Council Meeting Minutes 12-19-16

Regular Council Meeting

December 19, 2016

The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, December 19, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fayette City Hall pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Wenthe presiding by telephone.

  Roll call: Present - Council members Larson, Sandhagen, Wulfekuhle. Absent – Kragnes, Nefzger.

  Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Larson, to approve the consent agenda consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 12/5/16 and the Claims List of 12/6/16 – 12/19/16.  On roll call, all ayes, carried.

  Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Larson, to approve the agenda as presented.  All ayes, carried.

  Upon Mayor Wenthe’s request and the Fayette Fire Departments recommendation, moved Larson, seconded Wulfekuhle, to appoint Royce Bantz to the Fayette Fire Department.  The mayor provided a strategic plan diagram/template to the council as an example the city could use as we focus on a mid to long-term plan for the city.  Some ideas Wenthe recommended for the strategic plan included growth downtown or in businesses in general, growth in housing, mid to long-term infrastructure needs and improving or enhancing the cultural and recreational opportunities in our community.  He would like the council to not only think of how we can improve in these areas but how we plan to accomplish them.  The example document is something the council can change and adjust as the city moves forward.  Wenthe would like to discuss the strategic plan again in January and the council should share any feedback with McGrane or Wenthe.  Wulfekuhle mentioned the current city incentives need to be looked at.

City Administrator/Clerk McGrane reported that he worked with Convenient Payments and Jayhawk Utility Billing to finish setting-up online payments and automatic bank withdrawals.  McGrane hopes to test the process the week of December 19th to make sure everything works.  Once it is working, we will promote the service to the community.  People interested would need to contact City Hall to find out what steps they need to take to utilize this service.  The Fayette Recreation Board reported there were over 20 letters sent to Santa through the mailbox located at the Open Air Market.  Some of the letters came from kids who live in surrounding cities.  The Christmas in Fayette committee is accepting donations through City Hall to help replace and add to their light display at the Open Air Market.  New lights or monetary donations will be accepted. The next city council meeting will be Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017, at 7:30PM due to the holiday.

Police Chief Pisanti advised the council the police department has been enforcing the snow/parking ordinance. They have issued over 50 parking tickets.  Pisanti is trying to work with tow companies or vendors on towing vehicles late at night.  The police department is also conducting vacation house checks over the holiday.  If any Fayette citizens will be away for the holidays, contact the police department and they will check their house while they are away.

Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Larson, to discuss the Fayette Recreation Board Minutes from December 5, 2016.  It was mentioned that the Rec Board is organizing caroling tonight.  Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Larson to approve the minutes.  All ayes, carried.

Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Larson to approve the Fayette Community Library Board minutes from November 9, 2016. All ayes, carried.

Moved Larson, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss Fayette Fire Department calls from June 15, 2016 to December 13, 2016.  The department responded to one building fire, four brush/grass fires, six vehicle accidents, six automatic alarms and nineteen meetings/practices/miscellaneous calls.  Fayette Chief Jason Rohde advised the number of calls for this time frame is a little above the 30-year average. 

Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Larson to discuss hiring WHKS Engineering for the downtown project.  City Administrator McGrane explained the formality of the process.  Sandhagen asked if the businesses will have input on the plan.  Wenthe advised that is the intention and we will need to provide good communication with the downtown businesses during the process.  Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Larson, to hire WHKS for the downtown project.  All ayes, carried.

Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Sandhagen to discuss options for incentives for new businesses.   Sandhagen would like the council to start putting together a comprehensive incentive plan for new businesses.  If need be, make the plan retroactive if someone does open a new business before the plan is put in place.  Sandhagen said he heard there may be some interest in a business downtown and he wanted to make sure if the council came up with a plan in the near future, the new business owner would be able to take advantage of the new incentive plan.  Wenthe advised McGrane could check with the League of Cities and other communities to find out what incentives are used and review our current plan.  Downtown is a TIFF district, so we want to make sure whatever incentives we may offer are in line with TIFF districts.  Wenthe would like McGrane to compile a list of ideas for the council to consider at the second council meeting in January.  If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, contact McGrane so he can include it on the list.    

There being no further business, moved Larson, unanimous, to adjourn at 7:49 p.m.

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