January 7, 2013
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 7th day of January, 2013, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Jim Couper called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, John Kostichek, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Lisa Mengler and Jackie Puck. City employees present: Jeff Blake, John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.
Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Rickertsen reported that the payment to Iowa Economic Development Authority for $38,651.20 included in the invoices is in regards to a partial reimbursement of the CAT Grant for the Prairie Park and Heritage Recreational Trail Project. Discussion was held regarding the details of the grant and that the reimbursement was due to improper figures used by the grant writer that was hired to prepare the grant. Kostichek moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from December 17, 2012, Resolution 2013-1, Authorizing Certain Payments Before a Council Meeting, Resolution 2013-2 Designating Official Newspaper, Resolution 2013-3 Designating Financial Institutions as Depositories, and Resolution 2013-4 Establishing the Standard Mileage Rate Reimbursement. Roll call ayes: Kostichek, Jacob Puck, and Koehler. Motion carried.
Audience. Wayne Latimer.
Donation to Durant Ambulance. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the annual donation in the amount of $1,000 to Durant Ambulance. Motion carried.
Purchase Approval for Tube Heater. Brockmann presented a project worksheet to install a radiant tube heater in the Fire Department bays. The quote from Crawford Company included city permit fees, which are not required for city projects. Koehler questioned if the permit fees were deleted would their cost be less than the quote from Brooks Energy Service. Brockmann responded that Brooks Energy does the regular maintenance at City buildings, they respond quickly to urgent service requests, and he would prefer to keep the business local even if there is a small cost difference. Jacob Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to approve hiring Brooks Energy Services to install a radiant tube heater at a cost of $3,725. Koehler opposed. Motion carried. The installation does not include any wiring.
Resolution 2013-5, Establishing Policy Regarding the Use of Economic Development Incentives (TIF Rebate Program). Koehler moved and Kostichek seconded to approve Resolution 2013-5. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Kostichek, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried. Approval of this Resolution extends the program to December 31, 2013, with the same percentages as last year.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported the Police Department received a grant from Iowa 80/CAT Scale Go Iowa Endowment fund for $1,424 for the purchase of another city patrol bicycle.
Public Work's Department Report. Brockmann presented his report including the watermain break on Bridge Lane and the structure damage on the northwest bridge at Heritage Recreational Trail from snowmobiles driving across it. Residents are reminded that snowmobiles are not allowed in any park or on any other city property.
City Clerk's Report. A special council meeting workshop will be held on January 14th at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to review and discuss the FYE 2014 budget. Discussion was held on sidewalks that have not been cleared. The Building Official will be asked to send letters to properties that have not been cleared.
Mayor Report. Mayor Couper thanked the former Policy & Administration Committee (Jackie Puck and Mengler) for getting Department Head reviews completed.
Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:35 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.