City tweaks staff responsibilities
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Ever since the recent resignation of former City Clerk Amanda Cannon, the city has struggled to cover all the bases and operate efficiently.
Their actions Monday evening hopefully will begin to address this situation.
The council voted to authorize City Administrator Brent Wise to hire Nicole Swank at a rate of $20 per hour. At least initially, the job will be classified as Deputy City Clerk. Current Assistant City Clerk Mari Hughes will become an administrative assistant.
Wise’s plan is that he will take on more of the financial duties of the city clerk position and cross train other city employees to handle some of his current duties such as heading the water and sewer operations. Current city employees will work toward certification to run those areas.
Wise is suggesting appointing himself as temporary city clerk with duties involving working with budget, financial reports, etc. The deputy clerk would handle other current city clerk duties as she learns the systems well enough to become city clerk.
The structure is basically the same as the City of Leon had adopted and Mount Ayr has met with officials from there on how to implement those changes here. The upside to this restructuring, according to Wise, is that it cross-trains employees to handle other duties so the city doesn’t find itself in a pinch when an opening to key personnel happens.
“This will allow for better cross training and strengthen our knowledge as a team,” said Wise.
Garbage Service
Wise presented the council with information taking the city’s garbage service back to a private contractor.
He presented pricing from Waste Management which would cost the city $35,200 more for the service but free up city employees to concentrate on city improvements. The rates presented by Waste Management would lower commercial business service but increase residential service. They would increase by five percent per year and use the current city dumpster and tote inventory.
Wise said he has a bid to sell the city garbage truck for $182,000.
After some discussion, the council decided to hold off on this change for the time being. There greatest concern was the increase in residential rates.
Other items
• Wise updated the council on progress at the Judge Lewis Pool. Demolition of the old pool has begun and construction of the new pool will begin as soon as possible after that. It is hoped construction will be completed by November, weather permitting. The finish date has been moved up because the contractor is planning on having two crews on site instead of one.
• Approved Class C Liquor Licenses for Gettin’ Slushed South of 35 LLC and Club Tavern (Leftys).
• Repealed an ordinance concerning the city’s Urban Renewal area that is expiring and will expand the area to help with funding of demolition of abandoned homes, declared slum and blight areas. A public hearing will be held on June 3.
• Approved the use of a Preliminary Official Statement for the sale of General Obligation Swimming Pool Bonds.
• Approved spending $192,000 for street repairs in the city. Streets that the city would like to address include South Taylor, Jackson, East Madison and cement in front of the fire station.
The city will use Blacktop Services and Judd Bowen to handle the work.
• Authorized Ann Iannnotta, a physical therapist, to teach an exercise class in Judge Lewis Park four days per week this summer.
• Wise gave an update on the nuisance property efforts. He said several letters have gone out to offending property owners and several more are in the works. On a positive note, Wise said some owners are cleaning up their properties without receiving the notices.
• Wise said about 50% of city property has been inspected thus far for storm damage in order to file an insurance claim.
• Heard of the official approval of $340,000 the city will receive in CAT Grant funding for the Judge Lewis Pool.
