September 16, 2024 Minutes
twright@cityofwalcott.com
September 16, 2024
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, September 16, 2024, 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.
Approval of Agenda. Knutsen moved and Puck seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Joanne Pohl, Ethan and Skylar Roling, Rick Needham, Darryl Schwarz, Randy Moeller, Tim and Andrea Newcomb, Jennifer and Jeremy Schaeffer, Brian Garlock, Kristal Schaefer, Laura Martin, and Mike Avise.
Consent Agenda. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from September 3, 2024, August 2024 financial reports, renewal of Class B retail alcohol license for Dolgencorp (Dollar General), FYE 2024 (Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024) Annual Financial Report, Resolution 2024-35, Approval of FYE 2024 Annual Urban Renewal Report, and Resolution 2024-36, Approval of the Annual Street Finance Report for FYE 2024. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Knutsen, Bieri, and Puck. Motion carried.
Walcott Women – Trick-or-Treating. Laura Martin, representing Walcott Women, stated they would like to have Trick-or-Treating on Thursday, October 31st from 6 – 8 p.m. with the Halloween Parade starting at 5:15 p.m. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the Halloween Parade at 5:15, from Victory Park to the Walcott Legion, and to set Trick-or-Treating on October 31st from 6 – 8 p.m. Motion carried.
Recreational Trail Phase 2 Extension Survey. Mike Avise, representing the Recreational Trail Advisory Committee, reported the Committee met and revised the proposed survey per the discussion at the last council meeting. Several property owners, adjacent to the proposed trail extension, expressed their concerns about the trail being located on city-owned property behind their residences. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve distributing the survey as presented by the Committee. Motion carried.
Sewer Service Charges Adjustment Request – 310 N. Century Street. Rickertsen reported on a letter receivedfrom the property owner at 310 N. Century Street, requesting a credit for a portion of his recent sewer bill due to a water leak that did not enter the sanitary sewer system and has been repaired. Rickertsen stated Chapter 99.10 of the City Code allows an adjustment for sewer if it meets certain criteria. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve a credit of $47.70 towards the sewer bill at 310 N. Century Street. Motion carried.
Approval of Water Tower Park Playground Equipment Purchase & Donation from Walcott Lions Club. Puck reported on the playground equipment project at Water Tower Park, which was recommended by the Park Board and approved by the City Council during the May 15, 2023 meeting.
The Walcott Lions Club presented a donation in the amount of $15,331.53, to purchase the playground structure. Mengler moved and Knutsen seconded to accept the donation from the Walcott Lions Club and approve the purchase of the playground equipment in the amount of $15,331.53. Motion carried.
Approval to Purchase Replacement Multi-Function Machine. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the purchase of a multi-function machine from Ricoh at a cost of $4,782.53. Motion carried. The current machine will be transferred to the Police Department.
Ordinance 549-24, Amending Chapter 95 Pertaining to Sanitary Sewer System. This Ordinance amends sections 95.02 and 95.09, pertaining to the sanitary sewer system by adding abbreviations and definitions and changes to special penalties. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the third and final reading to adopt Ordinance 549-24. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, and Knutsen. Motion carried.
Ordinance 550-24, Amending Chapter 97 Pertaining to Use of Public Sewers. This Ordinance amends sections 97.02, 97.03, 97.05, 97.07, pertaining to use of public sewers regarding the following: prohibited discharges, restricted discharges, pretreatment facilities, and testing of wastes. Bieri moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the third and final reading to adopt Ordinance 550-24. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Knutsen, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried.
Ordinance 551-24, Amending Chapter 99 Pertaining to Sewer Service Charges. This Ordinance amends sections 99.09 and 99.11 pertaining to sewer surcharges and administrative fees. Puckmoved and Mengler seconded to approve the third and final reading to adopt Ordinance 551-24. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Bieri, and Knutsen. Motion carried.
Ordinance 552-24, Amending Provisions Pertaining to Pedestrians’ Right-of-Way. Ordinance 552-24 was introduced. This Ordinance amends sections 60.02 and 65.07 pertaining to pedestrians in the right-of-way, to match recent changes to the Code of Iowa. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the first reading to adopt Ordinance 552-24. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Bieri, and Knutsen. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Blake stated three of the new solar speed signs will need to be installed at different locations than previously presented.
Public Works Department Report. Stagg reported he intends to close the splash pad on September 23rd due to the upcoming cooler temperatures. Mengler expressed safety concerns with farm equipment traffic traveling on Memorial Road when vehicles are parked on both sides of the street during practices and games at Water Tower Park. Temporary no-parking signs will be placed on the south side of Memorial Road through mid-October.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek expressed thanks and appreciation to the members of the Walcott Athletic Board for their efforts in promoting youth sports, particularly their utilization of Water Tower Park. He also thanked the Walcott Lions Club for the playground donation for Water Tower Park.
Knutsen moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:05 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.