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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.06.2024 Council Work Session MinutesMay 6, 2024 COUNCIL WORK SESSION Harold E. Getty Council Chambers Roll Call. Members present: Mayor Quentin Hart in the Chair. Mr. Boesen, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Chiles, Mr. Simon, Ms. Wilder and Mr. Feuss. Ms. Creighton -Smith entered the meeting at 4:03 p.m. Agenda, as proposed or amended. Nichols/Chiles that the agenda, as proposed, be approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Approval of Minutes of April 15, 2024, Council Work Session as proposed or amended. Nichols/Chiles that the minutes of the March 18, 2024, Council Work Session as proposed, be approved. Voice vote -Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Discussion of moving Animal Control to the Police Department. Joe Leibold, Chief of Police, provided an overview of plans to move Animal Control to the Police Department. Mr. Simon questioned if once a call reaches a criminal level aren't the police involved anyway? Chief Leibold responded Animal Control officers currently handle cases from start to finish including issuing citations. The police only get involved for serious animal assaults or more serious criminal citations. Mr. Simon questioned if the current employees handling the duties from Public Works would have their positions eliminated. Chief Leibold responded those positions would be absorbed by the Police Department, that there would be one full-time employee, two part-time positions are undetermined and the current Animal Control Specialist position is vacant. Mr. Simon questioned if bids were received from any other sources than the Humane Society. Sheila Steffen, Public Works Coordinator, responded there are no other facilities available. Steffen further explained Council Bluffs uses a private entity, but that she has never seen that here in Waterloo. There was discussion regarding certification CJIS, Criminal Justice Information System, and terminal access for running background checks and figuring out the logistics for that type of access. Mr. Boesen questioned coverage schedule and additional cost for salaries, $200,000.00 Page 1 of 3 additional to current Animal Control budget and cost for adding additional equipment. Damien Fischels, Safety Coordinator, explained costs included in the new budget estimate. Chief Leibold explained the work schedule was something that would need to be worked out along with extra costs, but should be able to absorb costs into the Police budget. Mr. Nichols questioned the estimate for Elements software customization and reporting requirements under the Police Department. Sheila Steffen, Public Works Coordinator, explained she doesn't have those numbers, they are in the beginning phases of the work order structure for this software and that they would eventually have the capabilities to generate reports showing the expense breakout for Animal Control. Mr. Chiles questioned if Animal Control officers are required to be sworn Police officers and if the calculated amount is figured into the current Police budget. Chief Leibold explained the supervising sergeant would be a sworn officer but the Animal Control officers would not and that the increase in salaries would be funded by the Sanitation Department. Mr. Simon questioned if the Public Works Department agrees with the move. Mayor Hart explained this has been an issue considered for years by both departments. Mr. Simon questioned if we reached out to other cities to see if this has worked with other police departments. Chief Leibold explained the cities he is familiar with that have Animal Control under the Police Department have been running services this way for years and it seems to work. Mr. Boesen questioned if we looked at putting animal control under Code Enforcement which would add additional enforcement officers for both departments. Mayor Hart and Sheila Steffen explained there were conflicts with bargaining units due to work hours and 24-hour shifts. Chiles/Boesen To recess at 4:07 P.M. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Discussion of Habitat for Humanity activities in Walnut and Church Row Neighborhoods. Chiles/Feuss to adjourn from recess at 4:17 p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Alli Parrish, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity provided an overview of activities in the Walnut and Church Row Neighborhoods. Page 2 of 3 Curtis Young, 825 W. 3rd Street, provided an overview of Housing Barriers to Stability in the Walnut and Church Row Neighborhoods. Molly Schemanski, Rentals of Iowa, presented an overview of Opportunities for Landlords and Tenants. Curtis Young presented various requests to the City council to assist in the success of improvements to the Walnut and Church Row Neighborhoods and requested a future meeting with the Council in June or July 2024 to discuss their recommendations. Mr. Chiles questioned if assessed values have increased with increased market values and if other homeowners are making improvements seeing the improvements in these neighborhoods. Ali Parrish responded that new home assessed values are seeing an increase, but not necessarily the homes around them and there are other homeowners making improvements on their own. Mr. Boesen questioned how home ownership in marginalized neighborhoods is created? Ali Parish responded it would be helpful if a percentage was allocated specifically for marginalized incomes, downpayment assistance, more financing availability, bringing cost of homes down through multi -residential use homes. Mr. Boesen questioned if the city, when donating land for a large housing project, could dedicate a certain percentage to lower income. Ms. Wilder thanked Habitat for for bringing a new sense of pride to these communities. Mayor Hart explained the rental aspect was researched, Tolemi software will assist us and we will give access to rental data to assist Habitat for Humanity in addition to two new full time inspectors being hired. Mayor Hart provided a handout to Council and estimates the council will have some answers by June. Ms. Creighton -Smith requested the council make sure that some of the $1.00 properties sold by the City are set aside for affordable housing. Mr. Nichols thanked the group for their presentation. ADJOURNMENT Feuss/Wilder that the council adjourn at 5:02 p.m. Voice vote -Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Kelley Feichle SIEM1FI Kelley Felchle City Clerk Page 3 of 3