September 19, 2016

City of Walcott September 19, 2016

The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Monday, the 19th day of September, 2016, at Walcott City Hall.  Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.  Council members present were:  Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, Jacob Puck, and Tim Koehler.  Absent: none.  City employees present:  Jeff Blake, Jackie Huston, Randy Reimers, and Tom Schirman.

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

Consent Agenda.  Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the consent agenda, including the invoices, minutes from September 12th and 15th, 2016, and August financial reports.  Motion carried.

Approval of Minutes from September 6, 2016.  Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the minutes from September 6, 2016.  Motion carried with Koehler abstaining due to absence.

Resolution 2016-49, Alley Maintenance.  Options for the policy were discussed.  Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve Resolution 2016-49 with discussed changes.  Motion carried with unanimous roll call vote.

Larry Seiler – Alley Maintenance.  Mr. Seiler was not in attendance.

John & Brenda Swanson.  Ms. Swanson questioned the status of lighting on the Recreational Trail.  The Mayor stated that the Park Board was researching the options.  The Swansons also explained about the culvert under their driveway at the entrance to Walcott Road.  They stated that several years ago Ellsworth Excavating and Mr. Brockmann had taken a larger steel culvert out and replaced it with a PVC pipe with a smaller diameter.  The culvert is plugged up and water is backing up in the ditch.  The Mayor stated that he would speak to the City Engineer about this issue.

Brad Bauer – Storm Sewer Connection.  Mr. Bauer was not in attendance.

Alley behind 200 block of N. Century Street – water issues.  Jackie Puck stated that there is water standing at the north end of this alley even when there has been no rain.  It was noted that there is a storm sewer main with laterals attached in this alley.  The Mayor will discuss this with the City Engineer.

Concrete Pavement Replacement at Fire Station.  Quotes were received from Aero Concrete and Paustian Concrete.  The quotes were not for the same amount of linear feet.  Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to table the quotes until the next meeting to get clarification.  Motion carried.

Manhole and Catch Basin Surrounds Replacement.  Quotes were received from Aero Concrete and Paustian Concrete.  There were questions regarding equal comparisons between quotes.  Latimer moved and Koehler seconded to table the quotes until the next meeting to get clarification.  Motion carried.

Hearts & Hands Foundation.  Austin Burt presented a plan for tree plantings on City-owned property at the west end of Cedar Lane Drive.  This will provide a wind and dust break and visual screening for the Westbrook development area.  The Recreational Trail is planned to continue through this area eventually.  The Foundation’s intention is to encourage residential development.  Huston questioned is these lots could be developed due to the floodplain.  Burt stated that the Foundation would contact IDNR and attempt to get approval for construction in this area.  The Foundation received a $2,500 grant and is requesting the City use the $1,500 that was set aside for tree planting in this area.  Jackie Puck moved and Jake Puck seconded to approve the Phase I plantings with up to $1,500 in City funds being expended.  Motion carried.

Sno-Seekers Swap Meet.  Kevin Toft was present to request the use of Victory Park on November 6, 2016, for their Swap Meet.  This event was held at Victory Park last year and Council Members stated that there were no complaints and the park had been cleaned following the event.  Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the Swap Meet for 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on November 6th.  Motion carried.

Resolution 2016-50, Job Description for Building/Code Enforcement Official.  Jacob Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve Resolution 2016-50.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Resolution 2016-51, Approving Contract & Bonds for the Main Street Bridge Channel Shaping Project.  Mengler moved and Latimer seconded to approve Resolution 2016-51.  Motion carried with unanimous roll call vote.

Police Department Report.  Chief Blake reported on a recent multijurisdictional operation.

City Clerk Report. Huston questioned if the Council was in favor of having the P&Z Commission research and prepare a proposal to allow front yard fences.  Tracy Nees, a resident, stated that she had to remove a push-in fence from her front yard and would like to reinstall it on the property line to keep people and dogs off her lawn.  Council consensus was to refer this to P&Z to prepare a proposal with limits on height and material for front yard fences.

Attorney Report.  The sign easement for Caseys has been sent to them for their approval.

Mayor Report.  Watersmith Engineering can provide hourly services for construction observation for the upcoming James Street Project.

Council Member Comments.  Jackie Puck encouraged everyone to attend the Family Bingo Night on October 8th at the Walcott American Legion.  It is a fund-raiser for the Splash Pad Committee.

Audience Comments.  Jill Ellsworth questioned why the Ellsworth Excavating bid that they submitted to the Public Works Director was not considered for the James Street Project.  Attorney Schirman explained that the bidding documents required a sealed bid with bonding documents be submitted to City Hall and that no bid was received from Ellsworth Excavating.  He stated that only appropriately submitted bids are considered.  Joe Hahn reminded everyone about the Fire Department’s Annual Steak Fry on September 24th.

Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. Motion carried.  All votes were unanimous, unless noted.

Signed minutes and claims

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