REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
January 16, 2023
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, January 16, 2023, 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 1/3/23 and the claims list of 12/31/22-1/13/23. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tenney, seconded Tucker, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Scott, seconded Post, to suspend the Robert's Rules of Order rules and allow a comment to be made prior to the vote. Wood advised this motion requires a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative majority vote. All members voted aye, the motion was carried. Scott advised the city council wants to address a rumor that some of the members have heard and that is the council is not closing the Fayette Fire Department. The council has no interest in losing our fire department and would like to see our fire department grow. There is a concern about low volunteer numbers and the lack of growth on the department.
Upon recommendation from the Fayette Fire Department to reappoint Jason Rohde as Fayette Fire Chief for 2023, there was no motion by the council to reappoint Rohde.
Upon Mayor Wood’s request, moved Scott, seconded Potratz, to approve appointing Patrick Doran to the Fayette Parks and Recreation Board for a 3-year term ending 2/1/2026. All ayes, motion carried.
City Administrator/Clerk McGrane informed the council the updated timeline for the N. Main Street reconstruction project and that an informational meeting was held on 1/12/23 for residents along the project. McGrane advised the Fayette Ambulance Service received a donation of $348,344.20 from the Minnie Lee Miller Unified Credit Trust and per the city auditor and city attorney's request, the donation was deposited into the city's account and earmarked for the Fayette Ambulance Service. A "For Sale" sign is now up at the Homes for Iowa house. The solar panels at the library, city hall, fire department and pre-treatment plant have been turned on.
Police Chief Davis advised the council that he should have the 2022 annual report at the next council meeting.
Public Works Director Hildebrand informed the council that Municipal Pipe and Tool will be in town this week jet cleaning some of the sewer lines.
Moved Tucker, seconded Potratz, to approve the second reading of Ordinance 516, amending Fayette City Code Chapter 55, Animal Protection and Control, Section 16. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, seconded Tenney, to approve the receipt of the Fayette Ambulance Service meeting minutes from 11/2/22 and 12/6/22 and the Fayette Fire Department meeting minutes from 1/3/23. All ayes, motion carried.
The Fayette Fire Department's constitution and by-laws with suggested changes were presented to the council for the council to start reviewing. The council was encouraged to send McGrane suggested edits for him to gather and provide at a future meeting as well as have the city attorney review. No formal action was taken.
Wood updated the council on the status of the two condemned properties in Fayette. Moved Tucker, seconded Tenney, to approve seeking bids for the demolition of the two condemned properties in Fayette. All ayes, motion carried.
The Fayette County Economic Development and Tourism Director Mallory Hanson reached out to McGrane and shared information about the Iowa Economic Development Authority Rural BOOST Program. Tucker briefly updated the council on the program. Moved Tenney, seconded Post, to approve having Tucker apply for the Iowa Economic Development Rural Boost Program. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Potratz, seconded Tenney, to approve setting the letting date for February 16, 2023, for the North Main Street Reconstruction Project. All ayes, motion carried.
There being no further business, Wood declared the meeting adjourned at 6:38 pm.
