COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 14, 2024
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 14th day of March 2024 in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided and the roll being called the following members were present: Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt & Stark; Hessenius & Parmater were absent.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Stark to approve the agenda with new business item (R) – approval of special events application for Benton County Pride on June 29, 2024 removed. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve the consent agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried. Items on the consent agenda include receive & file Council meeting & work session meeting minutes of February 21, 22, 27, 28 & March 7, 2024, approval of class B retail alcohol license for Kwik Trip, Inc, approval of class C retail alcohol license for H Squared Pizza, approval of special class C retail alcohol license for McBride Mobile Taps, approval of special class C retail alcohol license for Benton County Agricultural Society (pending dramshop approval) and approval of City invoices.
Citizens Input
Misty Meister, 710 6th Avenue spoke to the Council addressing concerns about the condition of the former East School. Upon leaving the meeting, Meister shared an obscene gesture with the Council.
Old Business
Motion by Gates, seconded by Elwick to approve the third consideration of ordinance 1097 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to sewer rates. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried. This is for rates effective July 1, 2024.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Gates to adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve the third consideration of ordinance 1098 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to water rates. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried. This is for rates effective July 1, 2024.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Gates to adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Gates to adopt the second consideration of ordinance 1099 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to solid waste collection and rates. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried. This ordinance is to decrease landfill rates effective July 1, 2024.
New Business
Mayor Maynard opened the public hearing for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery housing fund application. Paula Mitchell, ECICOG provided the following information: 1. How the need for the proposed activity or project was identified.
The City of Vinton has determined that CDBG DR funding assistance would be greatly beneficial in helping to create additional for sale affordable units in the community. The vacancy rate for owner-occupied housing in Vinton is less than 3%. Given that a 5% vacancy rate is considered to be market equilibrium, this indicates a demand for additional affordable units for sale. The August 10, 2020, derecho storm impacted housing availability throughout Iowa, and more significantly in Benton County. This created even more pressure to create affordable housing in the community. 2. How the proposed activity or project will be funded and the source of the funds. The construction of five new for sale housing units in Vinton will be funded with an amount not to exceed $1,210,000.00 in CDBG DR funds, if awarded, and private financing and developer funds to be determined. 3. The date the CDBG DR application will be submitted. The application will be submitted online no later than March 31, 2024. 4. Amount of federal funds to be requested. The amount of federal funds to be requested is an amount not to exceed $1,210,000.00, based upon per unit cost caps. 5. Estimated portion of federal funds that will benefit persons of low and moderate income. All of the CDBG funds will benefit households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the area’s median income level, as all for sale units must be sold to households at our below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. 6. Where the proposed activity or project will be. The proposed project will be constructed on vacant lots located at 909,913, and 1001 W. 13th Street and 1201 and 1205 G Avenue, in Vinton, IA. 7. Plans to minimize displacement of persons and businesses as a result of funded activities or projects. Because the project is to be constructed on vacant lots which the developer already owns or has otherwise secured site control, no displacement is expected to occur as a result of this project. 8. Plans to assist persons actually displaced. Again, because the project is proposed to be constructed on vacant land owned or controlled by the developer, no displacement is anticipated to occur. 9. The nature of the proposed activity or project. Funds will be used to construct up to five (5) new homes for sale to low-to-moderate income households. The units will be designed to make them more resilient to any future natural disasters. All units will be marketed for the first four months to households who were impacted by the 2020 derecho. After no additional comments, Maynard closed the public hearing.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a resolution authorizing and directing East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) to submit application and associated documents for funding for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Housing Program (CDBG DR) – Round 2 to the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Elwick to approve a resolution authorizing Mayor to sign service agreement with East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) for the CDBG DR application preparation and for the administration and project delivery of the CDBG DR Round 2 grant, if awarded. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Stark to approve the City of Vinton Fair Housing & Outreach Plan. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a resolution to amend established traffic control devices pursuant to the City of Vinton Code of Ordinances. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried. Parking for persons with disabilities will be added on the north side of the 100 block of West 5th Street.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve a resolution approving the transfer of property previously sold to Dakoda Sellers aka Duda Properties LLC (512 W 6th Street). Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a resolution to declare certain City property as surplus property. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried. A 1968 John Deere 4020 tractor and a 2016 John Deere mower will be sold on GovDeals.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a resolution to approve disbursement of hotel/motel tax proceeds to Vinton Unlimited. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve pay estimate #1 to Woodruff Construction for WWTP improvements. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the quote from Ervin Motors to purchase 2024 GMC Sierra for $44,125.00. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried. The vehicle previously approved had been damaged after Council’s approval but before the City came into possession.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Elwick to approve the quote from Gurney for $18,390.00 for actuator replacement at WWTP. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the quote from Aspen Equipment for $116,650.00 for chipper truck & box. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Pflughaupt, & Stark. Motion carried. The cost of this will be shared with the Electric Utility and is included in the FY25 budget. Arrival is expected later this summer.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a business improvement grant award to Flowers by Natures Corner. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Elwick to approve a business improvement grant award to Ann Fry Gordon. After brief discussion, both motions were withdrawn. The item will be on a future agenda for consideration.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the annual service proposal and contract for Whelen Outdoor Warning Sirens. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Marcy Horst, Karilea Ries, Emily Henkle and Melody Snow visited with the Council about the vacant lot owned by the City at 106 E 4th Street. A committee has been working on a design for a pocket park in that space. The design includes tables, lighting and space for a food truck. Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the request for use of the City lot at 106 E 4th Street. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the special events application for Benton County Speedway Car Show on March 23, 2024. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the City Attorney correspondence. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported SRF loan paperwork is being prepared by the Attorney. Ward will not be at the next council meeting. The Street Department is busy with cleanup from stump grinding around town. The Rec Center basketball floor is finished. Summer hiring went really well. The Electric Utility would like to meet with Council prior to the April 11 council meeting to discuss the sewer line on 2nd Street.
Good & Welfare
The Fire Department fish fry is Friday, March 22 serving from 4-7pm for free will donation. Community Garden reservations are being accepted.
With no other business before council, motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to adjourn. Unanimously approved. Time: 8:00pm.