REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 7, 2023
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, August 7, 2023, at 6:00 pm in the Community Room at the Fayette Community Library pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Wood presiding. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call: Present - Council members Lowery, Post, Potratz, Scott and Tucker.
Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 7/17/23, special session meeting minutes of 7/27/23, the claims list of 7/15/23-8/4/23 and the approval to renew the Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service and Catering Privileges for Aramark Educational Services, LLC/Pete’s. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Citizen Comments: Glen Smith from Fayette addressed the council with his concerns over the demolition of his home, including Smith not being notified properly. Mayor Wood advised the city has notified him properly and demolition is scheduled for this week.
Scott Bowen from Fayette expressed his concerns about the lawn needing mowed at 207 Alexander Street.
Moved Lowery, seconded Potratz, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, motion carried.
Mayor Wood shared news that the Fayette Community Library has achieved accreditation through the State Library of Iowa and congratulations are in order.
City Administrator/Clerk McGrane provided a written report that included some of the things he has been working on. The solar panels at the wastewater treatment plant were finally approved by Alliant Energy and will be turned on. McGrane completed the quarterly reports due in July, updated the employee health insurance breakdowns, worked on June and July financials, updated payroll changes, assisted with other human resource/personnel duties, assisted with city permits, completed the Wellmark Recredentialing for the Ambulance Service, assisted with some Homes for Iowa and CDBG grant paperwork, completed an RFP for full audit services and got it dispersed, assisted with some end-of-the-month reports, assisted with some utility billing duties, assisted with a few city incentives, and assisted with bills/claims and getting the council packet completed.
Fayette Police Chief advised the council that Officer McCraney has passed his academy agility entrance testing exam to attend the academy starting August 28, 2023. A judgment has been obtained regarding clean-up at Gary Goodell’s property.
Public Works (PW) Director provided a written report that included an update on the North Main Street project. The project is going well. The PW department has been able to catch up on projects, such as painting the curbs, parking lines, crosswalks and clearing out trees and brush along Big Rock Road. The flowmeter for the lagoons was received and they are now able to discharge.
Moved Post, seconded Lowery, to table Resolution 2023-42 until the August 21st meeting. All ayes, motion carried.
McGrane informed the council that no one submitted an offer to complete the city exam this year. Most of the firms said they were too busy this year. McGrane reached out to the State of Iowa Auditor to find out if they could provide a cost estimate to conduct the audit. Michelle Meyers with the State of Iowa advised it is extremely expensive for the State to do audits. Meyers investigated the city of Fayette’s previous city exams conducted by Rochelle Thompson and advised Thompson has a solid reputation and Fayette has gone above and beyond with their financial reports and reconciliations and there have been no concerns. Meyers is certain the State of Iowa would decline any bids to conduct Fayette’s audit due to labor shortages and an already busy schedule. Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to contact Rochelle Thompson and inquire if she would be available to conduct a city exam for FY23. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Scott, seconded Lowery, to acknowledge receipt of the Fayette Ambulance meeting minutes from 8/2/23. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Scott, seconded Lowery, to approve Resolution 2023-44, approving a 28E Agreement between the Fayette Ambulance Service, Inc., and the City of Fayette for the transfer of funds. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Potratz, seconded Post, to approve Resolution 2023-45, approving the hiring of Markus Hawes as full-time City Administrator/Clerk at a salary of $60,500. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, seconded Lowery, to approve removing Kris McGrane from all the city of Fayette bank accounts and safe deposit box and adding Markus Hawes to all the city of Fayette bank accounts and safe deposit box on 8/21/23. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, seconded Lowery, to approve removing Kris McGrane and adding Markus Hawes to the cities CD’s on 8/21/23. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, seconded Lowery, authorizing Markus Hawes to apply for credit on behalf of the City of Fayette and receive a company credit card on 8/21/23. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, seconded Scott, to approve Resolution 2023-46, adopting the City of Fayette’s Safety Manual. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Lowery, seconded Potratz, to approve the Terracon proposal for comprehensive asbestos assessment of 200 Volga Street property buildings at a cost of $10,150.00. All ayes, motion carried.
Jon Biederman with Fehr Graham Engineers updated the council on the North Main Street project. Biederman advised work has progressed nicely; however, the general contractor will be providing a letter with a completion date extension, in which Biederman advised was acceptable without any penalties.
Moved Tucker, seconded Scott, to approve Partial Pay Estimate #1 to WICKS Construction, Inc. for the North Main Street project in the amount of $76,477.74. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Potratz, seconded Post, to approve payment to Granger Construction Inc. for house demolition and tree removal for $12,700.00. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Potratz, seconded Scott, to approve payment of sidewalk replacement program incentive for the Fayette County Food Shelf and reimbursement of $265. All ayes, motion carried.
Mayor Wood conducted the swearing in of Markus Hawes and Hawes took the Oath of Office and will assume his new position on 8/21/23.
Moved Lowery, seconded Scott, to go into closed session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(j) to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonable expected to increase the price the City would have to pay for that property or reduce the price the City would receive that property. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, seconded Scott, to open regular session. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to have Mayor Wood follow through with the city council’s direction during close session. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
There being no further business, Mayor Wood declared the meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.
