Waverly City Council approves bond reallocation, personnel handbook changes and several contracts; schedules playground opening

The City of Waverly City Council on Monday approved a plan to reallocate $569,162.67 in unspent proceeds from the city’s general obligation bond series 2023 and signed off on several personnel‑policy updates and municipal contracts.

The reallocation resolution (No. 25‑34) passed in a roll call vote with councilmembers Bergen, Candace, Raffy and Wolf voting yes. The measure moves previously issued bond proceeds toward a list of budgeted projects rather than issuing new debt, city officials said during the hearing.

Council members also approved two employee handbook amendments — one revising sick‑leave rules (Resolution 25‑35) and one updating timekeeping and compensation for on‑call/stipend pay (Resolution 25‑36). Danielle, a city staff member who discussed the handbook language, said the change "doesn't take anything away by any means; we're just reallocating how it should look" to make usage clearer and more consistent. The council was told the police bargaining unit is not affected by the sick‑leave amendment.

In other business, the council approved a roughly $90,508 purchase of playground equipment for First Home Park from Play Pro Recreation of Clive, Iowa (Resolution 25‑37). Garrett, a parks staff member who responded to questions about surfacing and neighborhood feedback, said the manufacturer wood‑fiber surface will be used and that a poured‑in‑place surface would roughly double costs. Council members noted the neighborhood survey returned about a 33 percent response rate and discussed inviting private donations for park benches; the council recorded a figure of $1,300 for a sponsor bench.

The council accepted the Waverly Public Library addition and renovation as complete and approved final payment request No. 15 in the amount of $40,110.23 to Hough Contracting of Waterloo (Resolution 25‑38). The council also awarded the Civic Center limestone columns repair project to Mott Construction of Sumner for $18,400 (Resolution 25‑39) and approved a $7,046.06 contract to B & J Flooring of Waverly for Civic Center flooring replacement (Resolution 25‑40).

For a paving project on 30 Ninth Street Northeast, the council approved a not‑to‑exceed $72,900 proposal from Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) to begin engineering and surveying (Resolution 25‑41). Becky Schwab, identified in the meeting as a senior engineer from SEH, attended for questions about the firm and its experience.

Councilmembers gave unanimous first reading approval to Ordinance 1163, which amends section 105.40.11 of the Waverly Municipal Code (parking fines), and approved several mayoral appointments to boards and commissions by voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25‑34: Reallocate $569,162.67 of unspent proceeds from general obligation bond series 2023 — Approved (roll call: Bergen, Candace, Raffy, Wolf — yes). - Resolution 25‑35: Amend city employee handbook, section 8‑5 (sick leave) — Approved (roll call recorded as passed 4‑0). - Resolution 25‑36: Amend city employee handbook, section 7 (timekeeping and compensation) — Approved (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 25‑37: Purchase First Home Park playground equipment from Play Pro Recreation — $90,508; Approved (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 25‑38: Accept Waverly Public Library addition/renovation as complete; approve final payment No. 15 to Hough Contracting — $40,110.23; Approved (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 25‑39: Award Civic Center limestone columns repair to Mott Construction — $18,400; Approved (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 25‑40: Award Civic Center flooring replacement to B & J Flooring — $7,046.06; Approved (unanimous roll call). - Resolution 25‑41: Approve SEH proposal to begin engineering/surveying for 30 Ninth Street NE paving project — Not‑to‑exceed $72,900; Approved (unanimous roll call). - Ordinance 1163 (first reading): Amend Waverly Municipal Code §105.40.11 (parking fines) — First reading approved (unanimous roll call).

Why it matters

The bond reallocation lets the city direct existing debt proceeds to related budgeted projects without issuing new bonds and incurring additional issuance costs. The employee handbook changes clarify sick‑leave usage and standardize on‑call compensation practices; city staff said the changes reflect input from labor/management discussions and are intended to make administration and payroll programming simpler.

Background and supporting details

City staff said the bond reallocation covers projects that were budgeted or bonded for in 2023 and 2024 but that the original official statements did not precisely describe some of the later uses, requiring a formal reallocation and public hearing. The reallocation hearing drew no public comments.

On the playground purchase, staff and council described neighborhood outreach and survey feedback used in selecting equipment. Parks staff said accessible sidewalk work will be included as part of the project and that the manufacturer wood‑fiber surfacing will be installed; a poured‑in‑place surface was noted as substantially more expensive.

During discussion of the library final payment, a councilmember noted that a relatively small portion of the project came from local taxpayer funds (the remainder from grants and fundraising), and the council approved final payment to the contractor.

Upcoming events and staff reports

City staff reported the public golf course opened earlier in March, and the city is planning a grand‑opening ceremony for the all‑inclusive playground at Cedar River Park on April 26. James, a city staff member who provided the report, said the ceremony will include a small program at 11:30 a.m., food provided through a partnership with the installer and Kiwanis serving, and that the bookmobile is expected to attend.

Council members also noted local events including a fruit tree pruning class and a pancake breakfast. The city announced it received Tree City USA recognition and a growth award; Paul Chevelle, Public Grounds superintendent, will be recognized by the Iowa Urban Tree Council.

What the council did not decide

The meeting contained no public opposition during the bond reallocation hearing, and no items were tabled or continued for later study. The first reading of Ordinance 1163 passed; a subsequent reading and final adoption will be required for the parking fine changes to take effect.

No speculative conclusions are included in this report; all actions and vote tallies reflect statements and roll calls recorded in the council transcript.