REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 25, 2018
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 25th day of January,
2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided
and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present:
Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Stark. Absent: Parr.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor
declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Edwards to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes –
All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are to receive and file
the council meeting minutes of January 11, 2018, to receive and file the Library Board meeting
minutes of December 13th and January 10th and to receive and file the Airport Commission
meeting minutes of January 17th.
Hesson reported that a work session was held prior to tonight’s council meeting to discuss
sidewalks. They reviewed a sidewalk ordinance from the City of Maquoketa. They are
considering updating Vinton’s sidewalk ordinance. Another work session will be held on Feb.
8th at 6:00 pm to discuss this topic some more.
Mayor Maynard announced that now was the time and place to hold a public hearing on a
proposal to enter a lease for a Morton-type building at the airport. This is a 20 year lease with
Michael Zenisek and Edward Zenisek. Leon Whelchel, Airport Commission Chairman, stated
that Mike Zenisek is an asset to the airport. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to approve a RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE
DISPOSAL OF AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY BY LEASE FOR A TERM OF MORE
THAN THREE YEARS FOLLOWING A PUBLIC HEARING, with the amendment of the
starting date to be February 1, 2018. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson,
Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 01-
18-04 passed and approved.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to approve a RESOLUTION TO SET TIME AND PLACE
FOR CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION. Question:
Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the
motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 01-18-05 passed and approved. The hearing is set
for February 22nd at 7:00 pm.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to approve a RESOLUTION APPROVING PLAT OF
SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 85 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST SE ¼ NW ¼ (WOOD AND
BURKEY FIRST ADDITION) TO VINTON, IOWA. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick,
Hessenius, Hesson, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared
RESOLUTION 01-18-06 passed and approved.
Stark reported that there are items on the public right-of-way adjacent to the property located at
615 A Avenue. The owners were ordered by the court to abate the nuisance, to clean up this
property. Administrator Ward stated that city attorney Fischer has suggested filing a contempt of
court for this issue. After discussion, Council directed Ward to write a letter to the owners
stating that the City will be removing items from the public right-of-way that is adjacent to this
property. The police department will deliver this letter to the owners. It was suggested to video
tape the property prior to clean up and after clean up. Expenses for this clean up will be assessed
against the property. A contempt of court may be filed for the nuisance that remains on the
property, not in the public right-of-way.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to approve the following appointments Bethany Gates to
the Board of Adjustments 01/18 to 12/22; Kimberly Noe to the Airport Commission 01/18 to
12/23; Darrell Kenney to the Airport Zoning 01/18 to 12/23; Chris Ward to the Benton County
Emergency Management 01/18 to 12/19; Nate Edwards to the Benton County Community
Foundation 01/18 to 12/20; Ted Paxton to the Benton County E911 01/18 to 12/19; Tami Stark
to Benton Development 01/18 to 12/21; Nathan Hesson alternate to Benton Development Group
01/18 to 12/21; Lori Smith to the Building & Housing Board of Appeals 01/18 to 12/21; Tami
Stark to the Building & Housing Board of Appeals 01/18 to 12/21; Jon Kremer to the Electric
Utility Board 01/18 to 12/23; Kim Meyer to the Electric Utility Board 01/18 to 12/20 (replacing
John Anderson); David Vermedahl to the Hospital Board 01/13 to 10/19; Michelle Elgin to the
Hospital Board 01/10 to 10/19; Bud Maynard to the Hospital Board 01/18 to 12/19; Nathan
Hesson to the Hotel Tax Revenue Committee 07/18 to 12/19; John Watson to the Landfill
Commission 01/18 to 12/18; Tami Stark to the Landfill Commission 01/18 to 12/18; Dean Luze
to Planning & Zoning 01/18 to 12/22; Mike Timmerman to Planning & Zoning 01/18 to 12/22;
Brian Parr to Vinton Unlimited 01/18 to 12/19; Chris Ward as the Zoning Administrator 01/18 to
12/19.
Nate Kass, Fehr-Graham engineer, reported he had been told that there is cracking on the new
East 3rd Street. This is near a storm water drain. The City has not yet accepted this project.
Kass has talked with IDOT District 6 about this. Kass stated he intends to have the contractor do
any repairs for this cracking at the contractor’s expense.
It was reported that a few people were recently inside to Old East School building scraping out
metal. Contact was made with the owner. He was told to not go inside, since the building
inspector has condemned the building as unsafe to be inside. Administrator Ward has scheduled
a meeting with the owner. Council asked Ward to have any entrance to this building boarded up.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to approve a request for proposal, RFP, for developer
proposal for the IBSSS campus. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Three developers have toured the campus.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to consider building code inspection service through
ECICOG. After discussion, no action was taken ECICOG’s offer. It was suggested to consider
sharing a building code enforcer with another community or communities. Council’s public
safety committee members will search for information on this topic.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to receive and file the Water Distribution System Study
from Veenstra & Kimm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Mayor Maynard reported he had met with Dawn Pettengill and Tim Kapucian to discuss the
IBSSS campus.
Administrator Ward reported he is making progress on buyouts for two flood properties.
Council’s budget work session is January 29th at 6:00 pm. Ward will be in court on Monday for
the recent animal rescue.
Chief Paxton reported that eleven interviews were done. They have narrowed the candidate
pool down to five candidates for the second round of interviews. The interviews are scheduled
for February 5th.
Clerk reported the City received an insurance safety dividend refund for more than $33,000.
The goal setting session with the Institute of Public Affairs will be on Feb. 13th at 6:00 pm.
VMEU is hosting a retirement open house for Mark Smith tomorrow afternoon.
Good & Welfare: The recently rescued animals are receiving good care.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:10 p.m. ________________________________ Max Maynard, Jr. Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk