REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AUGUST 27, 2015
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 27th day of August, 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 Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda. Question: Aye – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Parmater 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 August 13, 2015, receive and file the Parks and Recreation Board meeting minutes of August 13, 2015 and receive and file the Library Board meeting minutes of August 19, 2015.
Kurt Karr and Jason Hicok presented Council with a petition. Motion by Stark, second by Vermedahl to accept the petition requesting a referendum question to authorize a local telecommunications utility. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Motion by Vermedahl, second by Bendull to have a resolution on the next council agenda for this referendum question. Question: Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Tim and Jane Osborn, 615 A Avenue, were present. They stated they have made progress on their nuisance abatement notice. Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to allow the Osborns until November 1, 2015 to finish up the nuisance abatement. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Brad Barker, Parks and Recreation director, explained the Park and Rec board’s recommendation on the city owned housing. The assistant director is on call beyond normal business hours and helps with security by living there, close to the pool and the city’s largest park, Riverside Park. Motion by Vermedahl, second by Parmater to approve the Park and Recreation Board’s recommendation to make a policy to require a park employee to live in the city owned property at 701 Park Drive. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Council reviewed resolutions proposing disposal of an interest in real property by sale and notice of public hearing. These resolutions deal with the 3 city owned lots on Q Avenue. The lots will be auctioned off after a public hearing, with a minimum bid of $2,000.00. A resolution to change the policy on selling lots in Maple Lane subdivision will be on the next agenda, followed by the resolutions proposing the disposal of the lots.
Motion by Vermedahl, second by Bendull to approve pay estimate #3 for runway 9/27 improvements to Eggleston Concrete for $47,898.53. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
The property at 908 A Avenue which has sustained fire damage and is empty was discussed. Motion by Parmater, second by Hessenius to direct the city attorney to proceed with obtaining this abandoned property. Question: Ayes – All. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The abutting property owner Scott Keeling has expressed interest in purchasing the lot.
Motion by Bendull, second by Elwick to approve a supervised display of fireworks done by Bar-Y-Pyro on September 4, 2015. Question: Ayes – All. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve a sidewalk reimbursement to Albert Thomsen, 213 W 10th Street in the amount of $500.00. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Parmater to approve the disbursement of budgeted funds to HACAP in the amount of $6,028.00. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward reported on the National Disaster Resilience Competition. The Rockefeller Foundation has donated funding to the federal government for areas declared as presidential disaster areas in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. Tama County and Benton County meet the criteria to apply for this funding. Vinton is eligible because of Hinkle Creek and Mud Creek. A watershed management authority should be formed. The county will discuss forming a 28E agreement for this authority. Benton County supervisors will discuss this at their meeting on September 1st.
Administrator Ward reported attending a meeting at Farm Service. They are working voluntarily on nutrient reduction into the waterways. This will help the wastewater plant’s treatment process. He also attended a FEMA meeting. He stated there are potential property buyouts of flooded areas.
Clerk reported a recent sidewalk project will be assessed to the property at the owner’s request.
Chief Paxton reported he will be purchasing/closing on his property soon. Six more nuisance abatement letters will be mailed soon. He attended a Boomtown meeting with Stark and Iowa Pyrotechnic Association. They discussed traffic control, planning temporary No Parking along South 2nd Avenue for this event.
Good & Welfare: BoomTown & BoomFest & Art in the Park are this weekend.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:20 p.m..
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk