November 5, 2018 Minutes
City of Walcott
November 5, 2018
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 5th day of November, 2018, at Walcott City Hall. Jacob Puck, Mayor Pro Tem, called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Other council members present were: John Brockmann, Tim Koehler, Lisa Mengler, and Larry Smith. Absent: Mayor Kostichek. City staff present: Josh Geigle, Adam Hill, Lisa Rickertsen, Tom Schirman, and Paul Stagg.
Approval of Agenda. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Smith moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from October 15, 2018, Resolution 2018-38-Transfer of Funds (from Employee Benefits & Local Option Sales Tax to General Fund), and Resolution 2018-39, Approving Application for a Residential Tax Abatement within the 2017 Walcott Urban Revitalization Area. Roll call ayes: Smith, Mengler, Koehler, Brockmann, and Puck. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Otis Street Improvements Project – Payment #3. Following recommendations from the City Engineer and Stagg, Koehler moved and Smith seconded to approve payment #3 for the W. Otis Street Improvements Project to Cornerstone Excavating, Inc.in the amount of $248,729.29. Motion carried.
2019 Main Street Hanging Flower Baskets. Following discussion, Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve purchasing flowers from Rooftop Sedums for $2,086 and replacement liners, up to $700, for the 2019 hanging flower baskets. Motion carried.
Proposed Parking Lot Adjacent to City Hall/Fire Station. Stagg presented a proposed drawing for a twenty space parking lot adjacent to City Hall. Resident Joe Hahn questioned why they are considering spending funds for a parking lot. Several advantages of a parking lot were mentioned. Smith moved and Koehler seconded to proceed with obtaining a cost estimate for a community parking lot. Motion carried.
Ordinance 501-18, Amending Chapter 63, Certain Provisions Relating to Speed Regulations. Mengler moved and Smith seconded to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 501-18. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Smith, and Puck. Nays: Brockmann and Koehler. Motion carried. The ordinance states that the speed limit on Memorial Road will be 25 miles per hour from the east city limits to the west city limits.
Fire Department Report. Chief Geigle reported on an old fire department trailer that has not been utilized for several years. Council consensus was to post a notice at City Hall to dispose of the trailer through sealed bids.
City Clerk’s Report. Rickertsen reported on the changes to the health insurance plan for 2019. Based on current enrollees the health insurance premium increase will be 3.45% and there is no increase for dental insurance. Koehler moved and Puck seconded to approve the 2019 employee health and dental insurance benefits renewal with Wellmark. Motion carried.
Council Member Comments. Smith reported on the Street Committee meeting that was held on October 29, 2018.
Smith moved and Koehler seconded to adjourn at 6:26 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.