REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
August 21, 2017
The City Council of the city of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, August 21, 2017 at 7:30pm in the Fayette City Hall pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Wenthe presiding.
Roll call: Present - Council members Kragnes, Larson, Nefzger, Tucker and Wulfekuhle.
Moved Kragnes, seconded Larson, to approve the consent agenda consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 8/7/17, the claims list of 8/8/17 – 8/21/17, and the renewal of a liquor license for Shiner’s Bar and Grill. Roll call, all ayes, carried.
Fayette citizen John Kelly informed the council on the damage he received from the wastewater that backed-up due to the heavy rains on Jul. 22. He asked the council if there was any warning system in place to notify citizens. Mayor Wenthe advised his understanding was the fire department drives around town with their lights and sirens on warning citizens when the Volga River is going to breach its banks and flood the town. Wenthe is not aware of any warning for wastewater possibly backing-up in resident’s homes. The city can look into different alert systems for future circumstances.
Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Larson, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes to approve, carried.
Mayor Wenthe provided a list of Fayette students interested in a North Fayette Valley (NFV) school activity bus. Amy Tucker advised she had one high school student contact her that was interested in the bus, too. Wenthe will contact NFV Superintendent Duane Willhite to let him know about our findings.
Administrator/Clerk McGrane advised the council he had met with Greg Huff with the Iowa Rural Water Association for their annual visit, attended the NEIA Local Housing Trust Fund meeting, and met with Doug Jones for the city’s annual IMWCA audit over the last few weeks. McGrane advised a citizen had inquired at the last council meeting if the cities insurance would cover the cost of the damage to residents due to the wastewater back-up in basements and the insurance does not cover that type of damage. The first day to file nomination papers to run for mayor or city council is 8/28/17. The last day to file is 9/21/17. Nomination papers and candidate affidavit forms are available to pick up at Fayette City Hall or you can print them off at www.sos.state.ia.us, but the nomination papers must be filed with the Fayette County Auditor’s office in West Union. McGrane also reminded the council the next council meeting will be on Tues., Sept. 5 due to Labor Day. City hall will be closed on Labor Day.
Police Chief Pisanti informed the council that UIU move-in day is Wed., Aug. 23, so there will be some heavy traffic around town that day.
Moved Kragnes, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss the Fayette Recreation Board minutes from Aug. 14, 2017. Tucker highlighted a few of the items in the minutes and encouraged anyone to share their ideas with the Recreation Board members. Moved Kragnes, seconded Nefzger, to approve the Fayette Recreation Board minutes from Aug. 14, 2017. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Kragnes, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss the Streets Committee minutes from Aug. 16, 2017 and consideration and action of storm water drainage at the corner of Madison and King Streets. Wulfekuhle highlighted a few of the items in the minutes. Public Works Director Jerry Hildebrand had informed the Streets Committee that Doug Egeland thought he could fix the culverts and make them safer for around $6,500. It was questioned if Chris Matt had permission to fill in the ditch at 105 W. Madison St. The city can look into it. After further discussion, moved Kragnes, seconded Larson, to proceed with checking with the property owner of 105 W. Madison St. to see what they can do to assist with the storm water drainage and proceed with any recommendations that Public Works Director Hildebrand would have. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Kragnes, seconded Tucker, to discuss the timeline and updates from the Fayette flooding on Jul. 22, 2017. Mayor Wenthe gave an update on the progress from the flooding.
Moved Kragnes, seconded Nefzger, to consider and take action of hiring a Financial Advisor. The council was provided a few agreements/proposals from PFM Financial Advisors LLC and Speer Financial, Inc. McGrane explained both companies sent a representative up to meet with him in person over the last week. PFM presented two proposals, one for $5,000 to specifically work on the study for the downtown project and the other for $7,000 to work on the study as well as a full one year retainer for other reports or requests the council may request. Speer’s proposal did not include a cost for the study or project because they would charge for their services if the city decided to take out financing for the project. PFM would also have an additional charge on top of their fees if the city decided to take out financing. After further discussion, moved Kragnes, seconded Wulfekuhle, to hire Speer Financial, Inc. to present to the council their financial advice for financing the downtown project and W. Water Street. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Kragnes, seconded Larson, to consider vacating the alley in between the 700 and 800 blocks of S. Main St. and Washington St. A citizen would like the council to consider vacating the alley at this location. McGrane explained he discovered the city had vacated some of the alleys in Fayette around twenty to thirty years ago that were no longer used. The city offered portions of the alley to adjacent property owners at the property owners cost. John Kelly advised the council that the city may want to research if that specific alley is the only access to one of the old railroad property parcels. After further discussion, moved Kragnes, seconded Tucker, to have the city attorney present the costs of vacating the property and the future legal issues or risks there may be for vacating the property to the council. All ayes, motion carried.
At 8:33pm, moved Kragnes, seconded Larson, to go into closed session per Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j) to discuss the purchase or sale of 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, motion carried.
After returning to open session, moved Nefzger, unanimous, to adjourn at 8:48pm.
