March 18, 2024 Minutes
twright@cityofwalcott.com
March 19, 2024
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Harry Knutsen, Kirk Koberg, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Stagg requested items 18 and 19 (possible closed session and action) be removed from the agenda. Knutsen moved and Bieri seconded to approve the agenda with the deletion of items 18 and 19. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Jordan Orcutt questioned the regulations on chickens. Rickertsen reported that City Code, Chapter 55.05, only allows chickens (not roosters) in Suburban Agricultural zoning districts with the following restrictions: the number of chickens does not exceed 25 hens; chickens are confined to a coop at all times; and coops may only be located in rear yards and must be located at least 500 feet from all other zoning districts.
Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, February 2024 financial reports, and designating Spring Clean-Up Day for May 4, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Motion carried. The dumpsters will be located at the compost area and the area will be closed from Friday, May 3rd until Monday, May 6th, except during the clean-up day hours.
March 4, 2024 Minutes. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve the minutes from March 4, 2024. Motion carried with Knutsen abstaining due to absence from meeting.
2024 Summer Youth Program. Rickertsen reported on the survey responses on the proposed week-long summer youth program at Camp Abe Lincoln. Camp Abe Lincoln/YMCA would provide the transportation to and from Walcott (Wescott Park) to Camp Abe Lincoln. Discussion was held on the preferable camp weeks, program cost, and city residency requirement. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the 2024 Summer Youth Program, offering two weeks, June 10th – 14th and July 15th – 19th, with each child only permitted to sign up for one week (through the City’s program/sponsorship), and a fee of $100 for each eligible child. Motion carried. Registration information will be posted on the City’s website and Facebook page once it’s available from Camp Abe Lincoln. Youth wanting to attend more than one week of camp will be able to sign up directly through the YMCA for additional weeks, at full cost and not through the City’s program.
Purchase Approval for Security Cameras. Stagg presented a project worksheet to purchase six security/public safety cameras for public buildings/property. He recommended purchase of Verkada.cameras from Heartland Business Systems. Following discussion, Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to purchase the Verkada security cameras, at a cost not to exceed $32,813, which includes a 10-year license. Motion carried. The cameras and 10-year license fees will be paid from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Resolution 2024-12, Approving Concessionaire Agreement Between the City of Walcott and Walcott Unified Fund, Inc. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve Resolution 2024-12, Approving Concessionaire Agreement between the City of Walcott and Walcott Unified Fund, Inc. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Knutsen, Bieri, and Puck. Motion carried with Koberg abstaining due to conflict of interest due to his role with Walcott Unified Fund, Inc.
Resolution 2024-13, Approving Hourly Wage Increase for James Poggenpohl. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2024-13, Approving Hourly Wage Increase for James Poggenpohl for his Grade 1 Water Distribution license. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Koberg, and Kuntsen. Motion carried.
Resolution 2024-14, Awarding Contract for the 2024 Walcott N. Plainview Road/Walker Street Pavement Patching Project. Stagg stated this project is to replace the entrance to Walker Street and he recommended approving the low bid from All American Concrete, Inc. for $64,890. Questions arose on the timeline. Stagg stated the project will be done in two phases so one lane will be open for traffic and it must be completed prior to June 7, 2024. Following discussion, Koberg moved and Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2024-14, Awarding Contract for the 2024 Walcott N. Plainview Road/Walker Street to All American Concrete, Inc. for $64,980. Motion carried. Stagg will obtain additional information from the contractor on the proposed timeline.
Resolution 2024-15, Awarding Contract for the 2024 CIPP Sewer Main Lining Project. Stagg reported on the base bids and the secondary bid item (joint grouting), which he anticipates will be minimal. Stagg stated he felt Visu-Sewer was the best bid and recommended the contract be awarded to them. Following discussion, Council deemed it to be in the best interest of the City to award the contract to Visu-Sewer, with a base bid amount of $275,613. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve Resolution 2024-15, Awarding Contract for the 2024 CIPP Sewer Main Lining Project to Visu-Sewer. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koberg, Knutsen, Bieri, and Puck. Motion carried.
Policy & Administration Committee (Bieri and Puck) Recommendations
- Resolution 2024-16, Setting Wages for Employees for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2024. Puck movedand Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2024-16, setting Wages for Employees for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2024. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried. This is a 4% wage increase.
- Sick Leave Policy Amendments. A lengthy discussion was held on changes to the sick leave policy. A resolution approving the proposed changes will be prepared for the next meeting.
Discussion was held on changing the medical reimbursement policy for future employees. This will be listed on the next meeting agenda.
City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported the City was awarded a $1,000 grant from the Iowa Foundation for Parks and Recreation for a multigenerational swing. This swing allows adults and children (under 5) to swing together. Rickertsen requested permission to seek a grant for a new swing-set frame. Council consensus was to proceed with a grant application for a new frame. Rickertsen briefly reported on the public hearing on the proposed property tax levy at 5:30 p.m. on April 1, 2024.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek proclaimed April 4, 2024, and every first Thursday of April hereafter as Junior Achievement Day in the City of Walcott.
Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:41 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
March 18, 2024 Signed Minutes & Claims