REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 12, 2018
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 12th day of April,
2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided
and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present:
Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr. Absent: Stark.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mayor Maynard said he would like to amend tonight’s agenda by moving the proclamation
from new business to Citizen’s Input. Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to approve the
amended agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Parr 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 March 22nd, approve invoices in the amount of $683,511.54, receive
and file the March revenue and expenditure report, approve the renewal of a class c liquor
license for La Reyna, approve the renewal of a class c beer permit and a class b wine permit with
Sunday sales for John’s Qwik Stop, approve the renewal of a class b beer permit with Sunday
sales for Pizza Hut, and to receive and file the Airport Commission meeting minutes of March
21st and the Parks and Recreation Board meeting minutes of March 8th
.
Edwards reported the business type activities committee met to discuss seeking a new garbage
and recycling hauler. This will be discussed later tonight with consultant Laura Liegois. The
Mayor reported that the public safety committee met to discuss animal control.
Abby Michael, Riverview Center advocate for sexual assault victims, read a proclamation
stating that April 2018 is sexual assault awareness month. After the reading, Mayor Maynard
signed the proclamation.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a
proposed budget amendment for the current fiscal year. The East Third Street project was started
a year later than originally planned. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION AMENDING THE
CURRENT BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2018. Question: Ayes –
Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion
carried and declared RESOLUTION 04-18-01 passed and approved.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION SETTING TIME OF
HEARING ON A PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO VACATE A PORTION OF A STREET.
Question: Ayes – Edwards, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr. Abstain – Elwick. Nays – None. The
Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 04-18-02 passed and approved.
This will be a portion of E Avenue between 8th and 9th Streets. A public hearing will be held on
April 26th at 7:00 pm.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to pass a RESOLUTION TO SET A HEARING AND
GIVE NOTICE ON A PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING DISTRICT
MAP (811 D AVENUE). Question: Ayes – Edwards, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr. Abstain –
Elwick. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION
04-18-03 passed and approved. The public hearing will be held on April 26th at 7:00 pm.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius 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 (WEST SCHOOL).Question: Ayes – Edwards,
Hessenius, Hesson, Parr. Abstain – Elwick. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion
carried and that said ordinance had been given its initial passage.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO AMEND ESTABLISHED
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES PURSUANT TO THE CITY OF VINTON CODE OF
ORDINANCES. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr. Nays – None.
The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 04-18-04 passed and
approved. The “no turn on red light” for westbound traffic on 4th Street at the K Avenue
intersection will be removed.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Edwards to approve a request for proposals for curbside
residential solid waste and recycling collection that was prepared by Laura Liegois, Municipal
Connections. After discussion, the topic was tabled until the next meeting. Liegois will make
some changes and present the new RFP at the next council meeting. A new hauler may give
residents a choice of using trash bags, carts or dumpsters for the collection of their garbage.
Administrator Ward explained options for the City on tax abatements and tax increment
financing. He has spoken with bond counsel, Bob Josten with Dorsey & Whitney. Josten’s
opinion is that tax abatement is best used for single and multi-residential housing. Tax rebates
are better for industrial and commercial properties. Also, the City could have an agreement with
a company to abate just the city portion of the taxes.
Council reviewed information on trap, neuter and return of feral or stray cats. No action was
taken on this subject. It will be discussed at the next council agenda.
Administrator Ward reported that he and Chief Paxton had looked at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 3rd Street. They also viewed the intersection of 3rd Street and 7th Avenue. They
recommend no changes in street signage.
Parr inquired about the property at 615 A Avenue. It was reported that the owners will be at the
next council meeting.
Council discussed a cost estimate from Northway Well and Pump Co. to investigate well #2, a
Jordan Well. No action was taken to approve this cost estimate. Council’s general consensus
was to have Administrator Ward talk with Veenstra & Kimm to see about capping off this well.
Motion by Parr, second by Hesson to approve submission of a grant application to IDOT for a
hangar door improvement project. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion
carried. The cost estimate for this project is $85,000. If the grant is awarded, the city’s share of
the cost for this project will be $17,000.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to set a public hearing date for a proposed airport fuel
dispenser improvement project for May 10, 2018 at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor
declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to approve the appointments of Charlie Garwood, Gary
McKenna, Scott Geissinger, Greg Helmuth, Ted Paxton, Ron Hessenius, Scott Hansen and Chris
Ward to FEMA study committee to search for a relocation for the fire station, police department
and North Benton Ambulance garage. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion
carried.
Administrator Ward reported: 1) received inquiry about possibly having an RV park on the
north end of K Avenue. This is in the city limits. 2) Attended an Alliant meeting. Natural gas
prices are expected to increase this winter. 3) The water tower paint project should be in June. 4)
Digest pump at the sewer plant is working. 5) Will be discussing the 13th Street project with the
contractor, Anstoetter. 6) The airport duck pond could be part of the watershed management
project.
Clerk reported that lineman Jeff Kenney suggested replacing the old US flags that are displayed
on 4th Street and 1st Avenue. The cost estimate is $6,500. Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to
approve this purchase. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Memorial Day, Flag Day and the Fourth of July are coming up soon. A complaint about the
rough intersection at W 3rd Street and N Avenue was received. VMEU is looking into
constructing a sidewalk on the north side of the generation plant. This would give a better
foundation for when HESCO barriers are set up for flood mitigation.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:43 p.m. ________________________________ Max (Bud) Maynard, Jr. Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk