REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 8, 2016
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 8th day of December,
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, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Absent: Hessenius.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hesson to approve the agenda. Question: Aye – All. The
Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – Elwick,
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, 21, 2016,
approve invoices, receive and file the November revenue and expenditure report and to receive
and file the Parks and Recreation Board meeting minutes of November 10, 2016.
Stark reported that Council had a work session with Maxfield Research Consultants. They
reviewed the housing needs assessment study.
Kurt Karr stated that he and Tom Richtsmeier, VMEU General Manager, had met with
Waverly Utility. They discussed steps to forming a telecommunications utility.
Mayor Watson stated he would like to expand the electric utility board by two members. The
new members would have IT knowledge or expertise, aiding the formation a telecommunications
utility.
Motion by Hesson, 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). Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hesson,
Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said
ordinance had been given its second consideration.
Administrator Ward stated that the Board of Regents proposed to have Kevin Kacena perform
a study of the IBSSS campus facilities. He has worked there several years. The Regents
originally planned to have ISU due the study, but the estimated cost is $23,000 and this amount
is not in their budget. Administrator Ward also stated that the Institute for Decision Making will
be in Vinton on Dec. 21st to tour the IBSSS campus. Councilwill hold a work session that day,
Dec. 21stat 9:00 a.m. to also tour the braille school buildings. The membership of the special
advisory committee was discussed. It will be a large group divided into three subgroups. One
for facilities review, one for economic aspects and one for visionary ideas. There was discussion
of whether or not to require the membersto live in the city limits.Motion by Hesson, second by
Stark to have Administrator Ward respond the Regents email, voicing Council’s concern that
having Mr. Kacena do the facility study and not ISU was not what they had agreed to when Mr.
Nash and Mr. Saunders attended the Council meeting on November 10th. Council would also
like to invite the Regents back to the next Council meeting on Dec. 22nd. Question: Ayes – All.
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION TO LEASE PURCHASE
POLICE VEHICLE FOR FY 2016-2017. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hesson, Parmater, Parr,
Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 12-
16-01 passed and approved.
Motion by Parmater, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER
OF FUNDS FROM LOCAL OPTIONS SALES TAX FUND TO DEBT SERVICE FUND.
Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the
motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 12-16-02 passed and approved.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to set a public hearing on a proposed budget amendment for
FY 2016-2017 for Dec. 22nd at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the
motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to approve the Mayor’s reappointment of Mike Barron the
Electric Utility Board of Trustees for a six year term. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor
declared the motion carried.
Mayor Watson reported as he said earlier, he intends to add two members to the electric utility
board. He stated that at budget time he hopes council will approve some funding for the
telecommunications feasibility study. He also would like to have three or four houses taken
down, that are in bad shape.
Administrator Ward reported an East 3rd Street project meeting will be held on Dec. 15th.
Nate Kass, Fehr-Graham Engineer, will be here. A court date of Jan. 25th is set for the Osborn
nuisance complaint. He has been gathering a lot of information for FEMA since the flood. And,
the A Avenue duplex demolition was delayed because the contractor assisted the family of the
recent dairy barn fire.
Clerk reported Vinton Fire Department received a newer ladder truck. Attorney Fischer closed
on the E 2nd Street lot and the City received payment for this lot.
Good & Welfare: The Library had 11 entries for the Gingerbread house contest.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:10 p.m.
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk
Categories: 2016Meeting Minutes