Walcott council approves consent agenda, fills appointments and sets plan to fill council vacancy

The Walcott City Council on Jan. 5 approved its consent agenda and a series of appointments and administrative resolutions.

Council voted to approve Consent Agenda items that included Resolution 2026-1 designating the North Scott Press as the official newspaper; Resolution 2026-2 authorizing certain payments before a council meeting; Resolution 2026-3 establishing the standard mileage reimbursement rate; Resolution 2026-4 approving an hourly wage increase for the building official; and Resolution 2026-5 authorizing a transfer of funds. The meeting record lists invoices and payroll with a grand total of $165,952.90; fund totals were reported as General $64,158.70, City Equipment Fund $65,000.00, Water Utility $13,426.26, Sewer Utility $22,889.08 and Solid Waste $478.86. The consent agenda passed by roll call: Koberg, Martinez, Bieri and Mengler voted yes.

The council approved several appointments and reappointments: Mayor Jacob Puck appointed Lisa Mengler as mayor pro tem and Danna Petersen to the Park Board (term ending Dec. 31, 2030); the council appointed John Kostichek to the Planning & Zoning Commission and reappointed Brent Arp to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. The council reappointed Lisa Rickertsen as city clerk (term ending Dec. 31, 2027). Council also moved to proceed with filling an existing council vacancy by appointment at the Jan. 19, 2026 meeting. Council approved the minutes from Dec. 15, 2025; Council Member Kirk Koberg abstained from that vote because he had been absent from the Dec. 15 meeting.

All motions on routine business recorded in the minutes carried by unanimous or near-unanimous vote where noted; the council adjourned at 6:31 p.m.