June 18, 2018
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 18th day of June, 2018, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: John Brockmann, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Larry Smith. Absent: None. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda with the deletions of items 10 and 11, the Final Plat for Exit 284 First Addition and the Site Plan for the warehouse and distribution facility. Motion carried. The detention plan on the Final Plat is being revised so both items will be resubmitted at a future meeting.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. One resident was in attendance but there were no comments at this time.
Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the plans & specifications, form of contract, and cost estimate on the W. Otis Street Improvements Project. No written comments were received. Project Engineers, Jason Holdorf and Paul Baele, presented the project manual and reported on some of the details of the project including angle or perpendicular parking on the south side of W. Otis Street, adjacent to City owned property, between Parker Street and Rowe Lane. Chief Blake stated he prefers angle parking and council concurred. The engineer’s estimate and budgeted amount were discussed. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from June 4, 2018, and Class A Liquor License including Outdoor Service and Sunday Sales for the Walcott Legion Post #548, Resolution 2018-20 Approving Transfer of Funds, and annual cigarette permit renewals for Casey’s, Dolgencorp, Iowa 80 Truckstop, and Pilot Travel Centers #043 and #268. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Smith, Koehler, Brockmann, and Puck. Motion carried.
Sidewalks – W. Otis Street Improvements Project. Holdorf stated that the City Code, 136.08 (6), states residential sidewalks shall be located six feet from the curb line, unless the Council establishes a different distance due to special circumstances. The proposed project plans indicate keeping the sidewalk along the curb on the north side of W. Otis Street, between Main and Parker Streets, which would preserve the trees and a commercial off-street parking space, and a four feet distance from the curb for the property on the NE corner of W. Otis Street and Rowe Lane. A lengthy discussion ensued including the proximity of buildings/residences to property lines, large trees in right-of-way, and the possibility of moving one block of the street, between Main & Parker Streets, three feet to the south. Following a lengthy discussion, Mengler moved and Puck seconded to keep the project plans as proposed, noting time line and potential project cost increases. Ayes: Mengler and Puck. Nays: Smith, Koehler, and Brockmann. Motion defeated. Following further discussion, Koehler moved to locate the sidewalks three feet from the curb on the three lots on the north side of W. Otis Street, as discussed. Ayes: Koehler and Smith. Nays: Brockmann, Mengler, and Puck. Motion defeated. Brockmann again suggested moving one block of the street, between Main & Parker Streets, three feet to the south. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to leave the sidewalks as proposed in the project plans. Ayes: Mengler, Puck, and Koehler. Nays: Smith and Brockmann. Motion carried.
Resolution 2018-21, Approving Plans, Specifications, Form of Contract and Cost Estimate for the W. Otis Street Improvements Project. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2018-21, with the parking change as mentioned during the hearing. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Puck, Mengler, Smith, and Brockmann. Motion carried.
Resolution 2018-22, Setting Date for Public Hearing on Urban Renewal Plan Amendment. The plan amendment is for providing tax increment financing support to Atlantic Bottling Company in connection with the construction and operation of a new bottling warehouse and distribution facility within the Urban Renewal Area. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2018-22. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Smith, Koehler, and Brockmann. Motion carried. The public hearing is scheduled for July 16, 2018, at 6:00 p.m.
Ordinance 499-18, Amending the Official Zoning Map. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 499-18. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koehler, Smith, Brockmann, and Puck. Motion carried. This rezones parcel #912555005 from SA Suburban Agricultural District to C-3 Interstate Highway Commercial District.
Ordinance 500-18, Amending Chapter 106 Regarding Solid Waste Collection Fees. This ordinance increases the garbage rates from $12.33 to $12.87. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve the third reading of Ordinance 500-18. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Puck, Brockmann, Mengler, and Smith. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported that both the Police & Fire Departments were recently each awarded $800 from the Iowa 80/CAT Scale Go Iowa Fund Grant Program.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg stated the City could benefit from off-street parking on the lot adjacent to City Hall. Council consensus was to have Stagg obtain quotes on installing a parking lot. Stagg reported that he is reviewing the utility GIS maps he was recently sent and that Visu-Sewer has completed a majority of the sewer main cleaning and televising but a different truck is here working on some problem areas. Stagg also stated the concrete slabs at the Main & Bryant Streets intersection were recently replaced and no major underlying issues were found but that the prior concrete did not have a suitable base and was not properly pinned.
City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen relayed information regarding the Summer Youth Recreation Program.
Council Member Comments. Mengler extended her thanks to Chief Blake and Chief Geigle for their EMS services at the Park during the weekend tournament. Koehler questioned the peeling paint on the south water tower. Stagg stated the tower should have been sandblasted before it was painted in 2015 and that he recently had a crew inspect the tower and is waiting for a quote. Brockmann proposed that City staff mow the area between the sidewalk and street along Main Street from the bridge to Walcott Road (instead of the abutting property owners as required by City Code). This topic will be placed on the next regular agenda.
Mengler moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:07 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.