approval of the amendments to Chapter 167. Stagg reported on the proposed changes. No written comments or other oral comments were received. Mengler moved and Bieriseconded 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, minutes from April 7, 2025, March 2025 financial reports, tax increment financing (TIF) rebate payment per agreement to Atlantic Bottling Company for 1/2 of the 4th year rebate on the Coca-Cola distribution building, Resolution 2025-20-Authorizing Transfer of Funds, Resolution 2025-21 -Acknowledging New Investments, and Resolution 2025-22- Authorizing Approval for Entering into Temporary Construction Easements Related to the North Century Street Watermain Replacement Project. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.
Minutes from Special Budget Meeting on April 7, 2025. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the minutes from the special budget meeting on April 7, 2025. Motion carried with Koberg abstaining due to absence from meeting.
Right-of-Way Permit for CDB Utility Contractors for Telecommunications. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the ROW permit for CDB Utility Contractors for telecommunications, as recommended by Stagg. Motion carried.
Addition of Street Lights at 500 Block of E. James Street. Discussion was held on the various wattage options for street lights. Kobergmoved and Bieri seconded to table action on adding new street lights until further information regarding wattage types and locations is received and reviewed. Motion carried.
Resolution 2025-23, Approving the Adoption of the FYE 2026 Budget. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2025-23. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried
North Grove Street Water Main Replacement Project
- Payment #2 to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete, LLC. Bieri moved and Puck seconded to approve payment #2 to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete, LLC in the amount of $1,254. Motion carried.
- Resolution 2025-24, Approving the Certificate of Completion and Accepting Public Improvements for the North Grove Street Water Main Replacement Project. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2025-24. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Bieri, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried
Resolution 2025-25, Approving Final Payment of 2024 CIPP Sewer Main Lining Project. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve Resolution 2025-25. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Knutsen, Bieri, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried. The final payment to Visu-Sewer, LLC is for $13,761.52.
3rd Reading of Ordinance 557-25, Amending the Official Zoning Map – 120 W. Bryant Street. This is to change the zoning at 120 W. Bryant Street from M-1, Light Industrial, to C-2, Central Business District.Mengler moved and Puck seconded to adopt the third and final reading of Ordinance 557-25, Amending the Official Zoning Map – 120 W. Bryant Street. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.
3rd Reading of Ordinance 558-25, Amending the Official Zoning Map – 200 W. Bryant Street. This is to change the zoning at 200 W. Bryant Street from R-3, Multiple Family Dwelling District, to C-2, Central Business District. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to adopt the third and final reading of Ordinance 558-25, Amending the Official Zoning Map – 200 W. Bryant Street Roll call ayes: Koberg, Knutsen, Bieri, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried.
1st Reading of Ordinance 559-25, Amending Chapter 167 Pertaining to Definitions, Uses Permitted in Business and Commercial Districts, and Special Uses Permitted in Interstate Highway Commercial District. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 559-25, Amending Chapter 167 Pertaining to Definitions, Uses Permitted in Business and Commercial Districts, and Special Uses Permitted in Interstate Highway Commercial District. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried.
Fire Department Report.
- Approval of Street Closure for Steak Fry Celebration. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve closing a portion of W. Durant Street, west side of bank ATM to the west side of Legion property, on May 17th for the Fire Department Steak Fry fundraiser. Motion carried.
- Payment Approval to Kalmes Catering. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the payment to Kalmes Catering in the amount of $9,000 for the Fire Department Steak Fry fundraiser. Motion carried.
Council consensus was to allow placement of a temporary advertisement sign/banner on city-owned property for the May 17th fundraiser.
Knutsen moved and Bieri seconded to adjourn at 6:33 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.