REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

October 17, 2022

     Prior to this meeting, at 5:04 pm, the council held a work session to discuss Resolution 2022-36, adopting council and mayor communications with city staff and employees, Resolution 2022-37, adopting the rules of procedure governing the conduct of business of the city council. The work session adjourned at 5:59 pm.

     The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, October 17, 2022, at 6:01 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 Scott (via telephone because she was out of the country), Tenney, Tucker, and Post. Absent - Potratz.

     Moved Post, seconded Tenney, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 10/3/22, claims list of 10/1/22-10/14/22, the May 2022 and June 2022 financial reports and the acceptance of resignation from Gerald Hildebrand. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Treasurer’s Balance for Fund Accounts as of May 31, 2022: Total May Receipts: $203,844.76 (General $89,875.91; 9 S. Main $300; Streets $7,579.89; Employee Benefits $12,620.86; LOST $10,794.03; TIF $14,495.66; Revolving Loan $230.65; Bolger $175.46; Library Fund $26.72; Debt $3,108.07; Water $23,581.56; Water T&A $900; Sewer $34,930.70; Water/Sewer Capital $4,638.25; Storm Water $587). Total May Disbursements: $134,373.14 (General $39,682.45; Streets $11,071.76; Employee Benefits $8,269.53; CDBG $4,257.62; Revolving Loan $16.66; Bolger $25.98; Library Fund $964.95; Debt $32,632.50; Homes for Iowa $4,470.04; Water $12,315.86; Water T&A $2,325.82; Sewer $18,339.97). Transfers in: Sewer Fund $9,575.50; Transfers out: Sewer $9,575.50. Treasurer’s Balance: $4,404,703.43.

     Treasurer’s Balance for Fund Accounts as of June 30, 2022: Total June Receipts: $133,764.67 (General $45,871.86; Streets $22,895.20; Employee Benefits $958.30; LOST $10,794.03; Revolving Loan $231.71; Bolger $370.10; Library Fund $76.22; Debt $204.51; Water $18,867.69; Water T&A $1,350; Sewer $27,490.70; Water/Sewer Capital $4,084.35; Storm Water $570). Total June Disbursements: $335,098.71 (General $88,577.67; Streets $14,614.46; Employee Benefits $10,526.17; TIF $44,919.11; Revolving Loan $17.70; Bolger $17,109; Library Fund $964.95; Water $18,709.89; Water T&A $2,399.18; Sewer $46,260.58; Sewer Fund $91,000). Transfers in: General $67,934.39; Street $80,085.37; TIF LMI $12,076.79; Water Street Project $389,903.24; Sewer Fund $9,575.50; Transfers out: General $15,636; Street $187,890.24; LOST $143,019.76; TIF $12,076.79; Water $130,465; Sewer $70,487.50. Treasurer’s Balance: $4,207,541.32.

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

     Mayor Wood informed the council that Police Chief Davis and himself met with the Upper Iowa University (UIU) Student Government Association since the last council meeting. They discussed the interaction of police officers on campus for security at UIU. Wood suggested UIU have a police officer address the new students as they have done in the past. Wood met with the city attorney on the nuisance homes and an extension was granted for one property. At the Iowa League of Cities conference, Wood was informed city councils should not approve the hiring of any employees or volunteers, only the department supervisors. Wood checked with the city attorney, and he agreed. Wood recommended each council committee chair develop a charge for each council subcommittee that would include their responsibilities and duties. Wood would also like to look at the by-laws, procedures and Standard Operating Manual for the police to see if anything needs updated or revised.

     City Administrator/Clerk McGrane advised the council they received a thank you from the Watermelon Days committee. McGrane advised the solar panels are almost installed and now they will be working on hooking them up to the electricity. Public Works Director Adam Hildebrand is working with a company on the rip rap and has the price reduced by around $15,000 from the original quotes. Jeff Bradley is the city treasurer, and his term expires 12/31/2022. McGrane informed the council they could eliminate the position and have the full-time deputy clerk take over the duties. McGrane would recommend they continue to have a separate person as the city treasurer because it is another person reviewing the city finances. McGrane advised the auditor completed the on-site visit on 10/14/22.

     Police Chief Davis was not present; however, he provided a written update to the Mayor who shared it with the council.

     This being the time and place posted for a public hearing on a ground solar array being constructed at 705 W. Water Street, Mayor Wood opened the hearing and asked for comments. Jeff Muzingo, 705 W. Water Street, informed the council on his solar array request. There being no further comments, Mayor Wood closed the hearing.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Scott, to approve a ground solar array to be constructed at 705 W. Water Street. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Post, seconded Tenney, to move forward with the N. Main Street project so Fehr Graham Engineering may start moving forward with the project. All ayes, motion carried.

     There was no discussion on Resolution 2022-36 because the council would like another work session on this Resolution.

     There was no discussion on Resolution 2022-37 because the council would like another work session on this Resolution.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to approve the second reading of Ordinance 515, amending and combining Chapter 23, Parks Board, and Chapter 24 Recreation Board. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Tenney, to accept the Fayette Recreation Board meeting minutes from 3/21/22, 4/25/22, 6/16/22 and 7/14/22. All ayes, motion carried.

     The council discussed paying the former Public Works Director Gerald Hildebrand an additional 26.7 hours of vacation that Hildebrand was not able to take and lost the hours because he was already at the maximum of 200 hours. After discussion, no action was taken.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Tucker, to approve contract change order #7 for the Water Street improvements project 20-897. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Post, to approve partial pay estimate #8 to Heartland Asphalt, Inc. for the Water Street improvements project in the amount of $2,137.50. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to approve partial pay estimate #9 - the final retainage to Heartland Asphalt, Inc. for the Water Street improvements project in the amount of $6,240.47. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Tenney, to accept the project acceptance of the Water Street improvements project 20-897. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Scott, seconded Tenney, to approve a donation in the amount of $200 out of the hotel/motel tax fund to the Winneshiek Energy District for assisting us with the research in the electric vehicle charger stations. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to approve Resolution 2022-39, accepting and approving the Jayhawk Annual Software Assurance/Support Hours Contract Terms. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

    There being no further business, Wood declared the meeting adjourned at 7:42 pm.