February 6, 2023 Minutes
City of Walcott
February 6, 2023
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 6th day of February, 2023 at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Lisa Mengler, Harry Knutsen, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Kirk Koberg. Staff present: Lisa Rickertsen and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda with deletion of item eight, Kaitlynn Capper, as requested by Ms. Capper. Motion carried.
Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the maximum property dollars levy for fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 (FYE 2024). Rickertsen stated the maximum property tax levy dollars is $1,079,134, which is 4.03% less than the current year. Rickertsen reported on recent legislation filed last week which could reduce the residential rollback by 1.8% for FYE 2024. No written or other oral comments were received. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Knutsen moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, January 2023 financial reports, and to request services from the State of Iowa Auditor’s Office for the FYE 2023 examination. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes from January 16, 2023. Bieri moved and Puck seconded to approve the minutes from January 16, 2023. Motion carried.
City Hall Restroom & Hallway Upgrades. A project worksheet was presented to upgrade the City Hall restrooms and hallway. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the City Hall restroom and hallway upgrades as presented, not to exceed $7,000. Motion carried.
Resolution 2023-6, Approving the Maximum Dollars Levy for FYE 2024. Bieri moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2023-6. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Mengler, Puck, and Knutsen. Motion carried.
Resolution 2023-7, Approving and Adopting the Scott County Multi-Jurisdiction Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2023-7. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, and Knutsen. Motion carried. Hazard mitigation plans are required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be updated every five years. The current plan will expire in June, 2023.
Ordinance 533-23, Amending Chapter 162 Pertaining to Requirements for Rental Property. The proposed change references the City’s Rental Housing Guide, which will exclude single family homes occupied by children or parents of the owner from rental housing inspections. Knutsen moved and Puck seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 533-23. Roll call ayes: Knutsen, Puck, Mengler, and Bieri. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Discussion was held on requesting the City Engineer and/or IMEG representatives attend a special council meeting regarding the W. Otis Street deficiencies.
City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on other pieces of state legislation recently filed, including proposed changes to sales taxes and the property tax system in Iowa, which will greatly impact cities and counties.
Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to adjourn at 6:35 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.