SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 27, 2017
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 27th day of December,
2017, 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:
Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Absent: None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The
Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius 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 December 14, 2017 and to receive and file the Airport Commission
meeting minutes of December 20, 2017.
The Public Works Committee had met on Dec. 20th to discuss a retaining wall for 717 E 3rd
Street. This topic is later on tonight’s agenda.
Loren Leach, V & K engineer, recommended the low bid of $294,400 for the water tower
project from Utility Service Co. The bid is below the cost estimate of $450,000. Leach
commented that Utility Service is a national company, out of Georgia. He reported they had
worked with this company on two projects last summer. Motion by Parr, second by Stark to
award a bid for the West Water Tower Repair and Recoating Project to Utility Service Company,
Inc. for $294,400.00. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays
– None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve the low bid of $20 per square foot from Dirt to
Turf for a retaining wall at 717 E 3rd Street. The City will pay up to $5,610 and owner Ken
Hanson will pay anything over this amount. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius,
Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to approve pay estimate #4 to Dave Schmitt Construction
Co. Inc. in the amount of $247,012.71. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson,
Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. There was a water main
break on 7th Avenue near 3rd Street last night. Hessenius asked Fehr-Graham engineer Nate
Kass about the supporting ground near the connection of the water main break. Kass will check
specifications for this connection.
Motion by Hesson, second by Elwick to approve paying VMEU $24,675, which is half the
expenses for the telecommunications feasibility study expense, initial legal review and
consulting expense. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays –
None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward reported that council will be discussing a building permit for 615 A
Avenue at their next meeting. A discussion about the old East School building and the old
braille school power plant took place. Administrator Ward has discussed the process of
acquiring commercial properties that are a nuisance or condemned with attorney Bill Sueppel Jr.
of Meardon, Sueppel and Downer. Parr would like to make an offer to purchase the properties.
Ward will check into possible Brownfield grants to assist with potential future clean up
expenses.
Clerk reported that the Benton County Solid Waste Disposal Commission will be reducing the
per capita rate by $2 for the next fiscal year. Mayor Watson added that this commission is also
planning to reduce the per capita rate in the following year.
Good & Welfare: Mayor Watson thanked Bud Maynard for his assistance with the E 3rd
Street project. He also thanked the all city employees for their support over the years.
Administered by retiring Mayor Watson, Bud Maynard took the oath of office as Vinton’s new
Mayor.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 7:40 p.m. ________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk