REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

October 5, 2020

     The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, October 5, 2020, at 6:00 pm in the Fayette Community Library pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Wenthe presiding.

     Roll call: Present - Council members Post, Potratz (via telephone at 6:01), Tenney, Tucker and Wulfekuhle (arrived at 6:01). Absent - none

     Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 9/21/20 and the claims list of 9/22/20 - 10/5/20. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Post, seconded Tenney, to amend the agenda to move item 6A to the end of the meeting and approve the agenda as amended. All ayes, motion carried. Potratz and Wulfekuhle joined the meeting at this time.

     Upon Mayor Wenthe’s recommendation, moved Potratz, seconded Tucker, to appoint Jeff Butikofer to the Fayette Tree Board for a 3 year term, expiring 12/31/23. All ayes, motion carried.

     Mayor Wenthe advised the council on the Fayette Owner Occupied Rehabilitation projects and where they currently stand. The city of Fayette has an opening for one more resident to apply for the program. They may contact City Hall or Upper Explorerland for more information. The North Fayette Valley (NFV) Superintendent sent a newsletter out explaining the NFV Spark program is a high school elective course focused on project-based learning. If there are any community ideas for the program to let Wenthe or the NFV high school know.

     City Administrator/Clerk McGrane informed the council Public Works Director Hildebrand and him participated in the IMWCA Workers Compensation site visit on 9/24.

     Police Chief Davis advised the council an update on the current city ordinance violations that are scheduled for court. The Fayette Police Dept. (FPD) started their toy drive for this year. They will be accepting new toys at the FPD and donors will receive a unique FPD patch while supplies last.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Post, to discuss Ordinance 511. Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Post, to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 511, amending Section 3, Permit Process, to Chapter 162, Solar Energy Systems, to the Fayette City Code, by removing the part of having the Planning and Zoning Commission approving the request. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Wulfekuhle, to approve the Fayette Community Library Board of Trustees meeting minutes from 9/9/20. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Post, seconded Tenney, to approve the Fayette Planning and Zoning Commission meeting minutes from 9/24/20. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Potratz, seconded Post, to discuss and consider allowing Nick Serra and Tereasa Lenius to install a solar energy system at 301 E. State St. Serra was at the meeting to answer questions. They will have about 10 panels installed. Moved Tucker, seconded Wulfekuhle, to approve Serra and Lenius to install a solar energy system and solar panels as presented on their property located at 301 E. State St. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Post, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss and consider allowing Dennis and Arlene Vandersee to install a solar energy system at 802 Washington St. The Vandersee's were present at the meeting to answer questions. They will have about 54 panels installed. Moved Potratz, seconded Wulfekuhle, to approve Dennis and Arlene Vandersee to install a solar energy system and solar panels as presented on their property located at 802 Washington St. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss and approve the purchase of a new ambulance from LifeLine Emergency Vehicles in an amount not to exceed $225,000. Ambulance Crew Chief Roger Post provided a written statement stating the ambulance crew has approved the purchase of a new ambulance at a special meeting on 9/30/20. A quote was provided in the amount of $216,274 and they could receive up to $24,000 for 735-2 as a trade-in. Chief Post advised there may still be minor changes to the quote with additional features. McGrane recommended approving the purchase not to exceed $225,000. The Ambulance Crew is looking to use the $216,197 in their city savings account and may use some of their CD's or fundraiser money to cover anything over that amount. Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Tenney, to approve the purchase of a new ambulance from LifeLine Emergency Vehicles in an amount not to exceed $225,000 and using the Ambulance Service savings. Nathan Post abstained, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Post, to discuss and consider promoting door-to-door trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 31, 2020. McGrane provided Halloween 2020 COVID-19 guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health as well as what some area communities are doing for Halloween. Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to approve promoting door-to-door trick-or-treating in Fayette scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2020, from 2:30PM to 4:30PM as well as safety precautions due to COVID-19. Anyone interested in participating should turn on their porch light during the event. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Post, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss the final report from Larry Webb on the PFC. James Lee Memorial Bench Fund. Webb provided a report stating the $930.73 left in the bank account for the PFC. James Lee Memorial Bench Fund was donated to the City of Fayette to help pay for the lighting of the bench and the Freedom Rock. Mr. and Mrs. Larry Webb also donated $69.27 to make it an even $1,000 donation. Webb thanked the city for allowing him to honor Jim Lee and his family with the memorial. No action was taken.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss Resolution 2020-14. McGrane explained this is a Resolution the city must pass if we decide to apply for reimbursement of funds from the Iowa COVID-19 Government Relief Fund. McGrane explained he will need to continue to research and make sure we have enough expenditures to make it worth the city's time and effort to apply for the reimbursements. Moved Post, seconded Wulfekuhle, to approve Resolution 2020-14, requesting reimbursement from the Iowa COVID-19 Government Relief Fund. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Tucker, to discuss the Fiscal Year 2020 City Examination. Rachelle Thompson, CPA, PLLC, provided a booklet to each council member that provided her independent accountant's report on applying agreed-upon procedures for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. McGrane presented further explanations for the detailed recommendations. Moved Potratz, seconded Post, to accept the Fiscal Year 2020 City Examination from Rachelle Thompson, CPA, PLLC. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss the reconstruction and repair project of Water Street. Jon Biederman from Fehr Graham was present to discuss the engineering expenses and the project. Biederman will provide an agreement for their engineering services at the next council meeting. McGrane provided three General Obligation Capital Loan options that were prepared by Speer Financial. The options included a $995,000 borrowing size, a $165,000 borrowing size and a $500,000 borrowing size for the $1,000,000 estimated project cost. McGrane explained the options and advised the council may also request other examples if they so choose. McGrane advised the city currently has a bonding capacity of $1,531,747. Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Post, to continue to move forward with the process of a General Obligation Capital Loan in the amount of $500,000. All ayes, motion carried.

     There being no further business, moved Wulfekuhle, unanimous, to adjourn at 6:57 pm.