HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-01/23/2017COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 23, 2017
4:25 p.m.
Harold E. Getty Council Chambers
Members present: Jacobs, Morrissey, Powers, Amos, Schmitt, and Welper.
Mr. Lind arrived at 5:06 p.m.
Moved by Welper seconded by Morrissey that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved.
Objective: Blue Zones update; presentation of the Healthy Hometown Founders Award.
Sue Beach, Cedar Valley Blue Zones, provided an overview of Blue Zone initiatives and
recognitions received in 2016. Beach expressed her appreciation for the city's support of the
Blue Zones project and shared a few statistics that support the need to continue the push for
healthier habits and move to reduce healthcare costs in our community.
Jackie Preston, Blue Zones, explained that the marketing materials provided to council will serve
as resources for realtors and human resources recruiters to attract people to the Cedar Valley.
Preston further explained that the Blue Zones project is now three years into sustainability in the
Cedar Valley. Over 22,000 Cedar Valley citizens have made the Blue Zone pledge to make
changes to improve their own wellbeing. The Cedar Valley now has 67 designated Blue Zone
work sites, 21 designated restaurants, 13 Blue Zone schools, 8 Blue Zone groceries and the list
continues to grow.
Sue Beach explained that the Orange Neighborhood has organized a group walk and are
partnering with Orange Elementary as well.
Objective: Discussion of Title II -Boards and Commissions.
Mayor Hart provided an overview of the Boards and Commissions application process.
Kelley Felchle, City Clerk, explained that the current Ordinance for Boards and Commissions is
found under Title II. Felchle reviewed information she compiled on the current Boards and
Commissions and the various requirements for each.
Mayor Hart provided an overview of some of the shortcomings of the Boards and Commissions
process. The goal of the work session is to review the processes and make any necessary
changes so that everyone has an opportunity to serve. Mayor Hart shared that in the future, more
information about the Board and Commissions will be shared on the city website. The intent is
to go paperless with the application process and become more technology friendly.
Mayor Hart shared some suggestions for consideration. The `exception language" needs to be
consistent across the Board and Commissions; recruitment for new and replacement board
members; elimination of the 1 year waiting period; if multiple boards are allowed, some type of
preference rule needs to be adopted so that new applicants can have the opportunity to serve.
Mr. Morrissey questioned why the Complete Streets Advisory Committee is not included on the
list that the City Clerk prepared.
Kelley Felchle stated she believes the Complete Streets Advisory Committee is listed in the
Planning and Zoning Ordinance which is not currently available in the code section of our
website, but that does not mean that applicants would not go through the same process as the
other Board and Commissions. (Correction—Complete Streets Advisory Committee Resolution
No. 2013-474.)
Mr. Morrissey asked if those that have no term limit, or exception to term information listed, is
because there is no language that currently exists.
Kelley Felchle confirmed.
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Mr. Morrissey asked if that means that those board and commission members could then serve
indefinitely.
Kelley Felchle explained that this is something that will need to be discussed at this work
session.
Mayor Hart explained that with some of the specialty boards require special skill sets. This
narrows the amount of people that can serve. Some consideration will need to be taken for these.
Mr. Morrissey asked if all boards and commissions were currently full.
Mayor Hart noted that information is available on the website.
Mr. Jacobs commented that if a new person wants to be on a board they should be given
preference to get on a board while resting within the technical requirements of the board. He
further questioned if all boards could have residency requirements, and if diversity of each board
is tracked, and if boards are representative of the community.
Mayor Hart asked for clarification of the preference Mr. Jacobs was seeking.
Mr. Jacobs confirmed that he would like to give preference to a new applicant. His goal is to be
fair on all matters, and allow a fresh perspective that may help improve a process.
Mr. Welper commented that attendance should be tracked for each board and enforced.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if attendance could be part of the vetting process.
Mr. Amos commented that at the meetings attendance is taken and as part of the by-laws there
are attendance requirements. He further commented that the one year drop off could be
eliminated to allow people who. want to serve to continue to serve. He further commented that
he agrees with Councilman Jacobs, that preference should be given new applicants, but that he
does not agree with asking a current member, serving on two boards, to step aside.
Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Powers commented that they agree.
Mr. Powers commented that the city should encourage participation on boards and commissions
and stated that some non-professional Boards, such as Planning and Zoning, may need a longer
term to allow for a learning curve. Mr. Powers agrees that the professional boards do need to be
professionals only on those boards. Mr. Powers added that he is not in favor of removing
someone from a current board and allow them to serve on another board.
Mr. Schmitt questioned why some boards have six year terms. He further commented that now
would be a good time to take a look at the residency requirement but is not sure if that is a
necessary requirement across the board. He commented that he is not in favor of a board
member stepping away for one year prior to serving again. He further commented that he would
like to make sure everyone is treated equitable on the boards with regard to term limits.
Mr. Jacobs commented that he thinks priority should be given to residents of Waterloo over
someone who does not live in the city.
Mr. Morrissey questioned the exception to term language.
Kelley Felchle stated that the wording used in the spreadsheet is copied directly from city code.
Mr. Morrissey questioned if the language should be applied to all boards across the board.
Mayor Hart commented that he does not want Department Heads to get comfortable with the
same members sitting on the same board and not try to find new people.
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Mr. Morrissey requested that the exception to term language remain, with the addition that there
is an added emphasis to the standing Boards and Commissions committee to be constantly made
aware of what is going on so that as these issues come up, the exception clause can be avoided.
Mr. Schmitt commented that he did not see language about someone coming on to a board with
less than 50 percent of a term left.
Mayor Hart commented that language could be added.
With no further business before the Council, it was moved by Welper seconded by Schmitt that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Kelley Fel
City Clerk