REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
January 3, 2023
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 6:04 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 Post, Scott, Tenney (via telephone due to a family emergency) and Tucker. Absent - Potratz.
Moved Post, seconded Tucker, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 12/19/22, the claims list of 12/17/22-12/30/22 and the July 2022 and August 2022 financial reports Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Treasurer’s Balance for Fund Accounts as of July 31, 2022: Total July Receipts: $109,316.43 (General $25,902.74; 9 S. Main $600; Streets $13,626.20; Employee Benefits $2,248.69; LOST $10,794.03; Revolving Loan $234.10; Bolger $69.75; Library Fund $25.73; Debt $479.90; Water $22,393.26; Water T&A $1,350; Sewer $26,819.17; Water/Sewer Capital $4,182.86; Storm Water $590). Total July Disbursements: $178,744.69 (General $83,774.91; Streets $11,832.51; Employee Benefits $24,832.21; Bolger $1,158.09; Library Fund $964.95; Homes for Iowa $3,000; Water $21,301.05; Water T&A $865; Sewer $31,015.97). Transfers in: Sewer Fund $9,575.50; Transfers out: Sewer $9,575.50. Treasurer’s Balance: $4,138,866.28.
Treasurer’s Balance for Fund Accounts as of August 31, 2022: Total August Receipts: $317,289.12 (General $32,173.13; Streets $13,151.80; Employee Benefits $305.93; LOST $9,599.75; Hotel/Motel $20,031.42; CDBG Grant $78,034; Revolving Loan $238.22; Bolger $41.07; Library Fund $47.14; Debt $10.56; American Rescue $107,731.28; Water $24,033.06; Water T&A $2,250; Sewer $24,765.85; Water/Sewer Capital $4,273.91; Storm Water $602). Total August Disbursements: $189,440.81 (General $40,442.97; 9 S. Main $556; Streets $6,761.19; Employee Benefits $7,272.06; Bolger $89,700; Library Fund $964.95; Homes for Iowa $14,870.56; Water $12,026.43; Water T&A $900; Sewer $15,946.65). Transfers in: Sewer Fund $9,575.50; Transfers out: Sewer $9,575.50. Treasurer’s Balance: $4,267,212.74.
Moved Tenney, seconded Post, to amend the agenda by switching the order by rearranging 8A, discussion and consideration on completing the multi-use recreation trail to Volga Recreation Area, with 8B, discussion and consideration in accepting the third amendment to real estate lease agreement with the cell tower site, and approve the agenda as amended. All ayes, motion carried.
Mayor Wood informed the council he spoke with City Attorney Dillon regarding the 2 condemned properties (on E. Water St. and W. Clark St.). Dillon will be reaching out to the property owners and continuing the process on the homes. Wood has also communicated with Police Chief Davis to address nuisance abatement properties in town.
Upon Mayor Wood’s request, moved Tenney, seconded Post, to approve the following council committee appointments and representatives: Finance - Scott (Chair), Post, Tenney; Personnel - Post (Chair), Potratz, Tucker; Public Safety - Tenney (Chair), Post, Scott; Public Works - Potratz (Chair), Scott, Tucker; Economic Development - Tucker (Chair), Potratz, Tenney; Mayor Pro-Tem - Nathan Post; Fayette County E-911 Board Representatives - Benjamin Davis (Primary), Kris McGrane (Alternate); Fayette County Emergency Management Representatives - Mayor Wood (Primary), Patricia Potratz (Alternate). All ayes, motion carried.
Upon recommendation from the Fayette Fire Department to reappoint Jason Rohde as Fayette Fire Chief for 2023, there was no motion by the council to reappoint Rohde. Wood informed the council that according to the Fayette Fire Department Constitution and By-Laws, Article IV, Election of Officers, Section 4, states "Upon refusal of the governing body to appoint the chief recommended by the fire department, the office shall be declared vacant and another election on the next regular meeting night will be held. In this event, the previous chief or his assistant shall hold office until an appointment has been made."
City Administrator/Clerk McGrane updated the council on the city solar panel project indicating some of the panels should be turned on very soon. McGrane advised the city will be holding an information meeting on Thursday, 1/12/23, at 6PM for residents/property owners along Old HWY 150/N. Main St. to inform them about the street reconstructing project. McGrane also provided an estimated timeline for the project prepared by Fehr Graham Engineering. McGrane met with Jon Biederman with Fehr Graham on 12/21 to discuss the trail, Old HWY 150/N. Main St. and sewer lining projects. The Fayette Fire Department included a list of responses from 6/22/22-12/20/22.
Police Chief Davis advised the council about 277 toys were donated from citizens for the 5th annual Toy Drive. The toys were provided to Riverview Center and Helping Services for Youth & Families for them to provide to children in our area that were affected by domestic/sexual assault.
Wood and McGrane updated the council on the real estate lease agreement negotiations with the cell tower site. An amendment was presented but McGrane advised it did not include the correct information that was negotiated, so they will continue to negotiate. Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to utilize Tower Genius with their "Advanced Option" to provide further guidance and review the contract once it is drafted by the cell tower site. All ayes, motion carried.
Jon Biederman was present to discuss the preliminary opinion of probable costs to complete the Fayette-Volga River Multi-Use Trail Surfacing project. The preliminary costs ranged from approximately $248,103 to $355,518, depending on a variety of options, such as using HMA (asphalt) or PCC (concrete) and paving an 8-foot wide or 10-foot wide trail. Tucker submitted an application for the Fayette County Community Foundation Grant in hopes to receive up to $10,000 for the project. Other donations and grants are currently being sought after to help fund the project. After discussion, it was the consensus of the council to continue to move forward with researching the project costs and funding to complete the trail. No formal action was taken.
Moved Tucker, seconded Tenney, to accept the Fayette Fire Department meeting minutes from 12/6/22. All ayes, motion carried.
Public Works Director Adam Hildebrand informed the council that the city's snowplow will need replaced soon and if the city orders a new one before March 2023, we could save approximately $20,000 due to cost increases. If we order the new snowplow now, the city would probably not receive it until sometime in 2024. McGrane provided financials for the Street/Road Use Tax fund and future estimated revenues. Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to approve the purchase of a 2023 Ford F-750 Snowplow and Sander from Don's Truck Sales in the amount up to $157,360. All ayes, motion carried.
Chief Davis advised the council he had the City Attorney assist him in updating the Fayette City Code, Chapter 55, Animal Protection and Control, Section 16, to include more items such as allowing the police to transport animals to a veterinarian or boarding facility and requiring proof of vaccination records prior to releasing animals. Moved Tucker, seconded Scott, to approve the first reading of Ordinance 516, amending Fayette City Code Chapter 55, Animal Protection and Control, Section 16. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Scott, seconded Tucker, to continue the regular council meeting until all agenda items are concluded since we are past the 2 hour time limit. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, seconded Scott, to approve Resolution 2023-01, supporting naming the stretch of Highway 150 from West Union to Vinton "Sergeant Jim Smith Memorial Highway". Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tucker, seconded Tenney, to approve Resolution 2023-02, adopting the new home and new commercial construction incentive program from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tucker, seconded Tenney, to approve Resolution 2023-03, adopting a commercial business marketing incentive from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
There being no further business, Wood declared the meeting adjourned at 8:31 pm.
