REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
September 17, 2018
The City Council of the city of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, September 17, 2018 at 6pm in the Fayette City Hall pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Wenthe presiding.
Roll call: Present - Council members Cowley, Larson, Nefzger, Tucker and Wulfekuhle.
Moved Larson, seconded Cowley to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 9/4/18, the claims list of 9/5/18 – 9/17/18 and approval of the Class C Liquor License with Outdoor Service for Shiners Bar and Grill, pending dram shop insurance endorsement. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Cowley, seconded Larson, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, carried.
Mayor Wenthe thanked everyone involved with the Watermelon Days celebration. Wenthe had reached out to the Iowa Economic Development Authority and was provided a few options the city may look into including establishing an opportunity zone and researching workforce housing tax credits. Wenthe informed the council on the property tax roll-back or backfill that legislatures almost took away earlier this year. The City of Fayette received approximately $10,000 from the backfill the last two years. If legislatures decide to take the backfill away, the City would no longer receive that extra $10,000 per year. The council was encouraged to help think of other ideas to generate revenue for the city if this backfill goes away. Tucker wanted the council to think of ideas for the city to apply for the Fayette County Community Foundation grant. Tucker also mentioned about a FEMA grant for mitigation efforts.
City Administrator/Clerk McGrane advised the council he attended a Street Finance Report class at UIU on 9/6. This report is due each year by September 30. On 9/13 Chief Ben Davis, Annette Butikofer, Michele Kelly and McGrane met to start planning a “Public Safety Night” in Fayette. It is scheduled for 11/6 at the Fayette Opera House. More information will follow at a later date. The work for the sanitary sewer spot repairs and lining project started on 9/10. On 9/12 the ditch was dug out at 105 W. Madison along King Street.
Chief Ben Davis advised the council that the Labor Day STEP Wave has finished, and the Fayette PD had 133 contacts. Davis has been working with UIU on researching internships with their Criminal Justice program.
Moved Tucker, seconded Larson, to approve the Fayette Ambulance Service meeting minutes from 9/5/18. All ayes, carried.
Moved Larson, seconded Cowley, to discuss the recommendation of a proclamation commemorating Constitution Week, 9/17-9/23. Deena Evans, the secretary of the Hannah Lee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), informed the council about her recommendation for the proclamation. Moved Nefzger, seconded Wulfekuhle, to approve a proclamation commemorating Constitution Week from 9/17 through 9/23/18. All ayes, carried.
Moved Cowley, seconded Tucker, to discuss the recommendation of a proclamation commemorating 11/12/18 Fayette Community Partnership Day. Chad Cook, director of Military and Veteran Services with UIU, and Janette Garcia, archivist with UIU, informed the council about the recommendation for the proclamation. Moved Nefzger, seconded Tucker, to approve a proclamation commemorating 11/12/18 as Fayette Community Partnership Day in recognition of the American Legion Post 339 and UIU 100-year Community Partnership. All ayes, carried.
Moved Wulfekuhle, seconded Larson, to discuss appointing Nancy Creery as a part-time Deputy City Clerk. Moved Nefzger, seconded Wulfekuhle, to hire and appoint Nancy Creery as a part-time Deputy City Clerk at a rate of $10 per hour. All ayes, carried.
Moved Cowley, seconded Larson, to discuss Resolution 2018-29. Moved Nefzger, seconded Larson, to approve Resolution 2018-29: Accepting the City of Fayette Iowa Street Financial Report for FY2018. Roll call, all ayes, carried.
Moved Cowley, seconded Larson, to discuss moving the Veterans Memorial from City Hall to the Open Air Market. Dan Boberg and Pat Whelan informed the council that the American Legion Post 339 are still planning on constructing a memorial at the Open Air Market. It will be done in three parts or segments and will be completed within about two to five years. Their memorial would incorporate the Veterans Memorial outside of City Hall and they would move it at that time. Boberg advised the American Legion Post 339’s proposal includes replacing the brickwork outside City Hall when the Memorial is moved. Motion Wulfekuhle to table the issue, seconded Cowley, all ayes, carried.
Moved Larson, seconded Cowley, to discuss and consider filing the AOR transfer request. Wenthe and McGrane had inquired with other cities that use Group Benefit Partners and heard positive feedback. McGrane checked with Wellmark and this wouldn’t affect their grandfathered status for the Cities current health coverage plan. Moved Tucker, seconded Nefzger, to file the AOR transfer request – group policy, form AOR-1, stating Brian Huinker with Group Benefit Partners out of Decorah, Iowa become the City of Fayette’s desired New Agent/Agency AOR. All ayes, carried.
There being no further business, moved Nefzger, unanimous, to adjourn at 6:43pm.
