Waitsburg City Council addresses staffing

Waitsburg City Council met for its regular meeting on July 19, 2023, at city hall. Kelly Steinhoff will be returning to Waitsburg City Hall. City Councilmembers Jillian Henze, Randy Charles, Jim Romine, Court Ruppenthal, Kevin House, Mayor Marty Dunn, and City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe were in attendance.

The council approved Ordinance 2023-1082 updating the Waitsburg Municipal Code regarding nuisance abatement and imposing a fine for non-compliance after the first notice.

The council approved contracting with Vision Municipal Services to print and mail the monthly utility invoices. Hinchliffe estimated the cost would be $.70 less per bill than processing them in-house. The savings could be over $5,000 per year.

Deputy Clerk Brittany Zuger is leaving her position with the city on August 15. Hinchliffe asked for approval to hire Kelly Steinhoff in the newly created position of administrative assistant. Steinhoff will be a familiar face at city hall, having worked for 15 years of as Deputy City Clerk, before leaving in 2019.

The new position will be part-time, and Steinhoff will work three days one week, two days the next. Council Member Henze was concerned that the position is only part-time as the biggest complaint she hears from residents is that city hall is not open enough. Hinchliffe said her hours would allow city hall to be open more because she could keep the office open over the lunch hour.

Hence wanted to make sure the hours are worked out and posted clearly on the website and at city hall.

Council Member Romine suggested Steinhoff take over for Hinchliffe at one or two city council meetings annually. He felt this would help her learn the responsibilities needed to provide coverage should Hinchliffe be unavailable.

Mayor Dunn said he would like Lisa Norris and Jim Lynch to come to some meetings to report on public works.

In her council report, Henze said the Weller Public Library board will be looking for a new member to replace Mike Hubbard, who is stepping down.

Hinchliffe gave an update on the sidewalk project in town. There is an issue with Rock Hill Concrete’s production due to equipment failure. The contractor has finished all the prep and is waiting. Hinchliffe said he thought they were doing a good job on the street to sidewalk areas, offering homeowners the choice between gravel or dirt prepared for grass seed.

He described improvements at Preston Park, including a sunshade next to the splash pad, pea gravel around the swing area, and working with Parks and Rec on fencing around the pickleball court.