August 17, 2026 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Jacob Puck called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Bobbie Martinez, Lisa Mengler, and Joe Quick. Absent: None. Staff present: Adam Hill, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg. 

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Residents: Ross Paustian, Mike Sissel, Elizabeth Bruns, Jordan Orcutt, Lisa Hagen, Danna Petersen, and Angela and Jerry Felsing. Others present: Don Arns, Polly Graham, Noah Glasgow, Kent Paustian, Deanna Herrick, and Brian Herrick. No public comments at this time.

Public Hearing on Proposed Voluntary Annexation Petition Application. Mayor Puck opened the public hearing on the application received for a voluntary annexation to the City. Rickertsen noted this hearing is to receive public comment regarding the proposed voluntary annexation which includes 11 parcels, totaling approximately 336 acres. The voluntary annexation petition is from the following property owners: Iowa 80 Group, Inc., Exit 284 Land & Development, Inc., and Avery Land & Farming, LLC. Notice of the public hearing was published in the North Scott Press on July 29^th. No written comments were received. Ross Paustian expressed concerns with some parcels proposed to be annexed, noting a few parcels are hilly and feels uncertain whether they would be suitable for development. He questioned whether certain parcels could be excluded from the proposed annexation. Kent Paustian commended Iowa 80 Group for the property investments they have made over the years, noting that those investments have benefited the City, but he expressed concerns regarding traffic, garbage, and water run-off. He also questioned the City’s long-range plan and noted the need for additional housing. Deanna and Brian Herrick expressed their intent to continue farming some of the parcels included in the voluntary annexation. Bieri moved and Mengler seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.  

Consent Agenda. Quick moved and Koberg seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, renewal of Class B retail alcohol license for Dolgencorp, FYE 2026 annual investment report, July 2026 financial reports, setting fall cleanup day on October 10, 2026 at the compost facility from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., and Resolution 2026-34, Approving and Accepting a Grant of Permanent Easement for Purpose of a Municipal Utility. Roll call ayes: Quick, Koberg, Martinez, Bieri, and Mengler. Motion carried.

August 3, 2026 Minutes. Mengler moved and Martinez seconded to approve the minutes from August 3, 2026. Motion carried with Koberg abstaining due to absence from meeting.

Voluntary Annexation Petition Application – Resolution 2026-35, Approving the Voluntary Annexation Application and Annexation of Certain Property into the City of Walcott. Koberg stated he also farms a portion of the property proposed to be annexed and that he is not aware that the current use would change at this time. He stated that he does not see any issues with the proposed annexation from the City’s standpoint. Rickertsen reported when a property is annexed into the City it is zoned as agriculture and it was noted that the City is not aware of immediate development plans. Rickertsen will consult with the City Attorney regarding whether the Council may exclude individual parcels from a voluntary annexation. Following discussion, Martinez moved and Mengler seconded to table action on Resolution 2026-35 to the next meeting (September 8, 2026). Motion carried.

Veterans Outreach Center- 5K & 1 Mile Race Routes. Don Arns and Polly Graham were present on behalf of the Veterans Outreach Center to request approval of a 5K and 1-mile race routes on Saturday, April 10, 2027. Arns thanked the City for their past support and presented a plaque. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve the 5K and 1-mile race routes on April 10, 2027, as presented. Motion carried.

Park Board Recommendations.

• Installation of Fence Around the Splash Pad. Rickertsen noted that the Park Board recommended approval of installing a fence around the concrete perimeter of the splash pad and shelter, including an additional gate on the south side near the shelter. The cost to add the south gate is $475, bringing the total cost from the low bidder, Sampson Fence, to $10,781. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve the Park Board’s recommendation to install fencing around the concrete perimeter of the splash pad and shelter, including a gate on the south side. Motion carried.    
• Installation of Lights at Pickleball Courts. Rickertsen reported that the Park Board has not made a recommendation at this time to install lights at the pickleball courts.

P&Z Recommendation – Setting Hearing Date for Proposed Future Land Use Map Amendment.

The Planning & Zoning Commission is recommending an amendment to the Future Land Use Map, which includes changing future land use designation for certain areas near the Interstate 80 interchange from commercial to industrial. Bieri moved and Mengler seconded to set a public hearing date for the proposed future land use map amendment for September 8, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried.

Walcott Jr. Panthers – Request to Allow Food Trucks on City Streets adjacent to Water Tower Park. Liz Bruns was present to request food trucks be allowed in the parking area on S. Main Street, adjacent to Water Tower Park, during sporting events on Saturdays from September 12^th – October 17^th . Martinez moved and Koberg seconded to approve the request to allow food trucks adjacent to Water Tower Park during sporting events from September 12^th – October 17^th. Motion carried. Games are scheduled to end on October 10^th with October 17^th scheduled as a rain date.

Establishing a Temporary No-Parking Area on the South Side of Memorial Road, Between Main and Grove Streets, in September and October, During Athletic Events at Water Tower Park. Discussion was held on moving the no parking area to the west side of the cemetery. Mengler moved and Quick seconded to approve the temporary no-parking area on the south side of Memorial Road, between Grove Street and the west side of the cemetery. Motion carried. This will be during athletic events at Water Tower Park during the months of September and October.

Appointment by Mayor. Three residents applied for the open position on the Park Board. Mayor Puck appointed Jake Bruns to the Park Board with a term ending on December 31, 2029. Quick moved and Martinez seconded to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Jake Bruns to the Park Board. Motion carried.

Appointment by City Council.  One application was received for the vacant position on the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to appoint Kara Schinkel to the Planning and Zoning Commission, term ending December 31, 2029. Motion carried. Schinkel currently serves on the Zoning Board of Adjustments, creating an open seat on that Board. 

Public Works Department Report.

• 2009 GMC 2500 Service Truck. Stagg reported the high bid on GovDeals for the truck was $13,150.  Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to sell the 2009 GMC 2500 service truck to the high bidder. Motion carried.
• Ford F250 Stock Truck Bed. Stagg reported the high bid on GovDeals for the truck bed was $825. Bieri moved and Koberg seconded to sell the truck bed to the high bidder. Motion carried.   

Bieri moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:34 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.