COUNCIL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 26th day of September 2024 in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Maynard presided with the following Council members present: Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood; Parmater was absent.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Stark-Mahood to approve the agenda with new business item 9D removed – acceptance of West 1st Street Reconstruction. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Hessenius to approve the consent agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried. Items on the consent agenda include receive & file Council meeting minutes of September 12, 2024, receive & file Library meeting minutes of August 14, 2024, receive & file Airport meeting minutes of September 18, 2024, receive & file Parks & Recreation meeting minutes of July 11 & August 8, 2024, approval of special class C retail alcohol license for Lucky Wife Wine Slushies, approval of class E retail alcohol license for Vinton Liquor Tobacco & Vape, approval of class C retail alcohol license for Tequilero and approval of City invoices.
Communications, Petitions or Remonstrances
Several Council members and City staff received an email from a resident regarding water and sewer billing. It will be discussed later on the meeting agenda.
Committee Reports
Pflughaupt reported the Yundt Family Trust board has met. Scholarships will be awarded as well as community project grants.
Citizens Input
Tami Stark, 1115 3rd Avenue, addressed the Council regarding the recent post made by the Vinton Police Department regarding dogs at large. Stark is asking the Council to come up with an alternate plan for holding dogs while the sewer plant is under construction.
Rylie Pflughaupt, 215 E 8th Street, also addressed the Council regarding dogs at large.
Old Business
Motion by Recker, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the second consideration of ordinance 1101 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to pedestrians’ right-of-way. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Hessenius to approve the second consideration of ordinance 1102 – an ordinance adding a new section pertaining to adult establishment nuisances. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Recker, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the second consideration of ordinance 1103 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to electronic meetings. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Recker, seconded by Stark-Mahood to approve the second consideration of ordinance 1104 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to operating budget preparation. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Hessenius to approve the second consideration of ordinance 1105 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to publication of minutes. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Recker to approve the second consideration of ordinance 1106 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to bond requirements. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Hessenius to approve the second consideration of ordinance 1107 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to fire officials’ authority to cite violations. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
New Business
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Hessenius to approve the first consideration of ordinance 1108 – an ordinance adding new subsections regarding stop signs. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. Five stop signs will be added in the area of J Avenue near the former Braille School campus.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Elwick to approve a resolution authorizing real estate closing related to property located at 110 4th Street East, Vinton, Iowa. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to authorize approval to proceed for Fehr Graham to complete a survey for Budd’s Lift Station project. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. There is still uncertainty on property lines surrounding Budd’s Lift Station so Fehr Graham will conduct a land survey prior to any easements being finalized.
Jeff Holmes, 611 W 12th Street requested forgiveness on the sewer portion of his utility bill due to a leaking toilet. Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Stark-Mahood. Question: Ayes – None. Nays – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion failed.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Elwick to approve a water & sewer refund for 1209 E 4th Street. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. Mr. Ettleman was overbilled on water/sewer consumption due to the multiplier being incorrect in the billing system.
As part of the discussion and research related to creating designating parking spaces for a business, Administrator Ward shared City code section 69.06.17 with the City Council. This code section makes parking prohibited in several areas of town where parking currently occurs. By amending this code section, Council could then consider designating parking spaces.
The Council will begin wage discussions for fiscal year 2026 on Monday, November 25 at a 6:00pm work session.
Reports
Administrator Ward reported he’d like to schedule a work session to discuss the next street project as some grant funds have become available. Water Superintendent Walker shared sludge hauling will start soon. Crews will be flushing hydrants next week. Matt Boggess reported VPRD staff will be completing CPR and first aid training this weekend. Police Officer Kelley shared 4 individuals are currently going through the police reserve training program. City Clerk Schwan reported the annual notice for boards/commission vacancies has been published. The gutters on City Hall are being replaced today.
Good & Welfare
Harvest has started, please be safe. The Annual Cruise was phenomenal.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Hessenius to enter into closed session as permitted by Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j): to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate only where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property or reduce the price the governmental body would receive for that property. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. Time: 8:00pm.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Stark-Mahood to exit closed session and return to open session. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. Time: 8:22pm.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Hessenius to direct City staff to proceed as directed related to the sale of real estate as discussed in closed session. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
With no other business before the Council, motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Hessenius to adjourn. Unanimously approved. Time: 8:25pm.