December 6, 2021 Minutes
City of Walcott
December 10, 2021
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 6th day of December, 2021, 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, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Korry Kraft, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.
Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from November 15, 2021, November 2021 financial reports, Resolution 2021-44 – Wage Increase of Officer Horihan for defensive instructor certification, and Resolution 2021-45 – Approving Applications for Residential Tax Abatements within the 2017 Urban Revitalization Area. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koberg, Puck, Bieri, and Smith. Motion carried.
Victory & Wescott Park Concrete Improvements Project. Discussion was held on the pay request from All American Concrete, Inc. for the park concrete improvements project. Council members expressed their frustrations and dissatisfaction with the project, particularly the timeliness and landscaping. Following further discussion, Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve payment #1 to All American Concrete, Inc., for $123,189.92, as recommended by the City Engineer. Ayes: Mengler, Puck, and Bieri. Nays: Koberg and Smith. Motion carried.
Review of Alley Policy. Following discussion of the current alley policy, Koberg moved and Smith seconded to make no changes to the policy. Motion carried.
Ordinance 522-21, Amending Chapter 69 Pertaining to No Parking Zones. Bieri moved and Puck seconded to waive the second reading of Ordinance 522-21, Amending Chapter 69 Pertaining to No Parking Zones. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Puck, Koberg, Mengler, and Smith. Motion carried. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 522-21. Roll call ayes: Smith, Mengler, Bieri, Puck, and Koberg. Motion carried. This ordinance adds a no parking zone to the west side of the 200 block of S. Grove Street, between E. Bryant Street and E. Durant Street.
Resolution 2021-46, Transfer of Funds. Rickertsen reported on the details of Resolutions 2021-46, Transfer of Funds. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2021-46, Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Smith, Bieri, and Koberg. Motion carried.
Fire Department Report. The Fire Department held officer elections and the members elected Korry Kraft as the Fire Chief. Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the appointment of Korry Kraft as the Fire Chief, term ending December 31, 2022. Motion carried.
City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen presented her report including the proposed budget amendment for fiscal year ending June 30, 2022 (FYE 2022). Puck moved and Bieri seconded to set the public hearing date for the FYE 2022 budget amendment for December 20, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried. Discussion was held on installing public sidewalks with the proposed E. Lincoln Street project, Water Tower Park lease, and utilizing direct deposit for all payroll (council, boards, and commission) after January 1, 2022.
Council Member Comments. Koberg questioned if citizens are allowed to take dirt from the pile behind the compost area. Stagg responded he has consistently turned residents away from taking City materials (dirt, mulch, rock) and the materials are stockpiled behind signs that prohibit unauthorized vehicles. He explained there may be a need for dirt for a project and if residents are removing it from the stockpiles the City may end up paying for dirt. Residents should obey all signs at the area.
Smith moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:52 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.