Home Sweet Home

City of Fairfax

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

          CITY OF FAIRFAX

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 13, 2010

 

                The regular meeting of the Fairfax City Council was held Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at Fairfax City Hall.  Mayor Rabe called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.  Council members present:  JoAnn Beer, Bernie Frieden, Travis Otto, and Marc Magers.  Marianne Wainwright was absent.  Other city staff present:  Cynthia Stimson, Nancy Flickinger, Ron Dusil, Lynn Miller, Dave Yanecek, and Cathy Bayne.

                Motioned by Frieden, seconded by Beer to approve the agenda and clerk’s financial reports.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, and Magers.  Absent:  Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                Motioned by Beer, seconded by Magers to approve and place on file the City Council minutes from March 9, 2010.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, and Magers.  Absent:  Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                Motioned by Frieden, seconded by Magers to approve and place on file the Planning and Zoning minutes from March 16, 2010.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, and Magers.  Absent:  Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                Motioned by Frieden, seconded by Beer to approve and place on file the Parks Committee minutes from February 18, 2010.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, and Magers.  Absent:  Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                Motioned by Magers, seconded by Beer to approve and place on file the Library Board minutes from March 2, 2010.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, and Magers.  Absent:  Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                Cathy Bayne stated that they are doing an inventory at the library.  They currently have a Kirkwood student doing an internship at the library.  A quote for concrete work at the library was reviewed.  This is maintenance work that is to be completed as soon as possible.

                Marianne Wainwright entered the meeting at 7:03 PM.

                Linn County Deputy Sheriff Lear distributed the list of calls.  The deputy was asked to have their staff watch for the following violations in Fairfax:  people riding non-licensed vehicles (such as golf carts and mini bikes) on the streets, vehicles not stopping at the stop signs at Church and Vanderbilt Streets, and construction vehicles not stopping at stop signs in the new development area.

                Fire Chief Mike Sankot reported that the fire department has an acceptable bid from Ed M. Feld Equipment Co., Inc. for the new truck.  The bid amount is $168,467.72.  It will take six to nine months to finish the truck.  The existing bond will be combined with the new one so that the department will have just one payment.  This will save about $1,000.  The fire department has bags they want to distribute to the fire district’s youth to use during the parade.  A report of the generator expenses was reviewed.  The City will reimburse the fire department for one half of these expenses.

                The maintenance department employees reported that the street sweeper is broken, the hedges have been trimmed, the disc is ready, the power is on at the parks, the port-o-pots are in place, and the pumps will be pulled after the beginning of the new fiscal year.

                The need for an accurate plan for Hawk’s Ridge Park was discussed.  Mayor Rabe will attend the next Parks Committee meeting.  After the plan is reviewed, JoAnn Beer would like the rest of the tree grant trees planted.  Parking at City Park was discussed.  The City will ask the Youth Sports Association to remind participants and spectators not to park on the street.

                Cathy Bayne stated that the facebook site, Promote Fairfax, has several users and someone needs to check it to answer questions.  Mayor Rabe will do this.

                ISU Extension has asked to hold a summer science camp in a park in Fairfax.  The clerk was directed to contact them and have them pick which park.

                Motion by Wainwright, second by Magers to table the RESOLTUION to combine the Parks Committee and Visioning Committee.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.  This will be discussed again after they decide on a new name.

                Mayor Rabe opened the public hearing concerning trail right-of-way acquisitions at 7:32 PM.  There were no oral or written comments submitted.  Mayor Rabe closed the public hearing at 7:33 PM.

                City Engineer Shane Wicks discussed the trail grant specifics.  He will check on changing some of specifications to keep the project within the projected budget.

                Motioned by Frieden, seconded by Wainwright to approve RESOLTUION 2010-23, A RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 FOR THE Water Meter Replacement and Upgrade to an Automated Meter Reading System Project.  Roll call vote:  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.  Mayor Rabe declared RESOLUTION NO. 2010-23 duly adopted.

                Motioned by Beer, seconded by Otto to approve RESOLTUION 2010-24, A RESOLUTION TO ISSUE PARTIAL PAYMENT #1 TO Elster AMCO Water, Inc. for the Water Meter Replacement and Upgrade to an Automated Meter Reading System Project.  Roll call vote:  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.  Mayor Rabe declared RESOLUTION NO. 2010-24 duly adopted.

             Motioned by Wainwright, seconded by Frieden to approve RESOLTUION 2010-25, A RESOLUTION APRROVING A FIREWORK’S PERMIT FOR WILLIAM T. BARRY.  Roll call vote:  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.  Mayor Rabe declared RESOLUTION NO. 2010-25 duly adopted.

                Street work price proposals were reviewed from LL Pelling, Inc. and Prairie Road Builders, Inc.

                Motioned by Magers, seconded by Frieden to accept the price proposal from Prairie Road Builders.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, and Magers.  Nays:  None.  Abstain:  Wainwright.  Mariannce Wainwright abstained due to the fact that she is employed by LL Pelling, Inc.  Motion carried.

                Karen Martin was present to discuss the water bill for the house at 116 Main Street.  This house was owned by her mother and has been empty for a long time.  Karen stated that she thought the water was off until they found a broken pipe leaking earlier this year.  The City Council asked staff to develop a procedure that will ensure water is off at any property that is not being issued a monthly bill.

