January 11, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Council Meeting Agenda

Discussion:  City of Wakefield is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Regular Council Meeting
Time: Jan 11, 2023 05:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 874 2107 3434
Passcode: 415367


 

Discussion:  On behalf of the Wakefield Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department as well as the Wakefield Rural Fire Board, Lyle Ekberg asked the council to consider a possible increase in city sales tax by .5% to help cover the cost of building a new fire hall.  The council did not take any action on this request.

Discussion:  The council decided to postpone the construction agreement with John T. Jones Construction company until the February 8, 2023 council meeting to give members time to read through the contract.

Discussion:  As has been the practice for the last few years, the city council has held an annual retreat.  Mayor Lehmkuhl would like to continue this practice as long as the retreat is for educational purposes. Some topics he would like to see discussed include the council’s role in City government, parliamentary procedure, executive sessions, and conflict of interest among other topics.  Clerk Vander Veen has made inquiries as to availability and cost for presenters; however, a date needs to be decided so planning can move forward.  Council members asked for a in late March or early April.   Clerk Vander Veen will follow up with her contacts and report back to the mayor and council with her findings.

Discussion:  Mayor Lehmkuhl expressed his concern of the City being short-staffed and with a limited number of applications being submitted for the open positions within the City.  The mayor asked the Council to consider ways to recruit quality candidates while asking City staff to put together a proposal for the council to use as a recruiting tool.  

Discussion:  Council member R. Hansen introduced Ordinance 1-2023 to amend the terms of the board of park commissioners.

Discussion:  Council Member S. Hansen introduced Ordinance 2-2023 to discontinue the Civic Center Board as a board of the City of Wakefield; to provide for the repeal of ordinances in conflict herewith; and to prescribe the time which this ordinance shall be in full force and effect. 

Discussion:  The council postponed until the February 8, 2023 meeting the approval of Ordinance 3-2023 to amend the regulations for parking on the streets for the purposes of snow and ice removal by the city

Discussion:  Council member Bard introduced Ordinance 4-2023 to create an Americans with Disabilities (ADA) committee and to appoint an ADA compliance officer

Discussion:  The Police Review committed recently met and had good conversation with Dixon County deputies.  Much was discussed, and the next meeting will be Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

Discussion:  City Administrator Mackling gave his monthly report and noted that Well #3 continues to have electrical issues. He asked that repairs for the well be put in next year's budget.   

Discussion:  The City's Personnel Policy Handbook needs to be updated.  Council member Bard, Administrative Coordinator Decker, and Clerk Vander Veen have been working on making necessary changes.  The Council asked that portions of the handbook, not the handbook in its entirety, be brought before the council monthly for approval.  Currently, City employees are given seven paid holidays per year.  After researching what other municipalities offer, it was noted that Wakefield offers the fewest holidays in the State.  Clerk Vander Veen asked the Council to consider adding five holidays:  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Arbor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, and Veterans' Day.  

Discussion:  City Administrator Mackling informed the Council of a water issue at 404 Walnut Street. The homeowner is refusing to pay the contractor who made the repairs because the City hired the contractor when the homeowner did not make the required repairs in a timely manner.  Mackling requested guidance from the Council on how to proceed.  City Attorney Miner said the homeowner needs to file a claim with the City and present said claim to the Council.  In the meantime, the City should pay the contractor and assess the fee to the homeowners and offer a payment plan.