June 3, 2024 Minutes
twright@cityofwalcott.com
June 3, 2024
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, June 3, 2024, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Harry Knutsen. Staff present: Lisa Rickertsen and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Ethan and Skylar Roling, Tim and Andrea Newcomb, Joanne Pohl, Joe Hahn, Lindsay Frantz, Jeremy Schaeffer, Kristal Schaefer, and Mike Avise.
Consent Agenda. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from May 20, 2024, Class E retail alcohol license renewal for Casey’s General Store #1922, fireworks permit for Iowa 80 Group Truckers Jamboree display on July 11th & 12th, fireworks permit for Walcott Day display at Prairie View Park on July 19th (rain date July 20th). Motion carried.
Recreational Trail Phase 2 Extension. Stagg stated he contacted the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), as directed by City Council at the last meeting. He reported that plantings are allowed in the flood plain but fences would require a permit from the IDNR. He noted they informed him that fences are not allowed in the floodway but may be approved in the flood plain (floodway fringe area). He also reported the IDNR responded that bridges in the floodway may be approved if they meet their criteria. A rough estimate for the required engineering needed to submit an application to the IDNR for a new bridge is approximately $50,000 – $60,000. Stagg stated he requested a map from the IDNR indicating where the current floodway boundaries are located. Residents adjacent to the City-owned property on the south side of Mud Creek inquired again about the City contacting the property owner on the north side of the creek to see if they would be open to the possibility of selling or granting an easement for a trail. Some other comments made by adjoining property owners in attendance were: proximity of proposed trail to their property; would City consider selling the property on south side of creek to adjacent residents and build a trail elsewhere or pursue an alternative enhancement project; and support of the proposed resident survey. Following further discussion, Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to have Mayor Kostichek and Koberg contact representation for the property on the north side of the creek as discussed. Motion carried.
Fire Department – Unit #6 1997 Freightliner/EMS Truck. Joe Hahn reported the new EMS truck will be completed later this summer and he inquired on how to dispose of the current truck. Discussion was held on disposing of the current truck through GovDeals once the new truck arrives, as done with recent disposal of vehicles and equipment.
Resolution 2024-28, Awarding Contract for the Tennis Court & Pickleball Courts Resurfacing Project. Stagg presented a project worksheet for resurfacing the tennis courts. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2024-28, Awarding Contract for the Tennis Court and Pickleball Courts Resurfacing Project. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Bieri, and Koberg. Motion carried. This does not include painting the courts. The contract was awarded to Manatt’s Inc. at a cost of $165/ton (total cost estimate is $37,125).
Resolution 2024-29, Approving Purchase Offer. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve Resolution 2024-29, Approving Purchase Offer. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koberg, Bieri, and Puck. Motion carried. This is for approximately 4 acres of ground for a future well.
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). The bulk water sales (typically from fire hydrants) will increase from $6.00 to $8.00 for usage over 1,000 gallons. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve the second reading to adopt Ordinance 546-24, Amending Chapter 92 Pertaining to Water Rates. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Bieri, Mengler, and Puck. 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 $.06/1,000 gallons). Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the second reading to adopt Ordinance 547-24, Amending Chapter 99 Pertaining to Sewer Rates. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Bieri, and Koberg. Motion carried.
Ordinance 548-24, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees (Garbage Rate). Ordinance 548-24 is a 4% increase ($.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 second reading to adopt Ordinance 548-24, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, and Koberg. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg presented his report including that the splash pad was opened on Friday, May 24th and the cornstalk feature was damaged later that evening. A surface spray was installed to replace the damaged feature.
City Clerk’s Report. Grant Agreements for Tennis Court & Pickleball Courts Project. Rickertsen reported the City was awarded two grants, totaling $39,530, towards the Tennis Court Rehabilitation and Pickleball Courts Project. Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to approve the grant agreements for the Tennis Court and Pickleball Courts Project. Motion carried.
Puck moved and Bieri seconded to adjourn at 6:58 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.