City Council Special Meeting — Davenport, IA
Date: 2024-07-31
Time: 17:30

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING

 CITY OF DAVENPORT, IOWA

 Wednesday, July 31, 2024; 5:30 PM

 City Hall | 226 West 4th Street | Council Chambers


I. Moment of Silence

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Roll Call

IV. Agenda Item

 1. Resolution appointing Mr. Samuel Huff IV as the City of Davenport’s Corporation
 Counsel and approving a related employment agreement.

V. Adjourn

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING

 CITY OF DAVENPORT, IOWA

 Wednesday, July 31, 2024; 5:30 PM

 City Hall | 226 West 4th Street | Council Chambers


I. Moment of Silence

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Roll Call

IV. Agenda Item

 1. Resolution appointing Mr. Samuel Huff IV as the City of Davenport’s Corporation
 Counsel and approving a related employment agreement.

V. Adjourn
 City of Davenport

Department: Human Resources Action / Date
Contact Info: Alison Fleming | 563-326-7750 7/31/2024

Subject:
Resolution appointing Mr. Samuel Huff IV as the City of Davenport’s Corporation Counsel and
approving a related employment agreement.

Recommendation:
Adopt the Resolution.

Background:
In February 2024, an RFP was released for an executive search firm for both the City
Administrator and Corporation Counsel recruitments. In March 2024, the Purchasing Division
received eight (8) proposals. The proposals were evaluated based on the firms’ experience,
qualifications, and expertise, business process, pricing, references, and the quality and
thoroughness of proposals. In April 2024, the City Council formally approved a contract with
Colin Baenziger & Associates to conduct both recruitments.

The recruiting firm conducted inquiries with elected officials to build the ideal candidate profile
for the Corporation Counsel recruitment and developed the related recruitment brochure. The
recruiter also conducted a compensation analysis that was shared with the City Council. In mid-
June, the position was posted on various platforms and directly emailed to over 13,000
professionals while the firm also conducted its own outreach simultaneously.

All applicants applied directly to the recruiting firm, and the initial applicant review was
conducted by the same. The recruiting firm also conducted a first round of screening with each
applicant and forwarded qualified applicants to the City for additional interviewing/screening.
The City then conducted a more comprehensive interview/screening process involving various
elected officials, external legal representation, and staff members. The process concluded with
a recommendation to the City Council for formal consideration.

Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Employment Agreement
 Resolution No. _______________


Resolution offered by the City Council of the City of Davenport, Iowa.

RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Davenport, Iowa.

RESOLUTION appointing Mr. Samuel Huff IV as the City of Davenport’s Corporation Counsel and
approving a related employment agreement.

WHEREAS, the City Council has appointed Mr. Samuel Huff IV as the City of Davenport’s Corporation
Counsel to perform the functions and duties specified in the Municipal Code of Davenport, Iowa, and
to perform other duties and functions of the City Attorney and as head of the Legal Department; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has authorized the terms set forth in the related employment agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Davenport, Iowa that Mr.
Samuel Huff IV is hereby appointed as the City of Davenport’s Corporation Counsel, and the related
employment agreement is approved in accordance with the terms set forth.

Passed and approved this 31st day of July, 2024.



Approved: Attest:



_________________________ _________________________
Mike Matson Brian Krup
Mayor Deputy City Clerk
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 This Employment Agreement, made and entered into as of August ___, 2024 by and
between the CITY OF DAVENPORT, IOWA, a municipal corporation (hereinafter called”
Employer”), and SAMUEL HUFF IV (hereinafter called “Employee”), both of whom agree as
follows:

Section 1: Duties and Authority
Employer agrees to retain Employee as its Corporation Counsel to perform the functions and duties
specified in the City Code and to perform other duties and functions of the City Attorney and as
the head of the legal department.

Section 2: Compensation
 Employee’s compensation shall be as follows:
 A. Employee shall be paid an annual base salary of $195,000. Employee will be
 afforded general wage increases offered to other department director level
 employees.
 B. Employee’s base salary may be increased as determined by the City Council and in
 connection with the Employee’s annual review conducted by the same.
 C. Employee shall be paid a $250 per month car allowance and a $150 per month
 business allowance.

