HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-2020 Council Minutes CITY OF FAIRFAX
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 27, 2020
A special meeting of the Fairfax City Council was held October 27, 2020. In order to help
stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, this meeting of the Fairfax City Council was held
electronically. Chapter 21.8 of the Iowa Code does permit an electronic meeting where all
members participate remotely when an in-person meeting is impossible or impractical, which is
certainly true during this crisis. On March 19, 2020, Governor Reynolds issued a Proclamation
of Disaster Emergency which included a suspension of Iowa laws that would prevent the use of
electronic meetings or the limitation on the number of people present at an in-person meeting
site. Therefore, only the mayor and city clerk/treasurer were present at Fairfax City Hall at 300
80th Street Court. The agenda had this message posted more than 24 hours in advance to give
instructions on how others could participate in the meeting:
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the City of Fairfax will only have the mayor and city clerk/treasurer
at city hall. The City of Fairfax will also be holding this city council meeting electronically via a
conference call. If you would like to participate, at least 10 minutes before the meeting start
time, you must call 425-436-6370 and enter this access code: 759797.
If you are having difficulty connecting to the meeting you can:
1. Send a text message to the conference dial-in number. Text"Help" to receive a text message
with a temporary backup number. Tap the number in your text to dial it.
2. Or you can text"Call Me" to receive a call that connects you with the dial-in.
3. Once connected, enter your access code as normal.
Mayor Frieden called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Councilmembers present were:
Travis Otto, Mike Daly, Kate Pacha, Nick Volk, and Marianne Wainwright.
Motioned by Otto, seconded by Daly to approve the consent agenda. Ayes: Otto, Daly,
Pacha, Volk, and Wainwright. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Discussion was held regarding waiving building permit fees for new construction which is a
rebuild due to derecho damage. Previously the City Council waived fees for repairs due to the
derecho.
Motioned by Otto, seconded by Pacha to waive the building permit fees for any
reconstruction due to damage from the 2020 derecho. Ayes: Otto, Daly, Pacha, and Volk.
Nays: None. Abstain: Wainwright. Marianne Wainwright abstained because family members
own such a building. Motion carried.
Motioned by Volk, seconded by Daly to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2020-95,A
RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF $4,575,000 GENERAL
OBLIGATION ANNUAL APPROPRIATION URBAN RENEWAL BONDS, SERIES
2020B AND PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY OF TAXES (SUBJECT TO NON-
APPROPRIATION) TO PAY THE SAME. Ayes: Otto, Daly, Pacha, Volk, and Wainwright.
Nays: None. Motion carried. Mayor Frieden declared RESOLUTION 2020-95 duly adopted.
Motioned by Daly, seconded by Pacha to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2020-96,A
RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF $1,280,000 GENERAL
OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2020C AND PROVIDING FOR THE
LEVY OF TAXES TO PAY THE SAME. Ayes: Otto, Daly, Pacha, Volk, and Wainwright.
Nays: None. Motion carried. Mayor Frieden declared RESOLUTION 2020-96 duly adopted.
Mayor Frieden stated that a complaint has been filed with the Iowa Public Information Board
against the mayor, council, and staff personally in connection with the August 18, 2020, city
council meeting. The complainant has requested a significant fine be issued. The City of Fairfax
has turned this issue over to the city attorney, who will file our response.
Motioned by Otto, seconded by Pacha to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: Otto, Daly, Pacha,
Volk, and Wainwright. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Frieden adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:06 PM.
Mayor Burnell G. Frieden
City Clerk/Treasurer Cynthia K. Stimson
Disclaimer: The foregoing minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.