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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.11.2002• COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 11, 2002 8:30 a.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Jordan, Hurley, Getty. Members absent: Berry. Moved by Jordan, seconded by Clark that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Berry. Motion carried. Kim Majerus, from L&L Murphy, Associates, Consulting, updated the council on lobbyist services provided for the city. Ms. Majerus reported that she held Friday meetings from January through mid -April with council members and department heads. Department Heads asked questions about bills and issues they wanted Ms. Majerus to follow up on. Weekly communications with a summary of the bills were sent to the mayor's office and forwarded to the council. Bills were listed as A, B, C, depending on the status of the bills. Ms. Majerus reported that she gathered information and forwarded the information to the Legislators. Ms. Majerus stated she assisted Mayor Rooff in drafting letters to Legislators regarding concerns. Ms. Majerus explained that she worked with Cammie Scully, Director of Cultural & Arts Commission, regarding the Cultural Trust fund bill that stalled. Ms. Majerus stated she worked with Don Redfern and the bill got passed. Ms. Majerus reported she worked on the Project Labor Agreement which would have limited Iowa Vision funds being awarded to only contractors with union laborers. Ms. Maj erus stated she attended all legislative forums held locally and also congressional forums. Ms. Majerus reported that Nussle is head of the Budget Committee in the House, and he said enormous amounts of money will be awarded for terrorism and bio-terrorism projects. The city needs to think about how the city could use those funds. Ms. Majerus reported she worked with department heads on public safety training, witness fees, eminent domain, waste management, streets and the appropriation of Road Use Tax funds. Ms. Majerus stated it was important for council members to attend public forums as city officials. The Governor's race is a good opportunity for council members to be involved to discuss issues. Ms. Majerus reported she went to Washington in March and visited congressional offices and held discussions with staff about grants the city was submitting applications. Ms. Majerus also met with DOT and Airport officials. Councilperson Getty stated he feels that no matter the city's input it is to no avail as the Legislators vote down partisan lines. The Legislators look at small cities, not Waterloo. Councilperson Getty commented that the city's application for grants at the Airport fell on deaf ears. The City of Dubuque has received grants and has good fares. Ms. Majerus reported that the property condemnation bill was very much a rural vs. urban issue. The Farm Bureau was on opposite sides with municipalities. Ms. Majerus stated she attended subcommittee meetings and got information out on what this bill would cost cities. The bill would have put a burden on cities for condemnations. The bill died in subcommittee because of input from the cities. Ms. Majerus reported that the money that was earmarked for the airport was stripped from FY 2003 during the special session as the State budget is predicted to be $400 million less in the next fiscal year. Ms. Majerus reported that the Road Use Tax will have cuts across the board. Ms. Majerus commented that it is important for council members to be aware of the redistricting. Voters could elect one-third to two-thirds new Legislators. •Council Work Session July 11, 2002 Page 2 Ms. Majerus listed the following priorities: focus on the state election and educate candidates, hold a council work session to discuss the city's issues, property tax issue, airport funding, annexation, economic development, condemnation, apartment reclassification, Road Use Tax, and government consolidation. Councilperson Greenwood now absent at 9:45 a.m. Ms. Majerus stated she would like to schedule a day for council members and department heads to visit Des Moines. Mayor Rooff stated he has asked Ms. Majerus to work closer with council members, the Chief Financial Officer and the City Clerk for the next few months. Mayor Rooff now absent at 9:50 a.m. Ms. Majerus reported that when the Legislative is in session she is in Des Moines Monday through Thursday and makes weekly telephone calls to Washington. Ms. Majerus stated she still goes to Des Moines although the Legislators are not in session. Ms. Majerus reported she attends committee meetings, all Transportation and Appropriations Committee meetings, department meetings and with the Governor's staff. Jordan now absent at 9:59 a.m. Ms. Majerus stated she has weekly breakfast meetings with the League of Cities. Ms. Majerus reported that League staff are easy to work with but there are only eight large cities and over 800 cities in Iowa, and each have a voice in the League. With no further business before the committee, it was moved by Clark, seconded by Welper that the meeting be adjourned at 10:07 a.m. Ayes: Four. Absent: Berry, Greenwood, Jordan. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk