REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
May 1, 2023
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, May 1, 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 and Tucker. One council vacancy.
Moved Post, seconded Tucker, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 4/17/23, the claims list of 4/15/23-4/28/23 and the December 2022 Financial Reports. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Treasurer’s Balance for Fund Accounts as of December 31, 2022: Total December Receipts: $180,495.04 (General $51,923.30; Streets/RUT $15,662.68; Employee Benefits $2,353.85; LOST $24,060.42; Hotel/Motel $19,936.70; Revolving Loan $242.47; Bolger $1,756.56; Library Fund $97.87; Debt $81.34; American Rescue $90.10; Water $24,247.66; Water T&A $300; Sewer $34,593.50; Water/Sewer Capital $4,576.98; Storm Water $571.61). Total December Disbursements: $209,766.45 (General $82,210.90; Streets/RUT $19,597.17; Employee Benefits $7,657.64; Hotel/Motel $10,788; CDBG LMI Housing $12,088; Library Fund $999.63; Homes for Iowa $471.73; N. Main Street $9,422; Water $24,737.15; Water T&A $450; Sewer $29,124.23; Sewer Fund $12,220). Transfers in: Sewer Fund $9,575.50; Transfers out: Sewer $9,575.50. Treasurer’s Balance: $4,401,192.46.
Citizen Comments: Stacey Staab from Fayette expressed his concerns that he has filed multiple complaints with the Fayette Police Department on college students causing issues at his house over this last school year. Staab, his wife and one year old child have been woken up multiple times from extremely loud noises at 3am or 4am. Staab and his family feel they have been harassed by the students because they were purposely blaring loud music in Staabs' window. Staab explained there are about 3 homes around his that house college students and he has called the police numerous times of noise complaints and they talk to the students. Staab inquired if there were any repercussions for multiple incidents for noise complaints.
Nicole Bregitsprecher from Fayette expressed her concerns that college students have tried to break into her property, have vandalized her child's property and have been extremely loud waking up her children over the last few years including this past weekend. Bregitsprecher advised there are multiple students that walk around the area, most likely walking from college house to house, that are causing the issues. She has called the police and they respond but she feels nothing is being done. At times they have seen the police break-up the students at one house and all the students go to another house and continue to be loud and disruptive.
Fayette Police Chief Davis advised that his officers are responding to quite a few of these calls and the officers feel they do not have all of the city councils support in the department. They are handling the calls the best they can but until the officers feel support from the city council, their resolutions to the issues are limited.
Moved Post, seconded Tucker, to approve the agenda as presented. All ayes, motion carried.
Mayor Wood advised the city did not receive meeting minutes from the fire department and did not receive the meeting minutes in adequate time from the ambulance to place on the agenda to appoint chiefs. We will plan on appointing the chiefs at the next council meeting. Wood informed the council that five Fayette residents are interested in filling the vacant city council position, Darwin Dean, Mike Jager, Janice Larson, James Lowery, and Nancy Wulfekuhle. Wood is still working on getting a dentist back to Fayette and would now like to hand the information he has over to the Economic Development Committee to further work on an incentive.
City Administrator/Clerk McGrane updated the council on a few things including: most of the CD's have been transferred; city bond paperwork was completed and money transferred to city's account; McGrane attended training/conference in Des Moines 4/19-4/21; Shelby Sebring/The Beauty Room paid off the balance on the Revolving Loan Fund; completed required water, American Rescue Plan and quarterly reports; and the FY24 budget was completed and submitted. Upper Iowa University's Fayette Appreciation Day went well with an approximately 350 people completing around 17 projects around the community including the cemetery, Rainbowland, and the Rec trails.
Fayette Public Works Director Hildebrand advised the council the new chlorination system (switching from gas to liquid) was installed at one well today and hopefully next week the other well will be switched over.
Moved Potratz, seconded Post, to approve publishing the notice to the public that the council will be appointing someone to the vacant city council position at the June 5 city council meeting. All ayes, motion carried.
Mayor Wood and McGrane met with an asbestos inspector on 4/27 and was informed the city may demolish one residence per calendar year without testing for asbestos. McGrane has reached out to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and will get more information. Moved Tucker, seconded Potratz, to move to approve moving forward with advertising that we are accepting bids for demolition of the buildings located at 507 West Clark Street. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, seconded Potratz, to approve Resolution 2023-14 approving the Third Amendment to Real Estate Lease Agreement with Verizon Communications Inc. for the Cell Tower Real Estate. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Tucker, seconded Potratz, to approve moving forward with switching city cell phones and hot spots to FirstNet Solutions. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Potratz, seconded Scott, to approve Resolution 2023-30 approving the 2023-2024 Law Enforcement Services Agreement between the City of Fayette and Upper Iowa University. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
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 Potratz, seconded Post, to open regular session. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Moved Potratz, seconded Tucker, to direct the City Administrator to move forward with the proposed action discussed in closed session. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, seconded Potratz, to approve Resolution 2023-29 directing setting of a Public Hearing to sell the Homes for Iowa home and property on May 15, 2023. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
There being no further business, Wood declared the meeting adjourned at 7:26 pm.
