August 21, 2023 Minutes
City of Walcott
August 21, 2023
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, August 21, 2023, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Staff present: Lisa Rickertsen and Paul Stagg. Knutsen arrived at 6:03 p.m.
Approval of Agenda. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from August 7, 2023, July 2023 financial reports, and renewal of Class B retail alcohol licenses for Pilot Travel Centers, LLC #268 and #043 and Dolgencorp, LLC – Dollar General #18154. Motion carried.
Walcott Women – Trick-or-Treating- Laura Martin, representing Walcott Women, stated they would like to have Trick-or-Treating on Sunday, October 29th from 5 – 7 p.m. with the Halloween Parade starting at 5:00 p.m. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to set Trick-or-Treating on October 29th from 5 – 7 p.m. and approve the Halloween Parade at 5 p.m. Motion carried. Knutsen arrived.
Fall Clean-up Day at Compost Facility on October 14, 2023 from 2-5 p.m. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to set fall clean-up day for residents on October 14th from 2 – 5 p.m. with the dumpsters to be located at the compost area. Motion carried. The compost area will be closed from Friday, October 13th until Monday, October 16th, except during the clean-up day hours.
Hy-Vee Mobile Flu Vaccine Clinic at Prairie View Park. Rickertsen reported a local resident /pharmacist has inquired about a Hy-Vee Mobile Flu Shot Clinic in Walcott again this year. They are requesting to hold the clinic on either September 14th or 15th (Thursday or Friday) at the Prairie View Park parking lot. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the use of the Prairie View Park parking lot for the Hy-Vee Mobile flu shot clinic on either date (9/14 or 9/15). Motion carried.
Residential Development. A lengthy discussion was held on potential areas for future residential development, infrastructure needs, and how to attract developers. Stagg was asked to obtain some infrastructure costs and Koberg volunteered to talk to two property owners about potential residential development.
Resolution 2023-35, Approving Applications for Residential Tax Abatement within the 2017 Walcott Urban Revitalization Area of the City of Walcott. Rickertsen reported 16 new homes have been built since the urban revitalization area was created in December, 2017, and there is only one lot remaining to qualify. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2023-35, Approving Applications for Residential Tax Abatements. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Bieri, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.
Ordinance 541-23, Amending Chapter 165 Pertaining to Billboards. This ordinance is for changes pertaining to billboard sign requirements, as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Bieri moved and Koberg seconded to approve the 3rd and final reading to adopt Ordinance 541-23, Amending Chapter 165. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Koberg, Knutsen. Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried.
Ordinance 542-23, Amending Chapter 167 Pertaining to Accessory Buildings and Stables. This ordinance is for changes pertaining to the location of accessory/storage buildings, shipping container restrictions, and removing “Stables” as a permitted use. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the 3rd and final reading to adopt Ordinance 542-23, Amending Chapter 167. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg provided updates on current projects and the recent water main break on N. Main Street. He also reported the service body is installed on the new Ford F250 and he requested permission to dispose of the truck bed through GovDeals. Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to list the 2023 Ford F250 truck bed on GovDeals. Motion carried.
City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen stated that due to Labor Day, the next meeting will be on Tuesday, September 5th.
Bob Taylor – Parker Street Right-of-Way (ROW). Bob Taylor, property owner of 120 W. Bryant Street, arrived and inquired if the City would be open to vacating the unimproved Parker Street ROW adjacent to his business. Stagg confirmed there are no city utilities located in the ROW. Discussion was held that this ROW would only be beneficial to the adjoining property owners and they would be required to obtain a survey, splitting the ROW in half, and be responsible for all related costs. Council consensus was that they are open to vacating the unimproved Parker Street ROW (between W. Bryant Street and the railroad tracks) to the adjoining property owner(s).
Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to adjourn at 7:20 p.m