HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.15.2024 Council Work Session MinutesApril 15, 2024
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
4:55 p.m.
Roll Call.
Members present: Mayor Pro Tenn Feuss in the Chair. Mr. Boesen, Mr. Nichols, Ms. Creighton -
Smith, Mr. Simon and Mr. Feuss. Ms. Wilder arrived at 5:05 p.m. and Mr. Chiles was absent.
Agenda, as proposed or amended.
Nichols/Boesen
that the agenda, as proposed, be approved Voice vote -Ayes: Five. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes of April 1, 2024, as proposed.
Nichols/Boesen
that the minutse of April 1, 2024, as proposed, be approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Five. Motion
carried.
Discussion of a Public Purpose Policy for the Expenditure of Funds.
Bridgett Wood, Finance Director, provided an overview of the proposed policy. She shared that
the purpose of the policy is to allow departments to purchase Kleenexes, coffee, or other day-
to-day items. The policy would also allow for the purchase of items to recognize life events,
such as retirements, death of a family member, and weddings. Cost limits would be set in the
policy and be up to the department to fund.
Mr. Boesen questioned if any other large community had a policy such as this, as this policy is
based on one by Guttenberg.
Bridgett Wood shared that she would investigate.
Mr. Boesen questioned if there was a guesstimate of what this would cost.
Bridgett Wood explained that this would be optional and that each department would work
within their own budget.
Mr. Simon commented that they did this at work and that it can at times get out of hand. He
further questioned why we need a policy for this if it is coming out of the department costs in the
first place.
Bridgett Wood explained that currently departments are not allowed to use city funds for these
types of expenses.
Mr. Simon commented that it seems that this is a pretty broad statement.
Ms. Creighton -Smith commented that it is her understanding that if this is approved, each
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department would determine how their monies are used as well as deal with any
disgruntlement.
Bridgett Wood explained that currently departments must bring their requests before the
Finance Committee for approval before making purchases.
Ms. Wilder questioned what department heads are saying about this.
Shelia Steffen, Public Works Coordinator, explained that she had approached Bridgett back
when the asphalt crews were working on the roads in 120 degree weather to ask if there was a
policy where they could purchase sustenance items for the crews. There was not, so they
ended up purchasing Gatorade themselves.
Mr. Nichols commented that the policy does seem to have limits for various purchases at the
discretion of the departments. He does agree with the purchase Gatorade and other sports
drinks in the case of the high temperatures, because just pushing water there is a risk for low
sodium hyponatremia.
Mr. Feuss questioned if council has its own budget.
Bridgett Wood confirmed.
Mr. Feuss commented that providing sustenance items to employees is a positive thing. He
added that he would like to see consistency amongst department heads when it comes to gifts
of recognition for employees to avoid the perception of any favoritism, and further suggested
the use of a bulk purchase rate to manage costs.
Bridgett Wood shared that she has been working to develop an Amazon business account
making sure we have an opportunity for low cost supplies, local businesses, etc.
Mr. Boesen concurs with the sustenance supplies, but voiced his concerned about departments
not equally recognizing employees.
ADJOURNMENT
Boesen/Nichols
that the council adjourn at 5:11 p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
R1etCey Fetch(e s o
Kelley Felchle
City Clerk
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