Section 3: Health, Disability, Life Insurance, IPERS & Other Benefits
 Employee shall be provided the employment benefits afforded to other non-bargaining
department director level employees by administrative policies.

Section 4: Leave Accruals
Employee’s paid leave accruals shall be as follows:
 A. Employee shall accrue vacation leave and sick leave on an annual basis at the rate
 provided for in the City’s administrative policy for director level employees.
 B. Employee shall be credited with 2 weeks of banked accrued vacation leave and 2
 weeks of banked sick leave upon commencement of employment.

Section 5: At-Will Employment.
 Employee shall be an at-will employee. Employee shall provide sixty (60) days written
notice of termination of employment.

Section 6: Severance.
 Upon an involuntary separation of Employee without cause, Employee shall be paid a
severance payment equal to six (6) months of Employee’s then current Base Salary payable as a
lump-sum subject to applicable tax withholding; and health, dental and vision COBRA premium
payments shall be paid by Employer for up to six (6) months. For purposes of this Agreement,
termination for “cause” shall be defined as termination due to: (i) Employee’s conduct constituting
a felony offense or unethical conduct resulting in disciplinary action; (ii) alcohol or drug abuse
which materially impairs Employee’s performance of his duties, and is not cured by the Employee
within thirty (30) days of receiving notice from the Employer of possible termination pursuant to
this Section; (iii) willful misconduct; (v) failure to diligently perform the usual and customary
duties as Corporation Counsel; or (vi) violation of City Administrative Policies on employee
conduct.

Section 7: Hours of Work
 Employee shall work full-time during regular office hours of Employer and shall attend
City Council meetings and other required meetings outside of normal office hours.

Section 8: Residency
 Employee shall permanently reside within the City of Davenport within two (2) years of
commencement of employment. Upon relocation within the City of Davenport, Employee shall be
reimbursed for moving and relocation expenses up to $15,000.

Section 9: General Provisions
 A. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth and establishes the entire
 understanding between the Employer and the Employee. All prior discussions or
 representations by or between the parties are merged into and superseded by this
 Agreement. Any modification of this Agreement shall be in writing and executed
 by both parties.

 B. Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding on the Employer and the
 Employee as well as their heirs, assigns, executors, personal representatives and
 successors in interest.

 C. Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective upon execution and shall
 continue indefinitely thereafter.

 D. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed and construed in accordance
 with the laws of the State of Iowa.

 E. Council Approval. This Agreement is subject to the approval of the City Council
 as require by City Code.

 F. On-Boarding Training. Employee shall receive on-boarding and training provided
 by Employer to familiarize Employee with City policies and procedures, including
 training on discrimination, harassment and retaliation provided to elected officials
 and other supervisory personnel.

 G. Background Check. This Agreement is contingent upon the Employee passing a
 background check by the Employer before the commencement date of employment.
 [Signature page follows]
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date written above.

 EMPLOYEE:


 ___________________________
 Samual Huff IV

 EMPLOYER:

 CITY OF DAVENPORT


 By _________________________
 Michael Matson, Mayor
Attest:

____________________________
Deputy City Clerk

City of Davenport, Iowa
 City Council Special Meeting Minutes
 Wednesday, July 31, 2024
The City Council of Davenport, Iowa met in special session on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
in the Council Chambers at Davenport City Hall, 226 West 4th Street, Davenport, Iowa with Mayor
Matson presiding and all Aldermen present (In person: Alderman R. Dunn, Alderwoman Meginnis,
Alderman Reinartz, Alderman Gripp, Alderwoman Newton, Alderwoman Lynch, Alderman T. Dunn,
Alderman Jobgen, and Alderwoman Burkholder; Via telephone: Alderman Kelly).

I. Moment of Silence

II. Pledge of Allegiance | Led by Alderman R. Dunn

III. Roll Call

IV. Agenda Item

 1. On motion by Alderman R. Dunn, second by Alderman Reinartz and all Aldermen present voting
 aye except Alderman Kelly, the following Resolution was adopted.

 Resolution appointing Mr. Samuel Huff IV as the City of Davenport’s Corporation Counsel and
 approving a related employment agreement. [All Wards] ADOPTED 2024-325

V. Adjourn 5:44 p.m.




 Brian J. Krup
 Deputy City Clerk