REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 24, 2017
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 24th day of August,
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, Maynard, Parr. Absent: Stark.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Maynard to approve the agenda. Question: Aye – All. The
Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, 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 August 10, 2017 and to approve the renewal of a class c beer
permit with Sunday sales of New Century FS.
Council received the July building inspections report.
Maynard reported the public works committee met with VGH representatives to discuss
ownership of Cedar View Drive. It was decided to have the street department do a test run of
snow removal, on the first 3” or more snow fall this winter, on this private street.
Elwick reported the public safety committee met to discuss a property maintenance ordinance.
They recommend adopting a modified ordinance from the City of Waukee.
Nick and Brenda Krull, 1009 3rd Avenue, stated they are still seeking cost estimates for repairs
to their barn. They should have a quote within 2 weeks. If the quote is $15,000 or less, they will
start repairs hopefully this fall or winter. If the quote is higher, they plan to dismantle the barn
and build a garage. Council asked them to contact the City Administrator in two weeks.
Council’s general consensus was they want to see some action on this barn by next spring.
Kent Stufflebeam stated he liked the downtown traffic lights in the red-flashing mode. He
thought the traffic flowed smoothly when the lights were flashing red. Council’s general
consensus was to have the lights changed back to flashing. Changing traffic signs or signals
should be done by a resolution. They asked Administrator Ward to talk to VMEU about the
lights.
Council reviewed a draft letter, addressed to the Board of Regents. Melissa Schwan, VU,
asked Mayor Watson to appoint up to 6 members to the group that will be discussing the IBSSS
campus with the Board of Regents. Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to send this letter of
interest to the Regents, in regards to the possible purchase of the campus. Question: Ayes –
Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Maynard, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion
carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to adopt an ORDINANCEAMENDING THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, BY AMENDING PROVISIONS
PERTAINING TO WATER RATES. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Maynard,
Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been
given its second consideration.
Nate Kass, Fehr-Graham engineer, stated the E 3rd Street projectis going better, but with a few
lingering issues. Because of service line issues and water testing he asked for a total extension of
eleven working days. Motion by Maynard, second by Hessenius to grant seven working days
extension and withhold decision on the additional four days. Question: Ayes – Elwick,
Hessenius, Hesson, Maynard, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Kass stated the contractor Schmitt feels there is a material change in the project for the sanitary
sewer lines. Council asked him to report at a future meeting the dollar amount for this change.
Kass was also asked for an updated work schedule.
Administrator Ward stated that Attorney Fischer will be working on a demand letter related to
an issue with the 13th Street project.
Mike and John Elwick, owners of land just outside the city limits, asked if the City would supply
water service to their Stoney Arch 2nd and 3rd Additions. The first addition will have private
wells. Administrator Ward stated a development agreement is necessary. Motion by Parr,
second by Hessenius to supply water to the Stoney Arch 2nd and 3rd Additions. The size of the
water supply line is yet to be determined. After discussion, the motion and second were
withdrawn. Council will discuss this again at their next meeting.
Loren Leach, Veenstra & Kimm engineer, was contacted by Administrator Ward and
Superintendent Walker to do a capital improvements plan for the water department. Motion by
Maynard, second by Hessenius to approve a Professional Engineering Services Agreement with
Veenstra & Kimm for Future System Planning Study for the water system. Question: Ayes –
Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Maynard, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion
carried. The cost of this study is not to exceed $15,000.00. Leach stated they will make their
recommendation in a couple of months.
Leach stated the sewer plant is meeting requirements of the NPDES permit that was granted a
year ago by DNR. He said polyphosphate is being used to lower the copper levels at the sewer
plant. They are working on a facility plan to send to the state. They will be asking the state for a
10 year extension on plant improvements. Funding options for improvements at the waste water
treatment plant are revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, CDBG grant or a low interest State
Revolving Fund loan. The improvements may be broken down into three stages. The sewer
plant in nearly 40 years old. Veenstra & Kimm will be back early next year to discuss
improvements to the plant.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to approve the exchange of skid loaders from the street
department to VMEU and from VMEU to the sewer department. The net payment from VMEU
to the City will be $18,900. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Maynard, Parr. Nays
– None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Maynard to approve a request to block off the gravel road by Marv
Lindsey ball field on Friday, Aug. 25th from 6 pm to 10 pm and all day Saturday, August 26th
because of BoomTown. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Maynard, second by Elwick to adopt an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE
OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA BY MODIFYING PROVISIONS OF
THE VINTON NATURAL GAS FRANCHISE, ORDINANCE NUMBER 896, RELATING TO
FRANCHIS FEES. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Maynard, Parr. Nays –
None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its initial
passage. Alliant has requested to remove the administrative cost recovery charge.
Council reviewed City Code 121.11(E)1. This deals with accessory use buildings and their
type of construction. Parr would like to allow steel, but not used steel and not galvanized steel.
A resident from 510 6th Avenue stated they had applied for a variance to the board of
adjustments for a storage shed with steel on it. This board met on August 16th and the request
for the variance was denied. The owners have 30 days to take down the shed.
Administrator Ward reported the Lions Club would like to set up trailers on the city lot just west
of the railroad between 3rd and 4th Streets to collect scrap metal, from September 22nd to
October 2nd. Council’s general consensus was to approve this request. Ward also stated he will
be attending the League’s annual conference in Davenport the last week of September.
Clerk reported: 1)Received notice that the PAPI lights are not working on the airport’s runway
09. 2) There are still many deer at the airport and 3) The building inspector needs to contact the
new owners of the old “East” school building.
Captain Dickinson reported that multiple agencies will be assisting the police department with
traffic control this weekend.
Good & Welfare: BoomTown & BoomFest are this weekend.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 9:22 p.m.
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk
Categories: 2017Meeting Minutes