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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-10/07/2019COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 7, 2019 4:00 p.m. Harold E. Getty Council Chambers Members present: Morrissey, Feuss, Klein, Amos, and Juon. Absent: Jacobs and Schmitt Moved by Amos seconded by Feuss that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice -vote Ayes: Five. Motion carried. Objective: Discussion of an ordinance increasing the mayor's salary. Mr. Amos commented that he had been looking through the salaries of city employees to make sure they have the best wages to attract future employees. As he was looking, he found that the mayor position pays less than other cities. These other cities also have city administrators that take on some tasks that assist the mayor. He explained that the Waterloo mayor should be compensated for the lack of a city administrator and to add appeal for those wanting to run for mayor. He continues by adding that there is a proposed amount of $102,000 that has been calculated. Mrs. Juon commented that she will be pushing to look at getting a city administrator but does not believe that is a reason to not pay the mayor at a higher rate. Mr. Amos commented that he agrees eventually looking into the possibility of a city administrator is important due to the fact that the mayor's time is constantly filled with meetings and other duties. Having a city administrator would assist in alleviating some of the mayor's busy schedule and allow things to operate on the level they should be. Mrs. Klein commented that mayor and city council members are political positions that are not based on resumes and job experience. She explained that in other cities with a city administrator have a low mayor pay with a much higher city administrator pay. Cedar Falls would be an exception where both the mayor and city administrator are high. Anyone can be the mayor if they can convince enough people to vote for them. She explained that she does not support a huge raise as she believes that Waterloo has suffered for not having a city administrator to bring continuity to the administration of the city and would like to see waterloo create that position. Mrs. Juon commented that the Mayor still needs to be the face of the community but that she is still going to push for a city administrator. Mr. Morrissey commented that the term of the mayor should be changed to four years. He stated that if a city manager is brought on it changes the form of government and it would have to be deteiinined if the mayor would be able to vote then. He stated that the voters are intelligent and that their research into a candidate is going to determine who is fit for the position. He explained that anyone running a government should be elected and that he does not support having a city administrator. Mrs. Juon questioned whether there are certain things about when and how salaries increases can be approved. She stated that salary increases cannot take effect immediately and have to wait until the start of the next term. Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, commented that the ordinance would have to be approved by November of this year to take effect in January. If approved past November, the salary increase would not take effect until after the new term had been completed. Mr. Feuss questioned when the last time the mayor position had been given a significant salary increase. Mrs. Juon commented that the last time the mayor received a salary raise was when it was tied with the pay raise that the city council had received. She questions when that took place. Kelley Felchle stated that the ordinance in question was amended in 2005. Page 2 Mrs. Klein questioned if that would make Waterloo the highest paid mayor in the state with the proposed salary increase. Mrs. Juon questioned if there was a reason behind why he choose the cities that he did. Mr. Amos commented that he had asked Lance Dunn to put together a list comparing cities with the same mayoral structure as Waterloo. Lance Dunn stated that they have the same mayor/council structure, with the mayor having a stronger role. Mrs. Juon questioned that two of the listed cities have city administrators. Lance Dunn commented that the structure is the same, just which we haven't voted for a city manager. Mrs. Klein questioned if the mayor would be the highest paid if the ordinance were to pass. Mr. Morrissey commented that he believes there are only two other large cities in Iowa that have the mayor/council structure and no form of city administrator. Lance Dunn stated that those were the only two cities listed in the handout. Mr. Morrissey commented that Waterloo was one of two cities that had the mayor/council structure. Mrs. Klein commented that there will hardly be any other mayor in Iowa that is paid more than the mayor of Waterloo. Mr. Amos commented that if the mayor is the highest position the city does not have a city administrator to be paid and there is money being saved by having the mayor performthese duties instead of hiring and paying someone else. Mrs. Klein commented that she is uncomfortable with having the highest paid mayor in the state of Iowa for the same city that charges some of the highest taxes. Mr. Morrissey commented that Council Bluffs has a higher tax rate compared to the city of Waterloo. He stated that Council Bluffs also has a smaller population, smaller geographical area, and they have a form of city administrator. Mrs. Klein commented that the raises that she has received were due to evaluations and overall performance. She also mentioned that the city as a whole as a high tax structure, yet not very much to show for. Mrs. Juon commented that there are things that the city is progressing on throughout the community but just no report has come out from it. Mr. Amos commented that the city is progressing by building houses and other buildings and making strides to be the city that it needs to be from a growth standpoint. Mrs. Klein commented that the next census will show where the city is at and mentioned that the population of Waterloo is dwindling slowly. She commented that the houses being built have yet to sell for a profit or break-even. Mr. Morrissey commented that one of the unfortunate things today is that there is not enough council members present at this work session to make a consensus to move the ordinance forward. Mrs. Klein commented that she would support a smaller salary increase, but not something of this magnitude. Page 3 Mr. Morrissey stated that it's not feasible to do a consensus when not all council members are present to make a vote. Mr. Amos commented that he brought this to the work session because he believes it is something that we as a community need to do. ivlr. Morrissey commented that he is in support of moving it to council next week to see if there is consensus. Mrs. Juon commented that in a work life most of the raises received were based upon work ethic and performance. She stated that she doesn't want this to be a taken a referendum for or against mayor based on whether the ordinance passes or not. The decision must be at the structure of what the role of mayor should be and to attract others to the position. Mr. Feuss commented that we know that the mayor travels and at times has to pay for things out of his own pocket. He questioned if there is an accounting of what he is paying for out of his own pocket and what the city is compensating or paying for to offset this ordinance. Mrs. Klein suggested paying the mayor $95,000. Mr. Amos questioned how the $102,000 figure was calculated. Kelley Felchle commented that the figure was determined based on meetings and that this figure is not etched in stone. Mr. Morrissey commented that the figure came from a comparison to that of the salary of the mayor of Council Bluffs, which has a smaller population and geographical area. Mr. Amos commented that the $102,000 mentioned in the previous meeting was not the set amount but just a suggestion or jumping off point. He said the city is doing well and that is, in part, thanks to the efforts of the mayor. He firmly believes the mayor should be more fairly compensated because the duties of the current mayor and future mayors are only going become more difficult. Set for a work session next week and a first reading. Objective: Review of edits to Title 1 of the City Code. Council members What authority does the committee have to prepare a report. With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Morrissey seconded by Juon that the meeting be adjourned at 5:05 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Five. Motion carried. .►.�4• / Kelley Fel 1 City Clerk