COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 27, 2025
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 27th day of March 2025 in City Hall Council Chambers at 7:00pm. Mayor Maynard presided with the following Council members present: Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker & Stark-Mahood.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Parmater to approve the agenda with new business item 9i removed. 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 March 13, 2025, receive & file Library meeting minutes of February 12, 2025, receive & file Airport meeting minutes of March 19, 2025, approval of special class C retail alcohol license for Cobblestone Inn & Suites and approval of City invoices.
Committee Reports – None
Citizens Input – None
Old Business
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to approve change order #4.1 for WWTP improvements. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
New Business
Mayor Maynard opened the public hearing on the plans and specifications, proposed form of contract and estimate of cost for the construction of the Budd’s Lift Station Improvements. After no comments, Maynard closed the public hearing.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a resolution approving plans, specifications, estimate of cost and form of contract for the Budd’s Lift Station Project and Awarding of Contract. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. The project was awarded to Pirc Tobin at the recommendation of Fehr Graham.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Parmater to approve change order #5 to Rathje Construction for West 1st Street Reconstruction. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Fritz Noren, representing the American Legion Post 57 presented the Avenue of Flags project to the City Council. For a $60.00 donation, the Legion would post a full-sized flag on a pole in your yard for one week surrounding certain holidays. The Legion would retrieve and store the flags as well. Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Parmater to approve the request for the Avenue of Flags project. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the request for sewer forgiveness for 104 S R Avenue Lot 9. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. After further investigation, it was determined there was a leak under the trailer that did not enter the sewer system. A credit will be determined using a 12-month average prior to the leak.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to approve the request for sewer forgiveness for 311 E 3rd Street. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. A severe leak occurred under the home that did not enter the sewer system. A credit will be determined using a 12-month average prior to the leak.
Motion by Parmater, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the request for sewer forgiveness for 716 W 11th Street. Question: Ayes – Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood; Abstain – Elwick. Motion carried. A severe leak occurred in the front yard and did not enter the sewer system. A credit will be determined using a 12-month average prior to the leak.
Benton County Engineer Myron Parizek and Benton County Supervisor Tracy Seeman spoke to the Council regarding the curve near Marv Lindsey Complex located near 10th Avenue/61st Street Lane. The interior shoulder of the curve is crumbling and has deteriorated since the County’s resurfacing project in the summer of 2024. Parizek and Seeman questioned if the City would consider cost sharing the repair being the curve is within City limits. Parizek is getting quotes but is proposing a 75% city – 25% county split on the project. No action was taken.
A public hearing for the FY26 budget adoption is scheduled for April 24, 2025 at 7:00pm in Council Chambers.
Reports
The Street Department has been busy filling pot holes and sweeping. Bids are due tomorrow for stump grinding on the trees that have been taken down over the winter. The Water Department had fixed a water main break in the 900 block of C Avenue. There is a hole in one of the iron filter tanks at the water plant. The water/sewer project is complete at the Marv Lindsey complex.
Good & Welfare
Condolences to the Elwick family on the passing of longtime Council Member Ron Elwick.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Parmater to enter into closed session as permitted by Iowa Code Section 21.5(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: 8:00pm.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Parmater to return to open session. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. Time: 9:00pm.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Hessenius to direct the City Attorney to proceed as discussed in closed session. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Parmater to enter into closed session as permitted by Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j) to discuss the purchase 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. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. Time: 9:00pm.
Motion by Hessenius, seconded by Pflughaupt to return to open session. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. Time: 9:15pm.
Motion by Pflughaupt, Elwick to direct Council representative to proceed as discussed in closed session. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Recker and Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
With no other business before the Council, motion by Parmater, seconded by Elwick to adjourn the meeting. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried. Time: 9:20pm.