REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
February 20th, 2024
The City Council of the City of Fayette, Iowa, met Monday, February 20th, 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 Potratz, Larson, Scott, Lowery, and Luchsinger.
Moved Potratz seconded Larson, to approve the consent agenda items consisting of the regular meeting minutes of 2/05/24 and, Approval of the claims list 2/3/24 – 2/16/24. Roll Call. All Ayes, motion carried.
Citizen Comments: Dan Bolberg addressed the council to clear up any misconceptions stating that the redemption money from the can donation location in Fayette all goes to non-profit organizations around the Fayette area. James Opperman of the Kornhill Redemption Center was present at the meeting and provided a donation to the American Legion with Scott Bowen of Fayette present to accept the donation. Opperman offered to donate to causes in the Fayette area. Opperman stated that donations from redemption total $160-$200 per month returned to the community. Opperman requested for those donating cans to please tie the bags shut to make it easier to pick them up.
Motion Scott, Second Lowery to approve the agenda. Roll Call. All ayes, Motion carried.
Mayor Post in his report, talked about the finance committee meetings on the budget that were held over the past week. Mayor Post met with Andrew Wenthe at UIU to discuss different ways to work together.
Upon recommendation from the Fire Department meeting minutes 2/13; Motion Scott, Seconded Luchsinger to approve adding Zach Bennett to the Fire Department. All ayes. Motion Carried.
City Administrator/Clerk Mark Hawes stated in his written report that he worked with previous city administrator/clerk, Kris McGrane FY25 budget process. The budget process is coming along with the finance committee having multiple meetings over the past week.
Police Chief Davis informed the council that he is working with UIU to finalize their contract. Picking up the new police vehicle from the outfitter this week.
Fire Chief Kenny Schulmeister promoted to the council that the Fire Department Spaghetti Supper will be March 9th. The Spaghetti Supper starts at 5PM at the Fayette Fire Station.
Ambulance Service Director Roger Post reported that the Fayette Ambulance/EMS Waffle Breakfast will not be held in April, instead it will be held the Saturday morning of the Sesquicentennial celebration weekend.
Library Director Annette Butikofer informed the council that there is legislation that the state is trying to pass that would do away with the library board and put the city council in charge of community libraries.
Motion Scott Seconded Larson to approve the Second Reading of Ordinance 519. Roll Call. All ayes. Motion Carried.
Motion Larson Seconded Lowery to pull out Ambulance CD at maturity and put into a 5 month CD to obtain highest interest rate. All ayes, Motion Carried.
Motion Lowery Seconded Larson to accept receipt of minutes from Finance Committee meetings from 2/7, 2/13,2/14, 2/16, and 2/19. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Scott Seconded Luchsinger to approve receipt of Fayette Community Library Board of Trustees meeting minutes from 1/10/24 and Fire Department meeting minutes from 2/13/24 All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Potratz, Seconded Larson, to approve building permit for Brian and Anita Vanous All Ayes, motion carried.
Motion Potratz, seconded Luchsinger to hire Tiffany Johansen of Johansen Consulting as a Human Resources Consultant for the City at the package agreed to during finance committee meeting. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Potratz, Seconded Lowery to hire Curtis Steil as a Public Works Technician pending background check All Ayes, motion carried.
Motion Scott, Seconded Lowery, to approve the purchase of 2 ALS jump bags up to $2,000 from the current budget. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Motion Scott Seconded Lowery for the approval of 3 active threat medical bags for Fayette Ambulance Service up to $4,000 from the current budget. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Luchsinger, Seconded Larson, to use the American Rescue Funds by the end of FY25 on a CIPP Pipe Lining project repairing sewer lines throughout Fayette. All ayes, motion carried.
Motion Lowery, Seconded Larson, to close the open session approve Roll Call, All Ayes, motion carried.
Motion Scott, 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 end closed session Roll Call, All Ayes, Motion Carried
Motion Potratz, Seconded Scott to open the open session. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion carried.
Motion Scott Seconded Potratz to table topic discussed during closed session for a later date. Roll Call.
Ayes: Larson, Luchsinger, Potratz, Scott. Nay: Lowery Motion Carried.
Potratz moved to adjourn the meeting. There being no objections, Post declared the meeting adjourned at 7:22pm.
