On Monday night, the Marshalltown city council voted 5-2 to table a resolution on adopting a citywide compost fee until its July 11 meeting.

The proposed fee would place a $1.50 per month charge on Marshalltown Water Works bills for all customers. During the last council meeting, a motion passed to bring back a resolution to adopt the fee starting July 1. With this resolution tabled, the fee is still on hold for the time being.

“After the last meeting — I kind of thought we had it all straightened out. It seemed like we were going to be able to be benefiting everyone in the community,” said councilman Mike Ladehoff. “It seems like we’re coming full circle on this to the point where I can see pushing this back or just returning back to the system that we had.”

Councilor Gabe Isom agreed with Ladehoff and motioned to table the resolution.

Since the item was tabled, it was not opened up to the public for discussion. However, an amendment to the code of ordinances regarding vegetation appeared on the agenda moments later, which did allow for public comment.

The amendment makes the city responsible for trimming trees in the right-of-way and creates “the mechanism” for the council to impose a fee for composting activities.

“This is not needed. It’s a want,” said Doris Kinnick. “Why add that burden? Please don’t do that. Stop spending money you don’t have.”

The amendment passed with Ladehoff and Al Hoop voting against it.

City Attorney services

At the start of Monday’s meeting, Mayor Joel Greer acknowledged City Attorney Roger Schoell had filed for retirement from his position with the city. During the budgeting process early in the year, the council voted in favor of ending its contract with Schoell for attorney services as a cost saving measure.

“He’s been our go-to person for so many meetings for so many years,” Greer said. “With the things we’ve had to deal with from the tornado and the derecho — I’d like to recognize Roger for his service.”

Steven Leidinger of Lynch Dallas, a law firm based in Cedar Rapids, will serve in the city attorney role starting in July.

The council agreed to let Leidinger attend meetings virtually when possible, as the city would need to pay extra expenses for his travel from Cedar Rapids.

In other business

City Administrator Jessica Kinser requested the council’s help in scheduling a work session to discuss franchise fees in August. The date has not been decided yet, but the meeting is expected to last several hours.

“It’s a very complex topic that in a regular council meeting we wouldn’t be able to discuss fully,” Kinser said.

The council was in agreement that franchise fees are worth learning more about and discussing.

Consultant Susan Parker of Sparker Solutions, who has worked with the city on strategic planning in recent years, will help lead the meeting.

The council unanimously approved a resolution to order construction work for Elks Park improvements. The scope of work, which will go out to bid in July, includes leveling out the soccer field and addressing sidewalks and lighting. The estimated cost of this phase is $92,851, with $61,200 coming from a Community Development Block Grant.