HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.21.22 work session minutesCOUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 21, 2022
3:40 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Boesen, Nichols via Zoom, Amos, Chiles, Grieder, Wilder and Feuss.
107048 - Grieder/Chiles
that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice -vote Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
107049 - Grieder/Chiles
that the Minutes, as proposed, for the Regular Session on Monday, March 7, 2022, at 5:30
p.m., be accepted and approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Objective: Update from Red Cedar.
Danny Laudick, Co-founder and Executive Director, Red Cedar, provided and overview and
updated the council regarding growth and progress of their work with Cedar Valley startup
companies.
Mr. Chiles questioned if Mr. Laudick had any contact with LIFTinnovate and asked to have some
conversation regarding that business.
Mr. Amos questioned the ask from Red Cedar. Mr. Laudick responded that the funding aspect
of the project had already been approved by council, but that the project needed to proceed with
building fundraising and the council needs to help with a 10 year plan/goals for supporting new
business startups.
Objective: Discussion of an employee handbook.
Lance Dunn, Human Resource Director addressed the council regarding development and
overview of an employee handbook.
Ms. Wilder questioned at will employment and termination without cause or without notice,
cause or reason. Mr. Dunn explained that Iowa by State Code is an "at -will" state therefore,
the City of Waterloo is allowed to state this in the handbook, but that in his experience, when
an employee has been terminated, there has always been communication regarding the
reasoning for that termination.
Mr. Amos clarified that this is true unless there is a case of discrimination. Mr. Dunn agreed
there are processes and guards against discrimination.
Mr. Nichols asked if there were significant changes in this handbook.
Mr. Dunn explained this is the first employee handbook that he is aware of and prior to this the
Human Resources Department operated following process and procedures without a specific
handbook.
Mr. Grieder questioned if the City would be observing Juneteenth as a city holiday.
Mr. Dunn responded there is flexibility in the schedule so this is something that can be added.
Mr. Dunn explained the majority of the handbook addresses non -bargaining employees, as
bargaining employees have union contracts, but that there in some cases it also applies to
bargaining employees.
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Mr. Boesen expressed concerns with the draft, that he would be requesting a work session to
discuss his concerns specifically the clause that allows Mr. Dunn, the Mayor and the CFO to
make changes for additional compensation for employees without council approval. Mr.
Boesen feels the council could revisit areas of merit pay for all non -bargaining employees,
including department heads, that would be fair and equitable.
Mr. Boesen expressed concerns with the bereavement policy and asked that it be reviewed as
there was inconsistency and vague language between the various departments/union contracts.
Mr. Amos questioned process for hiring when there were two different department hiring for
the same position or sharing the employee between the departments.
Mr. Dunn reviewed the hiring process, including candidate scoring.
Objective: Discussion of the FYE 2023 budget.
Michelle Weidner addressed the council regarding additional budget expense requests and
general overview for the budget hearing timeline.
Mr. Boesen questioned if council would be approving the Capital Improvement Plan at the
budget hearing on Thursday.
Ms. Weidner stated she didn't know if they would be approving the CIP or when the council
would be able to review the CIP as it had not been provided to her and agreed that this was
included in the budget. Ms. Weidner suggested Noel Anderson, Community Planning and
Development Director, provide the council with that information. She further explained the
council approved funds for the Convention Center at the March 7th hearing and the debt service
levy for the first year was built into those numbers.
Noel Anderson, Community Planning and Development Director, explained they would like to
get initial numbers to the departments for their review and hoping to have the CIP on the next
available Council agenda.
Mr. Boesen stated it is hard to give any feedback when he has only been provided with asks
from the departments with no explanation of who is getting what.
107050 - Grieder/Amos
that the meeting be adjourned at 4:43 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
.ee, 1,1 &ten'
LeAnn M. Even, CMC, IaCMC
Deputy City Clerk