REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
September 6, 2022
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 6:02 pm in the Community Room at the Fayette Community Library pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Pro-Tem Potratz presiding. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call: Present - Council members Scott, Tenney, Tucker, Post, and Potratz.
Moved Tucker, seconded Scott, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 8/15/22, claims list of 8/13/22-9/2/22, Outstanding Obligations Disclosure Statement for Fiscal Year 2022, and correspondence from Hackley Homes & Communities LLC. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Scott, seconded Post, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, motion carried.
City Administrator/Clerk McGrane reminded the council that City Hall hours are now 8AM-4PM and closed from 12:30PM-1:30PM. The Iowa DNR approved a Construction Permit for the solar panels to be placed at the wastewater plant, so Eagle Point Solar is hoping to start installing the solar panels later this month. Fehr Graham believes W. Water Street should be patched up and completed the week of Sept. 12th. McGrane completed and submitted the annual Outstanding Obligations report on 8/29. McGrane advised the city received the first payment for Hotel Motel Tax, however, he needs to find out from the state the dates the payment is for. McGrane reminded everyone about Fayette Watermelon Days this coming weekend and volunteers are still needed.
Police Chief Davis was not present but had McGrane share a few updates. The department will be announcing a K9 fundraiser soon. It will be a free-will donation luncheon at Cardinal Park from 11AM-2PM on October 9th. The department also received confirmation that they will be awarded $7,500 from the United States Police Canine Association grant.
Moved Post, seconded Scott, to accept the Fayette Personnel Committee meeting minutes from 8/21/22 and the Fayette Safety meeting minutes from 8/24/22. All ayes, motion carried.
McGrane shared information from the Fayette County Economic Development and Tourism Housing Study. McGrane advised that an open house will be held on Thursday, 9/22 from 5-7PM at the Fayette Opera House for anyone to review the study and ask questions. No formal action was taken.
Upper Explorerland would like to know if the council would like to consider giving funds for the Northeast Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund for 2023. Upper Explorerland applies for a grant each year through the Iowa Finance Authority for State Housing Trust Fund dollars as a match. McGrane provided a history of what the city has committed in the past. The funds will only be used in Fayette and carry over each year if unspent. The council requested McGrane to get an update on how much money is currently in the fund for Fayette and present it at the next council meeting. No formal action was taken.
Council member Post would like a group of residents from the city of Fayette and the county of Fayette to meet and come up with some ideas for future improvements at the Open Air Market park and the Fayette County Freedom Rock. The majority of the council thought it was a great idea if Post wanted to lead a group and they can present their ideas to the council. No formal action was taken.
The council discussed how to move forward with a hiring committee for the Public Works Director position. Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to utilize the current city Personnel Committee and the Mayor to interview and provide a recommendation of a Public Works Director to the full council. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Tucker, to adopt Resolution 2022-32, approving the Fiscal Year 2022 Transferring of funds. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Scott, to adopt Resolution 2022-33, amending the city of Fayette Personnel Policy changing section 1 Organization Chart/Chain of Command and changing "Police Committee" to "Public Safety Committee" in sections 6 and 7.1. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Scott, seconded Tenney, to adopt Resolution 2022-34, revising and updating the job description for the Public Works Director position. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Jon Biederman with Fehr Graham was present to discuss the improvements needed on North Main Street and estimated costs. The project would start where the concrete ends just north of the bridge near Cardinal Park and end where the concrete begins just south of HWY 150. The project would include widening the road from 18 feet to 24 feet. A preliminary opinion of probable cost was $864,225 for concrete surfacing and $892,838 for asphalt surfacing. Biederman would recommend the council make a formal decision to move forward with the project by November to provide them adequate time to prepare to take bids in January or February of 2023. Moved Post, seconded Tenney, to have the city's Financial Advisor attend a future council meeting to discuss funding options for the North Main Street improvements project. All ayes, motion carried.
There being no further business, Potratz declared the meeting adjourned at 8:34 pm.
