City of Fairfield City Council met Dec. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Meeting called to order by Acting Mayor Moore at 6:00 P.M.
Prayer led by Alderman Ralph Barbre followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. City Clerk Tina Hutchcraft called the roll:
Acting Mayor: Gary Moore
City Clerk: Tina Hutchcraft
Aldermen: Ralph Barbre; Brett Coale; Jim Griffith; Tyler Lampley; Eugene McGill; Jerry Lisenbee; Terry Stahl
Also Present: Ken Otey, WFIW Radio; David Mills, Wayne County Press; Keith Colclasure, Police Chief; Andrew Miller, Fire Chief; Flo Simpson; Dian Downs; Kayla Warren; and other citizens from the community.
The minutes of the meeting of November 24, 2020, agendas and bills of December 8, 2020 were sent out to those entitled to receive them. Acting Mayor Moore asked for approval of the minutes for the November 24, 2020 meeting. Motion by Alderman Griffith, seconded by Alderman Lampley to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 24, 2020.
Vote yes: Lampley; Lisenbee; McGill; Moore; Stahl; Barbre; Coale; Griffith
Vote no: none
Acting Mayor Moore declared motion carried.
Acting Mayor Moore asked for approval to pay the bills for the December 8, 2020 meeting. A motion was made by Alderman Barbre, seconded by Alderman Coale to approve the bills for payment.
Vote yes: Lisenbee; McGill; Moore; Stahl; Barbre; Coale; Griffith; Lampley
Vote no: none
Acting Mayor Moore declared motion carried.
Public Comments – Mary Ann Brownson called in to the meeting with some questions. She inquired about the status of the water tower grant. Mayor Moore stated that we haven’t heard from the state concerning the applied for grant.
She asked if the City had applied for the CARES Household grant that is available. Mayor Moore told her that the City has applied for the CURES grant but we are unaware of the type on monies she is talking about. We will research this and let her know what we find.
She also stated that she feels the City should pass an ordinance mandating masks. Mayor Moore told her that he feels this doesn’t fall within the right of city government and each individual business has the right to establish their own rules concerning the wearing of masks.
Ordinance No. 20-1208-240/Tax Levy - Mayor Moore presented the tax levy for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2021. This ordinance is for levying the general taxes for the City of Fairfield. The amount of the levy is $821,544.00. This amount is a 4.96% increase over last year’s levy.
We will be putting this money into the police and fire pension funds. A motion was made by Alderman Lampley, seconded by Alderman Stahl to approve Ordinance No. 20-1208-240 being the Fairfield Tax Levy Ordinance.
Vote yes: McGill; Moore; Stahl; Barbre; Coale; Griffith; Lampley; Lisenbee
Vote no: none
Acting Mayor Moore declared motion carried and Ordinance No. 20-1208-240 approved and duly adopted.
Ordinance Amending the City Code Concerning Fighting and Disturbing the Peace – Mayor Moore stated that this ordinance will give the police department the ability to write a municipal ticket for fighting and disturbing the peace. Disturbing the peace can include loud music, loud mufflers, etc. Once a ticket is issued it can be dealt with in municipal court. Tickets issued will be at the discretion of the police officers. Mayor Moore also mentioned that there could be exclusions if an event has been approved by the City such as Wayne County Fair events. A motion was made by Alderman Lampley, seconded by Alderman Coale to approve this ordinance.
Vote yes: Moore; Stahl; Barbre; Coale; Griffith; Lampley; Lisenbee; McGill
Vote no: none
Acting Mayor Moore declared motion carried and Ordinance No. 20-1208-241 approved and duly adopted.
Ordinance Concerning the Opening and Closing of Streets, Alleys, and Sidewalks – Currently the ordinance for opening and closing streets costs $275 (opening fee of $250 and a refundable dirt removal fee of $25 that is given back to the applicant. The ordinance states that the contractor is to bring the opening to a level six inches below the street surface and the City will finish the closing to its original condition. The City is losing money the way the ordinance is written. Mayor Moore stated this amendment to the ordinance will require an opening fee of $500 and the contractor will be required to return the street surface to its original condition and shall remove all dirt and debris from the opening site. The work of the applicant shall be under the supervision of and to the satisfaction of the St. and Bridge Superintendent or his or her designate. Alderman Barbre felt the ordinance needed to have more specifics about how the opening is to be brought back to its original condition. After more discussion a motion was made by Alderman Griffith, seconded by Alderman Lisenbee to approve the ordinance to update the code concerning opening and closing of streets, alleys, and sidewalks.
Vote yes: Stahl; Coale; Griffith; Lampley; Lisenbee; McGill; Moore
Vote no: Barbre
Acting Mayor Moore declared motion carried and Ordinance No. 20-1208-242 approved and duly adopted.
Resolution No. 20-1208-365/Declaring a Surplus of Funds in TIF District No. 1 – Mayor Moore told the Council that he would like to declare a surplus of funds in the TIF District in the amount of $453,000 so the money can be returned to the taxing bodies. A motion was made by Alderman Barbre, seconded by Alderman Coale to approve Resolution No. 20-1208-365 declaring a surplus of 453,000 in TIF District No. 1.
Vote yes: Barbre; Coale; Griffith; Lampley; Lisenbee; McGill; Moore; Stahl
Vote no: none
Mayor Moore declared motion carried and Resolution No. 20-1208-365 approved and duly adopted.
Award Bid for Police Department Renovations – We recently approved seeking bids for work at the Police Department for ADA compliance for the lobby, restrooms, and doors. Clark Construction submitted a bid in the amount of $49,500. This will be paid out of grant monies. A motion was made by Alderman Griffith, seconded by Alderman Lampley to award the bid to Clark Construction.
Vote yes: Coale; Griffith; Lampley; Lisenbee; McGill; Moore; Stahl; Barbre
Vote no: none
Mayor Moore declared motion carried.
Resolution No. 20-1208-366/Release of Executive Session Minutes – City Attorney Rice reviewed the minutes of the Executive Session meetings. His recommendation to Council was to keep all minutes closed at this time. Alderman Lampley made a motion, seconded by Alderman McGill to approve Resolution No. 20-1208-366 regarding the release of executive session minutes.
Vote yes: Lampley; Lisenbee; McGill; Moore; Stahl; Barbre; Coale; Griffith
Vote no: none
Mayor Moore declared motion carried and Resolution No. 20-1208-366 approved and duly adopted.
Resolution No. 20-1208-367/Authorizing Destruction of Recordings – Alderman Stahl made a motion, seconded by Alderman McGill to approve Resolution No. 20-1208-367 authorizing the destruction of audio recordings for closed session meetings.
Vote yes: Lisenbee; McGill; Moore; Stahl; Barbre; Coale; Griffith; Lampley
Vote no: none
Mayor Maguire declared motion carried and Resolution No. 20-1208-367 approved and duly adopted.
Miscellaneous – Mayor Moore thanked the Chamber of Commerce for organizing the Christmas Parade this year.
Adjourn Meeting – Motion by Alderman McGill, seconded by Alderman Lisenbee to adjourn the meeting.
Vote yes: 8
Vote no: 0
Acting Mayor Moore declared meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
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