May 4, 2026 Minutes

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor Jacob Puck called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Bobbie Martinez, Lisa Mengler, and Joe Quick. Staff present: Adam Hill, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg. 

Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the agenda with deletion of item 7, renewal of Class C Retail Alcohol License for Lampliter Inn. Motion carried.

Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. New fire department trainees, Jayden Paulsen, Courtney Warhurst, and Drake Tegtmeier, were introduced by Assistant Chief Ben McKibbin. Other residents in attendance were: Megan McKibbin (Fire Department), Lynnette Tarchinski, Jordan Orcutt, John Brockmann, and Brett and Felisha Lacher. Lachers introduced themselves as the new owners of the Walcott Commons (Walcott Coliseum) and inquired about financial programs through the City.   

Consent Agenda. Koberg moved and Martinez seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from April 20, 2026, Resolution 2026-20 Acknowledging New Investment, Resolution 2026-21 Reconfirming Prior Wage Adjustment Upon Completion of Crime Scene Investigator Couse for Sergeant Horihan, payment to Kalmes Catering in the amount of $9,600 for the Fire Department fundraiser steaks, Fireworks Permit for Iowa 80 Group Truckers Jamboree Display on July 9^th & 10^th, and cigarette/tobacco permit renewal for Dolgencorp LLC. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Martinez, Bieri, Mengler, and Quick. Motion carried.

Class C Licenses Retail Alcohol License for Walcott Commons. Mengler moved and Quick seconded to approve the Class C retail alcohol license for Walcott Commons. Motion carried.  

Second Reading of Ordinance 562-26, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fee. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve the second reading to adopt Ordinance 562-26, Amending Chapter 106 Pertaining to Solid Waste Collection Fees. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Martinez, Bieri, Quick, and Mengler. Motion carried. This increases the garbage rate to $20.75, effective with the July 1, 2026 billing, which is the amount the City will pay to the contracted collector.

Submission of State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program Grant. McKibbin requested approval to submit a grant application towards the purchase of new air packs.  Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve the grant application submission to State Farm Good Neighbor Firefighter Safety Program. Motion carried. The Fire Department steak fry fundraiser will be held on May 16^th at the Walcott Legion, serving from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  

Police Department Report. Purchase of Dell Laptop for Squad. Chief Hill requested to purchase a laptop form Platinum Information Services, Inc. for the new squad. Bieri moved and Martinez seconded to approve the purchase of a dell laptop for the new squad in the amount of $3,821.22. Motion carried.

Public Works Department.   

• 2026 Ford F250 – Stagg requested to replace the 2009 service truck with a 2026 Ford F250. Mengler moved and Martinez seconded to approve the purchase of a 2026 Ford F250 in the amount of $44,293 and a service body for $13,410. Motion carried. The truck will be purchased at the State bid price from Stivers Ford and the service body with toolboxes will be purchased from Future Line Truck Bodies.
• Persons with Disabilities Parking Near Water Tower Park. Stagg reported the cost to install a persons with disability parking space is $1,000. Mengler moved and Quick seconded to approve adding a persons with disabilities parking space on South Main Street adjacent to Water Tower Park. Motion carried. 

City Clerk Report.

• Replacing Server and Related Equipment. Rickertsen requested to replace the current server and backup device. Quick moved and Mengler seconded to purchase a refurbished server and related equipment from Platinum Information Services, Inc.in the amount of $7,495.76 as presented. Motion carried.
• IT Support and Network Services Agreement Renewal with Platinum Information Services, Inc. Koberg moved and Bieri seconded to approve the three-year contract renewal with Platinum Information Services, Inc.
• Discussion and Review of Water and Sewer Rates. Rickertsen presented information on the water and sewer funds. Following review and discussion of current rates and expenses, Council consensus was to have Rickertsen prepare ordinances proposing 5% rate increases for both water and sewer services.

Midwest Iron Addicts – Request to Revise the May 23^rd 5K Race Start Time to 8:00 p.m. A request was received from Austin Bowman to adjust the 5K race start time from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to adjust the May 23^rd 5K race start time to 8:00 p.m. Motion carried.

Council Comments. Council thanked the Fire Department volunteers and the new owners of the Walcott Commons.     

Bieri moved and Martinez seconded to adjourn at 6:26 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.

May 4, 2026 Signed Minutes and Claims