HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/21/93CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
June 21, 1993
5:30 p.m.
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Manning, Angel, Dell, Budak, Lemke, Fox and
Wright.
Members absent: Buck.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the reorganization of the
Planning & Development Division to include the Community
Development Department and Waterloo Housing Authority.
Jim Rodemeyer, Personnel Director, reported that a committee
consisting of Rod Geist, representing the Community Development
Board, Tom Langlas, representing the Planning, Programming & Zoning
Commission, Councilpersons Fox and Budak, Sharon Juon, representing
the Mayor's Citizens Reorganization Committee, Don Temeyer, Mark
Boesen, Deb Collett, and Jim Rodemeyer was formed. Two meetings
were held with the central issue being the merit of adding said
departments to the Planning & Development Division. The Committee
developed an ordinance to reflect the inclusion of both departments
within the division and all parties agreed to the proposed
ordinance should the council desire that such a merger take place.
The Committee also addressed the relocation of the Waterloo Housing
Authority from the Chamber offices to the Carnegie Annex. The
Annex is being renovated to comply with the American's with
Disabilities Act. A resolution will be presented to the city
council on June 28th establishing said employees as a city
department and transitionalizing them into the city structure.
The existing organizational chart for the Planning & Development
Division was distributed as well as the organizational charts of
the cities of Sioux City, Davenport, Dubuque, and Cedar Rapids.
The proposed organization of the Planning & Development Division to
include the Community Development Administration and housing was
modeled after the Sioux City ordinance and to reflect the
resolution of intent adopted by the Waterloo city council. The
ordinance also reflects the current operation of the division.
Councilperson Wright questioned the commonalities our division
would have with other cities. It was noted that the sample cities
are all entitlement cities, administer Section 8 programs, involved
in economic development, an active planning and zoning commission
and building departments. It was noted that the City of Waterloo
has a community development board and the others do not.
Councilperson Wright stated that she was not willing to give up the
authority of the Community Development Board to a division head.
Councilpersons Angel and Budak questioned whether the proposed plan
would cost more. There will be no additional administrative costs
although the employees from the Housing Authority will be paid
commensurate with similar jobs in the current city structure.
Councilperson Dell questioned whether a single person (division
head) could adequately administer seven departments. Councilperson
Budak stated that the proposed structure indicates that the Mayor
is not willing to work with the Community Development Board.
Councilperson Wright stated that she was not in favor of the change
for the sake of change.
Councilperson Dell stated that the only benefit to such a structure
would be a lesser number of people reporting to the Mayor. It was
also noted that improved communication between department staffs
may result. Councilperson Dell stated his support for such a
divisional concept since it will not cost additional dollars and
questioned why the city should not move forward in light of this
aspect. It was noted that the Community Development Board will
continue to exist and be appointed by the mayor and city council.
The Board would still report to the council as it has in the past.
In response to Councilperson Dell's question concerning the span of
Council Work Session
June 21, 1992
Page 2
control, Planning & Development Director, Don Temeyer, noted that
the success of the division will be the involvement of all of the
department heads in the division, the employees, and board and
commission members. He noted that when the division was formed,
the number of administrative personnel decreased in the area of
administrative secretaries and assistant department heads. He also
noted that the activities of the division very directly affect
housing. Working together, providing affordable housing will be a
goal of the division. It was noted that Mr. Temeyer would remain
at the current salary level even if the additional departments are
added to the division.
Tom Langlas, Chairperson of the Planning, Programming & Zoning
Commission, stated that such a move would improve efficiency and
would be beneficial to the community.
Councilperson Wright asked for specific examples of communication
problems that have surfaced due to said departments not working
together. Several examples were provided by Mr. Temeyer.
Questions were raised as to whether or not additional compensation
in the future would be added to the Planning & Development
Director's salary even though a raise may not be given at the
current time. Mark Boesen, Community Development Administrator,
noted that the block grant fund has a 20% administrative cap and
would not allow additional compensation above this amount.
Dave Tyler, Chairperson of the Mayor's Citizens Reorganization
Committee, noted that he was not aware of any discretionary raises
that have been given and that he would not expect that to happen in
the future.
It was generally agreed that the ordinance to include the Community
Development Department and the Waterloo Housing Authority within
the Planning & Development Division be presented to the city
council in the form of an ordinance on June 28, 1993.
No official action was taken at said meeting and it was adjourned
at 6:15 p.m.
Michelle Temeyer
Acting City Clerk