REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 10, 2015
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 10th day of September, 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, Parmater, Vermedahl. Absent: Hessenius, Stark.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to approve the agenda. Question: Aye – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Bendull, second by Parmater to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Parmater, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are receive and file the Council meeting minutes of August 27, 2015, approve invoices, receive and file the August revenue and expenditure report and approve the renewal of a beer and wine permit with Sunday sales for Jolly Roger Pizza.
James Souder, Keramikos Solutions, explained a proposal that his company, along with AlphaGen, has for replacing manholes. He says these manholes won’t erode. Council wants to hear a recommendation from Waste Water Superintendent Walker. This item will be on the next council agenda.
Motion by Parmater, second by Bendull to pass a RESOLUTION TO CHANGE POLICY REGARDING SALE OF THE REMAINING LOTS OF MAPLE LANE SUBDIVISION PART ONE TO THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Parmater, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-15-01 passed and approved. The 3 remaining lots will be sold at a public auction.
Motion by Bendull, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION PROPOSING DISPOSAL OF AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY BY SALE AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Parmater, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-15-02 passed and approved. The public hearing is set for Sept. 24th. The minimum bid for Lot 5 in Maple Lane is $2,000.00.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION PROPOSING DISPOSAL OF AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY BY SALE AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Parmater, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-15-03 passed and approved. The public hearing is set for Sept. 24, 2015. The minimum bid for Lot 7 in Maple Lane is $2,000.00.
Motion by Bendull, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION PROPOSING DISPOSAL OF AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY BY SALE AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Parmater, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-15-04 passed and approved. The public hearing is set for Sept. 24, 2015. The minimum bid for Lot 9 in Maple Lane is $2,000.00
Kurt Karr and Nathan Hesson talked about fiber optics services in Vinton. It has been 10 years since the last time voters were asked about forming a telecommunications utility. Many residents are interested in having local high speed internet available. If a telecommunications utility is established then a feasibility study could be done. The current franchise expires next year.
Motion by Vermedahl, second by Bendull to pass a RESOLUTION CALLING A SPECIAL CITY ELECTION. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Parmater, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-15-05 passed and approved. Two questions will be added to the voting ballots in November. The first question is about establishing a Municipally-Owned telecommunications Utility. The second question is about placing the management of a telecommunications utility with Vinton’s Municipal Electric Utility Board of Trustees.
Administrator Ward has received one housing market study proposal from Maxfield Research. Their cost for this study would be $14,715. Ward stated that after having a housing needs assessment done, tax credits may be available to housing developers. Council asked Ward to see if any grant money is available. Motion by Vermedahl, second by Elwick to have the administrator send out RFPs for a housing needs assessment. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ketchen Inc. is planning to remodel John’s Qwik Stop. They asked to use part of the public right-of-way along B Avenue. The final plans would be needed first. An ordinance on the public parking would need to be amended. Council’s general consensus was this could be approved.
Mayor Watson reported: 1) an inquiry on a stop sign for traffic going north on 1st Avenue at 3rd Street, 2) wants action on the empty lot on W 6th Street, 3) house destroyed by fire on 10th Avenue, 4) properties with tall weeds, 5) informational meeting with residents along E 3rd Street about the improvement project.
Administrator Ward reported: 1) a watershed management meeting will be held at City Hall on Sept. 16th, 2) he will be attending the League of Cities conference on Sept. 23-25 and the ICMA Conference Sept. 26-30.
Clerk reported: 1) inquiry about Trick-or-Treating for Halloween 2) received one chicken permit application and payment 3) need to transfer funds to the Library, a resolution will be on the next council agenda 4) NEIRL regional meeting on Sept. 29.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:10 p.m.
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk