August 18, 2014
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 18th day of August, 2014, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Jeff Blake, John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.
Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Public Hearings.
- Development Agreement. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the development agreement with Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc. in connection with the construction of a 60' x 240' Morton storage building for use in its commercial operations. Under the agreement, the City would provide annual appropriation tax increment payments, over a five year period, total amount not to exceed $20,000. No written or oral comments were received. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to close the public hearing and open the hearing on Code changes to Chapter 167.22 regarding a Victory Park Outfield Fence. Motion carried
- Victory Park Outfield Fence. Rickertsen stated the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of the proposed code changes, asking the council to consider raising the fence height to 6' and protect the interior centerfield posts with padding. Rickertsen explained the concerns the commission had regarding the safety of a 4' height and gauge thickness of the proposed fence. Discussion was held regarding fence height. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to close the public hearing and resume regular meeting. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from August 4, 2014, and the July 2014 financial reports. Motion carried.
Audience. Gene Meyer, Andy Willey, Audrey Hinds, Donna Housley, Janice Dawson, and Patricia Terres.
Night Owl Wireless : Andy Willey. Willey was present to request permission to mount equipment on both city-owned water towers. He stated the equipment would allow Night Owl to expand wireless high speed Internet services in Walcott. The City currently has never allowed anything on the towers except the city's water metering system. Brockmann expressed his concerns regarding safety and security of the towers and public water system and liability issues. Attorney Schirman stated many items would need to be addressed including monthly rental fees, insurance requirements, security, and it could set precedent for allowing other entities equipment on the towers. Willey stated the form of rental payment could include providing services to City departments. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to table until the contract is reviewed by the City Attorney. Motion carried.
Sam Foley : Walcott Coliseum : Interest in City-Owned Lot. Rickertsen stated she was notified today that Mr. Foley was unable to attend and she had not received an email with details as expected. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to table until further information is provided. Motion carried.
Great March for Climate Action. Rickertsen stated the person she was in contact with regarding the Great March for Climate Action requested a location away from the railroad tracks and also stated they need parking for 3 : 4 vehicles that travel with the group. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to allow an exception to the park hours at Watertower Park and allow the marchers to camp there on August 23rd. Motion carried. Rickertsen will check with River Valley on use of their lot, west of the Watertower Park, for parking of the group's equipment vehicles.
Approval of New Fire Department Member. Koehler moved and Latimer seconded to approve new Fire Department member, Les Norin. Motion carried.
Resolution 2014-28 (A), Approving the Fiscal Year 2014 Street Finance Report. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2014-28 (A), Approving the Fiscal Year 2014 Street Finance Report. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, Latimer, and Koehler. Motion carried.
Resolution 2014-29, Approving Development Agreement with Iowa 80 Truckstop. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2014-29, Approving Development Agreement with Iowa 80 Truckstop. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Mengler, and Latimer. Motion carried.
Ordinance 475-14, Amending Chapter 140 Regarding Driveways. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 475-14. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Latimer, Mengler, Koehler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried.
Ordinance 476-14, Amending Chapter 167.22 Regarding Victory Park Outfield Fence. Discussion was held on the height of the proposed fence. Council consensus was to leave the fence height at 4' as originally proposed by the Park Board. Jackie Puck introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 476-14. Seconded by Mengler. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Mengler, Latimer, Koehler, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.
Municipal Building. Mayor Kostichek stated he wants to move forward with the process of a new municipal building. Following discussion on the top two sites, as previously recommended by the Citizens Building Committee, Koehler moved and Jackie seconded to move forward on a plan for a new municipal building on the former lumberyard site (SE corner of Main & Lincoln Streets). During additional discussion it was stated that constructing a municipal building on the site would also provide public parking spaces which could be utilized during events in the downtown area. Further discussion regarding a new municipal building will be held during a special council meeting on September 22nd at 6:00 p.m.
Public Work's Report. Brockmann reported on the status of the W. Bryant Street project. Mayor Kostichek stated he received safety concerns regarding storage of water main pipe located on the street parking area on Henry Street. Brockmann stated there is a fence around the pipes and the water main project is expected to start on August 25th. Brockmann reported on the broken water lines under the building (restrooms and concession stand) at Wescott Park. Brockmann stated a porta potty was ordered to be placed at the parks since the restrooms are closed due to the break. He stated it will be a major project to either reroute the water service or jack hammer the concrete to find the leak. Brockmann also stated the City passed the second WET test.
City Clerk's Report. Rickertsen presented the annual Investment Report for FYE 2014. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the FYE 2014 Investment Report as presented. Motion carried. Rickertsen stated a local business questioned if funding was available for commercial beautification (exterior improvements). Discussion was held that a program has never been established and if one was started it would be utilizing tax payments from one business to help improve another business. Jackie Puck questioned the status of the reimbursement to the Walcott Legion for their payment for flowers. Rickertsen replied that at the last meeting Loretta Beitel offered to pay for the flowers, in memory of her husband, and Beitel has submitted a check for half the payment and John Brockmann offered to pay the remaining half. Koehler questioned the status of the new city website. Rickertsen reminded council the next meeting date is Tuesday, September 2nd. Discussion was held on selecting a realtor for the city-owned property on north main.
Mayor's Report. Mayor Kostichek read a letter from the Local Government Program Specialist, Iowa State University, thanking the City for their support in sending Clerk Rickertsen to the
Municipal Professionals Academy this summer.
Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.