June 15, 2015 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 15th day of June, 2015, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Jeff Blake, Josh Geigle, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

Approval of Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Audience. Mike Byington, Randy Moeller, Kent Arp, Brent Puck, Brent Arp, and Roger Robb.

Consent Agenda. The cigarette permit renewal for Lampliter and the Class A liquor license renewal for Walcott Legion Post #548 were removed from the consent agenda due to lack of submittal of necessary documents. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from June 1st, May 2015 financial reports, annual cigarette permit renewals for Casey's, Pilot Travel Centers #043 & #268, and Iowa 80 Truckstop, and Class C liquor license renewal for Foley Entertainment d/b/a Walcott Coliseum. Motion carried.

June 8, 2015 Minutes. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the minutes from June 8, 2015. Motion carried. Mengler abstained due to absence from meeting.

Walcott Day.
Parade. Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the Walcott Day Parade and closure of appropriate streets on July 18, 2015. Motion carried.
Street Closures. Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve closing N. Henry Street, between James and Lincoln Streets; E. Otis Street, between Downey and Main Streets; and N. Downey Street, between James and Lincoln Streets on July 18, 2015. Motion carried.
Fireworks : July 17, 2015. Discussion was held on the location of fireworks and access to the area from the property owner. Chief Blake will contact the property owner. Jacob Puck moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the fireworks display application and supporting documents for the Walcott Day fireworks on July 17th. Motion carried.
Fireworks Donation. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the donation of $1,000 to the Walcott Day Committee for the fireworks display. Motion carried.
5K Race & Street Closure Jacob Puck moved and Latimer. seconded to approve the 5K race route as submitted and approve the E. Bryant Street closure (race starting line), between Main & Henry Streets, from 5:00 a.m. : 9:00 a.m. on July 18th. Motion carried.

Blake Selby : Proposal for 1113 N. Main Street. A proposal to utilize 1113 N. Main Street was received from Mr. Selby prior to the meeting, but he was not present. Mr. Selby is proposing that the building be renovated as a fitness center. He plans to invest in renovations and equipment and would offer free gym memberships for all Walcott residents for 10 years. In return, he is requesting that the City gift him the building and property and allow a ten year, 100% tax abatement. Attorney Schirman stated the City cannot legally gift the property, unless it is to another governmental agency. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to deny the request from Selby. Motion carried.

Iowa 80 Fireworks. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the fireworks display application and supporting documents for the Iowa 80 Truckstop/Jamboree fireworks on July 9th & 10th. Motion carried.

Review of Employee Benefits.
Health Insurance. Roger Robb (Group Specialist of GBL) and Brent Arp were present to discuss the City's employee medical insurance benefits and health insurance law changes. A lengthy discussion was held with Robb on health benefits requirements. Following discussion, it was determined that Arp and Robb will do further research and bring different plan designs and options back to a future meeting.
Sick Leave/Payout. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to not payout any sick time after it reaches a total of 960 hours. Following further discussion, Mengler and Jackie Puck rescinded their motion and Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to table the sick time/pay until the next meeting. Motion carried.
Vacation Leave. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to revise the vacation leave policy to five days (40 hours) after one year of service and 10 days (80 hours) after two years of service. Motion carried. The remaining vacation leave policy will remain as is.

Vision Committee Report. Byington reported the committee has selected the name of "Walcott Hearts and Hands Foundation" for the new organization following approval of a 501c.3 status. He also reported on their proposed mission statement. Discussion was held on generating a web-based survey for citizens for a possible fitness center. Discussion was also held on the city-owned building at 1113 N. Main Street and that the City is currently working with a realtor to sell the building. If the building has not sold when the contract with the realtor is done, they will have to look at other options. Council consensus was to allow the committee to proceed with the research on setting up a web-based survey and submit possible survey questions to the council at a future meeting.

Solid Waste and Recycling Contract Renewal. Questions arose on some language in the proposed contract. The contract would renew for a five year period, with 3% annual increases, beginning July 1, 2016. The current rate paid to the contractor would remain the same for the year beginning July 1, 2015. Attorney Schirman will review the contract further. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to proceed with renewing the contract with Allied Waste d/b/a Republic Services, contingent upon further review by Attorney Schirman. Motion carried. This will be listed on the July 6th agenda.

South Water Tower Painting. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to table until the next regular meeting. Motion carried.

Roof Repairs at Victory Park. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve the low bid from Brian Ganzer Roofing at $1,810 to replace the north side of the south shelter at Victory Park. Motion carried.

Resolution 2015-23, Approving Contract & Bonds for the Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2015-23. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Latimer. Nays: Koehler. Motion carried.

Resolution 2015-24, Transfer of Funds. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2015-24 as discussed. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Koehler, and Latimer. Motion carried.

Resolution 2015-25, Setting Wages for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2015. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2015-25. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Mengler, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Nays: Koehler. Motion carried.

Fire Department Report. Chief Geigle presented a project worksheet for the set-up costs associated with programming the outdoor warning sirens so they can be set off by the SECC (Scott Emergency Communication Center). Geigle stated the sirens would be activated for tornado warnings, high winds, or golf ball sized hail. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the expense of $580 for Racom to program and set-up the siren for SECC to activate them. Motion carried. Geigle will check with Racom on a time frame so notification of the change can be made to the public (flyers, newsletter, and water bills).

Police Department Report. Chief Blake's project worksheet is to replace one squad car laptop. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the purchase of a new Panasonic Toughbook laptop from CDW Government at a cost of $3,842.16. Motion carried.

Attorney's Report. Attorney Schirman will contact Cenpeco's attorney regarding the status on a meeting with the owner.

Questions/Concerns. Mengler questioned the phone box at Welcome Park. Century Link will be contacted regarding get it fixed/replaced.

Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.