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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.16.2006COUNCIL WORK SESSION March 16, 2006 8:00 a.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Welper, Getty, Cole, Schmitt. Members absent: Gunderson, Greenwood. Moved by Schmitt, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five. Absent: Gunderson, Greenwood. Motion carried. Mayor Hurley reviewed items that are on the Standing Committee agendas for Monday, March 20, 2006. Mayor Hurley reviewed items on the council agenda for Monday, March 20, 2006, and the following items were discussed. 1. The demolition contract with Kayser Backhoe for 230 Gable Street, 1720 Locke Avenue and 642 West Donald Street. The property at 642 Donald Street has already been demolished. The property owner at 1720 Locke Avenue has given permission to the city to demolish the home and will reimburse the city for the demolition costs. There was concern expressed that the contract was brought to the council after work has already started. 2. The resolution authorizing condemnation procedures for the commercial property located at the corner of East 7th and Sycamore Streets for construction of infill housing development. The city has been negotiating with Diana Hedges and Lyle Hoofnagle on purchasing the property and made an offer of $33,600.00 on September 12, 2005 and after good faith efforts has been unable to reach a mutually agreeable price with the property owners. Councilperson Welper asked about the meter repair position which is on the Human Resources Committee agenda for Monday night. Councilperson Welper commented that he thought the council talked about eliminating this position during the budget process. Mayor Hurley responded the option of eliminating the position may have been on the table at one time. The personnel requisition committee had a meeting with the department head and after looking at the need for the position, Mayor Hurley is recommending to move forward with the hiring process. Bob Stringer, Human Resources Director, reported that the city has reached tentative agreement with four bargaining units. A meeting is scheduled with 353 on April 4 with the mediator. Two of the bargaining units have ratified and two of the bargaining units are scheduled to meet next week. Councilperson Getty stated he finds it difficult to authorize hiring new people and all the things talked about during the budget process when the city does not have signed contracts with the bargaining units. Mayor Hurley stated it is not uncommon during contract years to set a budget without the signed bargaining contracts. The wage increases and insurance costs were built into the budget. Mayor Hurley noted that the Police Department was down positions going into the budget process and will lose more positions through attrition. Tom Jennings, Police Chief, noted that the Police Department is down 8 positions and is only asking to hire four positions until the bargaining unit ratifies the new contract. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Schmitt, seconded by Kincaid that the meeting be adjourned at 8:19 a.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Gunderson, Greenwood. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk