September 3, 2024 Minutes
twright@cityofwalcott.com
September 3, 2024
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present: Everett Bieri, Kirk Koberg, Lisa Mengler, and Jacob Puck. Staff present: Jeff Blake, Lisa Rickertsen, and Paul Stagg. Council Member Knutsen arrived at 6:13 p.m.
Approval of Agenda. Puck moved and Bieri seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Introduction of Audience/Public Comments. Larry Seiler,Tim and Andrea Newcomb, Randy Moeller, John Brockmann, Kristal Schaefer, and Recreational Trail Advisory Committee members Mike Avise and Bobby Jo Mosier.
Consent Agenda. Menglermoved and Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices, minutes from August 19, 2024, and the FYE 2024 Investment Report. Motion carried.
Larry Seiler – Flagg Street. Larry Seiler reported he recently installed a flag pole in the City right-of-way (ROW), which prompted notification from City staff for him to remove the pole from the City’s property. Seiler stated the pole is 3’ off his property line at 200 W. Flagg Street, it is not permanent as it can be removed (from the inground sleeve), and he requested it be allowed to stay in the City ROW. Following discussion, Koberg moved and Puck seconded to allow the flag pole to remain in the City ROW (adjacent to 200 W. Flagg Street) with permission to be requested first in the future. Motion carried. Signs, including flag poles, are not permitted in the City right-of-way unless specifically approved by the Council. Seiler also stated there is a lot of standing water on the south side of Flagg Street. He expressed concerns with the grade of the ditch and he feels it needs attention. Mayor Kostichek stated it would be looked into. Knutsen arrived at 6:13 p.m.
Walcott Women – Trick-or-Treating. No one was in attendance from the Walcott Women organization so the topic will be placed on the September 16th agenda.
Recreational Trail Phase 2 Extension Survey. Discussion was held on thesurvey previously submitted by the Recreational Trail Advisory Committee to gain input from the community on the proposed trail extension. The Committee will revise the survey as discussed and present at the next council meeting.
Walcott Historical Society Contribution Request. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the contribution request to the Walcott Historical Society, in the amount of $2,500. Motion carried. This contribution is to promote and assist in preservation of the City’s history.
Visit Quad Cities Annual Contribution Request. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the contribution to Visit Quad Cities, in the amount of $1,000. Motion carried.This contribution goes towards tourism and promotion of Walcott.
Tennis/Pickleball Court Striping Project. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the tennis/pickleball court striping project with Tennis Surfaces of Iowa at a cost of $23,190. Motion carried.
Manhole Replacement Project. This project is for seven manhole surround/street panel replacements on Memorial Road. Puck moved and Knutsen seconded to approve the project with Triple B Construction at a cost of $29,220. Motion carried. Stagg will work with the contractor to place no parking signs along the street at specific areas during construction.
Resolution 2024-33, Approving the Designation of State and Local Recovery Funds, Part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to approve Resolution 2024-33. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Bieri, Puck, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.This Resolution lists potential uses for the remaining ARPA funds, including electrical upgrades, solar powered radar speed signs, and office equipment upgrades.
- Purchase of Solar Powered Radar Speed Signs and Laptop. Mengler moved and Bieri seconded to purchase 6 solar powered radar speed signs at a cost of $20,686.87 and a laptop for the Public Works Department at a cost of $1,565.71, both to be paid with ARPA funds. Motion carried. The speed signs will be placed on existing poles on E. James Street, E. Lincoln Street, and Memorial Road. It was noted that no citations are issued from these signs. These signs are to help slow down traffic by displaying the vehicle speed of approaching motorists.
Resolution 2024-34, Acceptance and Final Payment of Walcott N. Plainview Road/Walker Street Pavement Patching Project. Koberg moved and Knutsen seconded to approve Resolution 2024-34. Roll call ayes: Koberg, Knutsen, Bieri, Mengler, and Puck. Motion carried. The final payment to All American Concrete Inc. is $10,522.85.
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. Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the second reading to adopt Ordinance 549-24. Roll call ayes: Puck, Mengler, Knutsen, Bieri, and Koberg. 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 Koberg seconded to approve the second reading to adopt Ordinance 550-24. Roll call ayes: Bieri, Koberg, Knutsen, Puck, and Mengler. 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. Mengler moved and Puck seconded to approve the second reading to adopt Ordinance 551-24. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Puck, Bieri, Knutsen, and Koberg. Motion carried.
Police Department Report. Puck questioned the distance from a stop sign for street parking. Parking is prohibited within 10 feet from a stop sign and an intersection of any street or alley.
Public Works Department Report. Mengler inquired about placing a flag on the pole at Water Tower Park. Stagg stated the current flag pole is scheduled to be removed and a donated pole will be installed at a new location at the park.
Koberg moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 6:59 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.