June 20, 2016 Minutes
City of Walcott
June 20, 2016
June, 2016, 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, Steve Bowman, Lisa Rickertsen, Linda Rivers, and Tom Schirman.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the consent agenda, including the invoices, minutes from June 6, 2016, May 2016 financial reports, annual cigarette permit renewals for Casey’s, Pilot Travel Centers #043 and #268, and Iowa 80 Truckstop, and Class A liquor license renewal for Walcott Legion Post #548. Motion carried.
Larry Koberg – Approval to Allow Temporary Fencing at Parks. Larry Koberg requested to leave the temporary fencing up at Wescott Park for the tournament on July 22nd – 24th. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to allow the temporary fences to remain up at Wescott Park until after the July 24th tournament. Motion carried.
Downey Street Improvements Project Update. Project Engineer, Dennis Keitel, presented a project update and he will be preparing a change order for a future meeting for the two items as he discussed.
Walcott Day.
- Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the Walcott Day Parade and closure of appropriate streets on July 16, 2016. Motion carried.
- Street Closures. Jacob Puck moved and Jackie Puck 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 16, 2016. Motion carried.
- Fireworks Donation. Latimer 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 and the closure of E. Bryant Street (race starting line), between Main & Henry Streets (5:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.) on July 16th. Motion carried.
Building Department Report.
- Ordinance 483-16, Amending Chapter 160 Pertaining to Building Codes. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the third (final) reading of Ordinance 483-16, Amending Chapter 160 Pertaining to Building Codes. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jackie Puck, Koehler, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.
- Temporary Inspector Services. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to hire Michael Anderson as the Temporary Inspector at a rate of $25.00/hour. Motion carried. He will cover inspections during Rivers’ temporary absence starting later this month.
Alley Maintenance Policy. Discussion was held on maintenance of alleys, including snow removal concerns and maintenance responsibilities. Bowman was asked to review the policy obtained from Iowa City and to come back with written suggestions for the next meeting.
Ordinance 487-16, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Sewer Rates. This ordinance increases sewer rates by $1.00 per 1,000 gallons from $4.65 to $5.65, beginning with the July 1st bills. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the third (final) reading of Ordinance 487-16. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Latimer, Mengler, and Jackie Puck. Motion carried.
Ordinance 488-16, Amending Chapter 92 Regarding Water Rates. This ordinance increases water rates by $.50 per 1,000 gallons from $4.25 to $4.75, beginning with the July 1st bills. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the third (final) reading of Ordinance 488-16. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Mengler, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Latimer. Motion carried.
Ordinance 489-16, Amending Chapter 75 Regarding ATV Regulations. Jackie Puck introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 489-16. Seconded by Mengler. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Mengler, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Latimer. Motion carried. This ordinance will allow ATV’s on most city streets, with restrictions including specific hours of operation and equipment and permit requirements.
Resolution 2016-29, Authorizing the Transfer of Funds. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2016-29. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koehler, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake reported the Police Department was awarded a grant in the amount of $1,250 from the Iowa 80/CAT Scale Go Iowa Endowment towards replacing a defibrillator. It was also reported that solicitors were recently in town without a permit. Residents are reminded that most solicitors are required to have permits from the City.
Public Works Department Report. Bowman presented costs for an electrical trash basket hoist. He was asked to obtain a second quote and bring back to a future meeting. Discussion was held on the E. James Street Watermain Project. Since the City will not be utilizing city staff to perform the work, they must follow the process set out by the Iowa Code Chapter 26, based on the estimated cost of the project. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to have Bowman contact the engineer (Watersmith Engineering) that prepared the initial plans to develop the remaining project documents as needed. Motion carried. Bowman reported on weeds at the parks and questioned utilizing a resident to spray. Following liability concerns, Bowman was asked to contract a company for services.
City Clerk Report. Rickertsen read the thank you letter from the Scott County Library System for the City’s pledge of $50,000 towards the new Walcott Branch Library project.
City Attorney Report. Schirman reported on working on easements for the proposed city signs. It was discussed that the Hearts and Hands Foundation needs to attend a future meeting to obtain final approval from the City for signs they want to place on city right-of-ways and/or easements.
Audience Comments. Janice Dawson inquired if the City could contact the railroad to remove the overgrown brush and debris in the creek along the railroad behind her property. Bowman will contact the Iowa Interstate Railroad. John Brockmann commented on the following: drainage around the building at 1113 N. Main Street and the S. Downey Street Improvements Project.
Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 6:47 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.