Council welcomes new city administrator, accepts low bid for Kiwanis Park improvements
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With a special election deciding the fate of the proposed franchise fees and filling the Third Ward vacancy just hours away, the Marshalltown city council moved quickly through a relatively light agenda during Monday night's meeting but welcomed an important new face to the fold.
City Administrator Joe Gaa officially assumed his role Monday morning and attended his first meeting that night, and Mayor Joel Greer -- who had been reluctantly holding the interim title since late June -- was happy to have him onboard.
"I have to tell you I'm not the only one sitting up here who's really glad to have a city administrator back in place," Greer said. "The staff usually sits over there, and I can tell you they are really glad to have somebody other than me acting as the city administrator. So I'd like to welcome Joe Gaa."
Gaa thanked Greer and the council for the opportunity and said he looks forward to meeting community members and serving "the fine folks" of Marshalltown. Mayor Pro-Tem Mike Ladehoff shouted out the department heads and employees who stepped in during the period between city administrators.
"Your extra work was much, much appreciated, and it seems like we got along OK but it was obvious that we really needed a CA to get in here," Ladehoff said. "So thank you all. You all helped. It just shows what a good staff we have."
It didn't take long for the special election to be mentioned during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting as resident Mark Eaton, who collected signatures for a petition to put the franchise fee on the ballot, urged everyone, whether they are for or against the fees, to go to the polls.
"A lot of people went to work to make this happen," Eaton said.
Another public commenter, Jim Shaw, urged voters to reject the franchise fees at the polls before Second Ward Councilor Gabe Isom, during council comments, offered his thoughts on why he felt the franchise fee should be supported. Isom took issue with the narrative that the council spends money on "wants over needs" and cited the success of the recent Harvest Market and the renovation of West End Park as a prime example of an investment that has paid off for the city.
"I think what a majority of the council is doing is looking forward for what this community can be and what it deserves," Isom said. "Growth, progress and pride are something that are on the horizon as you look at some of the things we've been enjoying (and) some of the projects in progress. Decay, stagnation and pessimism is what we're striving to drive away from and, unfortunately, something that's been present for too long."
Shaw then asked for a point of clarification on whether Isom's comments could be considered a response to him as the rules for the public comment period stipulate that councilors are not allowed to engage in "discussion or debate" on matters raised. Greer said there wasn't a good way to police whether it was a response or not and that the comments were likely already prepared, but "point taken."
Later in the meeting, the council accepted, by a unanimous vote, a low bid for improvements at Kiwanis Park, located just north of Hoglan Elementary School, from Brothers Concrete of Des Moines at a cost of $227,729.25. Public Works Director Heather Thomas, filling in for Parks and Recreation Director Geoff Hubbard, explained that the project includes a basketball court, a pickleball court, a turf volleyball court, a soccer field, a 16'x16' shelter and some sidewalks. The city received a total of seven bids, and Brothers was the lowest.
Because the city hadn't worked with Brothers before, references were requested, and Thomas said they came back with "nothing out of the ordinary." The $227,729.25 figure was $6,000 below the estimate, and the project will be financed with GO bond dollars from the 363 fund.
In other business, the council:
Voted 5-1, on a motion from Councilor Gary Thompson, to table the implementation of the GovHR classification and compensation plan for non-union employees to allow for more time to examine each position. Isom voted against tabling the resolution. Thompson expressed concern that it could negatively affect experienced employees when compared to new employees.
Approved the consent agenda as listed.
Approved a motion to approve an outdoor service amendment for Legends American Grill to allow for bags tournaments.
Approved the second reading of an amendment to Chapter 151 of the city building code.