Council Meeting Minutes 01-18-16

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

                                                     January 18, 2016    

     The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, January 18, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. in the Fayette City Hall pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Wenthe presiding.

     Roll call: Present - Council members Kragnes, McGrane, Nefzger (7:33 pm), Sorensen.

     Moved McGrane, seconded Kragnes, to approve the consent agenda consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 01/04/16, Claims List of 01/05–18/2016, December 2015 Treasurer’s/Clerk’s Report and Budgetary Report.  Roll call, all ayes, carried.

     Treasurer's Balance for Fund Accounts as of December 31, 2015:  General $319,436.28; Streets $415,108.51; Debt Service $6,604.24; Water Utility $203,690.95; Water T&A $23,795.67; Sewer Utility $373,081.91; CDBG Sewer ($195,936.62); Landfill/Recycling ($557.09); Yard Waste $10,764.43; Bolger Fund $147,625.25; TIF $39,882.35; Local Option Sales Tax $49,864.49; Storm Water $1,091.33; Downtown Project ($23,926.26); Franchise Fees $23,539.82.  December Receipts by Fund: General $48,260.47; Streets $14,562.30; Debt Service $4,978.92; Water Utility $1,411.24; Water T&A $225; Sewer Utility $2,426.38; Lf/Recycling $376.92; Yard Waste $77.72; Bolger $552; TIF $269.87; Local Option $8,179.69; Storm Water $52.28.  Total Receipts $81,372.79.  December Disbursements by Fund: General $46,923.68; Streets $11,224.02; Water Utility $21,355.63; Water T&A $797.52; Sewer Utility $14,238.98; Yard Waste $324; Bolger $169.50; TIF $22; Downtown Project $3,615.15. Total Disbursements: $98,670.48. Investments: $1,281,304.70.  Bank Balance $2,675,369.96.  Balance with Library Funds $2,769,542.17.

     Moved Kragnes, seconded Sorensen, to approve the agenda as presented.  All ayes, carried.

     This being the time and place set for a public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications and estimated cost of the 2016 Big Rock Road Improvement Project, Mayor Wenthe opened the hearing for comment. (Nefzger arrived) Admin/Clerk Dennis said Public Works Director, Jerry Hildebrand, and she got together with Jon Biederman, Fehr-Graham Engineer, this morning and reviewed the plans.  The engineer’s estimated project cost is $351,576 for the city and $35,225 for the county share, making a total cost of $386,801.  She added that the bid opening will be February 1st at 11:00 am in the Fayette City Hall and work is to be completed by August 19, 2016.  There being no further comment, Mayor Wenthe closed the hearing.

     Moved Kragnes, seconded McGrane, to approve Resolution 2016-02: Adopting the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost of the 2016 Big Rock Road Improvement Project prepared by Fehr-Graham Engineers.  On roll call, all ayes, carried.

     Mayor Wenthe reported that the annual Fire Advisory Board meeting that he attended on January 14, 2016 at the Fayette Fire Station was well attended by the Township Trustees.  There weren’t many questions since the Fire Dept. budget is remaining the same as the FY16 budget. 

     Administrator/Clerk Dennis reported that Floyd Alber donated $400 to be used for Main Street flowers.

     Moved McGrane, seconded Kragnes, to introduce for discussion placing signs along Big Rock Road for pedestrians and bicyclers.  All ayes.  McGrane showed a picture of a sign he found on the internet that said “Share the Road” and had a picture of a walker, bicycle and vehicle on it.  There was discussion about painting a sign on the road of a bicycle with arrows pointing out, but it wasn’t recommended because of the expense and time to repaint it every year.  Hildebrand said the cost of regular signs from Iowa Prison Industries is $85 for two signs plus the cost of the posts and hardware.  Hildebrand said he would look into the cost of a custom made sign like the picture that McGrane had.  Moved McGrane, seconded Kragnes, to go ahead with the purchase of four signs that say “Share the Road” with the three symbols on them pending the cost, to place on Big  Rock  Road  after the improvement project is completed.  The signs should be placed near the trail bridge, mid-way on the road and near Lima Road as people enter on to Big Rock Road.  All ayes, carried.         

     Moved McGrane, seconded Sorensen, to discuss changing the speed limit on Big Rock Road from 35 mph to 25 mph.  All ayes.  After some discussion, moved Sorensen, seconded Kragnes, that Admin/Clerk Dennis prepare an ordinance amendment to lower the speed limit on Big Rock Road from 35 mph to 25 mph.  All ayes, carried.

     Moved Kragnes, seconded Nefzger, to approve the Personnel Committee meeting minutes of January 12, 2016, where it was recommended by the committee to continue to pay the cash health benefit for the four city employees (Adam Hildebrand, Rick Briggs, Linda Adams & Christie Dennis) who have been receiving this benefit.  Kragnes said since Christie is retiring the end of October 2016 and Linda is retiring in a few years, we’re only talking about two employees continuing to receive this benefit so it doesn’t seem worth stopping it because of all the arguments it’s causing.  Nefzger said she would like to see the cash benefit grandfathered in because it has been a part of the employee’s income that they have become dependent on.  She added that she doesn’t want to lose our present employees who are dedicated and it would cost a lot more to hire replacements because of all the certifications our employees have.  Mayor Wenthe said he doesn’t feel comfortable taking it away because the employees have earned it and we’re not in a financial crisis at this time.  The cash benefit doesn’t apply to new employees who were hired  after  April  2015  when  benefits  were  changed  in  the  Personnel  Policy.   The Personnel Committee also recommended a 2% Cost of Living Allowance for all employees for FY2017.  At the Personnel Committee meeting Nefzger & Kragnes voted aye for both recommendations, where the other committee member, Rich Patrick, abstained on both votes.  Clerk’s Note:  According to the “Rules of procedure governing the conduct of business of the Fayette City Council, Rule 12. Voting.  An abstention shall be deemed as a “yes” vote except where the member has a conflict of interest, which conflict shall be stated at the time of abstention”.  On the motion to approve the Personnel Committee meeting minutes, three voted aye, Sorensen voted nay, the minutes were approved.

    Moved Kragnes, seconded McGrane, to introduce for discussion a replacement on the city council for Richard Patrick who resigned on January 12, 2016 following the Personnel Committee meeting.  All ayes.   It was a consensus of the council that they would like feedback from the community for filling the position before potentially making an appointment.  Moved Sorensen, seconded Kragnes, that Admin/Clerk Dennis post and publish a notice stating that anyone interested in filling the council position for the remainder of the term contact Dennis or Mayor Wenthe before noon on February 1, 2016.  The council will make a decision at the council meeting February 1st.  All ayes, carried.

     Moved Kragnes, seconded McGrane, to change the time of the February 1, 2016 council meeting to 6:15 p.m. due to the Iowa Presidential Caucuses.  All ayes, carried.

     There being no further business, moved Nefzger, to adjourn at 8:02 pm.

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