Regular Council Meeting
March 2, 2015
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met in the Fayette City Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2015, Mayor Andrew Wenthe presiding.
Roll call: Present - Council members Boberg, McGrane, Nefzger, Patrick, Sorensen.
Moved Patrick, seconded Sorensen, to approve the consent agenda consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 02/17/15, DOT information stating due to the 10 cent gas tax increase (takes effect March 1st) Fayette is estimated to receive $22,090 more in Road Use Tax Funds per year, Claims List of 02/18/15 – 03/02/15 and renewal of liquor license for Boarders Inn. On roll call, all voted aye, carried.
Moved McGrane, seconded Boberg, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, carried.
This being the time and place set for a public hearing on the FY16 proposed city budget, Mayor Wenthe declared the hearing open. He noted that the levy rate will be down 21 cents in FY 2016. Admin/Clerk Dennis said we have a good budget with estimated revenues exceeding expenditures and a levy rate of $14.38. There being no further comments, Mayor Wenthe closed the public hearing.
Moved Sorensen, seconded Boberg, to approve Resolution 2015-09: Adoption of Budget and Certification of City Taxes Fiscal Year 2016. On roll call, all ayes, carried.
This being the time and place for a public hearing on the proposed sewer lagoons sludge removal project, Mayor Wenthe declared the hearing open for comment. Admin/Clerk Dennis said Addendum No. 1 was received on February 25th, changing the bid opening date from Feb. 27 to March 10th at 10 am because there weren’t going to be any bidders on Feb. 27th. Dennis added that IIW said there would be bidders for the March 10th bid opening. The engineers estimated cost of $356,000 to $394,000 is still valid. McGrane asked why the sludge was being pumped from three cells to one, rather than pumping it directly out of the three cells and removing it. Dennis explained that because of the timing of the year to apply the sludge to farm fields, but continuing to be able to operate and replace the piping in the first three lagoon cells, is preventing the sludge from being piped directly to a field. On the March 16th agenda the council will award the contract. There being no further comment, Mayor Wenthe closed the hearing.
Under the Mayor’s report, Wenthe said an advertisement has been prepared for the Police Chief position and suggested we begin advertising immediately with a deadline for resumes of April 15. He also noted that Karla Gavin and Dave Runyon would be the other two members of the reviewing committee in addition to the police committee (Wenthe, Nefzger & McGrane). Wenthe also presented the timeline for hiring a police chief, dependent on applications received with interviews to be held in May.
Wenthe informed the council that Governor Branstad and Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham would be in Fayette, March 4, to meet with the new owners of Blessing Industries. He added that the company is looking at an expansion and has Iowa Home Base employer status.
Admin/Clerk Dennis read a note for the Fayette American Legion from Carol Katsumes, Elgin Legion Auxiliary President, thanking the Legion members for putting out the U.S. flags on Presidents Day in downtown Fayette.
Moved Patrick, seconded McGrane, to introduce and approve the third & final reading of Ordinance #482: Increasing sewer rates by three cents on all rate levels to keep up with inflation and for paying off the loan on the wastewater treatment facility and lagoon modifications project (amending Chapter 99.02 & Ordinance 465 from October 2009). The minimum sewer charge will increase from $44.09 to $59.09 per quarter. The rate increase will begin March 2015, billable in June 2015. On roll call, all ayes, final reading carried.
Moved Boberg, seconded McGrane, to introduce and approve the third & final reading of Ordinance #483: Increasing water rates by one and one half cents on all rate levels to keep up with inflation (amending Chapter 92.02 & Ordinance 469 from March 2011). The minimum water charge will increase from $30.51 to $38.01 per quarter. The rate increase will begin March 2015, billable in June 2015. On roll call, all ayes, final reading carried.
Moved Patrick, seconded Boberg, to introduce Resolution 2015-07: Amending the Fayette Ambulance Service Bylaws. Crew Chief Roger Post was present and said the Medical Director clarification is already in the Iowa Code. He added that the member status changes in the bylaws is a result from state recommendations. On roll call to approve Resolution 2015-07, all ayes, carried.
Moved Patrick, seconded Sorensen, to introduce the letter from IIW Engineering regarding completion of Contract A and Change Order #5 Final for Portzen Construction for the Headworks Building Improvements Project at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. The Change Order amount is a reduction of $5,327, making the total contract price $544,234.84 for the project. The retainage amount of $4,498 will be paid in 30 days. Moved Boberg, seconded McGrane, to accept the completion of the project and Change Order #5 Final. All ayes, carried.
Moved Boberg, seconded Patrick, to approve the Ambulance Service meeting minutes of Feb. 4, 2015. It was noted in the meeting minutes that six crew members are non-compliant with the CQI policy and a letter had been sent to these members notifying them that their names would be removed from the active roster. All ayes, carried.
Moved Patrick, seconded McGrane, to introduce the car show agenda item. Lloyd Carnicle, who ran the Show & Shine for the two previous years, was present. He said there has been a lot of people turn out for the monthly car show and one time they had over 30 vehicles showing. He added that last year he had an emergency vehicle showing on a Saturday that was also well attended. Moved Boberg, seconded McGrane, to approve having the car show for the third year. All ayes, carried. Everyone thanked Lloyd for taking the time to do the car show and bring people to Fayette.
Moved Patrick, seconded Sorensen, to introduce Resolution 2015-10: Amending Resolution 2014-08, increasing the cost of the city utility (water/sewer) deposit from $175 to $225 and increasing the fee for a water meter by $10 from $135 to $145. On roll call, all ayes, carried.
There being no further business, moved Nefzger, unanimous, to adjourn at 7:49 p.m.
