REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 12, 2023
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 12th day of October, 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 Parmater to approve the agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt 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 September 28 & October 5, 2023, receive & file Airport commission meeting minutes of September 20, 2023, approval of a special class C retail alcohol license for McBride Mobile Taps and approval of City invoices.
Committee Reports
Public works met on October 11 to discuss operations and procedures at the brush dump. A follow-up meeting will be scheduled at a later date. A work session was held on October 11 to hear a request from Jimmy Hobart regarding the former IBSSS campus. A work session was held October 12 to discuss a possible extension of West 11th Street for a new building.
Citizens Input
Dakoda Sellers, 2108 W 4th Street, thanked Council for installing the camera system and streaming the Council meetings as well as work sessions and committee meetings. Sellers also asked the Council to reconsider the sign ordinance.
Shelby Chekal, Benton County Law Enforcement Liaison presented information and statistics about her role in Vinton. Chekal is employed by Foundation 2 but serves Benton County in partnership with law enforcement on mental health calls.
Old Business
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve the third consideration of ordinance 1089 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to fiscal management. 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 Stark, seconded by Parmater to approve the third consideration of ordinance 1090 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to liquor license and cigarette and tobacco permits. 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 Stark, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the third consideration of ordinance 1091 – an ordinance adding subsections regarding stop signs and no parking zones. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Parmater to adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
New Business
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve pay estimate #2 for East Water Tower Painting project to JR Stelzer. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried. This is for work completed in the month of September.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to approve pay estimate #3 for East Water Tower Painting project to JR Stelzer. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve the acceptance of East Water Tower Painting project completed by JR Stelzer. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried. The project was completed with no issues and acceptance is recommended by Nate Kass, Engineer for Fehr Graham.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve pay estimate #4 (final retainage) for East Water Tower Painting project to JR Stelzer. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Parmater, seconded by Elwick to approve pay estimate #3 for West 1st Street Reconstruction for Rathje Construction Co. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried. Work is slowly progressing, paving is underway.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Parmater to approve a bid from Wash Tower Clean and Coat, Inc to clean exterior of west water tower. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a preconstruction agreement from the Iowa Department of Transportation for primary road project on Highway 218. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The DOT will be resurfacing Highway 218 through town.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve a sidewalk reimbursement for 1114 1st Avenue. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Stark to approve a sidewalk reimbursement for 303 C Avenue. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve a special event application for Fall Beef Fest – Oct 20, 2023. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Elwick to approve a special event application for VPRD Halloween Parade – Oct 28, 2023. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Parmater to appoint Cory Elwick to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals to fill a vacancy for a term ending December 2025. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
City Attorney Doug Herman provided Council with a memo regarding the current sign ordinance. The current sign ordinance doesn’t allow for any signs to be placed in the public right of way. The State code regulates campaign signs. The General Government committee will meet on October 19 at 5:30pm to discuss whether or not to recommend changing the ordinance.
The 2nd council meeting in November will be rescheduled to Monday, November 27 at 7pm due to Thanksgiving.
A public hearing will be held November 27 at 7pm for Wastewater Treatment Facility improvements.
The public works committee will meet on October 26 at 6pm to consider requests from Roger Rouse and Doug Martens regarding concerns on their respective properties.
Reports
City Administrator Ward shared several CDBG grants will be coming before council at an upcoming meeting. The grants will be for housing projects.
The Street Department is busy cleaning intakes and removing trees. The Sewer Department began hauling sludge. A camera may be needed by the east water tower because of vandalism. A light is going to be placed shining on the water tower.
Mayor Maynard reminded citizens we have vacancies coming up for various boards and commissions beginning January 1, 2024. Please consider volunteering.
Good & Welfare
The Fire Department pancake breakfast is Sunday from 7am to 12pm. The Historical Society is having a Fall Fest on Saturday from 10am to 4pm at the Depot.
With no other business before council, motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to adjourn. Unanimously approved. Time: 8:10pm