HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-April 22, 2019COUNCIL WORK SESSION
April 22, 2019
4:40 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Morrissey, Feuss, Klein, Amos, Schmitt, and Juon.
Moved by Juon, seconded by Amos that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice -vote
Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Objective: Discussion of hiring process and timeline for a new City Attorney.
Mr. Morrissey questioned areas of the job description under essential functions and asked that
#14 be corrected.
Mayor Hart asked Dave Zellhoefer, City Attorney, to make corrections and for council members
to submit their suggestions to the City Clerk or City Attorney by May 26, 2019.
Council member Juon questioned code enforcement duties and suggested there needs to be an
evaluation for Code enforcement personnel same as the legal secretary.
Mr. Morrissey questioned logical reason for assigning and any other duties.
Mr. Schmitt explained this is common language in a job description so that every time something
comes up, a job description doesn't have to be questioned or changed.
Mr. Schmitt stated if the City Attorney and City Clerk report to the Council and not the Mayor
then it should be changed to indicate "at the direction of the Council as opposed to "at the
direction of the Mayor".
Mr. Schmitt questioned if at this time the council is looking at doing a partnership with Cedar
Falls.
Mayor Hart indicated he would be reaching out to Mayor Brown to see if they are interested.
Mayor Hart expressed his concerns with changing "at the direction of the council" wording, as
this would preclude the attorney from attending daily meetings without council approval of each
meeting or conversation.
Mr. Morrissey explained it is his understanding the council would be involved in the process of
approving a City Attorney but the Mayor is responsible for overseeing the attorney and day-to-
day activities. Mr. Morrissey suggested taking out #23 completely.
Mrs. Klein suggested #23 should remain as is as there have been no problems with it so far.
Mr. Morrissey stated it has been explained that his duties as a council member are not to direct
individual employees, including the City Clerk and City Attorney #23 allows him to do that.
Mr. Amos questioned if this hasn't been an issue then why would it be removed.
Mrs. Juon questioned if the language "requested or assigned by the Mayor" would clarify this
issue?
Mr. Schmitt questioned if it shouldn't be the Mayor or Council if the City Attorney reports to the
Council.
Mayor Hart questioned does then does that mean one council member or four council members?
Mr. Amos questioned if council members have the authority to direct the City Attorney to act?
Mayor Hart explained council members have the ability to question the City Attorney and ask for
an opinion.
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Mrs. Juon questioned who does evaluations for the City Attorney and the City Clerk.
Mr. Schmitt questioned where language is located separating the City Clerk and City Attorney
from other department heads.
Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, indicated that language could be found in Title 1 of the City Code.
Dave Zellhoefer explained when a vote comes before the council directing the City Clerk or City
Attorney to take action then that is when the council members have authority, as a body, not as
individuals.
Mrs. Klein stated she feels changing the description could have unplanned consequences and that
the wording should be left alone.
Mrs. Juon will we have time to make changes before the job is posted on the 30th.
Mayor Hart indicated changes need to be sent to Kelley by the 30th so changes can be
incorporated into description.
Mr. Morrissey questioned bullet #3 and stated he would like explanation on scoring grid. Mayor
explained the scoring grid and timeline is new. Sample scoring grids were provided to the
council.
Objective: Review Council Pay ordinance.
Mrs. Klein explained she feel each person should earn pay increases as opposed to automatic
increases each year and feels the Mayor's position should be separated from this altogether.
Mrs. Klein expressed that council increases should be reviewed and discussed at budget time
each year.
Mrs. Juon stated she was on the committee that originally came up with method for increases, as
prior councils were political rather than service oriented. Mrs. Juon does not want to keep
people from running for council as general expenses makes it a financial burden for them to be
on council.
Mr. Morrissey asked that it be withdrawn by council member Klein as passing this may run the
risk of unintended consequences.
Mr. Schmitt: would support measure if it if integrated methodology of whether or not the council
deserves a raise or not and coming up with some way to justify that.
Mr. Feuss state he would like to visit the issue each year based on finances.
Mr. Amos stated he sees no reason to change things and cannot support it the measure.
Mr. Juon explained council cannot change their wages within that year.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, explained, salaries by code have to be set before the
council's term begins. Weidner indicated council can donate their salaries back to the general
fund if they choose to help out the budget.
Mrs. Klein again stated she will always remain uncomfortable with automatic raises.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Schmitt, seconded by Juon, that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:09 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Le M. Even
Deputy City Cler