REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 24, 2015
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 24th day of June, 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. Absent: Vermedahl.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark 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 the council meeting minutes of June 11, 2015, approve invoices, approve renewal of class c beer permit with native wine and Sunday sales for Ehlinger’s Vinton Express, receive and file the airport commission meeting minutes of June 17, 2015, approve applications for cigarette/tobacco permits for Ehlinger’s Vinton Express, Fareway, Dollar General, John’s Qwik Stop, Casey’s General Store and Fast Stop.
Judy Elwick is concerned about the safety of young passengers riding on golf carts. Infants and children are required by law to be in car seats when riding in automobiles. She suggested age 14 for children, the age when they start getting their automobile driving permits. This topic was referred to the Public Safety Committee, which will meet on July 9th.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing to declare 802 E 2nd Street as a nuisance property. Administrator Ward stated the owner was notified of this hearing and was not present. Numerous attempts had been made previously to contact the owner of the property, to have the property cleaned up and repaired. Pictures of the property were shown to council. Two options for council to consider are demolition of the house or a warrant for arrest. The Mayor closed the hearing. Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to declare a finding of public nuisance for said property. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Parmater to adopt AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE VACATION OF AN ALLEY IN VINTON, IOWA. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its third consideration.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to now adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared ORDINANCE 1013 duly adopted.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A CONTRACT WITH CHAUFFEURS, TEAMSTERS, AND HELPERS LOCAL 238 AFFILIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 06-15-01 passed and approved.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH FEE FOR PEDDLER/SOLICITOR/TRANSIENT MERCHANT PERMIT REGISTRATION. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 06-15-02 passed and approved. The fee is set at $50.00 per application.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO FIX A DATE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON A LOAN AGREEMENT IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,075,000 RELATED TO FINANCING STREET AND RELATED IMPROVEMENTS AND REFUNDING OUTSTANDING BONDS. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 06-15-03 passed and approved. The hearing is set for July 9th at 7:00 p.m..
Motion by Stark, second by Parmater to approve a request from Ron Da Voo for outdoor seating on the sidewalk and into the street, on July 23rd, when RAGBRAI comes through town. The area will be fenced off. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Council discussed housing with VU’s BOG members, Don Eells and Bob Koenigsfeld. They encouraged council to promote a housing development. Interest rates are very low. If new houses were available, new families could move to Vinton. New houses would also grow the tax base. Administrator Ward suggested building 3 homes on the 3 lots the City owns on Q Avenue. All infrastructure is in place. It could be more economical to do 3 homes all at the same time. The City could partner with the school, hospital and local banks and businesses to get this accomplished.
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. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 06-15-04 passed and approved.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM EMPLOYEE BENEFIT INSURANCE PERMIUM FUND TO GENERAL FUND. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 06-15-05 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM WINDSTORM FUND TO GENERAL FUND. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 06-15-06 passed and approved.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM GENERAL FUND TO FLOOD MITIGATION FUND. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLTUION 06-15-07 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve pay estimate #2 for Eggleston Concrete Contractors for runway 9/27 improvements in the amount of $135,012.10. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parmater, second by Bendull to approve the Mayor’s reappointments of Jeff Mangold and Scott Tandy to the Library board, each for a 4 year term. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Rich Hainstock requested residential use for 507 1st Avenue. He plans to build one or two condos upstairs, with 4 parking spaces below. There is residential use in both abutting buildings to the north and south of this property. Motion by Hessenius, second by Parmater to approve this request. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Mayor Watson reported he attended an AmeriCorp NCCC meeting. They gave the City a plaque thanking the City for their continued support.
Administrator Ward reported: 1) Received update report from Veenstra & Kimm on the I & I study. 2) Looking at developer agreements. 3) City elections this fall. Could have a ballot question on fiber optics. 4) Council could consider a storm water utility to help fund storm water expenses.
Clerk reported: 1) The Iowa League of Cities annual conference is Sept 23-25 in Cedar Rapids. 2) City Hall will be closed July 3rd. 3) New copier was delivered. 4) Received copy of request from Officer Joshua West to Chief Paxton for designation as Senior Patrol Officer. Motion by Hessenius, second by Elwick to approve this designation. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Chief Paxton reported: 1) One more candidate interview is scheduled. 2) The part-time officer pay rate is on the low side.
Cedar Valley Humane Society is planning a workshop in Vinton on spaying or neutering cats.
Good & Welfare: Party in the Park starts tomorrow.
Motion by Parmater, second by Elwick to go into closed session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)i. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Time: 9:00 p.m..
Regular session reconvened: Time 9:09 p.m..
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 9:10 p.m..
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk