November 21, 2016 Minutes

City of Walcott November 21, 2016

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 21st day of November, 2016, 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, Lisa Mengler, Jacob Puck, and Jackie Puck.   Absent: None.  City employees/consultants present:  Adam Hill, Randy Reimers, Lisa Rickertsen, and Tom Schirman.

Approval of Agenda. Latimer moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Public Comments.  The audience introduced themselves but no public comments were made.

Consent Agenda.  Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the consent agenda, which includes the minutes from November 7th & 10th, invoices, Resolution 2016-54 – Approval of Annual Urban Renewal Report, Resolution 2016-59 – Approval of Transfer of Funds, Resolution 2016-60 – Obligating Funds from the Consolidated Walcott Urban Renewal Area, 2016-2017 Winter Maintenance Proposal with Scott County, and the October 2016 financial reports.  Roll call ayes:  Mengler, Latimer, Jacob Puck, Koehler, and Jackie Puck.  Motion carried.

Walcott Day Committee – Decorations on Main Street Decorative Poles.  Mengler reported that Walcott Day Committee members painted the brackets and placed a rubber barrier between the pole and bracket to hang the decorations.  It was stated that they were having issues with some of the outlets not working.        

Walcott Hearts & Hands Foundation – Austin Burt. 

  • Tree Planting Update and Payment. Burt reported that 275 trees were planted on October 29th, with the help from approximately 30 volunteers on City property at the west end of Cedar Lane Drive.   The Foundation received a Trees Forever grant, in the amount of $2,500, towards the tree purchase, which totaled $3,750.  Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve payment of $1,250 to the Walcott Hearts and Hands Foundation for the trees.  Motion carried.
  • Main Street Entrance Signs – Approval of Final Design & Placement. Burt reported on the proposed entrance sign design and placements at the intersection of Walcott Road and Main Street.  He stated they are still fundraising for the sign costs but would like to do the footings this fall, due to a contractor donation towards the footings.  The City is in the process of obtaining additional right-of-way on the west side of the intersection, for the sign, but Burt stated the property owner has agreed with the project and has signed the building permit for the footings.  Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve the design and sign placement in City right-of-way, for the entrance signs as presented, and to move forward with the footings.  Motion carried.  Burt also reported he spoke with the adjoining property owner on the east side who expressed concerns with snow drifting at the sign location.  The property owner suggested placing a snow fence on the north side of Walcott Road (County Road F58). 

2017 Employee Health & Dental Insurance Benefits.  Koehler reported on the review of possible insurance plans for the January 1st employee insurance renewal during the November 10th Policy and Administration Committee meeting.  The current health insurance policy will no longer be offered as of January 1, 2017, but the dental insurance will remain as is.  The Policy and Administration Committee recommended moving to the Enhanced Blue 1000 HMO which would save the City over $21,000 year in premium costs.  Wellmark’s HMO plan includes approximately 97% of the doctors in Iowa.  Jackie Puck expressed her concern that the local chiropractors are not on the proposed HMO plan.  Employees will still be able to go to their local chiropractors, such as Perth Chiro Centre, but it will be considered a non-covered service and they will be responsible for payment of those services.  The Policy and Administration Committee, Koehler and Mengler, moved and seconded to move to the Wellmark Enhanced Blue 1000 HMO plan for full-time employees, effective January 1, 2017. Motion carried.

Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project – Resolution 2016-58, Accepting Project and Approval of Final Payment.  Concerns were expressed that the GFCIs on the decorative poles were not all in working condition.  Discussion was held that poles, which were installed last fall, should be in working condition prior to the City accepting the project.  Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to table Resolution 2016-58 until the GFCIs are tested and/or fixed.  Motion carried.

Resolution 2016-61, Approving Hiring of Paul Stagg as the Public Works Director, Establishing Vacation Leave, Hourly Wage, and Residency Requirement.  Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2016-61.  Roll call ayes:  Jackie Puck, Mengler, Koehler, Jacob Puck, and Latimer.  Motion carried.

Resolution 2016-62, Approving Hiring of Scott Bengfort as the Building Official and Establishing Vacation Leave and Hourly Wage.  Jacob Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-62.  Roll call ayes:  Jacob Puck, Latimer, Jackie Puck, Mengler, and Koehler.  Motion carried.

Public Works Department Report.  Mayor Kostichek reported on a recent site visit at the James Street water main project and the contractor will be working on a list of items as noted during the visit.  The Council thanked Mayor Kostichek for acting as the interim Public Works Director.

City Clerk Report.  Rickertsen reported the Investment Policy is to be reviewed every three years and it was determined that no changes to the policy are needed.  She also reported the City was notified that Scott County Regional Authority will be awarding a grant towards the Splash Pad project.

Mayor Report.  Mayor Kostichek expressed his thanks to the Public Works Department employees for their cooperation and work during this time without a full-time Public Works Director.

Council Member Comments.  Council members also expressed their thanks to the Public Works Department staff.  They also expressed their gratitude to the Walcott Hearts and Hands Foundation and the Walcott Day Committee members for their recent volunteer work in the community.

Jacob Puck moved and Jackie Puck seconded to adjourn at 6:31 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes were unanimous, unless noted.

November 21, 2016 Signed Minutes & Claims

 

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