REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 9, 2017
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 9th day of March,
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:
Elwick, Hessenius,Hesson, Parmater, Parr. Absent: Stark.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hesson 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 February 23, 2017, approve invoices, receive and file the February
revenue and expenditure report, receive and file the Parks and Recreation Board meeting minutes
of February 9, 2017 and to approve the renewal of a class c liquor license with outdoor service
and Sunday sales for Vinton Country Club.
Council received a letter from Mary Fisher, 203 5th Ave., expressing concerns about an alley.
Hesson reported that the Institute for Decision Making guided the IBSSS advisory committee
on the process of searching for or deciding on alternative uses for that campus. The IDM gave
examples of repurposed buildings from other cities. Another session is scheduled for April 5th.
Public input is welcomed.
Mary Fisher, 203 5th Avenue, is not looking forward to having the grass alley on the north side
of her property changed to a gravel alley. Because of the upcoming E 3rd Street project, the
alley will be used to access off street parking for a couple rental properties. Fisher is concerned
about the traffic and gravel dust. Ron Benson, 408 E 2nd Street, asked if dirt would be needed to
raise up part of the alley. The street department will call to have utility lines located.
Jeff Young stated it took over 10 minutes to get the Don Martin (storm) Shelter opened the night
of the tornado warning. He suggested giving the key to the police department. Young also has
concerns about the warning siren. He does not feel the voice announcement is necessary, just the
siren sound.
Motion by Parmater, second by Hesson to pass a RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE
DISPOSAL OF AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY FOLLOWING A PUBLIC HEARING.
Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor
declared the motion carried anddeclared RESOLUTION 03-17-01 passed and approved.The lot
on A Avenue is sold to LDM, Inc. for $12,800 plus legal, publication and transaction expenses.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to pass a RESOLUTION TO AMEND ESTABLISHED
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES PURSUANT TO THE CITY OF VINTON CODE OF
ORDINANCES. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None.
The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-17-02 passed and
approved. This resolution removes the parking for persons with disabilities from the parking
space by 411 A Avenue.
Motion by Parmater, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO DECLARE CERTAIN
CITY PROPERTY AS SURPLUS PROPERTY. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson,
Parmater, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared
RESOLUTION 03-17-03 passed and approved. The fire chief is authorized to seek the highest
bid for the 1989 Simon ladder truck.
Motion by Elwick,second by Hessenius to approve filing the 2016 Annual Urban Renewal
Report to the State. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None.
The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to set a public hearing for the proposed budget for fiscal
year 2017-2018 for March 23rd at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the
motion carried.
Loren Leach, Veenstra and Kimm engineer, stated 3 different labs were used to test the west
water tower paint samples. The samples were positive for lead. Leach recommends removing
the old paint and repainting the tower. The new paint should last from 15 to 20 years. With
good weather, the project will take two months to complete. Motion by Parmater, second by
Parr to haveVeenstra and Kimm seek bids for this project. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor
declared the motion carried.
Council reviewed the City Code chapter 90, Water Service System. Water superintendent
Walker reported that they have not found a water leak near 707 6th Avenue. The property has
little water pressure. Attorney Fischer stated Council should not do anything against the City
Code. A water main will not be installed on this block. Administrator Ward will contact and
inform the three home owners about the decision to not install the water main.
Water superintendent Walker asked Council to consider adding the requirement to install a
water meter pit to the ordinance. He stated the City of Manchester has done this. Vinton has
installed one meter pit on Q Avenue. Administrator Ward will work on a draft ordinance adding
the water meter pit requirement.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to table the discussion on the proposed building permit
fee schedule. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF
FUNDS TO AIRPORT FUND. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr.
Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-17-04
passed and approved.
Motion by Parmater, second by Parr to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF
FUNDS FROM GENERAL FUND TO LIBRARY FUND. Question: Ayes – Elwick,
Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and
declared RESOLUTION 03-17-05 passed and approved.
Administrator Ward reported 1) ECICOG will be contacting property owners about the FEMA
flood buyout program. 2) FEMA will be in Vinton on Monday to look at the E 13th Street
bridge. 3) He will be attending the IMMI conference next week in Iowa City. 4) Met with Farr
Technology to discuss the telecommunications feasibility study and Ahlers and Cooney, bond
counsel about a telecommunications utility. 5) It’s time to move your clocks ahead one hour this
weekend. 6) He thanked council for their support the last two years. He won his court case
against his last town.
Clerk reported 1) City received FEMA funds reimbursing the city for flood expenses. 2) The
warning sirens will be checked out on Tuesday. 3) The City’s past auditing firm has sent notice
that their staff has changed and they will no longer be doing Vinton’s audits. A request for
proposals for auditing will be sent out soon. 4) The airport runway project will start in mid-April.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:25 p.m.
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk
Categories: 2017Meeting Minutes