COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 9, 2025
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 9th day of January 2025 in City Hall Council Chambers. Mayor Maynard presided with the following Council members present: Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Stark-Mahood to approve the agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Stark-Mahood to approve the consent agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are to receive & file Council meeting minutes of December 26, 2024, receive & file 2024 bridge inspection report from Calhoun-Burns & Associates and approval of City invoices.
Committee Reports – None
Citizens Input – None
Old Business – None
New Business
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a resolution approving agreement for the leasing, assignment, or sale of existing dark fiber located in the City of Vinton right of way by Interstate Power and Light Company. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Parmater to approve a resolution to approve disbursement of hotel/motel tax proceeds to Vinton Unlimited. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Parmater to approve a resolution approving designation of official newspaper. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to approve change order for WWTP improvements – control building exterior generator room door. Question: Ayes – Parmater; Nays – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion failed.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Stark-Mahood to approve work order 2 for professional services contract for design, bidding, construction, administration and grant administration services for obstruction removal at the Vinton Veterans Memorial Airport. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. The City has received a grant for 75% from the Iowa DOT for the project.
The Council had met during several committee meetings and work sessions to hear a request for designated parking spaces for 303 1st Avenue. After discussion, direction was given to City staff to convert three City Employee parking spaces to general public parking spaces in the parking lot on the corner of 3rd Street and 1st Avenue. Once the signs are removed, the spaces will be open to the public.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the special event application for Red Carpet Fundraiser – March 2, 2025. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Recker, seconded by Parmater to approve the reappointment of Nate Edwards to Building & Housing Board of Appeals for a term ending December 2028. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Councilmember Elwick’s terms on Vinton Unlimited and Building & Housing Board of Appeals have expired. Elwick is willing to serve another term. This will be on the agenda for the next meeting. There is also still a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment & Appeals. Contact the City Clerk if anyone is interested.
Reports
Administrator Ward asked Council to schedule a work session for February 13 at 6pm to discuss plans and possible next steps for a new recreation center. A work session is scheduled for January 23 at 6pm to discuss the City owned vacant lots on 4th Street. Mayor Maynard shared updates on the sewer plant improvement project.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Stark-Mahood to enter into closed session as permitted by Iowa Code Section 21(1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. Time: 7:40pm.
Motion by Parmater, seconded by Pflughaupt to return to open session. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. Time: 7:55pm.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Hessenius to issue Notice of Default and Contract Termination to Hobart. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
With no other business before the Council, motion by Parmater, seconded by Hessenius to adjourn. Unanimously approved. Time: 8:00pm