REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
May 2, 2022
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, May 2, 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 Potratz, Scott, Tenney and Tucker; Absent - Post.
Moved Scott, seconded Potratz, to amend the meeting minutes of 4/18/22 by taking out the words "One of the" in the Mayor Wood report so it reads "Strategic planning for cities was one of the training sessions at the Leagues training". Motion Potratz, seconded Tucker, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the amended regular meeting minutes of 4/18/22 and the claims list of 4/16/22-4/29/22. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Tucker, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, motion carried.
Everett (Roy) Karlson, 506 W. Clark Street, informed the city council that he presented a letter last week to the mayor and council in regards to the poor condition of the home located at 507 W. Clark Street. Karlson contacted the police about the house a few years ago and they were able to get the yard picked up and mowed. Karlson advised since then, the house has continued to deteriorate. Karlson advised Mayor Wood contacted him and they discussed and looked at the house. Karlson advised he is losing property value on his home located next door. Karlson requested copies of the city ordinance. Police Chief Davis and City Administrator/Clerk McGrane informed Karlson that there is a process that must be followed, and someone will follow-up with him.
Mayor Wood acknowledged that he and the council received the letter of concern from the Karlson's. Wood is concerned about abandoned property issues and dilapidated properties in town. Wood has been reading the city code and is planning on attending a training later this month for guidance on municipalities to address these issues. Wood advised the first Steering Committee meeting took place on 4/28/22.
City Administrator/Clerk McGrane advised the council the switch to PACE, the new online payment software, went well on 4/19 and Deputy Clerk Creery and him have had a few training sessions. They have also been assisting customers with the change. McGrane attended the IMFOA conference on 4/21 and 4/22. He completed and submitted the required American Rescue Plan report on 4/26.
Police Chief Davis informed the council that the Goodell property abatement court date is 5/11 and they are waiting for a court date for the Smith property. The bike helmet/story walk event that the Fayette Library and Police Department are organizing is developing well and they will be promoting it soon. The annual Upper Iowa University off campus end of the year college student celebration did not take place this year.
Moved Tucker, seconded Scott, to accept and acknowledge the Fayette Community Library Board of Trustees meeting minutes from 1/12/2022 and 3/9/2022. All ayes, motion carried.
The council discussed homeowners planting specific types of plants in the city rights-of-way. The city attorney recommended the council not allow anything other than grass planted in city rights-of-way because it could become time consuming for the council to manage the variety of homeowners requests and determine what can and cannot be planted, among other things. Moved Potratz, seconded Tenney, to have the city rights-of-way that are currently grass or undeveloped areas to remain grass or to have grass seeded as of todays date of May 2, 2022 and moving forward. All ayes, motion carried.
Wanda Crawford with the new Fayette Chamber would like to request a donation of $600 from the city to assist the Fayette Chamber with promoting businesses in Fayette during RABGRAI 2022. Moved Scott, seconded Tucker, to donate $600 out of the Bolger Fund to the Fayette Chamber for the public purpose of promoting the city of Fayette and the city of Fayette businesses and to have $600 from the hotel/motel tax be transferred to the Bolger Fund to cover the costs when available. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Potratz, seconded Scott, to approve a $20.00 per hour wage for part-time, reserve police officer Charles Rodas effective April 1, 2022. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Potratz, seconded Tucker, to approve signing a letter of support for the Community Services Block Grant that benefits the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Tucker, to approve Resolution #2022-23 adopting and accepting the established city employee salaries. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Tucker, to approve Resolution #2022-24 adopting and accepting the Fayette Visual Security and Surveillance Policy. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
There being no further business, Wood declared the meeting adjourned at 7:17 pm.
