REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
October 4, 2021
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, October 4, 2021, at 6:00 pm in the Community Room at the Fayette Community Library pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Wenthe presiding.
Roll call: Present - Council members Post, Potratz, Tenney, Tucker and Wulfekuhle.
Moved Tucker, seconded Potratz, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 9/20/21 and the claims list of 9/18/21 - 10/1/21. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, seconded Potratz, to amend the agenda and move agenda item 6A, discussion on the Water Street Reconstruction Project to the end of the agenda and approve the amended agenda. All ayes, motion carried.
City Administrator/Clerk McGrane met with the Fayette County E911 Coordinator and a representative from a company hired to help with researching a new emergency radio/communication system for Fayette County on 9/22 to discuss the city purchasing a new radio tower. The city has set aside about $40,000 for a new radio tower. The cost of a new tower is around $500,000 and if the city would be able to rent out space on the tower, it could take a minimum of 10 years to recoup the expenses. McGrane advised he would inform the council and he doubts the city would be interested in purchasing a new tower. Deputy Clerk Creery and McGrane attended a webinar on 9/22 with NEIA Community Action discussing a new Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program for residents. On 9/23 McGrane met with the City Administrators and Police Chiefs from Oelwein and West Union to discuss the Fayette County Dispatching Services contracts. On 9/27 the City Administrators met with the Fayette County Board of Supervisors (FCBOS) to discuss the contracts and their concern that city residents are double taxed for the dispatching service since city residents pay county taxes that should include these costs. The FCBOS will take the concern into consideration. Purchasing a new emergency radio/communication system for Fayette County was also discussed at the same meeting. The City Administrators stressed the importance of upgrading the system now because the system is outdated and have heard there are areas in the county where radios do not work causing a safety concern. The longer the wait to upgrade the system, the more the price will increase. The City Administrators feel that the FCBOS need to cover the costs for the new countywide system and cities should not have to contribute because that would be double taxing city residents. The system would be utilized by all the emergency services throughout Fayette County. The Oelwein Police Chief has researched a USDA Grant that each city may apply for that could help cover a small portion of the expenses for new radios and pagers. The FCBOS will take the concerns into consideration. On 9/28 McGrane attended the NEIA Regional League meeting to discuss police departments, hiring and retaining officers. McGrane has spent quite a bit of time working on the CDBG Rehab Grant and is hoping two more houses should be completed by the end of this year when the grant expires. McGrane has been working on paperwork for Quick Med Claims and Wellmark for the Ambulance service. The annual city exam will be rescheduled due to a conflict with the auditor. McGrane has also been very busy assisting people with permits and city code inquiries. McGrane reminded the Mayor and Council about email scams and to be cautious.
Fayette Police Chief Ben Davis informed the council that the police department (PD) has been awarded $500 from Black Hills Energy to help purchase a drone. Davis is working on other grants for the drone. The PD accepted closed bids and sold the 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle that was forfeited during a criminal investigation a few years ago. Two certified officers applied for the FT police officer position and Davis is hoping to start scheduling interviews soon.
Moved Tenney, seconded Tucker, to discuss and consider purchasing fire rings from North Fayette Valley (NFV) Spark. NFV Spark is a program that offers high school students authentic learning opportunities while connecting them to community workplace experiences with focuses on community needs and carrier and college readiness. NFV students Jonas Menne and Carson Wolff were present to show an example of a custom fire ring and costs associated. They advised the city currently has about 18 fire rings at Klocks Island Campground and the cost per 40 inch fire ring would be $229.39. Public Works Director Jerry Hildebrand was present and recommended the city purchase 6 fire rings for the front of the campground at this time. Menne and Wolff believe they can have them completed and delivered sometime in November. They will work with Hildebrand on the final design. Moved Potratz, seconded Post, to purchase six, 40 inch fire rings using money out of the Parks budget. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss and consider approving the Recreation Board use money from their savings to repair a baseball diamond at Cardinal Park. A representative from the Fayette Recreation Board was not present. Moved Tenney, seconded Potratz, to table the decision until more information is provided by the Recreation Board. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss and consider designating an area in town for a Dog Park. McGrane provided a little information from the Recreation Board and information he received from the city's insurance company stating there are no extra insurance costs for a dog park. The council recommends the Recreation Board continue to research other dog parks, continue to present possible locations in town and possibly having residents take a survey to find out if there is a need. No formal action was taken.
Moved Tenney, seconded Post, to discuss and consider combining the Recreation Board with the Park Board. McGrane advised the Fayette Recreation Board is willing to combine the two boards and would recommend appointing two more members with one of those positions being a Public Works employee. Wenthe recommended we continue discussion when a Recreation Board member is present. No formal action was taken.
Moved Post, seconded Tenney, to discuss and consider purchasing a power washer in the amount of $5,230 from Midwest Alkota. Hildebrand advised it was budgeted for but the price has increased from the original quote of $4,700. Moved Tenney, seconded Wulfekuhle, to purchase the power washer in the amount of $5,230 from Midwest Alkota. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss Resolution 2021-27. Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to approve Resolution 2021-27, the Iowa Department of Transportation agreement for maintenance and repair of primary roads in municipalities. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Potratz, to discuss and consider removing Cottonwood Trees from the City Code. Moved Potratz, seconded Post, to have McGrane provide the updated nuisance State Code to the council to compare with the City Code. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Post, to discuss and consider the American Tower Lease agreement proposal. After discussion, the council would like to get the opinion of the City Attorney and his cell tower contact person. No formal action was taken.
Moved Post, seconded Tenney, to discuss and consider reviewing the city code. McGrane advised he will research costs and information on having the city code reviewed. No formal action was taken.
Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to discuss and consider having the city wide trick-or-treating on Sunday, 10/31/2021 from 5PM to 7PM. Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to have city wide trick-or-treating on Halloween night, 10/31/2021, from 5PM to 7PM. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Wulfekuhle, to discuss the Water Street Reconstruction Project. Jon Biederman, an Engineer at Fehr Graham, was present and advised the first layer of asphalt will be laid tomorrow followed by the second and third layers over the next three days. The contractor is hoping to have the street completed and open by the end of the day on Friday. Next week they will work on concrete, sidewalks, manholes and other parts of the project but the road will be able to remain open. No formal action was taken.
There being no further business, moved Potratz, unanimous, to adjourn at 7:10 pm.
