January 5, 2026 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Jacob Puck called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Bobbie Martinez, and Lisa Mengler. Absent: None. Staff present: Adam Hill, Lisa Rickertsen, Paul Stagg, Shannon Willett, and Joe Hahn.    

Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Lesa Puck, Edgar Martinez, Lynnette Tarchinski, Joe Quick, Taylor Quick, Harry Knutsen, John Brockmann, and Noah Glasgow.

Public Hearing on Chapter 160, Amending Provisions Pertaining to Building Codes. Mayor Puck opened the public hearing on the proposed ordinance amending Chapter 160 of the Walcott City Code. Building Official, Shannon Willett, briefly reviewed and explained the proposed changes. The proposed amendment updates many of the building codes from the 2015 to 2021 editions. No written comments were received. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.  

Consent Agenda.Koberg moved and Martinez seconded to approve the consent agenda which includes the invoices, Resolution 2026-1- Designating the North Scott Press as Official Newspaper, Resolution 2026-2- Authorizing Certain Payments Before a Council Meeting, Resolution 2026-3-Establishing the Standard Mileage Rate Reimbursement, Resolution 2026-4-Approving Hourly Wage Increase for Building Official, and Resolution 2026-5-Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Martinez, Bieri, and Mengler. Nays: None. Motion carried. 

Consideration of 1^st Reading of Ordinance 561-26, Amending Chapter 160 Pertaining to Building Codes. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the first reading of Ordinance 561-26. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Martinez, and Koberg. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Minutes from December 15, 2025. Bieri moved and Mengler seconded to approve the minutes from December 15, 2025. Motion carried with Koberg abstaining due to absence from meeting.

Appointments by Mayor. Mayor Puck appointed Lisa Mengler as the Mayor Pro Tem and appointed Danna Peterson to the Park Board with a term ending 12/31/30. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Danna Petersen to the Park Board. Motion carried.

Appointments by Council.

• Planning & Zoning Commission. Menglermoved and Bieri seconded to appoint John Kostichek to the Planning & Zoning Commission with a term ending 12/31/2030. Motion carried.
• Zoning Board of Adjustment. Menglermoved and Koberg seconded to reappoint Brent Arp to the Board of Adjustment with a term ending 12/31/2030. Motion carried.
• City Clerk. Bieri moved and Martinez seconded to reappoint Lisa Rickertsen as the City Clerk with a term ending 12/31/2027. Motion carried.

Two vacancies remain on the Planning & Zoning Commission. Residents interested in serving should contact City Hall.

Council Vacancy Procedures. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to procced with filling the council vacancy by appointment during the January 19, 2026, meeting. Motion carried.

Fire Department Report. Chief Hahn reported on the department’s volunteers and that the department responded to 379 calls in 2025. Council Member Mengler referenced the recent structure fire and expressed thanks and appreciation to the fire department volunteers for their service.

• Use of Fire Meeting Room. Chief Hahn stated that local Walcott community organizations have been allowed to use the fire department meeting room, but additional organizations have also requested use of the space. He questioned whether a fee should be charged to non-Walcott community organizations for use of the room. Following discussion, Chief Hahn was asked to contact other communities regarding their policies for similar meeting rooms and to report back to the Council at a later date.

Mayor’s Report. Mayor Puck reported on a recent meeting with representatives of the Davenport Community School District.

Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to adjourn at 6:31 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

January 5, 2026 Signed Minutes & Claims