May 19, 2025 Minutes
lrickertsen@cityofwalcott.com
May 23, 2025
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, May 19, 2025, 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: Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Bernard Brus and Kristi Robinson (Veenstra & Kimm Inc.). Brus stated he was not in favor of having chickens in town.
Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, tax increment financing (TIF) rebate payment ($12,264.82) per agreement to Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc. for the final rebate on the main building expansion, Resolution 2025-27 – Transfer of Funds, Resolution 2025-28-Authorizing Signatories on Bank Accounts, and Resolution 2025-29-Authorizing the Release of Retainage/Final Payment for the N. Grove Street Water Main Replacement Project. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.
Minutes from May 5, 2025. Koberg moved and Puck seconded to approve the minutes from May 5, 2025. Motion carried with Knutsen abstaining due to absence from meeting.
Resolution 2025-30, Approving Final Payment of Fire Department 2024 Rescue Vehicle. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2025-30. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried. Chief Hahn will deliver the payment, in the amount of $381,442.26, to Ward Apparatus at the time the vehicle is received.
N. Century Street Watermain Replacement Project.
- Resolution 2025-31, Establishing a Capital Project Fund and Authorizing Transfer of Funds for the Century Street Watermain Replacement Project. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2025-31. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Bieri, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.
- Payment Application #1 to Triple B. Construction for $101,952.10. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve payment application #1 to Triple B. Construction for $101,952.10. Motion carried.
Policy & Administration Committee (Bieri and Puck) Recommendation.
- Resolution 2025-32, Setting Wages for Employees for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2025. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2025-32, Setting Wages for Employees for Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2025. Roll call ayes: Puck, Bieri, Mengler, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried. This is a 4% wage increase.
3rd Reading of Ordinance 559-25, Amending Chapter 167 Pertaining to Definitions, Uses Permitted in Business and Commercial Districts, and Special Uses Permitted in Interstate Highway Commercial District. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to adopt the third and final reading of Ordinance 559-25, Amending Chapter 167 Pertaining to Definitions, Uses Permitted in Business and Commercial Districts, and Special Uses Permitted in Interstate Highway Commercial District. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, Koberg, and Knutsen. Motion carried.
Public Works Department Report. Discussion was held on the status of current projects. The splash pad is now open daily from 10 a.m – 8:00 p.m.Concerns were expressed regarding drainage along W. Flagg Street.
Mayor Report. Mayor Kostichek expressed his thanks and appreciation to the fire department and community that helped and donated to make the fire department fundraiser event a success.
Council Member Comments. The City Council recognized and expressed thanks to Mel Brus for 55 years of service on the Walcott Volunteer Fire Department.
Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to adjourn at 6:28 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.