August 15, 2022 Worksession

Posted: August 12, 2022 | Updated: August 24, 2023

AGENDA

NOTICE AND CALL OF PUBLIC MEETING

 

GOVERNMENTAL BODY:                         THE CITY COUNCIL OF CRESCO, IOWA

DATE OF MEETING:                                   AUGUST 15, 2022

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING:             IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AT 5:30 P.M. CITY HALL, 130 N PARK PLACE

 

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE ABOVE MENTIONED

GOVERNMENTAL BODY WILL MEET AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SET OUT ABOVE.  THE TENTATIVE AGENDA FOR SAID MEETING IS AS FOLLOWS:

 

ROLL CALL:  KRIENER, McCONNELL, FORTUNE, BOUSKA, CARMAN

 

 

COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE: (This portion of the agenda is for comments that are not related to one of the items listed on the agenda.  Comments can only be received. No formal action by the Council can be taken.    Those making public comments will be asked to state their name and address, and to speak from the podium.)

 

BUSINESS:  There may be action taken on each of the items listed below.

  1. Discuss Dumpster Services for Non-Recyclable Waste Collection Services
    1. Hawkeye Sanitation Presentation
    2. Shimek Sanitation Presentation
  2. Discuss Amendments to the Code of Ordinance and Possible Creation of a Permit for Authorized Collectors for Dumpsters
  3. Discuss and Establish Parameters for the Personnel Committee
  4. Discuss Personnel Issues

 

ADJOURN:

THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN AT THE DIRECTION OF THE MAYOR PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 21, CODE OF IOWA AND THE LOCAL RULES OF SAID GOVERNMENTAL BODY.  POSTED AUGUST 12, 2022.

MINUTES

Mayor Brenno called the Cresco City Council worksession to order on August 15, 2022, at 6:03 pm. Council Members Kriener, McConnell, Fortune, Bouska, and Carman were present. No council members were absent.

Council discussed dumpster services for non-recyclable waste collection. Hawkeye Sanitation presented their justification for price increases for the dumpsters. The fact that they had not increased prices for several years plus the higher operating costs and payroll expenses caused prices for some business accounts to jump, although prices for some accounts decreased. Letters were sent to customers in March advising them of an increase in rates and they have only received one complaint. They were concerned with the City Council considering allowing other collectors to work in Cresco. They interpret the agreement with the City of Cresco give them exclusive rights for the 5-year term of the agreement. They also pointed out the pride they take in the community and their donations for City events. Council asked about recycling, specifically cardboard, since it cannot go to the landfill.  Hawkeye stated that since they own the recycling center here, they would not be willing to accept non-customer recycling. Spectrum Recycling in Decorah is paid by Winneshiek County and is unwilling to accept items from Cresco. The issue of recycling, especially cardboard, was not resolved.

Shimek Sanitation reported they had been contacted by five businesses asking if they could contract with them for dumpster service.

The City consulted an attorney to determine if the agreement was exclusive to Hawkeye Sanitation for all waste collections services. It seems clear that the agreement is exclusive for residential and light-commercial (non-dumpster) accounts. However, it is not as clear whether the intent for dumpster customers is exclusive. It could be argued that, since these accounts are negotiated directly with the Collector, the City did not intend to regulate those accounts. Council could not come to an agreement whether or not the agreement is exclusive for dumpster accounts. The Council unanimously agreed that Hawkeye Sanitation needs to do more communication with their customers and to reach out to all of them to discuss the increase.

Bouska made a motion that the City has an exclusive contract for commercial account with Hawkeye Sanitation and instruct them to improve their communication with customers. Carman seconded the motion. Carman and Bouska voted aye. Fortune, McConnell, and Kriener voted nay. The motion failed by majority vote.

Further discussion was held with no other formal action taken. The subject will be discussed again at a future meeting.

The Council discussed duties and authority of a Personnel Committee. Bouska made a motion to form a Personnel Advisory Committee consisting of the Mayor and two Council members. McConnell seconded and it passed all ayes.

Personnel issues and the Employee Handbook were discussed regarding disciplinary procedures due to the increasing number of employees disregarding one of the rules. McConnell made the motion to implement a disciplinary course of action for violations of Section 3.16 of the Employee Handbook: 1st violation – a documented verbal warning; 2nd violation – written warning; 3rd violation – 1-day unpaid suspension; 4th violation – termination with four violations within 12 months of the first violation. An employee’s record on this specific violation will be cleared at twelve months after a violation. Kriener seconded and it passed all ayes. This will be effective after the supervisors and employees have been informed of the new enforcement rules.

Carman moved to adjourn at 9:05 pm. Bouska seconded and it passed all ayes. The next regular Cresco City Council meeting will be Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at 5:30 pm at Cresco City Hall.

 

Mayor: David J. Brenno
City Clerk: Michelle Elton

2022 City Council Agendas, Minutes