Minutes - Council - 06/22/2021 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Councilmember Musgrove commented that she has been looking through the recent resident survey and there was a question in 2018 and 2016 regarding this topic but it was then changed to ask how the City was doing with road repair. She stated that the rating from the residents continues to decline, and residents continue to express frustration that roads are not a priority. She stated that residents are paying a tax in the franchise fee for something that should be included in the levy. Mayor Kuzma commented that he thinks the Council will find that this route will provide an expensive outcome. He stated that he has not heard any negative comments about the franchise fee since its implementation. He stated that placing the roads on the levy would result in bonding and additional interest the City would pay. He did not believe $1,900,000 could be pulled from the budget without placing that on the levy. Councilmember Musgrove commented that she believes the roads have been neglected. Councilmember Specht commented that the vote has been passed and perhaps this discussion would be more appropriate in a future worksession. 7.06: Appoint an Interim Deputy City Administrator and an Interim Community Development Director City Administrator Ulrich reviewed the staff report and recommendation to appoint Finance Director Lund as the Interim Deputy City Administrator and appoint City Engineer Westby as the Interim Community Development Director; both employees would receive a five percent wage increase effective June 23, 2021 through onboarding of the new Deputy City Administrator/Community Development Director. Councilmember Howell commented that she is very supportive in having City Engineer Westby serve as the Interim Community Development Director but would not be supportive of having Finance Director Lund serve as Interim City Administrator. She commented that she would prefer to see City Administrator Ulrich remain as Administrator and delegate tasks as needed. Mayor Kuzma noted that a backup needs to be designated in the case City Administrator Ulrich is not present. Councilmember Musgrove asked if there could be someone that temporarily fills the duties when City Administrator Ulrich is on vacation without appointment. City Administrator Ulrich commented that there does not have to be a wage increase, as that is at the discretion of the council, but a Deputy should be appointed for legal reasons to allow document signing. He commented that he believes the compensation is appropriate but discretionary. He noted that Finance Director Lund has played this role in the past and therefore supports the recommendation. Councilmember Riley commented that it would be important to have someone appointed in the interim and Finance Director Lund has filled this position in the past and therefore has the City Council / June 22, 2021 Page 9 of 11