August 5, 2013

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 5^th day of August, 2013, 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, Joe Hahn, and Tom Schirman.

Agenda & Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda and consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from July 15, 2013, and beer permit renewal for Casey's General Store. Motion carried.

Audience. Larry Koberg, Lon Warnecke, and Bridget Geigle.

Walcott Volunteer Firefighters Association. Lon Warnecke & Bridget Geigle were present on behalf of the Walcott Volunteer Firefighters Association. Warnecke stated they are working in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce movie night and want to sponsor a 2K run/walk for children in four divisions through eighth grade on August 24^th. He stated they would use portions of James and Lincoln Streets but the route would be confined to the NE area of town. After the race there will be free activities at Victory Park. Warnecke stated he is working with the insurance agent on event insurance. Chief Blake had no issues with the proposed race. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the 2K run and park activities as discussed. Motion carried.

Scott County Humane Society Agreement Renewal. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve renewing the annual agreement with the Humane Society of Scott County. Motion carried.

Approval of TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Rebate Payment. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the TIF rebate ($28,401.52) to Petersen Health Systems, per the Development Agreement. Motion carried.

Resolution 2013-25, Approving the 2013 Fiscal Year Street Finance Report. Koehler moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2013-25. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Latimer, Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.

Resolution 2013-26, Transfer of Funds. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2013-26. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Koehler. Motion carried.

Resolution 2013-27, Notice of Hearing S. Downey Street Watermain Project. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2013-27. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Latimer, Mengler, Koehler, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried. The public hearing on the project will be August 19^th at 6:00 p.m. and bids will be received and read aloud on September 10^th at 2:00 p.m.

Ordinance 465-13, 25-Year Natural Gas Franchise with MidAmerican Energy. Latimer moved and Koehler seconded to waive the second reading of Ordinance 465-13. Roll call ayes: Latimer, Koehler, Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 465-13. Roll call ayes: Jacob Puck, Koehler, Latimer, Mengler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried.

Ordinance 466-13, Regulating Number of Animals. Mengler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 466-13. Seconded by Jackie Puck. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Latimer. Motion carried. This ordinance prohibits any person from harboring or housing on the same premises more than a total of four of the following animals, dogs and cats, over the age of six months, unless such animals are in a licensed kennel, veterinary clinic or animal grooming shop.

Fire Department Report.

• Outdoor Weather Siren. Chief Hahn questioned having Scott County activate the outdoor warning sirens for severe weather. Discussion was held that sometimes the sirens in Scott County are activated after the storm has already passed Walcott and it may cause confusion. Currently the Fire Department members activate the sirens for severe weather. Further discussion was held on providing radios to the Police Department to allow them to activate the sirens for severe weather. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to keep the activation of the severe weather siren with the Walcott Fire and Police departments only. Motion carried.
• Street Closure. Chief Hahn requested permission to close E. Bryant Street from Main Street to Henry Street for the Fire Department Steak Fry on September 28, 2013. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve closing E. Bryant Street between Main Street and Henry Street on September 28, 2013 from Noon to Midnight. Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report. Brockmann reported on the letter from Stanley Consultants regarding the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Policy. The letter states that the City would have until 2019 or later to construct improvements if needed, to achieve nutrient reduction. An estimated schedule on the progress of ongoing projects was received by the City Engineer. The W. Bryant Street project is estimated to be let for bids this fall with sewer construction starting in late October.

City Clerk's Department Report. Rickertsen reported on the following:

• Trees Forever has dedicated $1,500 towards purchasing native plant materials at locations within existing beds at Prairie View Park. They have a class that will carry out the planting project on September 10^th.
• New playground equipment for Wescott Park will be shipped the last week of August. An exact installation date has not yet been determined.
• Building Department activities for the month of July.
• Scott County Board of Health issued a statement in support of fluoridation of public water supplies in Scott County.

• Splash Pad sales representative will have cost estimates available within next few weeks. Koehler stated it is important to have a plan in place prior to purchasing property.
• Suggested dates for the appeal hearing regarding dangerous buildings.

Mayor's Report. Mayor Kostichek stated he is working on putting a committee together for a new municipal building. Discussion was held that the council previously voted to develop a plan for a new fire station only but comments were made that a new building should be a public safety (fire and police) building. Consensus was that all options should be looked at. The topic will be placed on the next agenda. Kostichek reported he was notified by the River Bandits that August 20^th is Walcott Community night at the ballpark. Additional information will be gathered and flyers will be posted regarding the event.

Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.