                Motioned by Frieden, seconded by Beer to waive the current bill for 116 Main Street and have the City develop a procedure to avoid this type of situation in the future.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                Melissa Otto was present to discuss the water bill for the Star Bar.  When the remote water meter equipment was installed, the digital readout was disconnected without obtaining a final reading from that device.

                Motioned by Magers, seconded by Wainwright to adjust the amount due for the current bill at the Star Bar to the average bill amount from the last three months.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden,  Magers, and Wainwright.  Nays:  none.  Abstain:  Otto.  Travis Otto abstained due to the fact that he is co-owner of the Star Bar.  Motion carried.

                Motioned by Magers, seconded by Wainwright to approve the Star Bar’s renewal application for Class C Liquor License with Outdoor Service and Sunday Sales pending the endorsement of their dram insurance.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden,  Magers, and Wainwright.  Nays:  none.  Abstain:  Otto.  Travis Otto abstained due to the fact that he is co-owner of the Star Bar.  Motion carried.

                The City reviewed quotes from computer companies for a new server set-up for our computer network.  Separate subtotals for software, hardware, and labor were compared.

                Motioned by Wainwright, seconded by Otto to accept the bid from Network Computer Solutions without their listed Option 2.   Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                The City Council, Shane Wicks, and a few residents discussed the status of the restoration of the areas disturbed by the water main work last fall.  Seal coating can be done the first week in May.  Rathje Construction will be contacted about completing the necessary restoration as soon as possible.

                Mayor Rabe reported that he did not hear back from Casey’s General Stores Inc. regarding the proposed utility project.

                The second phase of the water main replacement project was discussed.  Losey Street area work is to added as an alternate.  It was stressed that all change orders are to be approved before the work is done and the engineer is to review the work.  The hearing will be held in May, bids in June, with work beginning in July, and ending in September.

                Motioned by Magers, seconded by Otto to accept the proposal from United Healthcare for short term disability for the full-time employees that is priced at $1,386.00 per year.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                Mayor Rabe presented a spreadsheet he is working on for capital improvements planning.

                Ron Dusil and Mayor Rabe discussed regrading the south side of the Linn Street street easement to improve drainage.  While this is being done, an area will be leveled for a trail area along Linn Street on the Murphy property land.  This work will not impact the Parks budget.

                The information about the salt and sand bunker is to be reviewed at the next meeting.  This is a capital improvement project the City hopes to complete right after July 1.

                The property at 510 Church Street was discussed.  The sidewalk needs to be fixed, lawn seeded, and then mowed all summer.  All costs are to be assessed against the property.

                Motioned by Magers, seconded by Beer to approve the Aramark Uniform Agreement for the next twelve months, with no price increase proposed.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                The clerk is to contact Aramark about a couple of issues with the uniform service.  Information about rug purchase costs was reviewed.

                Motioned by Magers, seconded by Otto to approve the Aramark Rug Agreement for the next twelve months, with no price increase proposed.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                Motioned by Otto, seconded by Beer to send the city clerk to the Iowa Municipal Professionals Academy in Ames July 21-23.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                The City will check on getting someone to cover the office while the clerk is away.

                The tree proposal submitted last fall by Fairfax State Savings Bank for Vanderbilt Street was reviewed.  The City will not be placing any type of tree in front of the apartment house as proposed.

                The City Council reviewed a listing of possible nuisance violations in town.  The Council is to view these and other areas to verify they have a complete listing.

                Motioned by Magers, seconded by Frieden to appoint Gib Boxa to the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                Mayor Rabe appointed Linda Pribyl to the Library Board of Trustees to serve the remainder of the term ending on July 1, 2012.

                Motioned by Magers, seconded by Otto to approve the claims list dated April 13, 2010.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.

                Ron Maxa, from 331 Highland Court, stated that the drainage area near his house is a mess.  The grass does not get mowed on a regular basis and there are rocks, trash, and weeds in this area.  It was stated that Gordon Sevig owns this ground.  The City Council wants the City to enforce these types of issues better.  A letter will be drafted informing developers of the City’s expectations regarding bare ground care.

                Shane Wicks stated that Brain engineering has made contact about the access to a pond slowing down water flow.  This issue will be reviewed.

                John Hill thanked the City Council for sending three Planning and Zoning Commission members to a recent seminar and for having council contact with the P & Z.  They are wondering about the status of the zoning map project and are going to review the comprehensive plan.

                Marc Magers stated that a resident is concerned about drainage tiles that were cut during a previous sewer project.  This area will be viewed.

                 It was suggested the City consider two regular city council meetings per month and revising the agenda so that citizens not on the agenda may make comments before the end of the meeting.

                Mayor Rabe stated that he did write Arp’s attorney and he did have a discussion with them about long term drainage issues.  He told Shane Wicks that he wants Hall and Hall to fix the issues at the sewer plant by May 11, 2010.

                Motioned by Frieden, seconded by Magers to adjourn the meeting.  Ayes:  Beer, Frieden, Otto, Magers, and Wainwright.  Motion carried.

             Mayor Rabe adjourned the meeting at 10:00 PM.

 

Mayor Jason Rabe

 

City Clerk Cynthia Stimson

 

Disclaimer:  The foregoing minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.

 

 

CLAIMS APRIL 13, 2010:

 

 

Current Events

Elected Officials

City Staff

Parks

Volunteer Boards

Fire Department

Library

City Council

Documents

2009 Council

FYSA