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CITY OF WATERLOO COUNCIL MINUTES COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING – 136 N. MONROE STREET Thursday, November 15, 2007 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL. Mayor Thompson called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. Alderpersons present – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Others present – Police Chief Tim Thomas, Amber Gerber of the Courier, Videographer Gerald Bauman, Lori Grabske representing the Town of Shields, Assistant Fire Chief Wesley Benisch, Van Stenberg, Fire Chief Vern Butzine, Raynelle Butzine, Ron Griffin, Tama Griffin, Craig Strobel, Charley Kuhl, Herb Lenius, Library Director Cecilia Wiltzius, Clerk/Treasurer Hansen. 1b. Note: At this time Mayor Thompson requested, and by consensus the body agreed to take up item 5b(ii). The body entered into closed to receive a report of department head reviews from the Finance Committee. The body reconvened in open session at approximately 7:05 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF THE NOVEMBER 1, 2007 MEETING MINUTES. Motion: Moved by Kent, seconded by Van Holten to approve the November 1, 2007 meeting minutes as presented. Voice Vote: Motion passed. 3. CITIZEN INPUT. Herb Lenius spoke in opposition to the Interactive Mapping Project. 4. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS AND COMMUNICATIONS a. Published Notice: Notice Of Municipal Spring Election. Noted. b. Announced Resignation Of Alderman Sean Hennessy. Alderman Hennessy said that he would stick around until April. He referenced his letter for the explanation for his resignation. 5. COMMITTEES, COMMISSIONS & BOARDS - RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS a. Public Works & Property Committee i. 2008-2010 3-Year Street Construction Plan. Discussion: Forman said the committee was recommending a 3-year plan as presented in the Clerk/Treasurer’s November 12, 2007 memo. Springer spoke in favor of moving work on Hiawatha Trail from 2010 to 2009. Van Holten spoke in favor of the recommendation as stated. Kent stated that he wished to spare his neighbor on Leschinger an assessment for sidewalks as topography would make for an expensive sidewalk. Perry asked if the issue would come up as part of the design? Forman stated that the committee was looking for direction. Van Holten asked that the issue of sidewalks be placed on the Public Works Committee agenda. Motion: Moved by Pieck, second by Van Holten to adopt a three year street construction plan with work for 2008 being Leshinger Street & Peschel Street as stated in the memo and the 2009 & 2010 streets to be determined. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Van Holten, Hennessy and Kent. Noes – Springer and Forman with Perry abstaining. Motion carried. b. Finance, Insurance & Personnel Committee i. 2006 Virchow Krause Audit Report. Noted: Hansen stated that a digital report format had been distributed to the Mayor and Council and printed copies were available upon request. ii. Review Of Annual Department Head Reviews. Addressed above – see 1b. The Council will convene to closed session to address a personnel matter per State Statute 19.85(1)(c) “Considering employment, promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data of any public employee over which the governing body has jurisdiction or exercises responsibility.” Note: The body intends to return to open session upon the conclusion of the closed session.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS. None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Mayoral Veto Notice – Adoption of Resolution #2007-58, Directing The Creation Of A Segregated Fire Company Fund As Part Of The Municipal Budget; Directing The Clerk/Treasurer’s Office To Process All Municipal Fire Company Invoices And Payroll Transactions; And Directing The Drafting Of An Ordinance Clarifying the Municipal Role Of The Waterloo Fire Company. Motion: Moved by Kent, seconded by Forman to override the Mayor’s veto of Resolution #2007-58. Discussion: Kent distributed copies of select state statutes. He said the auditor’s 2006 report states that the Fire Department’s use of cash basis accounting differed from the rest of the City government. He questioned if the Fire Department is using generally accepted accounting procedures for municipal entities. He referenced state statute 62.09(a), 66.0607(i) and stated statute language relating to the duties of the Treasurer. He cited section 85-7(4) of the municipal code relating to the duties of the Clerk/Treasurer. He stated that a writ of mandamus could compel the City to take the action. He stated that the transfer of the accounting was not a slight to the Fire Department, nor was it to divert funds. He stated that misinformation has been spread about the resolution. Pieck said the big concern was the volunteer fund. Perry said that the Fire Department runs a clean ship. The Mayor stated that the Fire Department Treasurer could be appointed as a municipal Deputy Clerk and be authorized to carry out the functions. Kent said such a concept would be a stretch. Van Holten cited 62.0911(f) in reply to the Mayor’s comments. Laurie Grabske of the Town of Shields stated that she has received misinformation. She stated that Shields wants to stay with the Waterloo Fire Department. Van Holten stated that the objective is to unify the accounting books. Herb Lenius spoke in favor of the Mayor’s proposal. Van Stenberg spoke in favor of the Mayor’s proposal. Vern Butzine noted increasing concern with possible growing wage expense if the volunteers would be paid more than the current small amount. Stenberg said that paying minimum wage to the volunteers would raise costs and taxes. Hennessy said he didn’t want to be held hostage by claims that the volunteers would leave if this went through. Charley Kuhl stated that the items in the resolution could be a negotiating point between the volunteers and the City. Perry said the volunteers get compensated too little. Springer said the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Perry, Van Holten, Hennessy Forman and Kent. Noes – Pieck and Springer. Motion to override passed.
b. Resolution #2007-62 Increasing Trash Disposal User Charges 5.7%. Motion: Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Kent to approve Resolution #2007-62 Increasing Trash Disposal User Charges 5.7%. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None. Motion carried.
c. Approval To Grant Operator’s License For The Period Ending June 30, 2009 To Raymond Burbach, 450 W. Riverside Drive, Waterloo. Motion: Moved by Springer, seconded by Kent to grant the operator’s license to Raymond Burbach. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None. Motion carried.
d. Signage During Reconstruction Of Highway 89. Alderman Perry stated that he was interested in ensuring that appropriate signage was in place to assist businesses during construction. He asked that the matter be referred to the Public Works Committee. No action taken.
8. REPORTS OF CITY OFFICIALS a. Reports Of The Clerk/Treasureri. Approval Of Payroll For October 2007 - $40,289.63. Motion: Moved by Forman, seconded by Kent to approve the payroll for October 2007 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None. Motion carried. ii. Approval Of Pay Vouchers From October 19, 2007 through November 15, 2007. Motion: Moved by Forman, seconded by Springer to approve the pay vouchers as presented. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None. Motion carried. iii. Approval Of Treasurer & Budget Reports For October 2007. Motion: Moved by Forman, seconded by Springer to approve the Treasurer & Budget Reports for October 2007 as presented. Roll Call Vote: Ayes – Pieck, Perry, Springer, Van Holten, Hennessy, Forman and Kent. Noes – None. Motion carried. i. Shared-Ride Taxi Program Report. Noted. b. Report, Waterloo Active Fire Department For October 2007. Noted.c. Report, Building Inspector - Building, Plumbing, And Electrical Permits For October 2007. Noted. d. Report, Public Works Director Gary Yerges For October 2007. Noted. e. Report, Police Chief Timothy Thomas For October 2007. Chief Thomas noted that winter parking regulations go into effect November 15th. f. Report, Library Director Cecilia Wiltzius For October 2007. Wiltzius noted that a new staff person had been hired. g. Report, Waterloo Water & Light Commission For November 7, 2007. Noted. 9. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. Forman noted that comments on the Comprehensive Planning Committee work would be appreciated. 10. ADJOURN. Motion: Moved by Van Holten, seconded by Kent to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously. Time of adjournment was approximately 8:35 p.m. Attest: Morton Hansen Clerk/Treasurer |