Charles City gets community feedback, updates employee handbook

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Council received feedback about speed cameras and building permits during the regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 7.

Stepping up for the public comment portion of the meeting, Scott Galliart voiced his disapproval of the city’s consideration of having speed cameras installed at the main roads in and out of the city. Galliart raised his concerns about the automation of ticketing, the involvement of a for-profit company in the law enforcement process and the additional police time it will take to review every captured speeding vehicle.

Mayor Dean Andrews addressed some of Galliart’s concerns, saying that he felt similar reservations, but was encouraged by the amount of control the city would have over the process, suggesting that the cameras would be placed well within the city’s 35 mph limit zones and programmed to flag cars going in excess of 10-15 mph over the limit.

“It’s to catch the blatant abusers,” said Andrews.

Another resident bringing an issue to the council during the meeting was Judy Vabb, who expressed her surprise and frustration to the council after finding that having a new roof installed on her home required an expensive permit from the city.

“I was shocked when they told me it was $156,” said Vabb.

Vabb asked the council why a building permit for a new roof would cost that much, pointing out that many neighboring communities do not even require permits for home renovations that do not alter the footprint of the building.

Without having the ordinance on hand to review, City Administrator Steve Diers said he would research the matter and get back to Vabb personally.

Moving onto board appointments, the council approved the appointment of Alan Powell to the Board of Adjustment, finally filling out that board. Also appointed was Christopher Hall to the Library Board, taking over for Coulter Page, who declined another term.

In regular business, the council passed a resolution approving the update to the city’s employee handbook. Years in the making, the update adjusts several vacation and sick leave policies to help keep Charles City competitive as an employer along with aligning the city’s policies to changes in federal law.

The council also passed a resolution accepting a deed from the City Improvement Association to take possession of a small triangle of land that was overlooked when 1st Street was reconfigured, set a public hearing date to approve easements for Omnitel Communications as the company continues work installing fiber internet downtown, approved the 6th payment request for the Clearwell Project, and held the second reading of an ordinance that would set rules and regulations for the use of golf carts in the city.

“This does not mean you can ride your golf cart in town yet,” said Mayor Andrews. “You’ve got to wait for the third reading.”

Finally, the council went into closed session for performance evaluations for City Administrator Diers, City Clerk Trudy O’Donnell, and City Attorney Brad Sloter.

Following the reviews, the council returned to open session and approved amended employment agreements for Diers and O’Donnell, granting each a 3% pay increase.