REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
NOVEMBER 9, 2017
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 9th day of November,
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, Parr, Stark. Absent: None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
In the recent city elections, Nathan Edwards received the most write-in votes for the 3rd ward
council seat. Administered by Mayor Watson, Edwards took the oath of office as the 3rd ward
councilman.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hesson to approve the agenda. Question: Aye – All. The
Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark 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 October 26, 2017, approve invoices in the amount of $510,703.34,
receive and file the October revenue and expenditure report, receive and file the Parks &
Recreation Board meeting minutes of October 12, 2017 and approve the renewal of a class C
liquor license with Sunday sales for Mickey’s Bar.
Council viewed pictures of a sidewalk at 302 4th Avenue. Owner Lola Brown has expressed
concern to Administrator Ward about the cracks in the older part of the sidewalk that was not
replaced. Engineer Nate Kass does not think there is any change in the old sidewalk. Council
took no action on this subject.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a proposed public auction
for Lot 5, Maple Lane Subdivision, on Q Avenue. The minimum bid required is $1,500. The
new owner will be required to build a house within two years of ownership. The utility shed will
be relocated from this property yet this fall. The Mayor closed the hearing.
One bid of $1,500 was received for Lot 5, Maple Lane Subdivision on Q Avenue. Charles and
Karen Fountain will become the new owners. A resolution directing the disposal of this property
will be on the next council agenda.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to adopt an ORDINANCEPROVIDING FOR THE
MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF VINTON, AND PROVIDING FOR
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THEREOF. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius,
Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said
ordinance had been given its second passage.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT CONVEYANCE OF
REAL ESTATE. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays –
None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 11-17-01 passed and
approved. John A. Anderson Revocable Trust has given a parcel by 7th Street and 7thAvenue to
the City.
Council expressed concern to Fehr Graham engineer Nate Kass about water drainage at the
intersection of E 3rd Street and 5th Avenue.Parr suggested installing an additional drain at the
northwest corner of this intersection. Kass was asked to open E 3rd Street as soon as possible
with the exception of the north side of the intersection at 5th Avenue.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to approve change order #7 for the E 3rd Street project.
Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Stark. Nays – Parr. The Mayor
declared the motion carried. This change order includes a concrete boxout around the intake
added in the alley at 710 E 3rd Street and the reinstallation of vinyl fencing at 302 7th Avenue.
Ken Hanson, 717 E 3rd Street, received two bids for a retaining wall by the sidewalk on his
property. Hanson feels the wall should be 4 feet tall. Engineer Kass was asked to verify that this
wall would be okay with DOT and be covered by the grant. He will also check on segmental
wall versus a poured wall. Contractor Schmitt would have to approve the subcontractor for this
wall. Hopefully the wall could be done yet this fall. This expense will be part of the E 3rd Street
project.
Jon Kremer, Dennis Lausar and Melissa Schwan stated the IBSSS campus has been toured by a
few possible developers. Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve up to $5,000
expense for the braille school committee to spend for marketing materials to inform potential
developers about the campus. They want to give details about the campus size and its buildings.
A website maybe developed. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr,
Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF
FUNDS FROM ROAD USE TAX FUND TO DEBT SERVICE FUND. Question: Ayes –
Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion
carried and declared RESOLUTION 11-17-02 passed and approved.The amount to be transferred
is $17,784.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF
FUNDS FROM GENERAL FUND TO LIBRARY FUND. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick,
Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and
declared RESOLUTION 11-17-03 passed and approved.The amount to be transferred is $56,772.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to set a public hearing date for a proposed West water
tower repair and recoating for December 14th at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor
declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward reported that he and VU Melissa Schwan attended a meeting about potential
CDBG remediation grant for buildings in or near a downtown business district. The grant is
intended for repurposing of buildings and to spur economic development. The grant would be up
to $100,000. He will start the pre-application process, as well as explore other grant options.
Ward received word that the Imperial Apartments will be demolished next week.
Clerk reported upcoming Municipal Leadership Academy sessions. The next council meeting
is scheduled for Monday, November 27th. The Administrator and Clerk will be attending a
budget workshop on November 28th.
Good & Welfare: Congratulations to the winning council candidates, Bud Maynard, Ron
Hessenius, Brian Parr and Nathan Edwards. The Holiday Parade is on November 16th. Happy
Thanksgiving.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:33 p.m.
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: __________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk
Categories: 2017Meeting Minutes