REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 27, 2016
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 27th day of October, 2016, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Watson presided and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present: Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Absent: None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mayor Watson stated that one item needed to be added under old business, to discuss the housing study. Motion by Parmater, second by Stark to approve the amended agenda. Question: Aye – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are to receive and file the Council meeting minutes of October 13, 2016, receive and file the Airport Commission meeting minutes of September 21, 2016, approve the renewal of a class c liquor license with Sunday sales for Mickey’s Bar, approve the renewal of a class b native wine permit with Sunday sales for Henkle Creek and to approve a new class c beer permit for Brent E Anderson LLC.
Elwick reported the Public Safety Committee had met to discuss building inspections. Stark stated this committee recommends to council to restructure building inspector position, to change the fee schedule and to use an inspection log. They also recommend searching for a certified electrical inspector, a code enforcer and a mechanical and plumbing inspector.
Parmater reported the watershed management authority had met. The hiring committee for a manager has been selected. They anticipate a manager to start on February 1st.
Ron Geiger, VFW representative, with David Dods and Dennis Miller requested permission for the 7th annual Veteran’s Patriotic Christmas parade on November 17th. The parade is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm. They would also like the police department to escort this parade. Motion by Hesson, second by Parmater to approve the parade requests. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Joan Flecksing, candidate for county supervisor, introduced herself to Council.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a proposed loan agreement related to refunding outstanding bonds. There were no comments. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION SETTING DATE FOR SALE OF $1,475,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2016, AND APPROVING PRELIMINARY OFFICIAL STATEMENT. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 10-16-03 passed and approved. The hearing is set for November 10th at 7:00 pm. Refunding the bonds will lower the interest rate, reducing interest expense by about $86,000.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to pass a RESOLUTION PROPOSING DISPOSAL OF AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY BY SALE AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 10-16-04 passed and approved. The property at 803 E 2nd Street will be sold at auction on Nov. 10th at 7:00 pm. The opening bid is $14,241.65.
Motion by Stark, second by Parmater to approve a contract with WRH, Inc. for wastewater system improvements, including ultraviolet light disinfection system replacement and valve replacements. The bid is $331,121.00. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Hesson stated that the public safety committee recommends having non-profit organizations also pay for building permits. Stark said the City should seek a certified electrical inspector. Hesson received an email from building inspector J. Michael showing another town’s fee schedule based on square footage. Hessenius commented the hospital had called for footing inspections. A future public safety committee meeting will be scheduled when the building inspector can attend.
Council discussed sending a reply to the Board of Regents CEO, Dr. Robert Donley, about the future of the IBSSS campus. Attorney Fischer stated an offer for the campus should come directly from the Board of Regents to the Vinton City Council. It was suggested to invite Board of Regent staff members to a council meeting. It was also suggested to send a Vinton representative to the Board of Regents meeting. Stark and Hesson have attended a Braille Facility Working Committee meetings. Hesson asked about the Kiwanis Park lease. The lease will expire at the end of the year. The Parks and Recreation department wishes to renew it with the permission to add a splash pad. Attorney Fischer will follow up on this request for the lease renewal. It was finally decided to not send a letter to Dr. Robert Donley.
Chief Paxton stated that the sheriff’s department would be serving a civil violation to 615 A Avenue. This is in reference to a nuisance. Administrator Ward stated he was notified by email that the old braille school power plant on W 8th Street has new owners. The owners are planning to convert it to apartments. Council wants the doors and windows boarded up. Attorney Fischer and Administrator Ward will send a notice to the new owners to abate the nuisance.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to proclaim November 17th as World Pancreatic Cancer Day in the City of Vinton. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward will set a meeting for a representative from Maxfield Research and Consulting to review the housing needs assessment study with Council.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to set Halloween Trick or Treat hours on Monday, October 31st from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to set the second Council meeting in November for Monday, November 21st, starting at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward said that Nate Kass, Fehr Graham engineer, would attend the next Council meeting. The bid letting for the E 3rd Street project is set for March 21st. ECICOG will be distributing federal funding for this project.
The asbestos removal from 608 and 610 A Avenue is scheduled for early November. Over $25,000 has been raised for the K-9 unit. Seventy-Seven golf carts have been registered. RFSW auditors were here this week. A new beacon has been installed at the airport.
Chief Paxton reported Officer Parmater would be selecting the canine unit early in November. A six week training session with the dog would be shortly after that. His administrative assistant McKibben has been sending out notices to abate nuisances. One property has removed four vehicles thus far.
Good & Welfare: The Public Library in early November will be taking reservations online up to five items free of charge. A new aerial photo of Vinton is at City Hall.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:50 p.m.
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk