REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

July 3, 2023

     The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, July 3, 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; Absent - Lowery.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 6/19/23, the claims list of 6/17/23-6/30/23, the renewal of the Iowa Retail Permit Application for Cigarette/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor for The Pumper, allowing a beer garden for Down Town Lounge and proper Liquor Licenses contingent on all the necessary steps and procedures being completed with the Iowa Alcohol and Beverage Division and the financial reports for March 2023, April 2023 and May 2023. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

    Treasurer's Balance for Fund Accounts as of March 31, 2023: Total March Receipts: $131,154.04 (General $45,976.24; Streets/RUT $9,329.25; Employee Benefits $2,528.60; LOST $10,412.77; Revolving Loan $243.13; Bolger $5,924.09; Library Fund $89.52; Debt $87.36; Water $20,844; Sewer $31,005.40; Water/Sewer Capital $4,160.68; Storm Water $553). Total March Disbursements: $116,674.71 (General $56,963.19; 9 S. Main $157.81; Streets/RUT $9,026.94; Employee Benefits $12,887.38; Bolger $722.70; Library Fund $999.63; Homes for Iowa $94.79; N. Main Street $2,012.75; Water $19,632.10; Water T&A $1,016.98; Sewer $13,160.44). Transfers in: Sewer Fund $9,575.50; Transfers out: Sewer $9,575.50. Treasurer’s Balance: $4,888,804.69.

     Treasurer’s Balance for Fund Accounts as of April 30, 2023: Total April Receipts: $637,133.11 (General $120,484.91; 9 S. Main $470.75; Streets/RUT $14,960.31; Employee Benefits $41,207.10; LOST $7,955.83; Revolving Loan $241.55; Bolger $1,038.27; Library Fund $67.47; Debt $1,423.87; N. Main Street $398,900; Water $18,940.47; Sewer $27,109.95; Water/Sewer Capital $3,768.01; Storm Water $564.62). Total April Disbursements: $116,026.64 (General $45,577.18; 9 S. Main $224.71; Streets/RUT $3,668.95; Employee Benefits $7,528.57; Library Fund $999.63; Homes for Iowa $138.67; N. Main Street $300; Volga Rec Trail $15,340.50; Water $12,716.68; Water T&A $398.41; FY17 Water Project $31.83; Sewer $29,101.51). Transfers in: Sewer Fund $9,575.50; Transfers out: Sewer $9,575.50. Treasurer’s Balance: $5,409,705.05.

     Treasurer’s Balance for Fund Accounts as of May 31, 2023: Total May Receipts: $210,715.46 (General $59,295.95; Streets/RUT $16,749.27; Employee Benefits $12,527.23; LOST $14,318.19; Hotel/Motel $7,596.16; TIF $29,950.19; Revolving Loan $17.83; Bolger $526.04; Library Fund $148.72; Debt $792.72; Water $26,957.34; Water T&A $0.50; Sewer $36,272.77; Water/Sewer Capital $4,951.17; Storm Water $611.38). Total May Disbursements: $128,539.66 (General $31,359.18; 9 S. Main $97.86; Streets/RUT $5,596.02; Employee Benefits $10,726.94; Bolger $35.12; Library Fund $999.63; Debt $32,565; Homes for Iowa $282.83; Volga Rec Trail $12,022.50; Water $19,261.82; Water T&A $1,590.87; Sewer $14,001.89). Transfers in: Sewer Fund $9,575.50; Transfers out: Sewer $9,575.50. Treasurer’s Balance: $5,496,539.05.

     Citizen Comments: Joy Jager from Fayette encouraged the city council to conduct criminal background checks for fire department volunteers prior to approving them to be on the department. Jager expressed her concern about allowing criminals and sex offenders to be volunteers on the fire department.

     Richard (Rick) Hoffmeyer from Fayette requested the council to provide an update from the city attorney on the Fayette Ambulance Service, Incorporated's by-laws and the steps necessary to have the large ambulance donation transferred from the city of Fayette to the incorporation.

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

     Upon recommendation from the Mayor, moved Post, seconded Potratz, to appoint James Lowery to the Public Safety Committee as Chair, the Finance Committee and the Economic Development Committee. All ayes, motion carried.

     Mayor Wood asked the council if they would like an additional vetting process with hiring the new City Administrator. The council recommended to continue to have the hiring committee continue with the process and have Fayette Police Chief Davis conduct background checks on the top three applicants prior to making a decision.

     City Administrator/Clerk McGrane provided a written report that included a list of all the advertising and postings for the City Administrator/Clerk position, updates on the demolitions for the two residential properties in town, an update on the city financials and information on the annual 2% increase in water and sewer rates. McGrane also informed the council on payroll and training updates, meetings with the insurance company to go over the new policies, updates on the cell tower agreement negotiations, township invoices that went out, the Wellmark validation for the Fayette Ambulance service he completed and his research on the RFP for the annual audit.

     Fayette Police Chief provided an update on the employment process in hiring a full-time police officer. Davis has a meeting this week to gain more information on the interest of turning the old Fayette Elementary School into a training facility. The county attorney, local and federal law enforcement agencies may also be interested in the classrooms and training center for law enforcement and emergency personnel, as well.

     Jacob Palmer with the Public Works Department was in attendance. Tucker asked Palmer if the dead trees around the old elementary school were planning on being cut down. The city will receive a quote for the removal of the trees if the city decides to accept the gift of the elementary school.

     Fayette Community Library Director Butikofer updated the council on some library business including working on appointing a new board member to replace Lowery who resigned when he accepted the city council position. The library is working on hiring a part-time librarian. The recent murder mystery dinner theatre was a great success and encouraged everyone to utilize the library and all the wonderful things they have to offer.

     After discussion and some changes to the job description for the City Administrator/Clerk, moved Scott, seconded Tucker, to approve Resolution 2023-39, revising and updating the job description for the City Administrator/Clerk. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Post, seconded Potratz, to approve moving forward with Iowa Municipal Insurance, LTD as the city of Fayette's insurance company. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Tucker, seconded Post, to approve letting the Watermelon Days banner be placed in the lot of the old tourism home and allowing a dumpster to sit on city property near the city street shop during Watermelon Days 2024. All ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Post, seconded Potratz, to approve Resolution 2023-40, making award of contract for the demolition, cleanup and debris removal for 309 East Water Street, Fayette, Iowa. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

     Moved Post, seconded Scott, to approve Resolution 2023-41, revising and updating the job description for the Deputy Clerk. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.

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

No formal action was taken after closed session.

    There being no further business, Wood declared the meeting adjourned at 7:57 pm.