The Fairfax Board of Aldermen met Wednesday, October 20, 2021. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ryan Kingery at 6:32 p.m. with a prayer. Roll was taken. Others in attendance were: Debra Wyatt, Tabitha Wintz, Michael Oswald, and Kristi Duering, aldermen; City Clerk Lori Helfers; Treasurer Danny Kemerling; Water Superintendent John Brown; City Attorney Taryn Henry; Fairfax resident Anton Theas; and Butch King.
The tentative agenda was approved.
Anton Theas and Butch King were present to discuss with the council a water bill and property nuisance letters Mr. Theas has received. In regards to the water bill, the council will discuss the issue and have Lori inform Mr. Theas of their decision. As for the property nuisance letters, the council agreed to give the property owner a detailed list of items to be cleaned up. At that time, they will grant him a 30 day extension before considering any action against his property. Anton and Butch left the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Dakota Jones was not present at the meeting. He came in earlier in the day and gave Lori an update on progress with his disabled vehicle that is sitting on Main Street. It seems he has been in email contact with the loan company, but is having very little luck getting the information needed on the vehicle. The council would like to contact the Sheriff’s Department and see if they can assist in getting the vehicle moved.
Taryn Henry, City Attorney, was present to visit with the council and answer any questions or concerns.
The meeting moved into executive session at 7:20 p.m. The board resumed regular session at 7:50 p.m. Taryn left the meeting at 7:52 p.m.
The regular meeting minutes of September 15, 2021, were approved. Accounts payable was also approved.
Tabitha Wintz, Debra Wyatt and Kristi Duering attended the Missouri Municipal League (MML) meeting concerning the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds on October 12. No final ruling has yet to be made. The first project and expenditure report is due April 30, 2022. Funds must be committed by December 2024 and paid out by December 2026. MML is advising recipients to open a new account just for ARP funding and to be patient and not spend any funding until the final ruling is handed down.
Tabitha Wintz made contact with Megan Miller, attorney. Megan will be getting some information and pricing together on the demolition of dangerous buildings. Tabitha asked the council members to start getting a list of questions together so Megan has an idea of what is needed.
Staff Reports
Danny Kemerling presented his treasurer’s report showing that all accounts are in balance.
Lori Helfers gave a report on the status of nuisance letters that have been sent out and the letters being forwarded to the city’s attorney.
John Brown reported that the trees in the park have been taken down and clean-up will be done by Friday.
The walk on the west side of city hall will need to be postponed until spring due to some unforeseen circumstances by the contractor.
Nutri Ject will be here to finish cleaning the lagoons the first week of November.
John and Lori also gave a report on the CDBG grant that is now open. Several deadlines have been set for different phases of the grant. A public hearing will be held at November’s council meeting. The council will have the completed grant application by December 1. This will allow the council time to look over the grant application and make any revisions that they feel necessary before the final deadline to turn in on December 31.
The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
