REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
February 5th, 2024
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, February 5th, at 6:00 pm in the Community Room at the Fayette Community Library under the law and rules of said council, Mayor Post presiding. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll call: Present - Council members Larson, Lowery, Luchsinger, Potratz, and Scott.
Moved Potratz seconded Larson, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 1/16/24 and, Approval of the amended claims list 1/13/24 – 2/02/24. Roll Call. All Ayes, motion carried.
Citizen Comments: Andrew Wenthe addressed the council with a petition signed by citizens who would like to see the Volga Recreation Trail completed. Louise Scott of Fayette spoke positively about Councilor Janice Larson in her work toward finding information about the trail. Scott also advocated for the completion of the trail providing pages of a petition of Fayette residents wanting to complete the trail. Scott requested that the item be brought back onto the council agenda in the future. Sue Runyon of Fayette spoke positively toward the completion of the trail with hopes that Bolger funds would be used to pay for the trail and the city would use funds from Local Option Sales Tax or Hotel/Motel Tax. Runyon also made note that she lives next to the trail and many people are using it daily. Councilor Larson mentioned two grants that the city could apply for. Mayor Post mentioned looking into funding as well as putting a committee together to apply for grants on behalf of the city. The mayor and council agreed that this will be something the Finance Committee looks at this budget season. Finance Committee meetings are open meetings and agendas are posted 24 hours in advance at the post office, bank, and city hall.
Motion Scott, Second Luchsinger to approve the agenda. Roll Call. All ayes, Motion carried.
Mayor Post recommended to the council that they appoint April Ransom to the Library Board. Mayor Post also recommended appointing Wanda Crawford to the Park and Rec Board. Mayor Post told the council that he has several meetings planned with the finance committee and other city groups throughout the next couple of weeks. Mayor Post gave kudos to the Fire Department for volunteering to shovel out fire hydrants around the city.
Motion Scott, Seconded Lowery to approve adding April Ransom to the Library Board. All ayes. Motion Carried.
Motion Larson, Seconded Potratz to approve adding Wanda Crawford to the Park and Rec Board. All ayes. Motion Carried.
City Administrator/Clerk Mark Hawes stated in his written report that he worked with previous city administrator/clerk, Kris McGrane on sending out W-2s and 1099’s as well as the FY 25 budget process.
Police Chief Davis informed the council that he spent last week at the state capitol meeting with dozens of representatives advocating against the ban on automated traffic enforcement cameras.
Library Director Annette Butikofer informed the council that she and library board members are advocating against a piece of legislation (SSB 3166) changing the verbiage from “The city shall support their library” to the “The city may support their library”. This change could set a precedent for libraries to lose funding from their city.
Motion Potratz Seconded Lowery to receive minutes from Economic Development Committee Meeting and Finance Committee meeting. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Lowery Seconded Larson to table approving payment for the Downtown & Neighborhood Revitalization Program to Bob Schultz. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Scott, Seconded Luchsinger to table discussion on permitting outdoor live music from 6pm-11pm on 6/29/24 at 103 Washington St. All Ayes, motion carried.
Motion Scott, seconded Lowery, for the City to join the Fayette Chamber of Commerce at the going membership rate and table chamber funding to another meeting. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Scott Seconded Luchsinger to move forward with getting bids for altering the Open-Air Market sign and updating it to Hofbauer Park (as originally named). All Ayes, motion carried.
Motion Luchsinger, Seconded Lowery, to approve selling the 2017 Police Ford Explorer to Iowa Law Enforcement Academy for $7500. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Potratz Seconded Larson to check with the Ambulance Department Chief regarding how they want to handle Ambulance CD at maturity.
Moved Lowery, seconded Larson, 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.
Motion Larson Seconded Scott to open the open session. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion Scott Seconded Lowery that Mayor Post move forward with directions as discussed during closed session. All ayes. Motion Carried.
Potratz moved to adjourn the meeting. There being no objections, Post declared the meeting adjourned at 7:44pm.
