HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.17.2003COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 17, 2003
4:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Jordan, Hurley, Getty.
Members absent: Clark.
Moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six.
Absent: Clark. Motion carried.
June Watkins, Human Resources Director, reviewed the Residency of Critical Municipal
Employees Policy. The policy has been updated to reflect the job titles of those positions that are
considered to be critical municipal employees and to provide clearer direction to departments
with regard to the residency of their critical employees. The original policy adopted in 1981
requires all emergency employees to respond to an emergency situation within 30 minutes after
being contacted. Overtime, the policy has been interpreted by personnel and city departments to
mean that employees must live within 30 minutes or 30 miles. The point of measurement has
varied from downtown Waterloo to the employee's work site to the city limits Ms. Watkins
stated that using a measure of 30 minutes can be subjective since travel time can vary depending
upon time of day, weather conditions, speed and traffic. The new policy would use a 30-mile
radius from City Hall. Ms. Watkins reported that State Law prohibits requiring employees to be
residents of the city. Our draw of employees is pretty much within a 30 mile radius. The policy
applies to current and new employees and grandfathers in current employees who currently live
outside the 30 mile radius.
Councilperson Hurley stated he feels 30 miles is too far and would like the distance to be 10 or
15 miles. Ms. Watkins stated that 30 miles allows us to be in compliance with the current policy.
If we make it too restrictive it will make it hard for candidates thinking of applying for a job with
the city.
Police Chief Tom Jennings stated he feels with the current interstate system that 30 miles is
reasonable. Fire Chief Ned DeBerg stated he likes the 30 miles radius better because when we
use 30 minutes he has to make the drive from the employee's residence to see if they would be
able to respond within 30 minutes.
Councilperson Getty stated he likes the idea of 15 miles as it bothers him that there are people
working for the city living 30 or 40 miles from the city. Councilperson Getty stated he feels if
the city pays their wages, the employees should live within 15 miles.
Councilperson Jordan asked that Ms. Watkins check to see what other cities are doing.
Councilperson Hurley asked Ms. Watkins to do anther map showing the 30 mile radius, 20 mile
radius and 15 mile radius.
Chief DeBerg reported that 30 percent of his employee live outside the city of Waterloo. Chief
Jennings was unsure of the number of police officers living outside the city.
Councilperson Jordan stated he supports what Councilperson Getty is saying, but the city needs
to be able to have people to hire.
It was the consensus of the council that the Human Resources Director gather the additional
information and bring back to the council on March 31, 2003.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Welper that
the meeting be adjourned at 4:16 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Clark. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk