Council Meeting Minutes 12-16-19

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

December 16, 2019

 

     The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, December 16, 2019, at 5:30pm in Fayette City Hall pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Wenthe presiding.

     Roll call: Present - Council members Cowley, Larson, Potratz, Tucker and Wulfekuhle.

     Moved Cowley, seconded Larson, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 12/2/19 and the claims list of 11/19/19 – 12/16/19. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Larson, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, carried.

     Upon Mayor Wenthe’s request and the Fayette Fire Departments recommendation, moved Cowley, seconded Wulfekuhle, to reappoint Jason Rohde as Fayette Fire Chief for 2020.  All ayes, carried.  Chief Jason Rohde shared the Fire Department is needing more volunteers.   

     Administrator/Clerk McGrane informed the council that the Public Works Department hauled 41 truckloads of leaves this year.  McGrane has been busy the last few weeks preparing and assisting with the annual city exam.  The auditors were at City Hall on 12/10.  McGrane attended the 2019 Budget Workshop on 12/3 and the Fayette County Economic Development (FCED) meeting on 12/6.  McGrane included the FCED quarterly report in the packet.  The new server should be installed at the beginning of January 2020. Fayette City Hall and the Fayette Community Library will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, 12/25/19 and 12/26/19, and Wednesday, 1/1/20 for the holidays.    

     Police Chief Davis reported to the council that they have received almost 300 toys for the Fayette Police Department (PD) toy drive. The department is currently participating in the holiday sTEP wave (Iowa Special Traffic Enforcement Program).  The council reviewed and discussed fuel receipts from the PD for the last few months and the locations where fuel was being purchased.  Resolution 8712 was discussed, which states city agencies and employees are required to purchase goods and services locally if possible and practical.  Chief Davis advised he will inform his police officers of the Resolution.

     Moved Potratz, seconded Larson, to approve the Fayette Recreation Board meeting minutes from 10/7/19.  All ayes, carried.

     Moved Cowley, seconded Larson, to discuss ethics.  Larson wanted to make sure everyone knew and understood the state codes on ethics. Larson advised he will provide some ethics information and leave it with the City Administrator for everyone to review.  Wenthe advised Larson provided some concerns to him about alleged ethics violations, however, after consulting with the City Attorney, no violations occurred and no further action was required. The incoming Council may wish to look at adopting a Code of Ethics.  Moved Tucker, seconded Potratz, to table the discussion.

     Moved Potratz, seconded Larson, to discuss the hours City Hall is open to the public.  McGrane advised he would like to address this during the budget process because he will have time to gather more information and accurate hours of the water/utility billing process to share with the council so they may reevaluate.  Moved Potratz, seconded Wulfekuhle, to table the discussion.

     Moved Larson, seconded Tucker, to go into closed/executive session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(j) to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the City would have to pay for that property or reduce the price the City would receive for that property.  All ayes, carried.

     Moved Larson, seconded Wulfekuhle, to go out of closed session.  All ayes, carried.

     Moved Larson, seconded Wulfekuhle, to accept the donation to the city of Fayette of the empty lot located at 207 Alexander Street.  All ayes, carried.

    There being no further business, moved Larson, unanimous, to adjourn at 6:04pm.

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