May 5, 2014
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 5th day of May, 2014, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Lisa Mengler. City employees present: Jeff Blake, John Brockmann, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.
Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Public Hearing. Mayor Kostichek opened the public hearing on the designation of an urban renewal area and on an urban renewal plan amendment. The notice of the intention of the City Council to conduct a public hearing on the designation of May, 2014 Addition to the 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. No oral or written comments were received except the letter from the Scott County Supervisors which expressed their concerns and objections related to the use of tax increment financing for all three of the proposed projects. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to close the public hearing and resume the regular meeting. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from April 21, 2014, and Resolution 2014-16, Transfer of Funds. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried.
Audience. Roger Siebke and Eric Chalus, North Scott Press.
Class C Liquor License & Sunday Sales – Foley Entertainment d/b/a Walcott Coliseum. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve the Class C Liquor License & Sunday Sales for Foley Entertainment. Motion carried.
Resolution 2014-17, Award Contract for the West Bryant Street Paving Improvements Project. Based on the City Engineer's recommendation to award the project to the low bidder, Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2014-17. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried. The bid was awarded to N.J. Miller Inc. in the amount of $663,952.75.
Resolution 2014-18, Declare Necessity and Establish an Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.4 of the Code of Iowa and Approve Urban Renewal Plan Amendment for the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area. Koehler expressed his concerns regarding the letter received from the Scott County Supervisors. Schirman responded that the projects listed in the amendment are a legal use of tax increment financing. Mayor Kostichek stated the City respects the Scott County Supervisors opinion but the City needs to do what they feel is best for our community. Following further discussion, Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2014-18. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried.
Ordinance 470-14, Amending Certain Provisions Pertaining to Parking Prohibited. Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 470-14. Roll call ayes: Jackie Puck, Latimer, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Latimer. Motion carried. The amendment includes a change in the introduction of Chapter 69.06, to define that vehicles include towables/trailers, and adding that front yard parking in residential R-1, R-2, and R-3 zoning areas is prohibited unless parking is on an approved driveway surface.
Ordinance 471-14, Amending Chapter 99 Regarding Sewer Rates. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the second reading of Ordinance 471-14. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, and Latimer. Motion carried. The sewer rates will increase $.25 per 1,000 gallons of water usage, beginning with the July 1st bill.
Ordinance 472-14, Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the 2014 Addition to the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. Koehler introduced and moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance 472-14. Seconded by Jackie Puck. Roll call ayes: Koehler, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Jacob Puck. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented his monthly call for service report. He also presented a proposed agreement with Scott County Sheriff's Department to house two quad-runners. Discussion was held on utilization of the quads, insurance costs, maintenance, and liability concerns. Additional information will be obtained and the agreement will be placed on a future agenda.
Public Work's Report. Brockmann presented his report including that the new sidewalk across from the school is not completed yet. He also reported on issues with the recent city clean-up day including illegal disposal of hazardous and electronic items that were disposed in the dumpsters anyway. Both electronic and hazardous waste can be disposed of for free at the Electronic Demanufacturing Facility in Davenport for all Scott County residents.
Mayor's Report. Mayor Kostichek stated he heard from citizens within the last week and encouraged them to come to the council meeting. He also told the council he feels they are doing good things and making progress in the City.
Questions/Concerns. Jacob Puck questioned the status of the Vision Committee and whether or not they should be disbanded since they have not met in over a year. Mayor Kostichek will contact the committee chair.
Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 6:45 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.