HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-13-Work Session MinutesWAUKEE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK SESSION MEETING
June 13,2012
A)Call to Order -The work session meeting of the Waukee City Council was called to order by Mayor
Peard at 5:35 p.m.at Waukee City Hall.
B)Roll Call-The following members were present:Mayor William F.Peard;Council Members Shane
Blanchard,Dan Dutcher,Casey L.Harvey,Shelly Hughes,Mike Watts.Absent:None.
Also present:Interim City Administrator Brad Deets,Assistant to the City Administrator McKinlee
Gibson,Director of Finance Linda Burkhart,Director of Public Works John Gibson,Deputy City
Clerk Rebecca D.Schuett,City Attorney Steve Brick.
C)Agenda Approval-Council Member Watts moved to approve the agenda;seconded by Council
Member Harvey.Roll call:Ayes:Watts,Harvey,Hughes,Blanchard,Dutcher.Nays:None.Motion
carried 5 -O.
D)Work Session:
1)Search for City Administrator/Clerk -City staff had contacted a loca!search firm for an
estimate of cost for a local or regional search.The estimate provided was approximately
$12,000,although the City spent nearer $20,000 in the last city administrator search.Mayor
Peard suggested an intrastate search.Council Member Watts stated that,due to Waukee's
growth,the City should move away from a city administrator and toward a city manager
position.He added that he would like to see someone in the position by February 1,noting a lot
of local city administration turnover.He asked if anyone had expressed interest in the position;
Deputy City Clerk Schuett replied in the affirmative.Council Member Blanchard spoke in favor
of using a local search firm as he did not want City staff accepting applications for the position.
Council Member Hughes spoke against hiring a search firm,explaining that the council could
handle the search and that she did not see why money should be spent on a firm that would
only accept applications on behalf of the City.She was also open to a broader geographical
search.Mayor Peard replied that a search firm would conduct the search based on the City
Council's criteria for a candidate,as well as collect applications.Council Member Dutcher said
that a search firm would cost less if they acted only as a repository for applications.He added
that he was not inclined to spend money on a search firm at this point,as it was a high profile
position that would attract quality candidates just by advertising the position.Council Member
Harvey agreed that the City Council could handle the search,trying a different method if the
initial search was unsuccessful.Mayor Peard replied that he had personally never hired a
department director,adding that the City Attorney was not interested in conducting the search.
City Attorney Brick voiced his firm's preference that someone with proper experience conduct
the search,as they would know where to advertise the position and would conduct background
checks on potential candidates.Mayor Peard added that City staff should not handle a search
of this magnitude,especially as there is no human resources department.The Council directed
staff to prepare a Request for Proposal for search firms.Council Member Watts stated that the
Council should take their time finding the right candidate and that they should all be in
agreement on that candidate.
2)Community Center Project update -Interim City Administrator Deets briefly reviewed the
history of the project.City staff has worked internally and with the project consultant to cut the
scope of the project while still maintaining quality.Specifically,much of the site work for the
project could be done by the Public Works Department to eliminate labor costs,but perhaps
delaying other City projects.The total project estimate is currently approximately $540,000.
Staff recommends targeting smaller general contractors,perhaps even residential contractors,
in an attempt to minimize costs.The Council voiced their support for the proposed revisions.
3)Assessment policy -Director of Public Works Gibson reviewed the non-compliant properties
within the program area.Council Member Watts stated that he believed all 15 properties
should make repairs.Council Member Harvey said that he only wanted those sidewalks that
presented a clear danger to be repaired.Council Member Watts stepped to the podium to
address the Council as a citizen,expressing the opinion that most residents would not fix
sidewalk deficiencies without being directed by the City to do so.He added that the sidewalk
program lowers improvement costs because of the number of properties included in program
areas.Council Member Harvey replied that costs were not guaranteed to be lower with a
program area and that he believes the program is overreaching.Mayor Peard asked City
Attorney Brick if there were liability concerns if someone is injured in a fall on a City sidewalk;
Mr.Brick replied that there is potential liability for the City,noting that some of the smaller
sidewalk repairs are recommended as preventative in nature as the sidewalks in a program
area will only be inspected every 5-6 years.Council Member Blanchard stated that other metro
communities have sidewalk improvement programs,Waukee's program has gotten less
restrictive over the years,and that the program is necessary.Council Member Dutcher stated
that the program should move forward and agreed with Council Member Harvey that some of
the sidewalks remaining in the program do not appear to present safety issues.He
recommended the City participate in the costs where ADA truncated domes are in need of
repair.The Council asked City staff to make recommendations regarding those properties with
sidewalks considered dangerous.Council Member Watts stated that City staff has followed
policy set forth by the City Council.Council Member Hughes added that the City should be
proactive with sidewalks,as leaving repairs until absolutely necessary is problematic.
4)Alice's Road construction projects update -Interim City Administrator Deets updated the
Council on the status of various projects associated with Alice's Road improvements,noting
that the projects are currently on schedule.
5)Disposition of house and property at 14675 University Avenue -No discussion;the
Council agreed with staff's recommendation for disposition of the house and property in
question.
6)Council rules and regulations -The Council discussed revisions to the policy regarding the
addition of items to a council meeting agenda,agreeing that the rules should be amended so
that individual council members can add agenda items.If the city administrator believes the
requested agenda addition is unreasonabie,then two council members must request the
agenda addition for it to be included.
E)Comments
Adjournment -Council Member Watts moved to adjourn;seconded by Council Member Harvey.Ayes:
All.Nays:None.Motion carried 5 -O.Meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
R.Schuett,Deputy City Clerk
Attest:
Bradly M.etts,Inferim City Administrator
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