Council Meeting Minutes 2-7-2022

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

February 7, 2022

     The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, February 7, 2022, at 6:00 pm in the Community Room at the Fayette Community Library pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Wood presiding. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

     Roll call: Present - Council members Post, Potratz, Scott, Tenney and Tucker.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Potratz, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 1/17/22, the special meeting minutes of 1/26/22, the claims list of 1/15/22 - 2/4/22 and correspondence. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Post, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, motion carried.

     Mayor Wood advised the council City Administrator/Clerk McGrane and him attended the Fayette Fire Advisory meeting on 1/19. Wood attended the Fayette County EMA commission meeting on 1/25, the Fayette County Conference Board on 1/26, the Personnel committee meeting on 1/26 and the Finance committee meeting on 2/2.

     City Administrator/Clerk McGrane informed the council he attended the Upper Explorerland Board meeting on 1/27 to express the frustrations and challenges we had with the administration of the CDBG Rehab grant performed by Upper Explorerland. A representative from the city of Cresco was also present to voice their grant administration issues.

     Fayette Police Chief Davis their department has been working with Junior Achievement and teaching elementary schools at our local school district.

     This being the time and place published for a public hearing on the proposed property tax levy for fiscal year July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023, Mayor Wood opened the hearing and asked for comments. McGrane and Wood explained the purpose for the proposed property tax levy. Sue Runyon inquired what the tax increase was from the previous year to the current year and she was informed $0.04. There being no additional comments, Mayor Wood closed the hearing.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Potratz, to approve Resolution #2022-09 adopting the proposed property tax levy for fiscal year 2023. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     This being the time and place published for a public hearing on the sale of the city’s interest in the golf course property in Fayette County, Iowa, Mayor Wood opened the hearing and asked for comments. Tim Wulfekuhle started by explaining the reasons why Nancy and him want to purchase Big Rock golf course including keeping it a tourist destination for the city. Wulfekuhle explained the urgency of them purchasing it including helping the Big Rock board by getting their debts and financial obligations paid before liens and other consequences occur. The Wulfekuhle's also need to start planning for the upcoming golf season. Wulfekuhle explained some of the portions of the agreement, including running it as an 18 hole golf course for a minimum of 5 years. Wulfekuhle indicated if the city doesn't take the steps to sell tonight, he feels it is too late and they will withdrawal their offer to buy. Council member Scott informed everyone the city may only sell property at fair market value and the city attorney does not encourage the council to sell the city owned property known as the "back 9" for $1. Many people, including Roy Karlson, Dennis Martin, Mike Eischeid, Bernard Pattison, Zach Wulfekuhle, Sue Runyon, Anne Langerman, Katheryn Hannigan, Nancy Wulfekuhle, Bradley Minger, Adam Carpenter, Jim Mitchell, David Runyon, Nancy Stockman, Kevin Lehs, Davis Wulfekuhle, Steve Landry, Bill Prohaska, Jeff Bradley,Tim Frey, Wayne Tjernagel, Tim Wulfekuhle and Andrea Scott, asked and answered questions, spoke in favor of the city accepting the offer to buy and selling the property, and spoke against the city selling the property. Written comments and information were provided to the council prior to the meeting from Christie Dennis, Jon Biederman, the Big Rock Country Club Board, David Runyon, Katherine McCarville and Andrew Wenthe. Those in favor of the city accepting the offer to buy and selling the property indicated reasons, including the Wulfekuhle's have proven they can run successful businesses and have taken risks for the better of the city and the Wulfekuhle's will have to invest their own money in repairing the golf course as well as getting it ready for the upcoming season and take a financial risk. Those against the city selling the property indicated reasons, including selling the property for $1 was not enough money, the city should look into other options including the city purchasing the golf course and concerns that a minimum of 5 years running the 18 hole golf course was not long enough. Other concerns were mentioned including a possible future expansion to the city sewer lagoons that are located next to the golf course. The majority of those in attendance expressed they did not want to lose the golf course because it provides something for area residents to do and brings a lot of people to the city. There being no additional comments, Mayor Wood closed the hearing.

     Moved Post, seconded Potratz, to go into closed session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(j) to discuss the purchase or sale of particular 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 that property. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Post, seconded Tenney, to open regular session. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Scott, seconded Post, to discuss Resolution #2022-10. Post informed everyone the city will look into holding another public hearing as well as options for the city to purchase the golf course and run it as a municipal golf course. No motions were made to adopt and accept Resolution #2022-10, directing the sale of the city's interest in the golf course property in Fayette County.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Scott, to discuss contracting with Fayette Lumber Company. Council member Post advised he is going to abstain from the discussion and the vote because he is an employee at the business, and it is his families business. The Fayette Lumber Company provided the city a project management agreement to assist with preparing the vacant lot for the Homes for Iowa home. McGrane reached out to the city of Oelwein and they were not interested in contracting with the city for this project. Moved Tucker, seconded Tenney, to approve and accept the construction management proposal from Fayette Lumber Company. Ayes - Potratz, Scott, Tenney, and Tucker, abstained - Post, motion carried.

     Moved Post, seconded Tucker, to discuss Fayette Recreation Board meeting minutes from 8/5/21, 9/7/21 and 9/19/21. Moved Post, seconded Tenney, to approve the Fayette Recreation Board meeting minutes from 8/5/21, 9/7/21 and 9/19/21. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Scott, to approve the Fayette Personnel meeting minutes from 1/26/22. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Potratz, seconded Post, to approve the Fayette Finance committee meeting minutes from 2/2/22. All ayes, motion carried.

     Chief Davis advised the council that he would like to hire Cameron Hart as a part-time/reserve police officer. Hart was in attendance and a student with Upper Iowa University. Davis advised background checks were completed. Hart is originally from the Quad Cities area. Moved Post, seconded Tucker, to approve hiring Cameron Hart as a part time/reserve police officer at the rate of $15.50 per hour and paying for his reserve certification. All ayes, motion carried.

     Chief Davis advised the council that he would like to hire Jeremiah Owens as a part-time/reserve police officer. Owens was not present at the meeting. He is a Sergeant at the Strawberry Point police department and was a marine for quite a few years. Davis explained Owens is a good officer and is experienced in tactics. Hiring Owens will help cover the department during sickness, vacations and other time off. Owens will have to take another MMPI and an agreement is drafted for him to use most of his own equipment. Moved Tucker, seconded Scott, to approve hiring Jeremiah Owens as a part time/reserve police officer at the rate of $20 per hour. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Potratz, to discuss waiving the building permit application fees for Eagle Point Solar. Moved Tucker, seconded Potratz, to approve waiving the building permit application fees for Eagle Point Solar to install ground and roof mounted solar arrays on city properties located at 801 Big Rock Road, 11 S. Main Street, 149 S. Main Street, 104 W. State Street, 110 Lovers Lane, 602 E. Madison Street and 616 Wadena Road. All ayes, motion carried.

    There being no further business, Wood declared the meeting adjourned at 8:52 pm.

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