October 3, 2022 Minutes
City of Walcott
October 3, 2022
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 3rd day of October, 2022, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Harry Knutsen, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Absent: Kirk Koberg. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg. Chief Korry Kraft was present for the Fire Department Report and City Engineer, Jason Holdorf, arrived for the City Engineer report.
Approval of Agenda. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. No comments.
Consent Agenda. Knutsen moved and Mengler seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from September 19, 2022, and Tax Increment Financing Rebate Payments Per Agreements – Iowa 80 Truckstop, Inc. – Main Building Expansion, ½ of 3rd year rebate = $12,829.16 & Atlantic Bottling Company –Distribution Building, ½ of 2nd year rebate = $38,547.38. Motion carried.
Trick-or-Treating. Rickertsen reported the Walcott Women representative at the last council meeting requested the incorrect time for Trick-or-Treating. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to accept the revised time of 5 – 7 p.m. for Trick-or-Treating on October 30, 2022, with the parade starting at 4:15 p.m. (line up at 4:00 p.m.). Motion carried.
Request to Sell Food at City Park on October 8, 2022. Tim Klindt requested permission to sell food (egg rolls) at a City park on October 8th during the city-wide garage sales. His wife runs a business, Humble, out of their home in Blue Grass, which is licensed by the Scott County Health Department. Klindt stated they are trying to promote their business in Walcott. Rickertsen reported the City Attorney questioned if this would set a precedent and how would it affect other local businesses. Following discussion, Council suggested Klindt contact local business owners that may allow a food truck on their private property and thanked him for attending.
Fire Department Report –New Rescue Truck Plans & Specifications. Chief Korry Kraft presented specifications for a new rescue truck, which would replace the 1997 rescue truck. He requested permission to send the truck specifications to bidders. Mayor Kostichek questioned the need for a Spartan custom chassis, instead of a standard chassis. Kraft stated the Spartan custom chassis is comparable in price to a Freightliner chassis, but the Spartan sits over the engine which allows for a larger cab. Kraft was asked to obtain a quote on another chassis (Freightliner) for review at the next council meeting. Mayor Kosticheck questioned applying for grants and Kraft stated they just missed a grant cycle but agreed they may be able to apply in the spring for the truck box.
Walcott Historical Society. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the contribution request of $2,500 to the Walcott Historical Society as budgeted. Motion carried.
Lincoln Street Improvements Project. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve payment #4 to Needham Excavating, in the amount of $170,414.11, as recommended by the project engineer. Motion carried. Mengler questioned the status of the Main and Lincoln Street intersection. Stagg responded it should be paved before winter.
Police Department Report. Chief Blake presented his report including a project worksheet to purchase a 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 and reported on the status of repairs to the Dodge Durango squad, which is still out of service. Chief Blake stated the vehicle would not be delivered until after July 1st and he could write a grant in the spring. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the purchase as presented for a 2023 Dodge Ram 1500 from Stew Hansen Dodge, at a cost of $41,084, with an older squad to be traded in at a later date. Motion carried.
City Engineer Report. Jason Holdorf reported on the status of correction for the the W. Otis Street deficiencies. He contacted other contractors and is pursuing sidewalk repairs. Holdorf stated it is IMEG’s intention to replace a few street panels, as well as the two sidewalk sections this fall and revisit it next year. Mayor Kostichek questioned the timeline on paving E. Lincoln Street, particularly at the east end of the project. Holdorf stated he hopes the paving will start in mid-late October. Mengler questioned the status of the future development utility plan study. Holdorf responded he would forward it to Stagg prior to the next meeting.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg provided additional updates on the E. Lincoln Street project.
- Dead and Diseased Trees. Stagg reorganized the list as requested. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to direct Stagg to proceed with letters to the ten property owners as listed. Motion carried.
- Valve Exerciser. Stagg presented a project worksheet to purchase a valve exerciser to use on hydrants and water main valves. Following discussion, Puck moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the purchase of a valve exerciser at a cost of $4,950. Motion carried.
Stagg also reported on the mowing of the recreational trail and an open position in the Public Works Department. Mengler questioned the status of the concrete bids for the James & Century Streets intersection ADA improvements. Stagg responded since it’s late in the construction season, they will obtain bids again next spring.
Possible Closed Session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(J). Bieri moved and Puck seconded to go into a closed session at 6:47 p.m. under Iowa Code Chapter 21.5(1)(j) to discuss purchase of particular real estate. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Puck, Mengler, and Knutsen. Motion carried. Rickertsen and Stagg were allowed to stay at the meeting and all others were asked to leave the council chamber.
Mengler moved and Puck seconded to close the closed session and resume the regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, and Knutsen. Motion carried.
Possible Action per Closed Session. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to instruct staff to communicate with property owner as discussed during the closed session. Motion carried.
Bieri moved and Knutsen seconded to adjourn at 7:01 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.
October 3, 2022 Signed Minutes & Claims