HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.09.2008• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
October 9, 2008
8:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Getty, Hart, Greenwood, Steve Schmitt, Welper, Reggie
Schmitt.
Moved by Reggie Schmitt, seconded by Steve Schmitt that the Agenda, as proposed, be
approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Mayor Hurley reviewed items on the Standing Committee agendas for meetings scheduled for
Monday, October 13, 2008. Mayor Hurley noted that the work session is an update on the 2008
flood, FEMA, long-term recovery work, project work sheets, mitigation team prioritization and
an update on the Jumpstart program.
Mayor Hurley reviewed items on the council agenda for Monday, October 13, 2008, and the
following items were discussed.
Noel Anderson, reported that the agreement with Iowa Department of Economic Development
for the Jumpstart Small Business Assistance Program Grant is a new document that council did
not have at the special session on October 2, 2008, and that is why he has placed it on Monday's
council agenda.
Councilperson Greenwood spoke about the agreement with Greater Cedar Valley Alliance to
provide the Riverloop Expo Business Plan. He feels this should be a top priority as we don't
have a solid plan as to who will handle the events, the liquor license, etc. Mayor Hurley noted
that the plan will address organization, how its run, who schedules and coordinates, pricing,
liquor license, etc. Mayor stated that many feel a non-profit should be formed.
Councilperson Greenwood stated that he will be absent on Monday, October 13, 2008 and would
like to comment about the work session on the flood update. Councilperson Greenwood stated
he would like to include a lift station for Lafayette Park and also a way to protect Crystal
Distribution. Mayor Hurley stated that new lift stations are included in the top 3 priorities of the
list.
Councilperson Welper noted that council passed an ordinance which would allow a 5-minute
loading zone on the 200 block of Prospect Boulevard at the request of Kingsley School.
Councilperson Welper stated that it doesn't appear to be working as there is still grid lock at
certain times of the day, as well as at Kittrell School.
Councilperson Getty reported that he sent a letter to Mayor Hurley and Council Members that he
has received calls over the years asking that the city look at the feasibility of a city manager/city
administrator. Councilperson Getty stated he doesn't know if that is a good idea or a bad idea.
Councilperson Getty stated that for more than a year he has visited with Mayor Hurley, and a
city manager has been included in the council's goals. Councilperson Getty stated he has asked
Mayor Hurley to set up a committee to look at the feasibility of changing the city's form of
government. Councilperson Getty noted that the process could take a couple of years, and it
does require a referendum.
Mayor Hurley stated that changing our form of government to a city manager is always a
legitimate question. Mayor Hurley distributed copies of information from the Iowa League of
Cities, the City/County Management Association and a spreadsheet of Iowa cities that currently
have a city manager or city administrator. Mayor Hurley noted that Cedar Rapids changed to a
manager form of government a few years ago after a referendum was approved by the citizens.
Mayor Hurley stated if council proceeds, we will want to get information out to the
neighborhood associations and other organizations. The council may want to promote it. Mayor
Hurley noted that the data he distributed will show that one-half of Iowa cities have a manager
form of government, and the reason seems to be that it lets council members decide policy and
then hire a technical expert to run the operations of the city. Mayor Hurley noted that the trend
Council Work Session
October 9, 2008
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to rush to city manager has slowed down because those cities that have had a city manager say
the city manager has too much power and the citizens don't get to elect them.
Councilperson Getty stated he is just bringing the information to the council and he really
doesn't know if it's a good idea or a bad idea. Councilperson Getty asked that an item be placed
on Monday's agenda as to whether the council wants to look at the city manager form of
government.
Moved by Getty, seconded by Steve Schmitt that an item be placed on the October 13, 2008
council agenda to appoint a study committee on the feasibility of a manager form of government.
Councilperson Reggie Schmitt stated that a referendum was put before Waterloo's voters in
1991. Councilperson Reggie Schmitt noted that there needs to be a petition asking for a change
of government, so regardless of what a committee says, its the referendum that decides.
Councilperson Cole questioned the timing of Councilperson Getty's request. Councilperson
Cole noted that she has never been contacted by any citizen to change the city's form of
government. During the 80s, city council meetings resembled World Federation Wrestling.
Councilperson Cole stated that she feels financially the city is on excellent ground and every
year it gets better. Councilperson Cole stated she would oppose anyone suggesting term
limitation for council and mayor because with a two year term for the mayor and four year term
for the council, they can be thrown out of office. Councilperson Cole asked what prompted this,
was it five or 20 calls. What is the purpose and why does Councilperson Getty feel we need to
study this issue now.
Councilperson Getty stated he has had conversations in many different places and talked with
Mayor Hurley just to find out if we are interested. If not, then we don't need to put this on the
agenda. Councilperson Getty noted he is just the messenger, don't shoot the messenger.
Councilperson Greenwood suggested that the issue of changing our form of government be
referred to our legal office.
Councilperson Steve Schmitt stated that during his campaign last fall, the conversation was not
so much a city manager, but reorganization of city departments. Councilperson Steve Schmitt
stated that just because Cedar Rapids changed to a city manager form of government doesn't
mean Waterloo has to. Councilperson Steve Schmitt noted that he had several conversations
with the Cedar Rapids city council and former mayor, and he thinks there are pluses and
questions marks. Councilperson Steve Schmitt suggested members visit Cedar Rapids and talk
to citizens in our community. The City of Waterloo has had this form of government for over 20
years.
Mayor Hurley noted that Council Bluff is the only other city in similar size to Waterloo that still
has a full-time mayor.
With approval of the mover and seconder, the above motion was withdrawn.
Mayor Hurley will ask for a legal opinion from the City Attorney.
With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Greenwood, seconded by Steve
Schmitt that the meeting be adjourned at 8:31 a.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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