September 8, 2015 Minutes
City of Walcott
September 8, 2015
The semi-monthly meeting of the City Council of Walcott, Iowa, was held on Tuesday, the 8th day of September, 2015, at Walcott City Hall. Mayor John Kostichek called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Council members present were: Tim Koehler, Virgil Wayne Latimer, Lisa Mengler, Jackie Puck, and Jacob Puck. Absent: None. City employees present: Jeff Blake, Steve Bowman, Josh Geigle, Randy Reimers, Lisa Rickertsen, Tony Rupe, and Tom Schirman.
Approval of Agenda. Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the consent agenda including the invoices and minutes from August 17, 2015. Motion carried.
J. Brockmann : Concerns/101 S. Main Street Lot (former lumberyard). John Brockmann questioned the costs presented previously by Koehler regarding the cost differences between placing a municipal building on this site or adjacent to the current City Hall. Discussion included possibly relocating poles (located on the southeast side of the lot: at no cost to the City) and proceeding with a Phase 1, and possibly a Phase 2, environmental study on the lot. Quotes on the environmental studies will be obtained for the next meeting.
Brenda Warner : SBDF Run Approval & Appropriate Street Closures. Brenda Warner presented information about SBDF (Shelly Bridgewater Dreams Fund) and requested approval to have a 5K run on October 31st. They would like to close a portion of E. Bryant Street, between Main & Henry Streets, for set-up at 8:00 a.m., with the run beginning at 9:00 a.m. She presented the route, which will be the same route used for the Walcott Day 5K. Warner questioned if the Fire and Police Departments could assist during the run. Audience member Kirk Koberg suggested putting up notices as it will be during harvest season and tractors may be trying to get to River Valley that morning. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the 5K run and appropriate street closures on October 31st. Motion carried.
S. Downey Street Improvements Project. Rickertsen stated a second engineering quote was received but the two quotes were not comparable. She questioned if the Council wanted to proceed with sidewalk assessments for lots that do not currently have sidewalks, consistent with past street improvements projects, which would be an additional engineering fee. Resident Jim Paulsen questioned the street width and sump pump connections. It was reported the storm sewer would be placed in the street, allowing for a shorter distance for connections. Koehler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to send out RFPs (Request for Proposals) and include the sump pump sewer laterals, street width at 33′, and the sidewalk assessments. Resident Joe Hahn questioned a turn-around at the end of the street and stated emergency vehicles sometimes have to back out of the street. Koehler moved to amend his motion to include adding a cul-de-sac, if viable. Seconded by Jackie Puck. Motion carried. Resident Mike Engler questioned pumping water onto sidewalks, specifically properties along E. Lincoln Street. Brockmann stated it is most convenient to pump the water out into the streets and the majority of town does not have storm sewer. Rickertsen will check with the Building Official regarding Engler’s concerns.
Trick-or-Treating. Jacob Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve Trick-or-Treating on October 30th from 6:00 p.m. : 8:00 p.m. Motion carried. Koehler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the parade from Victory Park to the Walcott Legion. Motion carried.
Main Street Streetscape Enhancement Project. Mengler moved and Jackie Puck seconded to approve payment #1, to Brandt Construction, in the amount of $75,107.17. Motion carried. Building Official, Linda Rivers, had reviewed the payment request, along with the project engineer, Missman Inc., who recommended payment.
Approval of Central Tank Coatings Invoice. The invoice, in the amount of $31,920, included $20,000 for the exterior painting and $11,920 for equipment repairs. Koehler expressed concerns with the gray streaks of primer that are visible, from the base to the top of the tower. Bowman stated he questioned the contractor, who stated it was overspray that will wash off after a few rains and stated they would come back if it wasn’t better by spring. Koehler stated he wants something in writing from the contractor that they will rectify if it’s not resolved. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to table approval of the invoice until the next meeting. Motion carried.
Approval of Water Plant Monitoring & Alarm System. Discussion was held on the proposal from Automatic Systems to improve the water treatment plant and north lift station monitoring and alarm system. This proposal will improve the system that provides the city staff with immediate notifications in case of emergency situations. Water Operator, Tony Rupe, stated they had a lengthy review with Automatic Systems personnel and this is the first step with the upgrade. Council members expressed concerns that only one bid was presented. Mengler moved to table until a second bid is received. Rupe stated the existing equipment was installed and has been maintained by Automatic Systems and a new vendor may need to go through all the blue prints in order to be familiarized with our system, in order to bid on it, and he felt this bid was reasonable. Mengler rescinded her motion and Jackie Puck moved and Latimer seconded to approve the proposal from Automatic Systems, in the amount of $6,270. Motion carried.
Resolution 2015-31, Approving the 2015 Fiscal Year Street Finance Report. Rickertsen reviewed the annual street finance report. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve Resolution 2015-31. Roll call ayes: Mengler, Jacob Puck, Jackie Puck, Latimer, and Koehler. Motion carried.
Fire Department Report. Chief Geigle requested approval to purchase a hose tester. He stated doing the testing from the trucks is extremely hard on the pumps. Koehler moved and Mengler seconded to approve purchasing a hose tester. Motion carried. The hose tester will be purchased from Sandry Fire Supply at a cost of $1,926 plus freight, from the Fire Department Donation fund. Chief Geigle requested permission to close a portion of E. Bryant Street and payment of steaks for the Fire Department Steak Fry. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to approve the payment to Kalmes Catering in the amount of $8,250 for 1,000 steaks. Motion carried. Jackie Puck moved and Koehler seconded to approve closing a portion of E. Bryant Street, between Main Street and Henry Street, on September 26th. Motion carried.
Public Work’s Department Report. Bowman reported he was obtaining bids on street repairs, mapping and painting water shut-offs, and he contracted salt for this winter. He presented information from Altorfer regarding an annual maintenance plan for the generators. The maintenance plan proposal will be placed on a future agenda.
City Clerk’s Department Report. Rickertsen requested purchase of a new computer server and fifteen block hours of service from Computer Evolution. Mengler moved and Jacob Puck seconded to purchase a new computer server and fifteen block hours of service from Computer Evolution at a cost not to exceed $4,855. Motion carried. Rickertsen stated she wanted to address comments made at the last meeting:
In response to a comment that Alliant Energy would allow banners on their decorative poles, she read an email from an Alliant Energy field engineering specialist, dated March 16, 2015, stating that no additional banners can be on their decorative poles.
She reported House File 570 was passed earlier this year which provides an exemption from municipal tort liability for claims arising from recreational activities, which includes the proposed splash pad.
She also reported on the upcoming Vision Committee and Splash Pad Committee meetings on September 16th.
Mayor’s Report. Mayor Kostichek stated the City is going through a staff transition period in the Public Works Department, thanked employees and others in attendance for their assistance and patience.
Council Member Comments/New Business. Mengler thanked Rickertsen and Rivers for their assistance with the damaged cones at Watertower Park. Jackie Puck thanked John Brockmann for his cooperation in working with Bowman and Koehler stated he appreciated his efforts and thanked him for being in attendance. Koehler questioned if the south water tower was in working condition. Brockmann stated it was and the pumps are tested every Monday. He also stated you can pump directly into the main (in the event of an emergency), without using the tower, but IDNR would need to be notified.
Jackie Puck moved and Mengler seconded to adjourn at 7:18 p.m. Motion carried. All votes on motions were unanimous, unless noted.