February 7, 2022 Minutes
City of Walcott
February 7, 2022
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 7th day of February, 2022, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Harry Knutsen and Lisa Mengler. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Bernie Brus extended thanks to the Police & Fire Departments for their participation in the Santa parade last December and to the Public Works Department for the snow removal this winter. Brus expressed the following concerns: size of a drain opening on the north end of Rowe Lane; rental property on E. Lincoln Street in disrepair; and lack of speed limit sign on F58/200th Street, east of City limits. Brus also reported on updates from the Hearts and Hands Foundation including proposed ditch clean-up east of the school. Brus was advised to contact the school regarding ditch clean-up and fence post removal. Mayor Kostichek reported he recently spoke with the Building Official who has a meeting scheduled with the rental property owner. Chief Blake will contact the County regarding a speed limit sign. William and Patricia Stone expressed concerns that the Main Street entrance intersection is not well-lit when traveling from the east.
Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the maximum property dollars levy for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 (FYE 2023). Rickertsen stated the maximum property tax levy dollars is 6.76% higher than the current year, with a maximum levy tax rate at 10.12356, which is just under the current levy rate of 10.12383. Rickertsen explained that the property dollars levy request has been the same amount for the past two years. 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. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from January 17, 2022 and January 20, 2022, and the January 2022 financial reports. Motion carried.
Resolution 2022-4, Approving the Maximum Property Dollars Levy for FYE 2023. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2022-4. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Bieri, and Puck. Motion carried. The total maximum levy dollars for FYE 2023 is $1,124,520.
Resolution 2022-5, Approving Lease Between the City of Walcott and Loretta Siebke, on behalf of the Marvin Siebke & Loretta Siebke Revocable Trust. This is a one-year lease for the property adjacent to City owned property, known as Water Tower Park. Koberg moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2022-5. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Puck, and Bieri. Motion carried.
Resolution 2022-6, Setting Public Hearing Date and Time for Purchase Offer from Ronnie Gruenhagen Trust. Rickertsen reported the purchase offer includes a transfer of property to the City as payment for the property conveyed to Gruenhagen Trust. Bieri moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2022-6. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Puck, and Koberg. Motion carried. The hearing date is February 21, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
Ordinance 523-22, Amending the Official Zoning Map. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 523-22. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, and Koberg. Motion carried. This rezones 231 and 233 E. Walcott Road from M-2, Moderate Industrial District, to M-1, Light Industrial District.
Lincoln Street Improvements Project. City Engineer, Jason Holdorf, was present to discuss the proposed E. Lincoln Street Improvements project. Pavement comparisons between asphalt and concrete were reviewed. Cons on the asphalt are increased preventative maintenance and more susceptible to damage from turning movements. Concrete cons include higher upfront costs, potential panel removal and replacement to correct undesirable surface issues, and longer cure time. Following discussion, Koberg moved and Puck seconded to proceed with plans for a concrete street. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported the University of Iowa is seeking additional law enforcement to assist at sporting events. Currently Walcott officers have City permission to work during University of Iowa football games. Puck moved and Koberg seconded to allow Walcott officers to work at all University of Iowa athletic events, as needed. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented a project worksheet for remodeling of the restrooms at Wescott Park as recommended by the Park Board. The project includes new ADA toilets, stall doors, stainless sinks, and automatic faucets. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve the Wescott Park restroom project, not to exceed $10,091.11. Motion carried. Stagg also reported on a recent water main break on N. Century Street.
City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reviewed the rankings of proposed capital improvement projects. Rickertsen briefly reviewed the budget information provided to the council, including levy rate history from FYE 2001 through the current year. The levy rate in FYE 2001 was 10.50225, compared to the current levy rate at 10.12383. Koberg moved and Puck seconded to set the FYE 2023 budget public hearing date for March 21, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. Motion carried
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek commended the council for working diligently together.
Koberg moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:51 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.