August 4, 2025 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, August 4, 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, Adam Hill, Lisa Rickertsen, Paul Stagg, and Tim Horihan.

Approval of Agenda. Knutsen moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Kendall Mattson, Greg Keller, Jason Kengott, Lola VanDeWalle, Don Arns, Ruth Hill, Hannah Hill, Henry Hill, Sarah Hill, and Noah Glasgow. Mattson inquired about the purchase of two new plow (dump) trucks and why the City previously sold a few plow/dump trucks. Mayor Kostichek stated the City is purchasing two used plow/dump trucks (2013 & 2017) at a considerably lower cost and the dump trucks sold several years ago were unreliable with mechanical and safety issues. Koberg complimented Stagg on finding two used dump trucks, saving the City a lot of money. 

Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from July 21, 2025, Resolution 2025-43 – Acknowledging New Investments, and the FYE 2025 Annual Investment Report. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried. 

Oath of Office to Police Chief Adam Hill. Mayor Kostichek administered the oath of office to Adam Hill as the new Police Chief. Chief Hill was congratulated and Jeff Blake was thanked for his years of service to the City.

Veterans Outreach Center- 5K & 1 Mile Race Routes. Lola VanDeWalle and Don Arns were present on behalf of the Veterans Outreach Center to request approval of a 5K and 1-mile run on Saturday, April 11, 2026. They thanked the City for their past support of approving past runs/routes and presented a plaque. They hope to see more residents/businesses along the route encourage the runners during the race. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the 5K and 1-mile race routes on April 11, 2026, as presented. Motion carried. 

N. Century Street Watermain Replacement Project. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve payment #3 to Triple B Construction for $6,178.65. Motion carried.

Fire Department Building Repairs. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the low bid from Whittington Construction to replace the door jambs and weather stripping on the four fire department bay doors. Motion carried.

Fire Department Bay #2 Door Replacement. Puck moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the quote form Raynor Door for $4,110 to replace bay #2 door. Motion carried.

Policy & Administration Committee Recommendations. Puck reported on the Policy & Administration Committee meeting and their recommendations on the wage increase for Sergeant Horihan and wage and vacation leave for new Deputy City Clerk. 

• Resolution 2025-44 – Establishing Hourly Wage for Sergeant Horihan. Puckmoved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2025-44. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried.
• Resolution 2025-45 – Establishing Hourly Wage and Vacation Leave for Deputy City Clerk. Puckmoved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2025-45. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Puck, and Koberg. Motion carried.   

Police Department Report. Chief Hill stated he is accepting applications for both a full-time officer and part-time officers.

Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported on two water main breaks which were discovered earlier in the day.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on the new training requirement for newly elected and appointed officials regarding Iowa’s Sunshine laws. She also reported on a letter received in the drop box addressed to Council regarding a property with overgrown weeds. The property owner had been contacted.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek thanked those in attendance and again expressed his thanks and appreciation to Blake for his service.

Council Member Comments. Council members also thanked Blake for his years of service to the City and Chief Hill and Sergeant Horihan were congratulated on their promotions.

Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to adjourn at 6:24 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

August 5, 2025 Signed Minutes & Claims