REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
November 6, 2023
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, November 6, 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, Lowery, Potratz, Scott. One council seat vacant.
Moved Post, seconded Lowery, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 11/06/23 and Approval of claims list 10/14/23 – 11/03/23. Roll call, all ayes, motion carried.
Citizen Comments: Scott Bowen of Fayette addressed the council about a difference in amounts that was received from two information requests, one from each the police and city administration about the total amount of income the city has received from the speed camera citations. City Administrator Hawes stated he will investigate this and report back at the next council meeting. There were letters written to the council and Mayor Wood from Daryl Grove and Shawn Petsche in encouragement of Police Department wage increases.
Moved Post, Seconded Potratz in amending the city council agenda to move Item 8B from Old or Unfinished business to Item 11C under New Business and moving all following items down a position on the agenda.
Mayor Wood, in his report, reminded the council of Resolutions 2022-36 and 2022-37 indicating authority and duties of council members. Wood stated that he received a notice from a concerned citizen indicating that that the debris built up on the upstream side of the Volga bridge was concerning. Public Works Director Hildebrand commented on the concern and said the public works employees pulled out the majority of the larger logs earlier in the year and cut through the trees that they couldn’t pull out. The debris should move through if the water gets high enough.
City Administrator/Clerk Markus Hawes worked with previous city administrator/clerk, Kris McGrane on 11/5 to print checks, complete council packet. McGrane is training Hawes on Annual Financial Reports needed to be complete by December 1. Hawes has been completing paperwork for the IMWCA Audit, as well as paperwork for the HWY 150/S Main project. Hawes is working on monthly financial reports for August, September, and October. Hawes stated he is attending the Iowa League of Cities budget workshops on November 8th and November 20th and is looking into other budget workshops to prepare for the upcoming FY budget season.
Police Chief Davis informed the council that the Fayette Police Department along with Riverview and Helping Services are having a toy drive for sexual assault victims and their families. There is now a drop box for Letters to Santa out front of the Police Station (11 S Main).
Public Works Director Hildebrand informed the council that leaf Pickup to end Monday, November 13th. Yard waste to close Wednesday, November 15th. Public Works is working to fix spots in the streets before winter hits.
Jamie Hackley addressed the council asking for additional assistance for developing sewer infrastructure on new lots at his property in Fayette. Hackley has an existing agreement for developing 12 new lots in Fayette. Hackley stated there were increased costs due to tree roots where the sewer and water lines need to be that will connect to the city sewer lines. Hackley received an estimate of $15,000 cost to complete the project. He requested an additional $10,000.
Motion Scott, Seconded Potratz to have Mayor Wood reach out to the city attorney for recommendation on how to move forward with assisting Hackley Homes and Communities LLC with a portion of the infrastructure cost. All ayes, motion carried.
Counselor Post presented research to the council comparing city police wages by position and median household price. Post recommended an increase in police wages of $3.60 per officer and a $7500 salary increase for the police chief. Chief Davis countered on the offer and asked that $1 .50/hr be taken from his increase and spread amongst the officers. Post plans to research each city department for comparative salaries and wages as well. The consensus of council was to move forward with creating a resolution to activate the salary and wage increase of$4.10/hr for full time officers and an increase in salary for the police chief of $4,368. The resolution will be presented at the November 20th council meeting.
Moved Scott, seconded Post to accept Personnel Meeting Minutes from October 18. All ayes, Motion Carried.
Andrea Scott of the Fayette Chamber addressed the council asking to allow the Fayette Chamber to update holiday decorations/lights for the street poles on S Main St. Crawford Creations in Fayette will create the decorations.
A Public Hearing was held on the authorizing a loan and disbursement agreement and the issuance of not to exceed $65,000 for a police 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 truck. Charles Clark of Fayette asked if the vehicle is replacing one or if this is adding to the fleet. Police Chief Davis responded that the vehicle is replacing one that is 7 years old.
Moved Post, Second Scott to approve Resolution 2023-53. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Scott, Second Lowery, to approve using Police savings account to outfit 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 truck in an amount not to exceed $35,000. Roll call, All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Scott, Second Potratz, to approve Resolution 2023-52. Updating the policies for Public Works and Police living requirements. Roll Call, All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, Second Potratz to award Hawkeye Farm Services $1750 to grind 35 stumps in Fayette. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Lowery seconded Post, to table discussion on payment to Northeast Iowa Community Action for 2024 funding of services, until November 20th council meeting. All Ayes, motion carried.
Moved Post, seconded Scott, to approve Change Order #3 for the N. Main Street Improvements project in the amount of $-11,798.20. All ayes, motion carried.
Moved Lowery, seconded Scott, in approval of Pay Estimate Number 4 to Wicks Construction, Inc. for N. Main Street Improvements project in the amount of $21,120.24. All ayes, motion carried.
There being no further business, Wood declared the meeting adjourned at 7:41 pm.
