June 4, 2012
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 4th day of June, 2012, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Jim Couper called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, John Kostichek, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, J. Huston, Tom Schirman, and Jeff Blake.
Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and May 21st minutes. Motion carried.
Audience. David Darby, Wayne Latimer, and Kristal Schaefer.
Approval of 5-Day Class C Liquor License for Walcott Unified Fund at Victory Park. Jacob Puck moved and Kostichek seconded to approve the 5-day Liquor License & Outdoor Service for Walcott Unified Fund at Victory Park for the Walcott Day Celebration. Motion carried.
Approval of Outdoor Service for Class C Liquor License for Weisrock, Inc. at Walcott Coliseum. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the addition of an Outdoor Service area for Weisrock, Inc. Motion carried.
Approval of TIF (Tax Increment Financing) Rebate Payments. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve TIF rebate payment to Petersen Health Care (1 rebate : annual amount – $56,886.09) and T&C Storage (2 semi-annual payments – $1,618.33), total amount of $23,595.57 per the Development Agreements. Motion carried.
Street Closures. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve closing a portion of W. Durant Street, adjacent to the Walcott Legion, on July 6th from 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. for the Walcott Community Club activity. Motion carried. Mengler moved and Koehler moved to approve closing a portion of E. Bryant Street, adjacent to the Walcott Coliseum, on June 16th from 5:00 p.m. : Midnight for a wedding reception. Jacob & Jackie Puck both abstained due to family relations to the wedding party. Motion carried. The street closures are only within property lines and the outdoor service areas.
Railroad Crossing Agreements. Rickertsen reported the proposed agreements are cost sharing projects with the Railroad and Iowa Department of Transportation (Federal-Aid). The City's share is 20% of the reimbursable project costs. The City's estimated cost for the Henry Street crossing is $21,683 and $28,875 for the Main Street crossing. Kostichek moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the Grade Crossing Surface Repair Force Account Agreement for the construction of surface improvements at the railroad crossing located on Henry Street. Motion carried. Motion carried. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve the Grade Crossing Surface Repair Force Account Agreement for the construction of surface improvements at the railroad crossing located on Main Street. Motion carried.
David Darby : Historic Route 6. An email message was received from the Vision Committee that they previously discussed how Wilton and Durant are fortunate to have old highway 6 running in the middle of their towns. The committee thought maybe this could help with tourism but felt it was a decision the council should make. Koehler stated that his request to the Vision Committee during the last meeting was to be sure the Vision Committee was behind it and he voted to forward it to the committee out of respect to the committee. Discussion was held on the Iowa U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association membership benefits and the association's goal to drive tourism along the "Lost Route 6" corridor of County Road F58. Following further discussion, Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to join the association at a cost of $175. Motion carried. Following discussion of the membership providing one Historic Route 6 sign, Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to purchase a second sign at a cost of $75. Motion carried. Darby stated there is a meeting scheduled at the Wilton Community Center on Thursday, June 14th at 6 p.m. for anyone interested.
Kristal Schaefer presented an update to the council on the Main Street Assessment program. Program representatives will be in Walcott July 24th and 25th to meet with council, city staff, school representatives, business leaders, and residents. A community meeting will be held at the Walcott Coliseum on July 25th at 6:30 p.m. to present the assessment results.
Code Review. Discussion was held on proposed changes to the zoning and subdivision chapters. Council agreed with the proposed changes with the exception of the change to the accessory buildings section. This change would allow two garages, both 900 sq. ft. The council will continue to review the proposed accessory building change and will discuss it again at a future council meeting. Discussion was held on the proposed Dangerous Buildings chapter. Following discussion, Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to move forward with adopting a Dangerous Buildings chapter. Motion carried. Discussion was held on requiring permits for commercial tree trimming on private property and requiring the companies to provide a Certificate of Insurance. Discussion was held on recreational vehicles and trailers located on the public right-of-way, which is not allowed. Chief Blake will address the parking violations on public right-of-ways.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented a project worksheet for a patrol bicycle. He stated the bicycle would allow them to patrol and hear better than while in a car and they would be able to discreetly patrol the recreational trail where there has been recent vandalism. Following discussion, Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the purchase of one patrol bicycle at a cost of $1,264.86 plus a bike rack, helmets, and gloves. Motion carried. Chief Blake reported on the recent vandalism at the gazebo at Prairie View Park. Council questioned if quotes had been obtained for a security camera system for the parks.
Public Work's Report. Brockmann presented his report including that Jackie Puck solicited and obtained a donation of flowers/plants from Wallace's Garden Center for the city parks.
Mayor's Report. Mayor Couper explained the roles of the new Municipal Building Committee. The committee is a recommendation board who will gather information and work with the architects and staff to assist with assessing needs, designing space efficiently, look at potential growth, and what departments and/or entities to house in the building. The committee will present their findings and recommendations to the City Council. The first committee meeting will be at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13th.
Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 8:17 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.