February 18, 2019
City of Walcott
February 18, 2019
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 18th day of February 2019, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Brockmann arrived at 6:02 following approval of the consent agenda. Absent: Tim Koehler. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Josh Geigle, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.
Approval of Agenda. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.
Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from February 4, 2019, January 2019 financial reports, liability insurance renewal with EMC Insurance with Arp Insurance as the local agent, and Resolution 2019-13 – Approving Lease Between the City of Walcott and the Marvin Siebke and Loretta Siebke Revocable Trust for Water Tower Park. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, and Smith. Motion carried.
W. Otis Street Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve payment #6 to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc. for $11,875.72. Motion carried.
Fire Department Report. Chief Geigle reported that during a large structure fire in early December, a fire department officer on scene called Ellsworth Excavating and requested excavation services. Subsequently, an invoice was received from Ellsworth Excavating in the amount of $3,885.00 and the insurance company is unable to pay it due to the policy limits. Mengler questioned if the $2,500.00 fee listed on the invoice for “Hazard insurance fee for knowingly putting our equipment and labor in harms way, which may result in a reduction or loss of coverage” is a normal fee. A lengthy discussion ensued regarding the responsibility of payment, hazard insurance fee as listed on the invoice, requiring an insurance certificate from Ellsworth Excavating, and future measures to prevent this situation from happening again. Chief Geigle reported that two donation checks totaling $3,000 have been received to be put towards payment of this invoice and that the remaining funds would come from the Fire Department Donation Fund. Geigle stated he has spoken to the Fire Department members regarding this so that this doesn’t happen again. Brockmann stated he felt it is the responsibility of the insurance company to pay the invoice. With reservations, Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve payment to Ellsworth Excavating in the amount of $1,385 and to pay the remaining $2,500 once a certificate of insurance is received from Ellsworth Excavating. Motion carried with Brockmann opposing. The funds will be paid from the Fire Department Donation Fund.
City Clerk’s Report. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to request the State Auditor’s Office perform an annual examination for FYE 2019. Motion carried. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to set the public hearing date for the FYE 2019 Budget Amendment for March 18, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried. Rickertsen reported on an insurance dividend received from EMC Insurance/Safety Group Insurance Program and provided Brockmann documentation from Stagg of the list of manholes that were raised, as he requested during the last meeting.
Council Comments. Smith relayed thanks for a job well done on the recent snow removal by the Public Works Department. Brockmann questioned if the new squad will include all new equipment. Chief Blake stated they would transfer as much as possible from the current squad to the new squad. Discussion was held on the trade-in value on the current squad and other departments that may be interested in it.
Smith moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:40 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.