Committee of the Whole Meeting

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE City Hall, 220 Clay Street March 4, 2024 The meeting of the Committee of the Whole met at City Hall at 5:45 p.m. on March 4, 2024, with the following Committee persons in attendance: Mayor Daniel Laudick, Councilmembers Gil Schultz, Chris Latta, Daryl Kruse, Aaron Hawbaker, Dustin Ganfield, and Kelly Dunn. Hannah Crisman absent. Staff members from various City Departments, a representative from the Waterloo Courier, and members of the community attended in person. Committee of the Whole: Mayor Laudick called the meeting to order and introduced the first item on the Committee of the Whole Agenda, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) update with Chelsie Luhring, DEI Specialist. Luhring provided an overview of her position and the strides made within the city and community to progress DEI. Discussion included implementation of staff training, county statistics, recruitment strategies, formation of a city staff DEI Committee, and future goals. Dunn stated the Racial Equity Task Force pushed for this position and is grateful for the work that has been implemented so far. Noah Hackbart, Student Liaison questioned any current or future collaboration with University of Northern Iowa. Mayor Laudick introduced the second item on the Committee of the Whole Agenda, automated refuse collection rates. Brian Heath, Operations and Maintenance Division Manager provided an historical overview of refuse collection and presented recurring issues related to the current collection; carts being overloaded or not put out on time. Heath recommended implementing a $15.00 penalty per occurrence for overloaded or not out on time carts, as well as adding landlord penalty points if it is a rental property. Schultz asked for clarification on the photographic capabilities of the refuse trucks, and notifications to residents prior to issuing a citation. Heath verified that staff had previously sent out letters warning residents about overloaded carts. Kruse asked about exemption status for remodel or empty properties and landlord versus tenant responsibility in terms of refuse. Dunn voiced her support for implementing fees, referencing the additional staff hours, mileage, and gas consumption needed to return to properties. Ganfield motioned to approve as presented with legal clarification on legacy in leases (receiving the treatment of prior laws or rules)., seconded by Dunn. Kruse moved to amend the motion adding a warning process for landlords, the motion failed due to lack of second. The original motion passed unanimously. Mayor Laudick introduced the final item on the Committee of the Whole Agenda, Cease Fire Update and Discussion. Mayor Laudick voiced that the council does not view the resolution as an appropriate City action and that additional actions can be taken outside of a resolution. Councilmembers and Student Liaison Hackbart discussed local government roles. The meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m. Minutes by Shianne Bellinger, Administrative Assistant