REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

April 3, 2023

     The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, April 3, 2023, at 6:00 pm in the Community Room at the Fayette Community Library pursuant to law and rules of said council, Mayor Pro-tem Post presiding. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

     Moved Tenney, seconded Potratz, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 3/20/23, the claims list of 3/18/23-3/31/23, resignation of Council member Tenney effective 4/30/23, and the November 2022 financial reports. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Treasurer’s Balance for Fund Accounts as of November 30, 2022: Total November Receipts: $118,129.92 (General $48,475.40; 9 S. Main -$400; Streets/RUT $14,567.75; Employee Benefits $6,398.59; TIF -$14,977.36; Revolving Loan $242.43; Bolger $157.21; Library Fund $55.06; Debt $134.22; Water $25,502.48; Water T&A $300; Sewer $32,497.56; Water/Sewer Capital $4,628.19; Storm Water $548.39). Total November Disbursements: $156,146.59 (General $50,747.86; Streets/RUT $6,095.28; Employee Benefits $14,436.08; CDBG LMI Housing $14,052.20; Bolger $2,546.30; Library Fund $999.63; Debt $2,565; Water Street $20,977.97; Homes for Iowa $11,195.40; N. Main Street $820.25; Water $16,419.30; Water T&A $641.91; Sewer $14,649.41). Transfers in: Sewer Fund $9,575.50; Transfers out: Sewer $9,575.50. Treasurer’s Balance: $4,429,324.76.

     Citizen Comments: Tim O'Brien, a Westfield Township Trustee and from Fayette County, advised he is present along with other township trustees to express their concerns regarding adequate fire coverage within their jurisdictions and to receive an update on the Fayette Fire Department.

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

     City Administrator/Clerk McGrane updated the council on the budget process, N. Main Street project, and a few Legislative bills to be aware of. McGrane advised we should soon be receiving information if we were selected for the BOOST program that we applied for recently. The council was reminded that Upper Iowa University (UIU) Appreciation Day is Wednesday, 4/19/23. UIU students, faculty and community members are encouraged to contact Amy Tucker to assist with projects around town. McGrane also provided information and options for the council to start considering in replacing council member Tenney when she resigns at the end of April.

     Police Chief Davis advised the council that Goodell was served a citation recently for abatement.

     Mayor Wood provided a written update on the Fayette Fire Department (FFD) that McGrane read to the council members and citizens. The written statement stated on 3/20/23 the city council approved the third and final reading of Ordinances 517 and 518. Both Ordinances have been published and are in effect. On 3/29/23, the mayor emailed the current Fayette Ambulance Service Chief, Roger Post, and FFD Chief, Jason Rohde, informing them of the Ordinances and to submit the volunteers recommendation for 2023 Chiefs to city hall by noon on 4/27/23 to ensure inclusion on the 5/1/23 city council agenda. Three new volunteers have been approved by the city council for the FFD so far this year. After the mayor met with Chief Rohde last week, the mayor suggested a number of reasonable, attainable and measurable 2023 objectives for the FFD to focus on improving the fire protection for the citizens. These included a 2023-25 firefighter recruitment and retention plan; ensuring that all incident or call reports are submitted within required time frames; submitting to the council for approval updated FFD bylaws that comply with the amended city code; provide city hall with copies of keys for the FFD building; and to purchase what is understood to be needed firefighter personal protective equipment. The mayor plans to meet with Chief Rohde in mid-April to discuss the merit of the suggestions with the goal of developing a FFD action plan for the remainder of 2023.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Potratz, to acknowledge receipt of the Fayette Tree Board meeting minutes from 12/1/22 and 2/27/23. All ayes, motion carried.

     Jeremiah Owens is currently a Strawberry Point law enforcement officer and Chief Davis would like to hire Owens as a part-time reserve Fayette officer. Owens was present to introduce himself to the council. Moved Potratz, seconded Scott, to approve hiring Jeremiah Owens as a part-time reserve Fayette police officer at the rate of $21.00 per hour. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Potratz, to approve closing down the 100-block of S. Main St. for the UIU Spring Fling/Family Weekend from 4pm until midnight on 4/22/23, and allowing music outdoors until midnight. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Scott, seconded Tenney, to approve closing down half of the 200-block of S. Main St. for the All Cardinal Class Reunion from Noon until midnight on 7/15/23, and allowing music outdoors until midnight. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Potratz, to approve Resolution 2023-22 updating the city of Fayette Depositories from Resolution 2021-35. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Tenney, to approve Resolution 2023-23 appointing Paying Agent, Note Registrar, and Transfer Agent, approving the Paying Agent and Note Registrar and Transfer Agent Agreement and Authorizing the execution of the Agreement. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Scott, to approve Resolution 2023-24 approving and authorizing a form of Loan Agreement and authorizing and providing for the issuance, and levying a tax to pay the Notes; Approval of the Tax Exemption Certificate. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Potratz, to table Resolution 2023-25. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tenney, seconded Tucker, to approve Resolution 2023-26 fixing a date for a meeting on the authorization of a loan and disbursement agreement and the issuance of not to exceed $55,000 for body cameras and Tasers for the police department and providing for publication of notice thereof. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

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

     Moved Scott, seconded Tenney, to direct the City Administrator to move forward with the instructions that were discussed during closed session. All ayes, motion carried.

    There being no further business, Potratz declared the meeting adjourned at 7:34 pm.