03-30-15 Special City Council MinutesSPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
PRAIRIE CENTER
MARCH 30, 2015
6:00 PM
Call to Order.
Mayor Jessica Stockamp called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM.
Roll Call: Mayor Jessica Stockamp; Councilmembers: Vern Heidner, Jason Warehime and
Doug Schroeder. Councilmember Tom Darkenwald arrived at 8:31 PM.
Staff: Lori Johnson, City Administrator; Andy MacArthur, City Attorney; and Tami Loff, City
Clerk.
1. Background Check Policy.
City Attorney MacArthur presented. He said the current Ordinance will need to be updated. It is
recommended to continue the background checks for liquor licenses through the Sheriff
Department and the gambling license through the BCA and all other background checks
through Tru Sight. There was discussion on rechecking annually all employees and
commissioners that are around children or out in the field around the public; all commissioners
except Planning. There was discussion on annual checks of the building inspectors as well. CM
Warehime questioned if it was needed each year. City Attorney MacArthur said he would
recommended annually. This item will be brought back to City Council for approval on April 6.
City Administrator Johnson said the Personnel Policy will need to be updated to reflect the
changes.
2. Approve Identity Protection Form.
City Attorney MacArthur presented. The City Council agreed to $25.00 a month paid annually.
The fee must be used for identity theft service and proof to the city must be shown.
CM Schroeder motioned to approve the Identify Protection Form as drafted by the
City Attorney and to pay $25.00 a month paid annually. Seconded by CM Warehime.
Motion carried 3-0. CM Heidner abstained.
3. Street Department.
City Administrator Johnson reviewed the job description for the Street Department Manager.
CM Heidner said it should state coordinates with City Engineer. The City Council agreed to
change from public administration to business administration in the minimum qualifications and
remove item two from the preferred qualifications. Change title from Street Department
Manager to Street Operations Manager. The City Council concurred with changes presented.
City Administrator Johnson reviewed the job description for the Street Operations Coordinator.
Change title to Street Operations Foreperson. The City Council recommended pay grade 11 for
this position.
The City Council recommended moving the Lead Parks Position to the same pay grade. The
Council discussed moving Pat Launderville to pay grade 11 step 9 to match the Street
Operations Coordinator position.
CM Schroeder motioned to approve the job descriptions for the Street Operations
Manager and Street Operations Foreperson as noted above. Seconded by CM
Warehime. Motion carried 4-0.
The other item for discussion is to fill the vacant Street Operations Manager position internally
or advertise externally. CM Warehime said he feels it should be opened externally and
internally. CM Schroeder agreed. He stated he thinks it's the fiscal responsibility of the City
Council.
Mayor Stockamp said she would be okay with promoting from within. She said Interim Street
Supervisor Kevin Lamson has been doing a good job and the rest of the department has really
stepped up. CM Heidner said he agrees with Mayor Stockamp and that he feels that we have
candidates that can handle the job.
CM Heidner said if we do open up externally to everyone then we should follow that procedure
every time. He wants some wording approved stating that. City Attorney MacArthur said that
would need to be added to the Personnel Policy and that is not on the agenda tonight.
Item tabled until CM Darkenwald is present.
4. Finance Director.
City Administrator Johnson reviewed the Finance Director job description. CM Heidner said he
feels the pay grade is too high. The City Council agreed to remove number two; all aspects of
economic development; add supervise the Building Permit Tech, remove public administration
from the minimum qualifications, and to lowering the minimum qualifications from ten years to
seven years. The City Council agreed with the job description with the changes as presented
and with advertising pay at DOQ. City Administrator Johnson will update and bring back to the
April 6 special meeting.
5. Organizational Items.
CM Darkenwald arrived at 8:31 PM.
City Administrator Johnson reviewed the Utility Billing job description.
CM Heidner motioned to approve the Utility Billing job description as presented.
Seconded by CM Warehime. All in favor. Motion carried.
City Administrator Johnson reviewed the Administrative Assistant job description.
CM Darkenwald motioned to approve the Administrative Assistant job description as
presented. Seconded by CM Heidner. All in favor. Motion carried.
City Administrator Johnson reviewed the title change for the Parks and Recreation Manager to
Director.
CM Schroeder motioned to approve the Parks and Recreation Director job
description. Seconded by CM Darkenwald. All in favor. Motion carried.
City Administrator Johnson reviewed the Utility Manager job description.
CM Darkenwald motioned to approve the Utility Manager job description as
presented. Seconded by CM Warehime. All in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Stockamp motioned to direct the City Administrator to go out for RFP for a
compensation study. Seconded by CM Warehime. All in favor. Motion carried.
The City Administrator and City Council reviewed the Utility Operator Licensure steps.
Mayor Stockamp motioned to approve one class A, and up to three class C license
and the pay scale as presented and to direct the Utility Manager to review and
determine who would be qualified if he was out unexpectedly. Seconded by CM
Darkenwald. All in favor. Motion carried.
The City Council returned to item 3.
CM Darkenwald said for this level of a job he agrees that the position should be posted
externally.
CM Darkenwald motioned to post externally for the Street Operations Manager
position. Seconded by CM Schroeder. Motion carried 3-2. Mayor Stockamp and CM
Heidner opposed.
6. Adjourn.
CM Darkenwald motioned to adjourn. Seconded by CM Warehime. All in favor.
Motion carried. Adjourned at 9:58 PM.
�p
ATTEST: �� yor Jessica Stockamp
J ����
c
Tami Loff, City Clerk