A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 26th day of March, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., Vinton, Iowa. Due to the COVID-19 virus this meeting was held electronically using Zoom Cloud, that was hosted at 124 Scenic Drive. 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 Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark 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 March 12, 2020, approve invoices in the amount of $62,538.52, receive and file the Parks and Recreation Board meeting minutes of January 9, 2020, approve the renewal of a class c liquor license for La Reyna, approve a class e liquor license for Ehlinger’s Vinton Express, approve a new six-month class b beer permit with Sunday sales for Benton County Agricultural Soc. Inc. and approve a new class E liquor license with Sunday sales for Hy-Vee.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2020-2021. The proposed budget is for a tax levy of $16.53243 per $1,000 valuation. This up slightly from the current levy of $16.25734. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to approve a RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2021. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-20-05 passed and approved.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a proposed budget amendment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. This amendment is for repairs to the electric department generator #8. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve a RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CURRENT BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-20-06 passed and approved.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a proposed general obligation loan agreement for street improvements and acquisition of street department equipment. Street projects and equipment are considered essential corporate purposes for the City. This loan agreement is for the principal amount not to exceed $3,550,000. The Mayor closed the hearing.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a proposed general obligation loan agreement for a South Trail Improvement project. A trail project is considered a non-essential corporate purpose for the City. This loan amount is not to exceed $700,000. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to pass a RESOLUTION EXPRESSING INTENT AND DETERMINING TO ENTER INTO A GENERAL OBLIGATION LOAN AGREEMENT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,250,000 AND AUTHORIZING DEBT SERVICE LEVY. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-20-07 passed and approved.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a proposed loan agreement with the Iowa Economic Development Authority. This forgivable loan is not to exceed $1,000,000. The loan purpose is for financing the rehabilitation of campus buildings on the Iowa Braille School grounds. The funds will reimburse Hobart Historic Restoration for work they will do to braille school buildings. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr to pass a RESOLUTION APPROVING LOAN AGREEMENT WITH IOWA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-20-08 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, BY DESIGNATING A NEW REVITALIZATION AREA (Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh). 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. This will allow a tax abatement of 80% for a three-year period on the improvements made by Hy-Vee.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION SETTING DATE FOR HEARING ON SALE OF IOWA BRAILLE AND SIGHT SAVING SCHOOL REAL PROPERTY TO VINTON BRAILLE SCHOOL, LLC. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-20-09 passed and approved. A public hearing is set for April 9, 2020 at 7:00 pm.
Motion by Parr, second by Hesson to pass a RESOLUTION FOR A CONTRIBUTION TO THE EVERGREEN CEMETERY ASSOCIATION. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-20-10 passed and approved. A contribution of $15,000 will be made in the next fiscal year.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to approve a funding commitment agreement with East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund. The City will provide $150,000 for the down payment assistance program for income qualified buyers to purchase a lot and build a home in the Anderson Creek Estates subdivision. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
  Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the Mayor’s appointment Melissa Mosher  to the VMEU/VMCU Board of Trustees. The term for this appointment will expire on December 31, 2025. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Gerald Horst to the VMEU/VMCU Board of Trustees. The term for this appointment will expire on December 31, 2021. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the IPIB informal resolution. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to refer the final plat of Mary Ingalls subdivision to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFERS TO GENERAL FUND. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-20-11 passed and approved. This resolution transfers $118,618.98 from the FICA and IPERS Fund to the General Fund. It also transfers $219,109.88 from the Employee Benefits Fund to the General Fund.
Matt Boggess, Parks Director, talked about the water slide. The slide is over 20 years old. The Parks and Recreation Board recommend removing the slide.
The Mayor ProTem read a proclamation, proclaiming April as sexual assault awareness month.
Administrator Ward stated the last two weeks have been busy. He has set up and attended several meetings electronically. Virginia Gay Hospital is working on a Community Development Block Grant for protective gear. The City will provide a letter of support for this grant. A special council meeting will be held next week. City Hall is looking into leasing a new copier. Resolutions for board appointments and council procedures are still in the works. Mayor Maynard asked everyone to practice social distancing, wash your hands and stay home if you are sick. The COVID-19 will impact our City.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to adjourn the meeting. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried. Time: 8:00 p.m.