Walker City Council approves consent agenda, passes multiple spending items and Ordinance 2024-08

The Walker City Council on Oct. 7 approved a broad consent agenda and a set of separate motions covering grants, contracts and a municipal ordinance.

Mayor Jerecho Worth called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the council unanimously approved the consent agenda (items 1–34) on a 5–0 roll call. The consent items included claims totaling $290,121.02; payment of $214,934.00 to Macqueen for a Larue D40 loader-mounted snow blower purchased through state and federal grants; a $90,745.75 transfer from the Local Sales Tax Fund to the Street Capital Projects Fund and corresponding payment to Anderson Brothers Construction for the Summit Avenue repaving project; and multiple library construction and move-related invoices and contracts.

Councilmember Jim Senenfelder moved, and Councilmember Char Moore seconded, several personnel and budget items that passed unanimously, including Resolution 43-2024 accepting donations to the city and payment of $4,600 for Walker Community Health Center dues and a $3,000 donation to the Cass County Economic Development Corporation. The council accepted a $50,000 matching grant from Sourcewell to fund City Hall painting and floor repair. Council also approved Walker Police Department Policy Number 29 (Police Pursuit Policy) by a unanimous vote.

In planning and library business, the council approved $6,171.10 to Connect Interiors for library furniture and fixtures, a $1,197 purchase to install protective polycarbonate over a new library mural, and Supplemental Work Order No. 2 for $26,014.30 with Hy-Tec and Gordian for fencing, drywall, flooring and painting related to the new Dale and Harriet Jones Walker Public Library. The council approved a three‑year Culligan water softener lease and service agreement recommended by the Library Advisory Board.

Public Works business included a motion to renotify property owners within the Northwest Area Project assessment area to ensure individual Walker Bay Townhome Association property owners receive notice; the council also approved Ordinance 2024-08, which amends Chapter 28 of the Walker City Code (Utilities) relating to customer duties and city access to water meter equipment. Both motions passed 5–0.

The council discussed an Executive Interiors estimate of $40,992.08 for City Hall flooring and asked staff to obtain quotes for wood floor refinishing or replacement and ceramic tile for downstairs hallways and the entryway. Councilmembers also discussed the potential transfer of ownership of the Walker Fire Hall to the Walker Area Joint Fire Department Board; Councilmember Jim Senenfelder will continue discussions with the joint board. The city noted the building would remain tax-exempt under state statute if transferred.

Votes at a glance: - Consent agenda (items 1–34): passed, roll call Ayes: Mary Beth Hansen; Char Moore; Jim Senenfelder; Gary Wilkening; Jerecho Worth (5–0). - Resolution 43-2024 (accept donations): passed (5–0). - Walker Community Health Center dues payment ($4,600): passed (5–0). - Donation to Cass County Economic Development Corporation ($3,000): passed (5–0). - Acceptance of Sourcewell matching grant ($50,000): passed (5–0). - Police Pursuit Policy (Policy No. 29): passed (5–0). - Library furniture and related work orders and protective mural installation (multiple payments totaling as noted above): passed (5–0). - Culligan three-year water softener lease for library: passed (5–0). - Renotification of Northwest Area Project assessment owners: passed (5–0). - Ordinance 2024-08 (amend Chapter 28 – Utilities): passed (5–0).

The council concluded with routine announcements about curbside fall clean-up (Oct. 14–15), hydrant flushing (Oct. 14–18) and upcoming committee and board meetings. Mayor Worth adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.