June 17, 2024 Minutes
twright@cityofwalcott.com
June 17, 2024
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, June 17, 2024, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Harry Knutsen, Kirk Koberg, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Staff present: Lisa Rickertsen and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Knutsen moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Skylar Roling, Tim and Andrea Newcomb, Kurt Easton, Lisa Tauke, Scott Pohl, Jeremy Schaeffer, Kristal Schaefer, and Sean Romanick.
Consent Agenda. Puckmoved and Knutsen seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, annual tobacco permit renewals for Casey’s General Store, Dolgencorp LLC, Iowa 80 Truckstop (2 locations), and Pilot Travel Centers #043 and #268, and the May 2024 financial reports. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes from June 3, 2024. Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to approve the minutes form June 3, 2024. Motion carried.
Recreational Trail Phase 2 Extension. Koberg reported on communication he had with a representative from the property owner of the Walcott Mobile Home Community (MHC), as directed during the June 3, 2024 meeting. Stagg presented a map of the City’s utilities and questioned where a proposed bridge placement would be, due to location of utilities if the trail crosses Mud Creek again. Following discussion, Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to table the proposed survey until the City receives more information from the Walcott MHC property owner. Motion carried. Comments were received regarding golf carts on the recreational trail, which is prohibited.
Resolution 2024-30, Transfer of Funds. Knutsen moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2024-30, Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Knutsen, Bieri, Mengler, Puck and Koberg. Motion carried. This transfer is for budgeted year-end transfers.
Ordinance 546-24, Amending Chapter 92 Pertaining to Water Rates. Ordinance 546-24 includes an increase of 5% to both the minimum (base rate) and usage rate, effective with the July 1st billing. Each customer shall pay a minimum bill of $18.53 per month (increase of $.88/month), which includes usage up to 1,400 gallons and all usage over 1,400 gallons shall be $6.35 per 1,000 gallons (increase of $.30/1,000 gallons). Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the third and final reading to adopt Ordinance 546-24, Amending Chapter 92 Pertaining to Water Rates. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried.
Ordinance 547-24, Amending Chapter 99 Pertaining to Sewer Rates. Ordinance 547-24 is an increase of 1% to both the minimum (base rate) and usage rate, effective with the July 1st billing. Each customer shall pay a minimum bill of $19.44 per month (increase of $.19/month) and all usage over 1,400 gallons of water used per month shall be $6.52 per 1,000 gallons (increase of $.06/1,000 gallons). Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the third and final reading to adopt Ordinance 547-24, Amending Chapter 99 Pertaining to Sewer Rates. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Knutsen, Koberg, Bieri, and Puck. Motion carried.
Ordinance 548-24, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees (Garbage Rate). Ordinance 548-24 is a 4% increase ($.62) to the monthly garbage rate, effective with the July 1st billing, which is the percentage increase the City pays to the collector per contract. The rate will be $16.11 per month for each container of solid waste. Bieri moved and Puck seconded to approve the third and final reading to adopt Ordinance 548-24, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees. Roll call ayes: Bier, Puck, Mengler, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried.
Disposal of 2017 Dodge Charger. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to dispose of the 2017 Dodge Charger through GovDeals website. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg had previously expressed concerns regarding the location of the City’s utilities and the proposed recreational trail extension options. He questioned if the Council agreed that the west side of the tributary is not an option for the trail extension location. In order to be on the west side of the tributary the trail extension would run north of Mud Creek and cross back into the City’s wastewater treatment plant property. Stagg stated recreational facilities should not be located in a wastewater treatment plant facility area. Koberg stated we need to work through all options to move forward and Mengler stated she agrees a trail should not go through the wastewater treatment plant facility area.
Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:36 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.