March 18, 2019 Minutes
City of Walcott
March 18, 2019
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 18th day of March 2019, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: John Brockmann, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, Larry Smith, and Tim Koehler. Absent: None. City staff present: Jeff Blake, Paul Stagg, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Bryan Schmid, Bi-State Regional Commission, introduced himself and distributed information about the Commission and services available to the City.
Public Hearing on Fiscal Year Ending (FYE) 2019 Budget Amendment. The public hearing was opened on the FYE 2019 Budget Amendment. Rickertsen reported on the increased revenue and expenditures. No written or other oral comments were received. Puck moved and Koehler 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 March 4, 2019, February 2019 financial reports, Resolution 2019-17 – Approving the Adoption of the FYE 2019 Budget Amendment, and TIF rebate payments per agreements to Iowa 80 Truckstop – 60 x 240 Building Project – $1,030.21 and Sterling Partners – Multi-Use Building Project – $4,607.78. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Smith, Koehler, Brockmann, and Puck. Motion carried.
Minutes from March 11, 2019. Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve the minutes from March 11, 2019. Motion carried with Brockmann abstaining due to absence.
2019 Summer Youth Program. Rickertsen presented information on the proposed Summer Youth Program with the Scott County YMCA. Mengler moved and Koehler seconded to approve the 2019 Summer Youth Program as presented. Motion carried. Fees will remain the same as last year: $70 per participant for children residing within city limits or Fire District #6 and the full cost of $196.45 for non-residents. Program dates are June 17th – July 26th.
Ordinance Amending Chapter 99 Regarding Sewer Rates – Introduction & 1st Reading. Rickertsen stated that this Ordinance will increase the sewer rates 3% beginning with the May 1st bills. The base rate will increase from $10.00 to $10.30/month and the usage rate from $6.15 to $6.33 per 1,000 gallons of water. Puck introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 502-19, Amending Chapter 99 Regarding Sewer Rates. Seconded by Smith. Roll call ayes: Puck, Smith, Mengler, Koehler, and Brockmann. Motion carried.
Ordinance Amending Chapter 155 Pertaining to Above Ground Storage Tanks. This Ordinance amends Chapter 155 by adding provisions relating to liquid propane (LP) tanks. Mengler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 503-19, Amending Provisions to Above Ground Storage Tanks. Seconded by Koehler. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koehler, Smith, Brockmann, and Puck. Motion carried.
Policy & Administration Committee Recommendations. Mengler reviewed the committee’s (Mengler and Koehler) recommendations for changes to the Walcott Personnel Policy Handbook and wages for the next fiscal year.
- Resolution 2019-18, Amendments to the Personnel Policy Handbook. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve Resolution 2019-18. Brockmann reported he didn’t agree with increasing the amounts in the purchasing policy. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Smith, Koehler, and Puck. Nays: Motion carried.
- Resolution 2019-19, Setting Wages for Employees for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2019. Smith moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2019-19. Brockmann expressed his opinion that there should be a larger spread between the two public works Heavy Equipment Operator/Laborer wages due to tenure. Roll call ayes: Smith, Koehler, Mengler, and Puck. Nays: Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented a project worksheet to purchase new equipment and transfer some existing equipment to the new squad. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve Blake’s recommendation to proceed with Karl Emergency Vehicles in the amount of $6,731.33. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report.
- Resolution 2019-20, Approving Farm Lease with Rodney Dietz. Stagg stated the previous lease with Rodney Dietz included language that is no longer relevant. Brockmann questioned why the adjacent property owner cannot continue to farm the area south of the wastewater treatment plant Stagg stated he spoke with the adjacent property owner and since there was not a lease with him the new lease with Dietz includes seeding that property in order for the ground to be utilized by the City. Smith moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2019-20. Roll call ayes: Smith, Puck, Mengler, and Koehler. Nays: Motion carried.
- 2019 Seal Coating. Stagg presented a project worksheet for maintenance repairs (seal coating and spot repairs) on E. Lincoln Street from Main Street to Blue Grass Road, a small section of Henry Street (around a box culvert near corner of E. Lincoln Street) , and S. Main Street to City limits. The proposal from LL Pelling Co. also included a cost to sealcoat the graveled portion of Memorial Road. Stagg stated he requested a cost for Council’s consideration but that cost of $61,027 was not included in his recommendation. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to proceed with the maintenance repairs as presented. Motion carried. LL Pelling Co. will perform the repairs at a cost of $35,898.55.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek proclaimed April 4, 2019, as Junior Achievement Day.
Council Comments. Brockmann expressed several concerns including the condition of the graveled portion of Memorial Road, sewer laboratory certifications, and part-time wages. Mengler reported on complaints from citizens regarding a council member who is downgrading city staff and calling staff derogatory names. She stated that as public officials the council should demonstrate respect to everyone and work together for the betterment of the City.
Smith moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:35 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.