REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 27th day of September, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present: Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Absent: None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius 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 September 13, 2018 and the Airport Commission meeting minutes of September 19, 2018 and to receive and file the Building Inspector report for July to Sept. 2018.
Hesson reported he had talked with Mary Jo Hainstock, V-S Schools, and Rick Erickson, Street Superintendent, about storm water drainage near the Middle School. Mike Rommann has suggested creating a berm. The public works committee will look at this issue.
Parr reported that the public works committee had met to discuss downtown sidewalks. The committee recommends that businesses that have to replace sidewalks, replace them including the brick looking stripe. They also discussed street projects for next year and parking along the 800 block of B Avenue.
Mayor Maynard announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a proposed 2018 amendment to the urban renewal plans for Vinton urban renewal areas. This amendment will add a portion of the right-of-way of Third Street from its intersection with Third Avenue to its intersection with Ninth Avenue, the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School property and the recent annexations at the south edge of town. This amendment will create one TIF district for the City. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE 2018 URBAN RENEWAL PLAN AMENDMENT FOR THE VINTON URBAN RENEWAL AREAS. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-18-03 passed and approved.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to adopt an ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE DIVISION OF TAXES LEVIED ON TAXABLE PROPERTY IN THE 2018 AMENDMENT TO THE VINTON CONSOLIDATED URBAN RENEWAL AREA, PURSUANT TO SECTION 403.19 OF THE CODE OF IOWA. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its initial passage.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve signing a contract for a Community Grant Catalyst Remediation Program. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Council reviewed a draft ordinance pertaining to sewer connection fees. This ordinance will be considered at the next council meeting.
Edwards reported he has talked with J & R Sanitation about garbage collection at Vinton Park Apartments. The number of apartments there equates to 48 yards in trash dumpsters. J & R will be picking up the trash three times per week at this location.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE SIGNING OF DOCUMENTS FOR USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-18-04 passed and approved. This will allow the City to apply for a grant for improvements at the waste water treatment plant.
Motion by Hesson, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE OFFICIAL 2018 FISCAL YEAR STREET FINANCE REPORT. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-18-05 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER FUNDS. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-18-06 passed and approved.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TAX ABATEMENT OF THE CITY PORTION OF TAXES FOR JOHN’S QWIK STOP. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-18-07 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve an Agreement for Assignment of Developer’s Agreement and Amendment to Developer’s Agreement. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The Cobblestone Inn is being sold and the original developer’s agreement has two years left that will be transferred to the new owners.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius 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 09-18-08 passed and approved.
Council discussed the downtown stop lights. Stark reported that most the business owners she had spoken with were in favor of keeping the traffic signals. Administrator Ward will check on possible LED traffic signals.
Motion Hesson, second by Stark to approve Trick-or-Treating on Wednesday, October 31st from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward stated he attended many sessions on a variety of topics at the manager’s conference. He attended an ECICOG meeting about the watershed management plan.
Chief Paxton stated that he, Ward and Sergeant Reinert attended HACAP Fall Harvest meal. He also reported that both officers were cleared by the DCI in the recent shooting incident.
Attorney Fischer asked Council what the plans were for the street that was recently vacated in the Gloede Addition. Council asked Fischer to get a cost estimate for potentially selling the street. Fischer also stated he has not heard anything from the magistrate on the nuisance property.
It was reported that the old Braille School power plant has been boarded up. The old East School has new windows. And, the old railroad car is gone.
Due to the rising river level, a text alert was sent out about the cancellation of the Fall Clean Up Days that were scheduled for this weekend.
Mayor Maynard reported attending a state finance committee meeting to discuss the Braille School. Ward will write a letter to the state about the Braille School.
Hesson reported that VMEU Trustee Barron has asked Hesson to be on a Telecommunications Committee for the broadband project.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:15 pm.