December 18, 2023 Minutes
twright@cityofwalcott.com
December 20, 2023
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, December 18, 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, Harry Knutsen, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience & Public Comments. Korry Kraft and Ben McKibbin were present on behalf of the Fire Department.
Public Hearing on Rezoning at 303-305 E. Walcott Road. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the request from Andrew Snyder to rezone the property located at 303-305 E. Walcott Road from M-2, Moderate Industrial District, to C-2, Central Business District. Rickertsen stated the Planning & Zoning Commission met on December 11th and recommended approval of the rezoning. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from December 4, 2023. Motion carried.
Fire Department Report.
- Fire Chief Appointment. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to reappoint Korry Kraft as the Fire Chief with a term ending 12/31/2024. Motion carried.
- Change Order for New EMS Truck (Unit #6 Replacement). Kraft and McKibbin responded to several questions on the proposed change orders for the new truck. They reported that equipment will be removed from Unit #6 and be delivered to Ward Apparatus in New York this spring. The truck is expected to be completed in July. Puck moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the change orders for the new EMS truck, in the amount of $4,795.26. Motion carried. The total truck purchase price with the change orders is $609,378.26.
Appointments by Mayor. Mayor Kostichek made the following appointments:
- Council Committees:
- Police & Animal Control – Knutsen and Koberg
- Policy & Administration/City Hall – Puck and Bieri
- Streets, Solid Waste, & Parks – Koberg and Puck
- Fire & Civil Defense – Mengler and Knutsen
- Water & Sanitary Sewer – Bieri and Mengler
- Mayor Pro Tem – Jacob Puck
- Park Board. Mayor Kosticheck reappointed Lisa Hagen to the Park Board with a term ending 12/31/28. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Lisa Hagen to the Park Board. Motion carried.
Appointments by Council.
- Planning & Zoning Commission. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to reappoint Christine Thompson to the Planning & Zoning Commission with a term ending 12/13/2028. Motion carried.
- Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to reappoint Bernard Brus to the Zoning Board of Adjustment with a term ending 12/31/28. Motion carried.
- City Clerk. Bierimoved and Puck seconded to reappoint Lisa Rickertsen as the City Clerk with term ending 12/31/25. Motion carried.
- City Attorney. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to reappoint Brooks Law Firm/Tom Schirman & Jeff McDaniel as the City Attorney with term ending 12/31/25. Motion carried
Ordinance 543-24, Amending the Official Zoning Map. Ordinance 543-24 was introduced and Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the 1st reading of Ordinance 543-24. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Knutsen, Puck, Mengler, and Bieri.
Ordinance 544-24, Amending Provisions Pertaining to All-Terrain Vehicles. Ordinance 544-24 was introduced and Mengler moved and Puck to approve the first reading of Ordinance 544-24. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, Knutsen, and Koberg.
Review of Capital Improvements Project. This will be discussed at the next regular meeting.
Police Department Report. Blake reported the squad is at the dealership but it will take a few more months before the equipment installation is completed and the squad is in service.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported the sewer main lining project was completed last Monday and two water main breaks, which happened at the same time, were fixed on Friday. He expressed thanks and appreciation to Needham Excavating Inc. for their quick response in repairing the breaks.
City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported the City recently launched a new website. City offices will be closed on December 25th & 26th and January 1st. The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, January 2nd.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kosticheck thanked Kraft and McKibbin for attending and providing explanations on the change orders for the new fire truck.
Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:23 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.