January 21, 2019 Minutes
City of Walcott
January 21, 2019
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 21st day of 2019, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: John Brockmann, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Absent: Tim Koehler. City staff present: Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Several comments were made by residents in attendance which includes the following:
- Ken Washburn expressed concerns with the snow removal on Cedar Lane Drive and the Rowe Lane & Cedar Lane Drive intersection. He questioned why the streets need to be plowed curb to curb. Mengler responded that this has been brought up in the past and the council’s policy is to have the streets plowed to the curb.
- Three other residents, Mel Brus, Dennis Siebel, and Mel Pruitt also voiced their disappointment with Cedar Lane Drive being plowed curb to curb, which caused snow to be thrown onto their sidewalks that abut the curb.
- Bob Peters reported he had discolored water on January 11th. Stagg responded that they had recently opened three valves which had been closed (since sometime prior to his employment) and that the water against the valves is making its way through the system.
- Other residents, Brent Arp, Bernard Brus, and Jackie Puck complimented the Public Works Department on the recent snow removal.
Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from January 7, 2019, renewal of Class C Liquor License, Class B Wine Permit and Sunday sales for Grammas Kitchen & The Checkered Flag Bar and Grill, December 2018 financial reports, Century Link Right-of-Way Permit, and Resolution 2019-8, Adopting the Annual Supplement to the Code of Ordinances. Roll call ayes: Puck, Smith, Mengler, and Brockmann. Motion carried.
Minutes from January 14, 2019. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the minutes from January 14, 2019. Brockmann abstained due to absence from meeting. Motion carried.
City-Owned Property –SE Corner of Lincoln & Main Streets. Karen Puck reported the Walcott Historical Society is exploring options for a permanent location and questioned the City’s intended use of the city-owned property at the SE corner of Main and Lincoln Streets. Mengler stated the City should keep the property and reported on a memo from the Fire Chief requesting the City retain the lot since it is centrally located and a practical option for a potential Fire Station. Council consensus was to retain the property.
Splash Pad Project – Approval of Payment #2. The project engineer and Stagg both recommended approval of pay request #2. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve pay request #2 to Centennial Contractors of the Quad Cities, Inc. for $29,333.91. Motion carried.
Resolution 2019-9, Approving Change Orders for the West Otis Street Improvements Project. It was noted that the project engineer feels the completed project total will be under the original contract amount, even with the additional $12,500.75 in change orders as recommended. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2019-9. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Smith, and Brockmann. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. A project worksheet from Chief Blake requested purchase of a 2019 Dodge Durango, which would replace the 2013 Ford Explorer. Brockmann stated they should utilize local dealers. Following discussion, Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the purchase of a 2019 Dodge Durango form Deery Brothers Motors of Iowa City at a cost of $29,508. Motion carried.
Public Works Department. Stagg presented a project worksheet to replace the 2000 Chevy K1500 with a 2019 Ford F250. Stagg stated he did receive a bid from Ron Alpen Ford but they were not able to compete with the state bid from Stivers Ford. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to purchase a 2019 Ford F250 from Stivers Ford for $28,663. Motion carried.
City Clerk’s Report. A public hearing on the FYE 2020 budget will be scheduled during the February 4th meeting.
Council Comments. Mengler and Puck thanked the Public Works Department for their effective snow removal. Brockmann requested a list of all water and sewer licenses held by staff, which Stagg provided.
Mengler moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:40 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.