Grundy Center council amends Ordinance 590 at first reading to set three-year terms for key staff

The Grundy Center City Council on March 16 amended Ordinance 590 at first reading to make four city positions three-year appointed posts and require annual performance reviews by the mayor.

The action, taken during the council’s first reading of Ordinance 590, adds the City Clerk, Public Works Director, Police Chief and EMS Director to the ordinance’s appointment provisions. Councilmember Smith moved the amendment, McDonald seconded, and the motion carried on a 5–0 vote.

Councilmember Stensland submitted a written statement opposing Ordinance 590; City Clerk Kristy Sawyer read Stensland’s statement into the record. Stensland had proposed a package of changes including multi-year appointments, automatic annual renewals, severance provisions and mandatory performance reviews. The city attorney told the council that the state-code citations Stensland referenced in his opposition were inaccurate and did not apply to the sections of city code under consideration.

Supporters said the amendment is intended to create predictable appointment terms and to formalize periodic performance review practice. Council discussion included whether multi-year appointments would improve stability in positions such as police chief, with Lamp noting frequent turnover in that post during her tenure.

The amendment was adopted as part of the ordinance’s first-reading proceedings; the ordinance remains at first reading and must follow the city’s ordinance-adoption process before becoming final.

What comes next: The council advanced the amended Ordinance 590 at first reading. The item will return for additional readings or further action consistent with the city’s ordinance-adoption schedule.