May 1, 2023 Minutes

City of Walcott May 1, 2023

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, May 1, 2023, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Harry Knutsen, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.

Approval of Agenda. Knutsen moved and Bieri seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Public Hearing on the Designation of Expanded Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area and Urban Renewal Plan Amendment. Rickertsen stated the notice for the public hearing on the designation of the expanded Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area and on an urban renewal plan amendment had been published according to law and as directed by the Council and that this is the time and place at which the Council shall receive oral or written objections from any resident or property owner of the City. No oral or written objections or statements were filed. Puck moved and Knutsen seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.

Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from April 17, 2023, and minutes from April 26, 2023. Motion carried.

Resolution 2023-22, To Declare Necessity and Establish an Urban Renewal Area and Urban Renewal Plan Amendment for the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area. Mengler moved and Koberg seconded to approve Resolution 2023-19. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Koberg, Knutsen, Bieri, and Puck. Motion carried.

Resolution 2023-23, Setting a Date of Meeting at Which it is Proposed to Approve a Development Agreement with Sterling I, LLC, Including Annual Appropriation Tax Increment Payments. Bieri moved and Koberg seconded to approve Resolution 2023-23. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Koberg, Knutsen, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried. The public hearing will be on May 15, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.

Ordinance 537-23, An Ordinance Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the May, 2023 Addition to the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. Mengler introduced and moved to approve the first reading to adopt Ordinance 537-23. Seconded by Puck. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Koberg, Knutsen, and Puck. Motion carried.

Ordinance 538-23, Amending Chapter 92 Pertaining to Water Rates. Ordinance 538-23 includes an increase of 4% to both the minimum (base rate) and usage rate, effective with the July 1st billing. Each customer shall pay a minimum bill of $17.65 per month (increase of $.65/month), which includes usage up to 1,400 gallons and all usage over 1,400 gallons shall be $6.05 per 1,000 gallons (increase of $.23/1,000 gallons). Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the first reading to adopt Ordinance 538-23. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Knutsen, Bieri, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried.

Ordinance 539-23, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees (Garbage Rate). Ordinance 539-23 is a 4% increase ($.60) to the monthly garbage rate, which is the percentage increase the City pays to the collector per contract effective July 1st. Puck moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the first reading to adopt Ordinance 539-23. Roll call ayes: Puck, Knutsen, Koberg, Bieri, Puck, and Mengler. Motion carried.

Lincoln Street Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve payment #8 to Needham Excavating in the amount of $215,873.59, as recommended by the project engineer. Motion carried.

Fire Department Steak Fry. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve closing a portion of W. Durant Street (west side of bank ATM to the west side of Legion property) on May 13th and payment to Kalmes Catering in the amount of $10,500 for the Fire Department Steak Fry fundraiser. Motion carried.

Police Department Report. Chief Blake requested approval to participate in a multi-agency operation on Friday, May 19th. He reported the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) will reimburse the City for wages and vehicle mileage dedicated to the project. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to allow Blake to participate in the IDOT project as presented. Motion carried.

City Clerk Report. Rickertsen reported the Deputy City Clerk will be retiring this summer. Rickertsen met with the Policy & Administration Committee last week to discuss the position and revised job description. The Policy & Administration Committee, Bieri and Mengler, moved and seconded to approve Resolution 2023-24, Approving Deputy City Clerk Job Description. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Mengler, Puck, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried. Rickertsen also reported a committee will be established for the next phase of the recreational trail. This will be discussed during the council meeting on June 5th.

Council Member Comments. Council comments include Knutsen questioning the status of the sidewalk repairs on Main Street at the bridge. The project is included with another sidewalk project (James & Century), which has not been let for bid this year but Stagg stated he would place some cold patch down as a temporary fix.

Austin Burt was present and questioned the status of the splash pad opening. Typically, the splash pad opens around Memorial Day but the area may need to be closed during the upcoming road construction project on W. Otis Street. The City anticipates having a construction timeline soon.

Mengler moved and Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:30 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

May 1, 2023 Signed minutes and claims

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