REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 24, 2016
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 24th day of March, 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.
The Mayor stated that item 8 G needed to be deleted from tonight’s agenda. Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to approve the amended agenda. Question: Aye – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark 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 March 10, 2016, receive and file the Library Board meeting minutes of March 9, 2016, receive and file the Airport Commission meeting minutes of March 16, 2016 and to approve a 6 month class b beer permit with Sunday sales for Benton County Agricultural Society Inc.
Council received a letter from Herb’s Garbage Hauling requesting amendment to solid waste agreement. The current agreement does not address the recycling expense. Council’s general consensus was to have Administrator Ward contact Cedar Valley Recycling in Waterloo and have them bill the City directly for the recycling. Also, the City will reimburse Herb’s for recycling that was billed to them.
Rich Hainstock, VU BOG member, stated that a Cedar Rapids developer is interested in developing the land south of the high school. A variety of housing, such as duplexes, fourplexes and single family homes will be planned. Medium and large lots will be plotted. Seven acres will be green space for a trail and storm water retention. Garages may be built in the back of homes if alleys are made. The developer would put in the water, sewer and streets. A TIF district would have to be designated. The TIF would pay back costs to the developer. The land will have to be annexed into the City limits.
Motion by Hesson, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION SETTING TIME OF HEARING ON A PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO VACATE AN ALLEY. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-16-05 passed and approved. The alley is the east-west alley in block three of West Vinton Addition, behind Kromminga Motors. The hearing is set for April 14, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Parr to approve the repair estimate from Hupp Electric Motor for $5,408.13 to repair the water pump at the plant. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to approve the purchase of a grinder pump, aka Muffin Monster, for lift stations or the wastewater treatment plant. The purchase cost from JWC Environmental will be $24,672 less a trade-in of $12,605, for a net cost of $12,067.00. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Mayor Watson stated he asked four different businesses for bids to remove shingles from 803 E 2nd Street. Only one bid was received. Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to approve a quote of $500.00 from Fairbanks Construction to remove shingles from 803 E 2nd Street. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The City will have to haul away the shingles and the fire department will schedule the burning of this property.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to table the topic of water drainage at 1304 E 7th Street until the next council meeting on April 14th. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Sixty feet of plastic tile could drain water from Lamphier property to the Martin property. A storm water permit from DNR will be needed if this tile is installed.
Correspondence from Fehr Graham engineer Nate Kass indicated that a developer was interested in developing the Anderson ground south of the high school. This was previously discussed tonight.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to receive and file the audit report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward reported that IMWCA had called him stating they will not be renewing the City’s workers’ compensation insurance on July 1, 2016. He has not received written notification as of yet. Equipment for working in confined spaces will be ordered.
Chief Paxton and Attorney Fischer have worked on a modification of the current golf cart ordinance. This will be on the next council agenda.
Chief Paxton asked Council to consider a full-time office assistant for the police department. He stated that there is long list of possible duties for an assistant. Motion by Parmater, second by Stark to approve hiring a full-time office assistant for the police department. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Chief Paxton also stated that he has started working more on nuisance abatements.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF MORTGAGE. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-16-06 passed and approved. The mortgage for 709 2nd Avenue is released.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO AIRPORT FUND. Question: Ayes – Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – Elwick. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-16-07 passed and approved.
Motion by Parmater, second by Hessenius to approve the purchase of a ULV sprayer for $8,700.00. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to approve the Library’s request to block parking along its north side on E 5th Street on April 5th from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a bus museum on Iowa’s development. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Jeff Peterson to the Library Board, replacing Scott Tandy. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve the appointment of Nathan Hesson to the Vinton Community Foundation for a 5 year term. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward reported 1) work on Hwy. 150 bridge will start late this spring. Traffic will be down to one lane for a while. Traffic on 2nd Street will be closed off during the bridge repairs. 2) Shopko is holding its grand opening this weekend. 3) He attended the Creative Corridor committee meeting. 4) He is seeking bids to remove shingles off 908 and 910 Avenue and bids for demolition of this duplex.
Good & Welfare: The Fire department had a great turn out for their fish fry.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:45 p.m.
_____________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk