REGULAR MEETING
JULY 27, 2023
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa on the 27th day of July, 2023 in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided and the roll being called the following members were present: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Gates to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda include receive & file Council meeting minutes of July 12, 2023, receive & file Library board meeting minutes of June 14, 2023, receive & file Airport board meeting minutes of July 19, 2023, receive & file Parks & Recreation Board meeting minutes of June 8, 2023, approval of Class E retail alcohol license for Casey’s General Store and approval of City invoices.
Communications, Petitions or Remonstrances
The City Council received a resignation letter from Kord Sellers serving on the Board of Adjustments.
Committee Reports
The Business Type Activities committee met prior to the Council meeting and is recommending a dual approach to Fall Cleanup Days. The two-day event at the dump north of the Cedar River bridge will remain as done in past years. S&J Sanitation will offer a curbside option on the same weekend as well. City staff will work with S&J Sanitation on the marketing piece.
The General Government committee also met prior to the Council meeting to discuss digital access to the Council meetings. The committee is recommending purchasing the camera package that Benton County uses and establishing a governmental YouTube channel. City staff will begin work on this.
Citizens Input
Rich & Nancy Farmer, 104 Homecoming Court, presented their request to Council to sell a portion of their backyard to the neighbors. This will be added to a future council meeting agenda for full discussion.
Dakoda Sellers, 2108 West 4th Street is wanting a response regarding his offer for the vacant West 6th Street lot the City is looking to sell.
Old Business
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Parmater to approve the third consideration of ordinance 1084 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to solid waste collection fees. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Gates to adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Stark to approve the third consideration of ordinance 1085 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to the planning and zoning commission. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Pflughaupt to adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve the third consideration of ordinance 1086 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to flood plain management. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Mayor Maynard opened the public hearing for State Revolving Fund loan application for improvements to the City’s wastewater system. Dave Schechinger, Engineer from Veenstra & Kimm shared the following:
The purpose of this project is to make improvements to the wastewater treatment facilities to enhance their reliability, to increase wet weather capacity, add solids handling facilities, and to replace aged system components including force main and lift station pumps to safely operate the City of Vinton’s wastewater treatment system for the next 20 years.
The collection system improvements include constructing a new force main to replace the existing force main from K Avenue Lift Station south of W 5th Street along Highway 218/K Avenue to the discharge manhole near W 15th Street. Additionally, pumps in the old main lift station at the intersection of Riverside Drive and E 1st Street will be replaced with larger pumps to increase pumping capacity.
The wastewater treatment plant improvements include construction of a flow equalization basin; new headworks building screen and pumps, grit removal and screening; installation of a sludge screw press and dry solids storage building, installation of a new generator, addition of a septage receiving station, and miscellaneous site improvements.
The treated wastewater from the proposed facility will discharge to an unnamed creek that discharges to Mud Creek; no changes to discharge location are proposed. A description of the alternative treatment options considered is available upon request. A summary of the impact of the improvements on the sewer use charges is available upon request.
Federal, state, and local agencies were asked to comment on the proposed project to better assess the potential impact to the environment. A list of the agencies contacted is available.
To date, no adverse comments were received from any agencies or the general public.
SUMMARY OF REASONS FOR CONCLUDING NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
• The project will not significantly affect the pattern and type of land use (industrial, commercial, agricultural, recreational, residential) or growth and distribution of population.
• The project will not conflict with local, regional or State land use plans or policies.
• The project will not displace population, alter the character of existing residential areas, or convert significant farmlands to non-agricultural purposes.
• The project will impact known wetland areas and may require a mitigation plan before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can issue a Section 404 permit.
• Although the Iowa DNR Flood Plain Management Section has not yet commented on the project, it may require the issuance of a flood plain development permit prior to construction.
• The project will not affect threatened or endangered species or their habitats provided that any tree cutting is conducted between October 1 and March 31 to avoid impacting endangered bats. If any State-or Federally-listed threatened or endangered species or communities are found during the planning or construction phases, additional studies and/or mitigation may be required.
• The project will not have effect on parklands, preserves, other public lands, or areas of recognized scenic or recreational value.
• A Phase I Archaeological investigation of the proposed project area is currently underway. Results from this investigation will be submitted to the State historical Preservation Office for review. The project will only proceed as planned if either “no historic properties affected” or “no adverse effect on historic properties” can be appropriately reached with or without mitigation.
• The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient air quality provided the applicant takes reasonable precautions to prevent the discharge of visible emissions of fugitive dusts beyond the lot line of the property during the proposed project (567 IAC 23.3(2)“c”).
• The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient noise levels, surface water quantity, groundwater quality or quantity, or water supply.
• No significant impact to surface water quality, fish, shellfish, wildlife, or their natural habitats is expected provided that an NPDES General Permit Number 2 (for storm water discharge associated with construction activities) is obtained and the terms of which are abided by.
With no other public comments or questions, Mayor Maynard closed the public hearing.
New Business
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Stark to approve the first consideration of ordinance 1087 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to zoning regulations. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
A public hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, August 10, 2023 at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 110 West Third Street, Vinton Iowa regarding ordinance 1087 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to zoning regulations. The ordinance includes changes to Chapter 165 – Zoning Regulations of the Vinton Code of Ordinances regarding the regulation of accessory buildings.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Parmater to approve the partial pay estimate #1 for West 1st Street Reconstruction Project. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Stark to approve the request from Vinton Unlimited for disbursement of funds. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried. This is the annual disbursement.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the supervised display of fireworks for Boomtown event – August 25 & 26, 2023. Unanimously approved.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve the Business Improvement Grant application for The Bridal Garden. Unanimously approved.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve the Business Improvement Grant application for Simply Blooming. Unanimously approved.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Parmater to approve the special event application for Boomtown Kiwanis 5k – August 26, 2023. Unanimously approved.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Parmater to approve the special event application for Rooster Auto Sales Drive in Movie-Aug 3, 2023. Unanimously approved.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the appointment of Ashley Hesson to the Vinton Parks & Recreation Board. Unanimously approved.
Vinton Public Library Director Kelly Henkle presented the fiscal 2023 annual library report to the City Council.
The City Council discussed the former East School building with Building Inspector Hansen. The building continues to remain in a dangerous state with demolition needed. The current property owner is not in a position to demolish or rehab the building. City Administrator Ward was directed to research various options for assistance to address the building. Hansen will officially condemn the building.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported that North Benton Ambulance would like to have a work session prior to the next City Council meeting.
Code Enforcer/Building Inspector Hansen reported he is waiting on a ruling from the Seed House trial earlier this month. The City has asked for demolition of the single story structure.
Parks & Recreation Director Boggess reported staff is working on an overhaul of Veteran’s Memorial Park. The skating rink floor project will begin next week.
Melody Snow, Vinton Unlimited, shared the summer punch card promotion is winding down. Boom-Fest is August 26.
Mayor Maynard asked Stark to schedule a business type activities meeting to discuss the West 6th Street lot that is for sale. Maynard would also like to schedule a meeting with department heads and Ward in the upcoming weeks.
Good & Welfare
Kudos to Kelly for her work at the Library. Nothing but great comments have been heard. Summer offerings by the Park & Rec department have been outstanding. The Vinton Police Department take on the Vinton Shellsburg Wrestling team on August 5 for the annual baseball game fundraiser.
With no other business before the Council, motion by Hessenius, second by Parmater to adjourn. Approved unanimously. Time: 8:20pm.