July 6, 2026 Minutes
lrickertsen@cityofwalcott.com
July 10, 2026
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, July 6, 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, Lisa Mengler, and Joe Quick. Absent: None. Staff present: Adam Hill, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Bieri moved and Quick seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Mike Sissel, Brenda Arp, John Brockmann, Ben McKibbin, Joe Hahn, Mike Avise, Will Belz, John Kostichek, Bob Peters, and Jeff Curler were present. Brenda Arp expressed safety concerns on W. Cedar Lane Drive. She noted excessive speeding and that vehicles, including golf carts and bikes, failing to stop at stop signs on the side streets before entering W. Cedar Lane Drive. Chief Hill stated he can increase patrol presence and request a speed trailer for the area. John Brockmann stated he would like to see some of curbs and catch basins painted prior to the Walcott Day parade, noting that some other communities do similar painting. Stagg reported that all street areas required to be painted are painted. Walcott Lions members, John Kostichek, Bob Peters, and Jeff Curler presented a $1,000 donation to the Walcott Fire Department. Chief Joe Hahn and 1st Assistant Chief Ben McKibbin accepted the donation and Mayor Puck thanked the Lions for their contribution. Belz reported on his concerns regarding enforcement of vehicles located in the right-of-way (ROW). Mayor Puck requested a list of other vehicles from Belz and stated he would look into it. He noted the primary issue with Belz’s tagged vehicles is that they were located in the ROW and were unlicensed and inoperable.
Consent Agenda. Bieri moved and Quick seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, renewal of Class B retail alcohol licenses for Pilot Travel Center #043 and #268, Resolution 2026-27 Transfer of Funds for Fiscal Ending June 30, 2026, and Resolution 2026-28 Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Quick, Martinez, Koberg, and Mengler. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Minutes from June 15, 2026. Mengler moved and Martinez seconded to approve the minutes from June 15, 2026. Motion carried with Quick and Koberg abstaining due to absence from the meeting.
Recreational Trail Advisory Committee. Mike Avise was present on behalf of the Recreational Trail Advisory Committee and reported on the request to apply for a grant.
- Request to Submit a Resource Enhancement and Protection Grant (REAP) Grant for the Recreational Trail Phase 2 Extension Project. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve the submission of a REAP grant for the proposed recreational trail extension project. Motion carried.
Discussion of City-Owned Property. Review and Potential Action Regarding the Inquiry on Selling the City-Owned Lot Located at the Southeast Corner of Main and Lincoln Streets. Chief Hahn reported this property is considered a potential site for a future fire station.Following discussion, Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to table action on the inquiry to a future meeting in order to further explore options with the Fire Department. Motion carried.
Well #6 Installation Project – Payment #1 to K.E. Flatwork, Inc. for $95,766.16. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve payment #1 to K.E. Flatwork, Inc., as recommended by the City Engineer, in the amount of $95,766.16. Motion carried.
Walcott Day Events.
- Parade Approval and Temporary Closure of Parade Route Streets on July 18, 2026. Mengler moved and Martinez seconded to approve the Walcott Day Parade route and temporary closure of associated route streets on July 18, 2026. Motion carried. The parade route will start at the school on E. James Street, turn south on Main Street, and end on E. Lincoln Street.
- Street Closures. Martinezmoved and Bieri seconded to approve closing E. James Street, between N. Henry and N. Downey Streets; N. Henry Street, between James and Lincoln Streets; E. Otis Street, between Main and Downey Streets; and N. Downey Street, between James and Otis Streets on July 18, 2026. Motion carried.
- Fireworks Contribution. Following discussion, Bieri moved and Martinez seconded to approve a contribution of $2,000 to the Walcott Day Committee for the community fireworks display on July 17, 2026. Motion carried.
- 5K Race Route. Bieri moved and Quick seconded to approve the 5K race route as presented on July 18, 2026. Motion carried.
- Approval to Close Heritage Recreational Trail for Kids Run and Fireworks on July 17th.
- Quick moved and Mengler seconded to close Heritage Recreational Trail at Prairie View Park for the kids run and fireworks on July 17, 2026. Motion carried. The fireworks rain date is on July 18, 2026
- Approval of Bounce Houses on Closed Portion of N. Henry Street. Martinez moved and Koberg seconded to allow bounce houses on the closed portion of N. Henry Street on July 18, 2026. Motion carried.
- Police Part-Time Wage Increase during Walcott Day Events. Due to the pay differences between officers paid by the City and those paid by the Walcott Day Committee, Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve a special wage of $33.18/hour for part-time police officers working for the City during Walcott Day events on July 17th and 18th. Motion carried.
- Resolution 2026-29, Approving Agreement with the University of Iowa for Law Enforcement Assistance at University of Iowa Special Events. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2026-29, Agreement with the University of Iowa for Law Enforcement Assistance at University of Iowa Special Events.Roll call Yes: Koberg, Bieri, Mengler, Quick, and Martinez. Nays: None. Motion carried.
City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported on a project worksheet to upgrade the city phone system, utilizing the City’s current IT provider, Platinum Information Services.
- New Phone System Service – Platinum Information Services. Koberg moved and Martinez seconded to approve the new system as presented. Motion carried.
Council Member Comments. Council member comments included appreciation to the volunteers and participants involved in the recent fastpitch tournament and compliments on the condition of the parks; reminders for all operators (vehicles, bikes, golf carts, etc.) to obey traffic rules; and the opening of a new business, Walcott Commons, was acknowledged and welcomed to the community. Individuals interested in volunteering for Walcott Day activities are encouraged to contact Lisa Mengler.
Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to adjourn at 6:46 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.