HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.16.2003 (2)• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 16, 2003
9:00 a.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Members absent: Kincaid, Welper.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Hurley that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Five.
Absent: Kincaid, Welper. Motion carried.
Council Members discussed the renewal of the Lobbyist Agreement with Kim Majerus. Jon
Crews, Mayor of Cedar Falls, stated he was asked by Mayor Rooff to make a statement regarding
the lobbyist agreement. Mayor Crews stated his council approved the agreement on Monday
night to continue the lobbying efforts. Mayor Crews stated a lot of the Legislature's efforts focus
on Des Moines, with Cedar Valley having different issues. This next Legislature is going to talk
about the TIFs, cooperation between counties, cities and schools, taxes, etc. Cedar Falls'
agreement with Kim Majerus is for one year at a cost of $8,000.00. Mayor Crews stated that
Cedar Falls wants to protect itself from unfunded mandates from the state. Mayor Crews stated
that if Waterloo does not approve the agreement with Ms. Majerus, it will not affect them as it is
a separate contract. Cedar Falls has separate issues to work on in addition to the joint issues with
Waterloo. Mayor Crews stated that the Leagues of Cities provides good services regarding
legislative issues, but they work with all Iowa cities.
Councilperson Getty asked Ms. Majerus if she no longer was working with Larry Murphy. Ms.
Majerus responded that she still has that connection with Mr. Murphy, but the contract is with
her. Ms. Majerus stated there were concerns because Mr. Murphy also worked as a lobbyist for
Cedar Rapids and Linn County, but City of Cedar Rapids now has a contract with a national
firm. Ms. Majerus reported the only change in this year's contract from last year is that she is
requesting the majority of the fees be paid in January and April, with $4,000.00 paid in the last
two quarters of the contract.
Michelle Weidner, Chief Financial Officer, stated that obviously it would be hard for the city to
pay more up front as the city receives the property tax revenues in April.
Councilperson Getty stated that he found he received more information from the Iowa League of
Cities. Ms. Majerus responded that she has more communication with the City of Cedar Falls.
Ms. Majerus stated she scheduled meetings every Friday morning with the council, with little or
no participation. Ms. Majerus stated it is important that the council participate with her. Ms.
Majerus stated that the information e-mailed by the Iowa League of Cities is sent to all Iowa
cities. Ms. Majerus stated that with little participation from the council on Friday mornings, she
ended up meeting with department heads and got to know the issues and who to call regarding
the issues. Ms. Majerus recommended that she work for the council and not Mayor Rooff
because they are the policy makers and suggested the council set up a committee of three for her
to contact.
Councilperson Getty stated council members are part-time, the council meets every Thursday
morning to discuss agenda items and Fridays are not convenient as five of the seven council
members have jobs. Councilperson Getty stated he felt he received more timely information
from the League of Cities and the Saturday morning Legislative Forums than from Ms. Majerus.
Ms. Majerus responded that on Friday mornings she always brought materials, including
information on bills and brochures. Ms. Majerus stated she is willing to work out a different date
and time for her weekly meetings with council members. Ms. Majerus stated it takes initiative
on the council's part.
Councilperson Hurley agreed with Councilperson Getty. Councilperson Hurley stated that
during those first few Friday meetings the council was having tough budget meetings and their
minds were on the budget and regular city business. Councilperson Hurley stated he came to the
first few Friday meetings but the material from Ms. Majerus was voluminous and not readable as
opposed to the short, powerful e-mails sent by the Iowa League of Cities and other venues.
Council Work Session
January 16, 2003
Page 2
Councilperson Hurley stated that philosophically he has accepted a relationship with a lobbyist
as necessary, but he does not like it on the local, state or national level. Councilperson Hurley
stated the council has not started budget talks and needs to be very careful voicing commitment
of funds until the budget has been approved. Councilperson Hurley stated he was not willing to
tie the council's hands for 12 months and would like to approve the contract quarterly.
