December 17, 2018 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 17^th day of December, 2018, at Walcott City Hall.  Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were: John Brockmann, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith.  Absent:  None.  City staff present:  Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.

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

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments from audience members.

 Consent Agenda.  Rickertsen stated that the Resolution was to transfer $70,000 from the Road Use Tax Fund to the W. Otis Street Improvements Project Fund.  Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from December 3, 2018, November 2018 financial reports, and Resolution 2018-44, Transfer of Funds.  Roll call ayes:  Puck, Koehler, Brockmann, Mengler, and Smith.  Motion carried.

Otis Street Improvements Project – Payment #5. Following recommendations from the City Engineer and Stagg, Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve payment #4 for the W. Otis Street Improvements Project to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $70,592.98. Motion carried.

 Appointments by Mayor.  Two applications to the Park Board vacancy were received.  Mayor Kostichek made the following appointments:

• Park Board. Appoint Lisa Hagen, who was in attendance, to the Park Board with a term ending 12/31/23.  Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve the Mayor’s appointment.  Puck abstained due to family relationship to an applicant. Motion carried.
• Council Committees
  • Police & Animal Control – Brockmann & Koehler
  • Policy & Administration/City Hall – Koehler & Mengler
  • Streets, Solid Waste, & Parks – Puck & Smith
  • Fire & Civil Defense – Smith & Brockmann
  • Water & Sanitary Sewer Operations – Mengler & Puck
• Mayor Pro Tem – Jacob Puck

Reappointments by Council.

Planning & Zoning Commission. Puck moved and Smith seconded to reappoint Chris Thompson to the Planning and Zoning Commission with a term ending 12/31/23. Motion carried.

Zoning Board of Adjustment.  Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to reappoint Everett Bieri to the Zoning Board of Adjustment with a term ending 12/31/23.  Motion carried

Police Department Report.  Chief Blake reported on a $900 grant the department received from the Iowa 80/CAT Scale Go Iowa Fund.  Upon approval from Attorney Schirman, Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2018-45, Adopting Policy for the Walcott Police Department Relating to the Enforcement of Immigration Laws.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Puck, Brockmann, Koehler, and Smith.  Motion carried.

City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on a letter from Mediacom regarding rate increases effective January 1, 2019.  Discussion was also held on clarifying the code regarding propane tanks.  Council consensus was to not allow propane tanks, when natural gas is available, except for temporary use and cooking purposes.  An ordinance amendment will be drafted for a future meeting.

Mayor’s Report.  Mayor Kostichek read a proclamation recognizing the 50^th Anniversary of Municipal Home Rule in Iowa.

Puck moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 6:17 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

Signed Minutes & Claims