The City of Fairfax Board of Aldermen met February 21, 2024. Present were: Ryan Kingery, Mayor; Tabitha Wintz, Debra Wyatt, Shannon Long, and Beth Graves, aldermen; Terry Miller, City Treasurer; John Brown, Water Superintendent; and Carol Clark, City Clerk.
The agenda was adopted.
Visitors
Monica Bailey, Atchison County Development Corporation, met with council to discuss the upcoming sales tax renewal vote.
Mike Klosek, Sr. and Mike Klosek, Jr. were present to discuss renewal/revision of the contract for providing trash pick up services for Fairfax residents. A 25% increase in the current rate is proposed.
Mark Adams with the Fairfax Rural Fire District met with the council to discuss the upcoming renewal of the agreement to provide fire protection for city residents.
The minutes of the regular meeting January 17, 2024, were approved, as well as accounts payable and financial statements.
New Business
A legal opinion on the draft agreement from Kloseks will be requested.
The fire protection agreement will be placed on the August agenda.
Staff Reports
Treasurer Terry Miller reported all accounts are in balance. Terry reminded the council of the maturity of a CD on March 9.
Water Superintendent John Brown reported that some water meters are needing to be replaced. The Hwy. 59 project has not yet started. The city will receive a grant to assist with lead service line inventory. A floor jack was purchased for the shop. John also gave an update on lagoon issues.He is working with a contractor to repair streets that have not held up.
City Clerk Carol Clark reported that membership dues for Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments ($368) and Northwest City Clerk and Finance Officers Association ($25) are due. Both were approved.
She also reported on the Atchison County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
There was an inquiry regarding political advertising on city property. This is not allowable.
New clerk training is March 10 in Columbia.
––
The City of Fairfax Board of Aldermen met March 20, 2024. Those in attendance were: Ryan Kingery, Mayor; Tabitha Wintz, Debra Wyatt, Shannon Long, and Beth Graves, aldermen; Terry Miller, City Treasurer; John Brown, Water Superintendent; and Carol Clark, City Clerk.
The agenda was approved.
Visitors
Verlon Persinger and Dennis Chitwood with Alliance Water were present to update the council regarding the expansion to include Nodaway County. Status of agreement at this time is that Nodaway County will not pay debt service amounts but will pay a higher per gallon of usage price. In addition to pricing the USDA bond criteria is being worked out.
The aldermen approved the minutes of the regular meeting February 21, 2024, and the minutes of a special meeting March 12, 2024.
Accounts payable and financial statements were also approved.
Old Business
The council directed the clerk to re-draft the agreement with Klosek’s to incorporate the council’s proposed changes. If those changes are accepted the council will enter the three year agreement increasing rates to $17.81 in 2025, $18.81 in 2026, and $19.81 in 2027.
Staff Reports
Treasurer Terry Miller reported that all accounts are in balance.
The CD has been renewed at 4.5% as per the council’s action.
There was discussion regarding potential street repair for summer. John will proceed to get costs to repair (possibly six blocks) of city streets.
Water Superintendent John Brown requested to retain Cody Frohn for summer work again. This was approved.
John and Steve will be out for trainings now and then to keep certifications current.
The city will need 12 loads of copper sulfate for lagoons.
John reported on working up some information for the Wastewater Feasibility Study that is being conducted by Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments and an engineer, Lamp Rynearson, has been retained.
City Clerk Carol Clark reported that in addition to system capacity and mapping that John has put together, the engineering firm has requested financials and rates for the past five years. This information was also provided to the council.
The city has had requests for park use but does not have guidelines. The consensus was to stay on a first come, first served basis and not scheduled through the city “no permission no liability” status. The clerk will report back if anything is learned from insurance company to modify this.
Workers Compensation rates increased significantly this year. The clerk is working with a company to get the separation of the city and fire department recognized.
City-wide clean up day was discussed and the city will attempt to schedule it for the first weekend in May.
Danny Kemerling was present, representing the Fairfax Improvement Foundation, to discuss some ideas to “Take Fairfax Back.” He expressed the foundation’s desire to work with the city in any possible way to further the improvement of the town.
The next meeting is April 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting was then adjourned.
