Resolution #2021-121
Adopting the 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Program. Evans stated that per our City Charter, Council has to pass a 5-year Capital Program. Evans noted the programs that dealt with the Comprehensive Plan were also presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Hoogstraet made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-121 with Lucas seconding and all Council Members voting aye.
Resolution #2021-122
Authorizing the Destruction of Certain Records Which Have Met Retention. Cindy Robbins, Assistant City Administrator, and City Clerk, stated this resolution was to request permission to destroy records that have met the Secretary of States local retention schedule. Council asked if there were digital records of the files being destroyed. Robbins answered yes, there are digital records and gave a brief overview of the record-keeping process. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Graham made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-122 with Peterson seconding and all Council Members voting aye.
Resolution #2021-123
Accepting the Bid of Liming Concrete, LLC. For Certain Stormwater and Sidewalk Improvements to the McCauley Park Playground and Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Contract for the Same. Matt Crouse, Parks Director, stated that this resolution would allow for the issues with water retention at McCauley Park to begin to be fixed. Crouse said that he has been working with Shaffer & Hines for designs that would be functional and visual appealing. Next, Crouse gave an overview of the changes that would be made to the Park if the resolution was approved. Council held discussion with Crouse responding to questions. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Hoogstraet made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-123 with Orf seconding and all Council Members voting aye.
Resolution #2021-124
Amending the City’s Personnel Handbook by Adding Thereto a Policy Regarding Car Allowances and Modifying the Policies Related to Overtime, Standby and Callout, and Callback. Amanda Hunsucker, Human Resources Director, stated that the first section of this resolution is for a new policy for employees that are given a car allowance. Hunsucker said this would spell out exactly what would be included in the car allowance. Next, Hunsucker gave an overview of the current overtime policy for employees. Hunsucker stated the policy change would be to change the language in the overtime policy to “40-hours worked,” and the change in the callback/standby/callout policy change would be for those hours to be classified as overtime. Council held discussion on the policy changes. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Giddens made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-124 with Lucas seconding and all Council Members voting aye.
Resolution #2021-125
Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Settlement Participation Form to Enable the City to Participate in the National Opioid Settlement Agreement. Nick Woodman, City Attorney, stated that if approved, this resolution would allow the City to participate in the National Opioid Settlement. Woodman gave a brief overview of the opioid lawsuit, which is attempting to address the flooding of pharmaceuticals to the market. Next, Woodman gave an overview of the proposed settlement agreement, which requires the City to sign on to the lawsuit by January 2, 2022. Woodman stated that if Council approved the resolution and signed on to this settlement agreement, the City would be bound to the national lawsuit, and the City would lose its ability to file its own lawsuit. Woodman said that staff recommends approval of this resolution. Council asked what funds could be used for. Woodman responded that the funds would have to be used to abate the opioid epidemic. Woodman stated that if the City was allocated any funds, staff would come back to Council for direction on how to spend that money. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed. Mayor called for a motion to approve the resolution. Peterson made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-125 with Orf seconding and all Council Members voting aye.
Resolution #2021-126
Authorizing the City Administrator to Apply for and Accept Grant Funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce to Fund the Construction of Restroom Facilities at the City’s Dog Park. Crouse said this grant would be a good fit for the Parks Department Dog Park restrooms. Crouse stated the amount being applied for would be $125,000, with the possibility of this grant being a matching grant up to 20%. Crouse said that if this grant is awarded, staff would bring this item back for discussion as it is not in the 2022 budget. Council held discussion. Mayor Steele opened the public hearing for comments, with no comments made, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Steele called for a motion to approve the resolution. Giddens made a motion to approve Resolution #2021-126 with Hoogstraet seconding and all Council Members voting aye.
Mayor and Council Member Reports
Liles reminded Council to complete the doodle poll for the next Council Meeting. He invited Council to come to the Chamber Luncheon to recognize the Top 10 under 40 award recipients. Liles congratulated Nick Woodman, Justin Orf, and Macie Thornhill. Liles also invited Council to the Employee Christmas Lunch on December 23rd.
Evans told Council that the City was 10.34% over last year’s sales tax and 12.49% over last year’s use tax.