HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.5.2022 - Work SessionCOUNCIL WORK SESSION
December 5, 2022
3:35 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Boesen, Nichols, Amos, Chiles, Grieder, Wilder, and Feuss. Absent: Amos, Nichols,
and Chiles. Mr. Feuss appeared via Zoom. Mr. Chiles and Mr. Nichols arrived at 3:39 p.m.
101028 - Grieder/Wilder
that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice -vote Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
101029 - Grieder/Wilder
that the Minutes, as proposed, for the Work Session on Monday, November 21, 2022, at 5:30
p.m., be accepted and approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Four. Motion carried.
Objective: Discussion of an ordinance establishing collection fees for delinquent payments.
Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, explained that she has been working together with the Fire
Department and Legal Department to look at entering into a contract with Municipal Collections
of America. She provided an overview of the ordinance, which would allow the city to pass
along the associated costs of the collection process on to the individuals who owe on the
delinquent payments. Kelley reviewed the labor intensive and process that the clerk's office
currently uses to collect debt, which is through the assessment process.
Pat Treloar, Fire Chief, explained that the fire depailinent has used a debt collection service for
well over a decade, and noted that thousands of dollars are collected through the income -offset
program which is relatively easy if you have a good social security number. Along with Kelley
Felchle and Martin Petersen, they have decided to part ways with the current company and wish
to sign a new contract with Municipal Collections of America.
Mr. Grieder questioned if there was anything in place to provide assistance with individuals who
are financially burdened and unable to pay their debt before sending this to collections.
Kelley Felchle explained that her office has low-income fee reduction applications that people
can fill out annually which will reduce the amount they see on their water bills.
Pat Treloar stated that they are very flexible and do work with individuals to agree on a payment
plan that keeps them out of collections.
Mr. Boesen mentioned that Operation Threshold is another way people can receive assistance.
He stated that he sees the benefit of collections, particularly for the delinquent sewer and garbage
accounts, as they are assessed through taxes. With the delayed timeline for tax billing, many
homes change ownership making the debt uncollectable.
Objective: Discussion of amendments to the Travel Policy.
Bridgett Wood, Finance Manager, explained that the amendment she proposes is to make travel
requests under $200, approved at the department head level instead of the Mayor.
Mr. Chiles thanked Ms. Wood for moving forward with this amendment and he is in full support.
Mr. Grieder questioned what general portion of these requests would meet this threshold and
what sort of reduction would we anticipate in terms of paperwork.
Bridgett Wood explained that she has kept a log since she started with the city and in September
alone there were fifty such requests.
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Kelley Felchle provided additional information on the number of travel requests that passed
through the system last year, redundancy in processing, and the clerk staff's involvement to
electronically record and file.
Mr. Boesen commented that many of these are online courses viewed from the staff member's
own office, so it makes sense to move this direction.
Objective: Discussion of filling a vacancy on city council.
Kelley Felche provided information on holding a special election vs. appointment. The earliest
a special election could be held would be February 7th and if a run-off is needed, that would be
held on March 7th. The county estimates the cost of holding a special election to be about $7,500,
and $15,000 if there would be a run-off. If council chooses to move forward with an
appointment, the council sets the process with the exception of certain parameters we need to
meet to satisfy state code. She then explained the process and timeline for appointing a new
council member, and stated that the public could still petition to hold a special election by
collecting 71 signatures from Ward 4, even after the council appointments someone.
Mr. Chiles questioned if Mr. Amos would be able to vote on an appointment.
Kelley Felchle confirmed, as he will still be actively serving as council for Ward 4 through
January 4, 2023.
Ms. Wilder questioned if council interviews the applicants or if the public also interviews.
Kelley Felchle explained that council gets to decide the process, but she suggested council drive
the interview, but requests public input on the type of questions they would like asked.
Mr. Grieder shared his concerns on political bodies choosing their membership. He outlined a
few things that he would like to see as part of the process that would show the applicant has a
general level of support from the community in Ward 4.
Kelley Felchle provided the timeline if council should decide to choose an appointment over a
special election.
Council continued to discuss their concerns and preferences for the process of an appointment.
Objective: Discussion of adding parklets to Downtown Waterloo.
Jessica Rucker, Main Street Waterloo and Complete Streets Advisory Committee, gave a
presentation on the downtown parking study done in May 2021, and its subsequent
recommendations. The Complete Streets Advisory Committee reviewed and voted on the
recommendations they wanted to place focus on over the next year. In February of 2022, the
Black Hawk County Master Pedestrian Plan was adopted. Within the planning and zoning
recommendations of this master plan, one of these was to create parklets to provide more outdoor
seating and space while maintaining pedestrian through zones. She explained that it is the goal
to finalize and adopt the parklet manual and guidelines by February 2023.
Mr. Boesen questioned how the city can justify losing out on parking revenue through this
program and if the application process would help to recoup this revenue.
Jessica Rucker explained that the application fee. She is working with Republic Parking to
determine what the revenue is from one space during that period of time. The data has been
focused on the 300 block of West Fourth Street.
Mr. Boesen questioned how this would work on Lafayette and Sycamore with the angled
parking.
Jessica Rucker explained that the space would be perpendicular to the curb rather than horizontal.
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Mr. Boesen questioned who is on Main Street Design Counsel.
Jessica Rucker explained the professional composition of the board members.
Mr. Boesen confirmed that the parklet must abide by all city codes and regulations, such as
outdoor sales for beer and liquor permits.
Jessica Rucker commented that the outdoor seating resolution requires that the cafe be situated
adjacent to the licensed premise.
Mr. Chiles commented that he is happy to see this project moving forward and shared that
Alexandria, Virginia has them amply throughout the street in old town. They bring a lot of
business to the downtown. He commented on the amount of players involved in the project and
questioned who is actually responsible for the collection of the applications. He shared that fees
need to be collected by the city.
Mayor Hart commented that this would be a great enhancement to downtown Waterloo.
101030 - Chiles/Boesen
that the meeting be adjourned at 4:57 p.m. Voice -vote Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
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Kelley Felchle
City Clerk