HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/25/1989COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES
September 25, 1989
5:00 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor McKinley, Dell, Fox, Angel, Buck, Budak,
Brown.
Deb Collett, Manager of the Waterloo Housing Authority, presented
items relating to the senior citizens housing project located at
225 West Ridgeway Avenue, Ridgeway Towers. The first item was
for the debt forgiveness amendment which permits Ridgeway Towers
to establish a replacement reserve for project improvements
rather than sending project funds to the Department of Housing
and Urban Development for the general fund. This allows the
project to keep any profit generated by the project. The second
amendment is to extend the funding for rental assistance to the
Section 8 Existing A.C.C. Program for 379 families from January
14, 1992 to October 31, 1992. This amendment offers the program
for ten additional months for the City. Both of these items will
require City Council approval. No official action was taken by
the Council at this time.
In response to other questions from the Council, Ms. Collett
reported that there are approximately 60 people on the waiting
list for Ridgeway Towers. Currently, the Chamber manages 556
units of Section 8 Housing. In response to a question from Mayor
McKinley, Ms. Collett reported that the Chamber does not keep any
of the money generated from public housing for general operation.
Councilperson Dell asked for Ms. Collett's opinion on the housing
need in the community. Although it is difficult to identify, Ms.
Collett did report that rent continues to increase which reflects
a tightening housing market. Ms. Collett also reported that
after October, 1992, the federal government has not made any
further commitments to the Section 8 Program and that the
possibility exists that the program will be canceled at that
time. There was also discussion as to how the Chamber came to
manage the public housing. It was reported that in the mid 70s,
the City contracted these services with the Chamber to put it out
of the "public arena."
With no further business before the Work Session, the meeting was
adjourned.
Larry P. Burger
City Clerk/Auditor
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
September 25, 1989
4:00 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor McKinley, Dell, Fox, Angel, Buck, Budak,
Brown.
Members of the Chamber's Study Report on City Government were
identified as John Murphy, Kathy Oberle, Leon Mosley, Dwight
Fritz, Frank Alexander, Bob Heaton, Dave Sparks, and Chairperson
David Tyler.
Chairperson Dave Tyler presented the recommendations of the
committee. The study pointed to the need for an additional,
centralized administrative position which would provide the Mayor
some relief from administrative issues. The report purposely did
not define the position.
Fox now present at 4:05 p.m.
The position as envisioned by the Task Force was close to a
"Director of Administrative Services" and close to a "City
Administrator" but not a "City Manager" position. It was
recommended by the committee that a position be created by
ordinance with clear definition and an independent existence. In
the chain of command, the central administrative position would
report directly to the Mayor with all department heads reporting
to the newly created position. This individual would also have
input into the City budget process. The authority of the
individual would be dependent on the situation but would be
available to make decisions in the absence of the Mayor. The
person could not terminate department heads but would share
responsibilities with the Mayor in all aspects of the City
operation. Mr. Tyler reported that the entire Task Force agreed
that a centralized administrative position should be created but
were split on whether the new position would be created by
Council action under the existing form of government or the form
of government would be changed by voter referendum.
Councilperson Buck inquired as to what other cities had been
studied and what structure was most successful. Mr. Tyler
indicated that a variety of structures exist in Iowa cities and
that in most cases, the structure is compatible with that city's
needs.
Angel and Budak now present at 4:10 p.m.
Mayor McKinley reported that Council Bluffs has an administrative
assistant. Formerly, the city manager form of government existed
but following a referendum, the administrative assistant was
reinstated. Cedar Rapids was also studied which has an
administrative assistant position but with a commission form of
government. Dave Sparks, Committee Task Force member, reported
that he had studied the forms of government in Council Bluffs,
Davenport and Cedar Falls. He explained that the City of Cedar
Falls currently has five divisions, with one division identified
as the "Director of Administrative Services." It is a well
defined function with the individual in charge of budget
preparation. He commented that Council Bluffs went back to the
Mayor and City Council form of government eliminating the city
manager position. He also commented that Davenport has a full
time Mayor and administrative assistant and has a special charter
form of government.
Chairperson Tyler reiterated the different types of government
that could exist under a central administrative position or a
city manager. He also stated that how this person would work
with the staff and Mayor would be developed over time.
Work Session
September 25, 1989
Page 2
The Mayor indicated that much of his time is spent with
citizens' concerns. Councilmembers spend considerable time on
citizens' concerns which helps alleviate his workload. The types
of items that the Mayor stated he was unable to complete because
of time constraint include such things as new plans and programs,
citizens' complaints in a timely fashion and aspects of economic
development.
Task Force Member Kathy Oberle cautioned against adding another
layer of government. She suggested that a nationwide search be
undertaken by the City to fill this position.
Chairperson Tyler stated that the success of a city manager form
of government depends greatly on the political atmosphere of the
City as well as the career goals and personality of the person
filling the position. Statistically, the tenure of city managers
is very short. Task Force Member John Murphy expressed a desire
that the City get the most for its money when hiring a new
position. Task Force Member Dave Sparks stated that there is a
significant risk of even greater cost to the community in the
future if the City should decide not to take action to provide
the needed administrative relief.
Councilperson Fox inquired as to the Mayor's feelings on
reduction of his current full time position. Chairman Tyler
stated that there would be a transition period when the Mayor
would remain full time. The Mayor indicated that he has very
little time to get involved in state and national issues.
It was also reported that the Task Force reviewed the new form of
government in light of the reapportionment that will occur after
release of the 1990 census. If the City were to consider a
different form of government it would be best to wait until after
the 1990 census is released. A change in the government form
requiring a voter referendum probably would not become effective
until the 1993 elections.
It was stated that the goal of the Task Force was to bring the
position to reality and that the position should be budgeted for
and planned for during the FY 1991 budget process. It was also
stated that a change in the form of government would not be
necessary if an administrative assistant were hired. Mayor
McKinley instructed the Personnel Department to begin work on the
development of a job description for a centralized administrative
position and then allow the City Council an opportunity to review
it.
Councilperson Angel stated that she would like to review the
current organizational chart of the City. The Task Force will be
consulted throughout the process of the City's progress on this
issue.
Dave Tyler thanked the Task Force Members and Syd McCone, staff
member of the Chamber, for their work on this issue.
With no further business before the Work Session, the meeting was
adjourned.
Larry P. Burger
City Clerk/Auditor