Councilperson Hurley stated there are other sources of information that address the city's issues,
such as property taxes, RUT, and the 411 Pension. Councilperson Hurley asked for a list of
items Ms. Majerus worked on specifically for Waterloo as he is unsure of the return on the
investment.
Councilperson Clark stated the League of Cities does give outstanding information.
Councilperson Clark stated that last year he was totally opposed to the lobbyist agreement and it
wasn't until talking with local legislators of Ms. Majerus' role as being in front of the legislators
on the city's behalf did he learn the importance of a lobbyist. Councilperson Clark stated that
Bill Dotzler and Don Schultz both recommend a city our size have someone representing us.
The information received from the Iowa League of Cities is for all cities. Tim Shields said that it
was probably a good idea to have someone representing the city. Councilperson Clark stated he
is not speaking on behalf of Ms. Majerus, but the necessity for the city to have a lobbyist.
Councilperson Hurley stated he is not beating up on Ms. Majerus, but the ideal of a lobbyist in
general.
Ms. Majerus reported she traveled to Washington several times last year at no expense to the
city. Ms. Majerus stated that most lobbyists' contracts are for one year or longer and most are
paid in the first half of the year when their expenses are highest. Ms. Majerus stated that the
summaries from the Iowa League of Cities are provided by hired staff, but that she meets face to
face with the legislators. Ms. Majerus suggested that the council establish a list of initiatives or
issues they want put forth to the legislators. Ms. Majerus stated the council needs to protect its
special needs in Des Moines, and she is right there for them
Councilperson Hurley stated that communications from Ms. Majerus needs to be better, clearer
and concise and again asked her for a list of what she accomplished for Waterloo.
Councilperson Greenwood stated that the council just put together its strategic plan and needs to
use that as its legislative goals. Councilperson Greenwood stated he feels the city needs someone
down there in their faces representing Waterloo.
Ms. Majerus reported the legislators meet about four and a half months, but meetings going on
all year long. Ms. Majerus reported she worked on the RUT, planning and zoning issues,
property condemnation, the property tax bill and airport grant money. Ms. Majerus reported that
she singlehandly protected the airport grant money in the first session. Ms. Majerus reported that
she met with Don Temeyer, Michelle Weidner, Fire Department, Police Department and the
Superintendent of Traffic Operations. Ms. Majerus reported she had daily contact with Mayor
Rooff and two or three days per week with department heads.
Councilperson Jordan stated he supports a lobbyist agreement as the state will see major changes.
Councilperson Jordan stated the council does not have the time and $16,000.00 is a good price.
Councilperson Jordan stated he would like to put the lobbyist agreement on the council agenda
for Monday night.
Ms. Majerus stated that over 120 hours was spent on the airport grant at no cost to the city. The
legislators have appropriated $20 million for this year, and she has established a relationship with
the legislator to help Waterloo's airport get funding. Ms. Majerus stated the lobbyist agreement
is with KAM Wellness & Consulting, and she and Larry Murphy subcontract with each other.
They have a full-time administrative assistant who can contact them at any time. Ms. Majerus
stated she felt she had a proven record, and she did not want any conflict because of Mr.
Murphy's relationship with Linn County.
Councilperson Hurley stated the city could do a bidding process for the lobbyist. Ms. Majerus
responded that she knows the city's issues and plans to move to Waterloo and wants to be a part
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January 16, 2003
Page 3
of this community. Ms. Majerus stated the legislators know her and know she represents the
cities of Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Ms. Majerus stated that if in one year the council wants to
bid the contract out, she can prove what she has done for them.
Councilperson Hurley stated he is looking for issues of value and worth as the council has a
higher demand for services than funds. Ms. Majerus responded the city needs to protect where
that money comes from. Ms. Majerus stated her price is very low and the lowest for a
metropolitan area of this size.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Clark, seconded by Jordan that the
meeting be adjourned at 10:15 a.m. Ayes: Five. Absent: Kincaid, Welper. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk