REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 9, 2015
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 9th day of April, 2015, 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: Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Absent: None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are: receive and file Council meeting minutes of March 26, 2015; approve invoices totaling $504,843.05; receive and file the March revenue and expenditure report; receive and file the Library Board meeting minutes of March 11, 2015 and approve the renewal of a class B beer permit with wine coolers and Sunday sales for Pizza Hut.
Council received a Thank You from Evergreen Cemetery for the financial contribution.
Stark reported that the General Government, Community and Economic Development Committee had met with some members of Vinton Unlimited’s Business Opportunity Group to discuss promoting housing. The committee wants to find possible financing sources.
This committee also met to discuss supervisor wages. Administrator Ward had made a recommendation. Both topics will be considered at future meetings.
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. Street projects and an airport runway project are part of this amendment. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTUION AMENDING THE CURRENT BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2015. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 04-15-01 passed and approved.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to adopt an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO OPEN BURNING. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its initial passage. Burning hours were specified from 7 AM to 9 PM.
Motion by Stark, second by Parmater to approve a letter of engagement with Independent Public Advisors, LLC. IPA will review utility rates. The total cost will be $9,000.00. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The business owner, Tionna Pooler, will review utility rates and analyze TIF areas.
Motion by Vermedahl, second by Hessenius to approve an agreement with Veenstra and Kimm for engineering services, for flow metering and a design study for the wastewater treatment plant. The cost is not to exceed $81,000.00. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Bendull, second by Stark to approve the 5K run route on Sept. 12th. A previous request had the wrong date. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Street Superintendent Erickson reviewed possible street projects. Map21 funds are available through ECICOG, with a 20% match. East 3rd Street, from 3rd to 9th Avenue was one suggestion from Erickson. Cost estimates will be coming from Fehr-Graham Engineering.
Motion by Vermedahl, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM SPECIAL REVENUE SE TIF FUND TO DEBT SERVICE FUND. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 04-15-02 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM SPECIAL REVENUE WEST TIF FUND TO DEBT SERVICE FUND. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 04-15-03 passed and approved.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM SPECIAL REVENUE WEST TIF FUND TO SEWER FUND. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 04-15-04 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Bendull to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM BENEFIT INSURANCE PREMIUM FUND TO GENERAL FUND. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 04-15-05 passed and approved.
Motion by Stark, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM FICA & IPERS FUND TO GENERAL FUND. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 04-15-06 passed and approved.
Mayor Watson asked Council to consider funding options to promote a housing growth or development. Tax Increment Financing, tax abatement and a housing rehab program are possibilities. Special assessments for a street could be used. Ward will contact Tracey Achenbach with ECICOG to discuss financing options for developing housing. The electric utility purchased land that could be developed for housing. A preliminary plat would be necessary for any land that might be developed for housing. Mayor Watson and Administrator Ward will discuss this with the electric utility board.
Administrator Ward stated that a tree would be removed from Mud Creek.
A memo about the golf cart ordinance will be printed on utility bills.
The recycling trailer, for cardboard only, will be at the county shop again.
Chief Paxton reported receiving many applications for the police department. He also stated that they plan to switch to the traditional reserve program. All the training will be conducted in-house and follow the ILEA curriculum.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:20 p.m..
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk