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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-10-31 Council minutesCOMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF COUNCIL ACTIVITIES October 31, 1983 Iowa City Council, spec. mtg., 10/31/83, 7:30 P.M., in the City Manager's Conference Room. Mayor Pro tem Perret presiding. Councilmembers present: Balmer, Dickson, Lynch, McDonald, Perret. Absent: Neuhauser, Erdahl. Staffinembers present: Berlin, Jansen, Karr. Tape recorded on Tape 83-C14, Side 1, 24-44. Moved by Lynch, seconded by Dickson, to adopt RES. 83-347, Bk. 80, p. 1072, AMENDING THE DATE FOR ACTION UPON BIDS AS SPECIFIED IN RESOLUTION NO. 83-312 REGARDING THE 1984 SPECIAL PAVING ASSESSMENT PROJECT (TANGLEWOOD STREET/VENTURA AVENUE AND ST. ANNE'S DRIVE). Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 5/0, Erdahl and Neuhauser absent. The Mayor Pro tem declared the resolution adopted. Moved by Lynch, seconded by Dickson, to adopt RES. 83-348, Bk. 80, p. 1073, AMENDING THE DATE FOR ACTION UPON BIDS AS SPECIFIED IN RESOLUTION NO. 83-336 REGARDING THE RUNDELL, DEARBORN AND CENTER STORM SEWER IMPROVE- MENTS PROJECT. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 5/0, Erdahl and Neuhauser absent. The Mayor Pro tem declared the resolution adopted. Moved by Balmer, seconded by McDonald, to adjourn to informal session, 7:30 P.M. The Mayor Pro tem declared the motion carried unanimously, 5/0, Erdahl and Neuhauser absent. DAVID PERRET, MAYOR PRO TEM MARIAN K. KARR, C TY CLERK -r- Pe Informal Council Discussion October 31, 1983 Informal Council Discussion: October 31, 1983, at 7:35 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Civic Center. Mayor Pro tem David Perret presiding. Councilmembers Present: Perret, McDonald, Lynch, Balmer, Dickson, ErdahI. Absent: Neuhauser. Staffinembers Present: Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Karr, Mintle, Vitosh, Keller, Kucharzak Tape Recorded: Reel 83-C15, Side 1, 1 -End. Side 2, 1-345. U -Smash -'Em Building Balmer suggested the Council keep all options opened on the U -Smash -'Em building pending a report from the City Manager. Perret noted that the U- Smash- Em building was purchased for additional office space. Balmer stated it was purchased with parking money. Erdahl stated that repairs would be too costly. Consensus was that human services should continue searching for a more appropriate location to house their services. Council Time I. Dickson raised concern about vagrants living in a vacant house next to Mercy Hospital on Jefferson Street. Lynch suggested a letter be sent to Mercy Hospital, owner of the house, stating the City's concern about the condition and vagrants' use of the house. Berlin stated the house is no longer being considered as a possible transient facility as previously discussed. McDonald noted that funds have already been allocated for a transient facility so that a public hearing was not required. Finance Department Staffing Levels As a result of the last audit by McGladrey & Hendrickson it was agreed that City staff would work with the auditor to clarify problems and find possible solutions. Berlin referred to the September 30 memo from Rosemary Vitosh and Dave Johansen that listed current needs of the department, taking into account changes that have taken place in recent years within the City that have placed additional demands on the functions of the Finance Department. Dave Johansen stated that problems of internal control have been resolved. He stated that a major concern now is that work in the department isn't getting done due to the already large workloads of the staff. Upper level staffing is about the same as it was six to seven years ago even though the department has taken on additional tasks. Balmer questioned the benefits of continuing to use the accrual system. Johansen explained that bonding companies relying more on a municipality's use of an accrual system to represent a fair statement of how the city is operating and what its financial status is. With the accrual system, bonding companies are more apt to retain Iowa City's AAA rating. Balmer inquired if the requested staff is sufficient to get each year's audit report out in a timely manner. Vitosh replied that the additional staff should facilitate getting the report out as required - finalizing report by November. Lynch asked what level of staff is needed. Johansen stated that trained personnel, not necessarily CPAs, should be hired. Vitosh summarized the needed staff positions. In parking, the one vacant maintenance worker position would be upgraded to a nigh supervisory position and upgrading a night maintenance worker to a lead worker. In accounting, two professional accounting positions would be added. Also a second on-line printer is needed. In treasury, a half-time professional accountant is requested. The new position would ally the senior accountant to devote more time to working on the budget, five year financial projections, and completion of the audit for FY83. Lynch reviewed costs for staffing the requested positions and noted that $30,000 would be needed from the general fund. McDonald asked if the Finance Department activities would continue to expand. Vitosh explained that there are benefits to the City from the expansion of certain programs. Erdahl asked if the City is being reimbursed for staff work done on the 22 IDR bond issues. Vitosh explained that bond applicants are required to place a deposit when they file the application to be used for processing expenses. Erdahl said that funding all the requested positions would be a major budget decision and the Council needs to look at all the City staffing levels and needs. Perret stated that increasing the professional accounting positions should be looked at strongly during next year's budgetary process, when other departments' staffing needs are also considered. Council agreed to add one and one-half accounting positions, the parking staff changes, and the acquisition of a printer. Historic Preservation Awards Program The Council has received a sample application and descriptive data sheet for the awards program. Margaret Nowysz said that historic houses draw attention in Iowa City and there should be an award to recognize them. She said that the proposed ordinance to fund the program neglected to make a provision for funding of the program from outside sources. She asked that the City initially provide money to buy two plaques at $120 each. Balmer noted that outside funding should be the first option of the group. Berlin noted that the Commission can solicit outside funds and his office can help with the details. Nowysz also said that the task force feels that single buildings as well as neighborhoods should be permitted to be designated as City historic sites but the proposed ordinance does not allow for it. Erdahl said that the Council voted down that provision and a compromise which allowed the ordinance to be approved by the majority of the Council. Erdahl noted that some other award might be appropriate for individuals buildings for a neighborhood improvement award but a $120 plaque is inappropriate for a single building. McDonald noted that he would prefer to see the City match funds raised by the Commission for the award. Berlin will handle the details. Nowysz said that she would like to have more studies done on the College Hill area fraternity and sorority house issues before a decision is reached. Council Time and Agenda 2. Fringe Agreement. Erdahl said that the Fringe Committee has sent the agreement in draft form and total accord is very close. The City and J County Zoning Commissions will soon have the agreement for a brief review. There will be an informal discussion between the Council and the County Board of Supervisors on December -5 as requested by the Board of Supervisors. A resolution can be considered December 6 if the agreement is accepted. The Board of Supervisors is required to have a public hearing because the agreement would amend their comprehensive plan. The County public hearings will take the place j of the City's public hearing. The agreement should be passed by the Board by December 15. i 3. Economic Development Committee. The Committee's preliminary report should be scheduled by Neuhauser at a later date. Executive Session Moved by Dickson, seconded by Erdahl, to go into executive session under Section 20, collective bargaining, to discuss as a public employer, strategy regarding collective bargaining with City employee organizations; as such discussion is exempted from the provisions of Chapter 28A according to Chapter 20.17(3); Section 28A.5.G. real estate, to discuss the purchase of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property; D. law enforcement, to avoid disclosure of specific law enforcement matters, such as current or proposed investigations, inspection or auditing techniques or schedules, which if disclosed would enable law violators to avoid detection. Affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, Neuhauser absent. The Mayor Pro tem declared the motion carried and adjourned to Executive Session. Lr J EXECUTIVE SESSION OCTOBER 31, 1983 EXECUTIVE SESSION: October 31, 1983, 9:05 P.b1. in the Conference Room at the Civic Center. Mayor Pro Tem David Perret presiding. COUNCIL11MBERS PRESENT: Balmer, Dickson, Erdahl, Lynch, McDonald, Perrot. Absent: Neuhauser. STAP1fiOMERS PRESENT:Berlin, Helling, Jansen, Karr, Ruppert, Keating, Carroll, Rynecki, Hauer. TAPE-RECORDED ON Reel 83-EX31, Side 2, 1 -End and Reel 83-EX33, Side 1, 1-208. Moved by Dickson, seconded by Erdahl, to adjourn to executive session under Section 20, collective bargaining, to discuss as a public employer, strategy regarding collective bargaining with City employee organizations, as such discussion is exempted from the provisions of Chapter 28A according to Chapter 20.17(3); Section 28A.S.G. real estate, to discuss the purchase of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property; D. law enforcement, to avoid disclosure of specific law enforce- ment matters, such as current or proposed investigations, inspection or auditing techniques or schedules, which if disclosed would enable law violators to avoid detection. The affirmative roll call vote unanimous, 6/0, Neuhauser absent. The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried. Moved by Balmer, seconded by McDonald, to adjourn, 10:15 P.M. The Mayor Pro Tem declared the motion carried, 6/0, Neuhauser absent.