REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 21, 2016
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 21st day of November,
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:
Hessenius,Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Absent: Elwick.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mayor Watson stated one item needed to be added to the agenda under new business, to approve
filing the annual TIF report. Motion by Parr, second by Hesson to approve the amended agenda.
Question: Aye – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes –
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
November 10, 2016, receive and file the Airport Commission meeting minutes of October 19,
2016and November 16, 2016 and to receive and file the Library Board meeting minutes of
November 9, 2016.
Stark reported that the Public Safety Committee met to discuss building inspections and code
enforcement. They recommend appointing Jerry Michael as the code enforcer. This
appointment is later on tonight’s agenda. The committee plans to restructure the building permit
fee schedule.
David Condry gave an update on Above the Influence Coalition. This group works to prevent
underage drinking and drug use in Benton County. They have been awarded grant funding for
another five years. Condry stated that the State Social Host law passed in 2014 only includes
alcohol and youth up to age 17. Cailyn Martin, high school senior, asked council to consider
adopting a Social Host Ordinance. Motion by Parmater, second by Hesson to have the police
chief, city administrator and city attorney draft an ordinance for council to review at the next
meeting. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parmater, second by Parr topass a RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE DISPOSAL
OF AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY FOLLOWING A PUBLIC HEARING. Question:
Ayes – Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion
carried and declared RESOLUTION 11-16-04 passed and approved. Casey Cooling will
purchase this property for $15,100 plus closing expenses.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE
OF $1,445,000 GENRAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2016, AND
PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY OF TAXES TO PAY THE SAME. Question: Ayes –
Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried
and declared RESOLUTION 11-16-05 passed and approved.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A TEN
YEAR LEASE FOR KIWANIS PARK WITH THE IOWA STATE BOARD OF REGENTS
ACTING FOR THE IOWA BRAILLE AND SIGHT SAVING SCHOOL.Question: Ayes –
Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried
and declared RESOLUTION 11-16-06 passed and approved.
Dennis Fratella, Acumen Benefit Advisor, stated that Acumen would like to provide an
employee benefit package for the city. He suggested quarterly meetings with the administrator
and semi-annual meetings with council. He feels they could reduce expenses for the city and
employees. Council will discuss health insurance at budget time. Fratella was asked for
references from other communities similar in size to Vinton.
VMEU requested the City share in the cost of a feasibility study for a local telecommunications
utility. They anticipate a cost between $60,000 and $75,000. Motion by Hesson, second by Parr
to share in the cost of this study. The dollar amount will be determined at budget time.
Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr to appoint Jerry Michael as the City’s code enforcer. Question:
Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the formation of a Special Advisory Committee.
Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Parmater to adopt an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, BY AMENDING THE OFFICIAL
ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY(Druschel). A property on F Avenue will be rezoned
from R-1 Single Family District to R-3 Multiple Dwelling District. Question: Ayes –
Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried
and that said ordinance had been given it initial passage.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION TO SET A PUBLIC
HEARING AND GIVE NOTICE THEREOF RELATIVE TO EXERCISING AUTHORITY TO
ESTABLISH URBAN REVITALIZATION TAX EXEMPTIONS (John’s Qwik Stop).
Question: Ayes – Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared
the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 11-16-07 passed and approved.
Motion by Parmater, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE
TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM SPECIAL REVENUE SE TIF AND SPECIAL REVENUE
WEST TIF TO DEBT SERVICE FUND. Question: Ayes – Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr,
Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 11-
16-08 passed and approved.
Motion by Parmater, second by Hesson to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER
OF FUNDS FROM GENERAL FUND TO LIBRARY FUND. Question: Ayes – Hessenius,
Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and
declared RESOLUTION 11-16-09 passed and approved.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the Capital Improvement Plan for the airport.
Question: Ayes – Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared
the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to set a work session on December 8th at 6:00 p.m. to
review the housing needs assessment study. If Maxfield Research Consultants can come early
the work session will start at 5:00 p.m. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion
carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Parmater to approve a sidewalk reimbursement of $1,000 for the
corner lot at 901 E 4th Street, owner Elwick Electric. Question: Ayes – Hessenius, Hesson,
Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parmater, second by Parr to approve filing the annual tax increment financing report
with the county auditor. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Mayor Watson reported there are a couple houses in bad shape that he would like taken down.
Administrator Ward stated he would be speaking to a Webelos Cub Scout troop this week. He
also said Vinton residents could recycle glass again.
Clerk reported that a budget amendment will be necessary due to the refinancing of a bond
issue.
Good & Welfare: Happy Thanksgiving.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:20 p.m.
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk

Categories: 2016Meeting Minutes