A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 25th day of July, 2019, 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: Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Absent: Edwards.
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 Hesson 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 July 11, 2019 with the correction that the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m., approve invoices in the amount of $137,007.03, approve the renewal of a class C liquor license with Sunday sales for Berry’s Lanes, approve the renewal of a class E liquor license with class B native wine and class C beer permits all with Sunday sales for Casey’s General Store under new officers and board of directors, approve new class BB beer permit for Vinton Unlimited, receive and file the Parks & Rec Board meeting minutes of July 11, 2019 and receive and file the building inspector report of June 2019.
Hesson reported that Mike Rommann had contacted him about water issues and a nearby creek. Andrew Elwick stated he has concerns about the city’s phone system and being able to contact the police department. Valerie Close asked Council to use their microphones during meetings. Chuck Yedlik, Bar-Y-Pyro, asked to block off the road to the sewer plant for both Friday and Saturday, Aug. 23rd & 24th for BoomTown fireworks. Council’s general consensus was to approve this request. The police, street and fire department will be notified of this closure.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to approve street closings for the Sesquicentennial Celebration activities during the week of August 17th through August 19th. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to adopt an ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 15, MAYOR, SECTION 15.04, COMPENSATION. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its third consideration.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to now adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared ORDINANCE 1041 duly adopted.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to adopt an ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 17, COUNCIL, SECTION 17.06, COMPENSATION. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its third consideration.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to now adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared ORDINANCE 1042 duly adopted.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to adopt an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, BY AMENDING THE OFFICIAL FLOOD PLAIN ZONING MAP. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its initial passage. FEMA will officially adopt the proposed flood maps on Dec. 20, 2019.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve placing dirt from the wetland project onto Anderson Creek ground. The developer has agreed to this temporary location for the dirt. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Dean Schminke, VGH representative, asked about the driveway. IDOT will have to approve its location. He also asked when the dirt would be moved. Administrative Ward stated it should be done this fall. It was reported that the Board of Regents will not allow the dirt from the wetland project to be placed on the IBSSS property.
Motion by Hesson, second by Elwick to approve a bid from Boomerang Inc. for $17,950 to demolish and remove the house and sheds from the Corbett property. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Administrator Ward stated he had requested bids for this project, but did not receive any bids. He then contacted the company that council had approved a bid for demolition of the two flood buyout properties to see is they would give a bid on this demolition as well. This will be part of the watershed/wetland project.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve partial pay estimate #9, retainage, for the East 3rd Street improvement project. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. A payment for the retainage of $29,997.13 is approved.
Stark reported that building inspector Jerry Michael had let her know the Dr. Beilby has plans to demolish the old Hardee’s building. Mayor Maynard will contact the owner of the old Café 218. Council asked to have building inspector Michael issue a municipal infractions for the old IBSSS steam plant.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to approve a letter of intent to cooperate with Hobart Historic Restoration for the transfer of the IBSSS property. The City will be supportive of any grant funding opportunities to assist in the transfer of ownership to Hobart. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Dennis Lausar reported that IEDA has new state funding for underutilized or abandoned state facilities. The redevelopment of the Braille school campus should be eligible for grant funding.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to approve a quote from Fehr-Graham Engineering for $5,250 to provide a preliminary plat for the Braille School Subdivision. Question: Ayes –Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the disbursement of budget funds, in the amount of $10,000, to Evergreen Cemetery. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the purchase of DO probes for the aeration tank at the waste water treatment plant from Gurney for $9,750. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to approve the purchase of overhead doors for the water plant and sewer plant from Halstead Doors for $5,350. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
The City has received a request for tax abatement from Michael & Dowd. Administrator Ward stated for the Community Catalyst grant the City agreed to use TIF funds for the matching funds for this grant and that using TIF funding and tax abatement together are incompatible.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve a proclamation for American Wind Week August 11 – 17, 2019. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward said the last conference he attended was good. One of the sessions was on the nuisance abatement process. He will be out of the office tomorrow, returning August 5th. The City received a payment from the school district for their share of the SRO program. The County has reimbursed the City for the assessed value of the Corbett property. City election paperwork is available. Some landscaping is planned near City Hall. Mayor Maynard stated AmeriCorps will be inducting a new class soon. He attended a conference in Parkersburg.
Good & Welfare: The iVinton fiber project is starting. The Rock Fest concert is August 2nd. The Library’s 2nd annual craft beer tasting is August 3rd.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:45 p.m.