REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 23, 2020
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 23rd day of July, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Due to the COVID-19 virus the meeting was also held electronically using ZOOM Cloud hosted at 110 W 3rd Street. 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 Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr 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 9 and July 13, approve invoices in the amount of $74,390.96, receive and file the Library Board meeting minutes of July 8, receive and file the May/June building inspection report, 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 Sunday sales for Casey’s General Store and approve a new class C beer permit, class B wine permit with Sunday sales for Kwik Star.
Mayor relayed a resident’s thank you to council for all their work on City projects.
Parr reported at a work session that the Public Safety Committee had met to discuss hiring a new building inspector and code enforcer. They will be working on a job description. Another meeting will be held on August 13th at 6:00 pm for further discussion on this topic.
Darran Sellers, 1112 A Avenue, thanked council the correction of the March 23rd meeting minutes. Sellers expressed concern about Boomerang being awarded City projects, when the Mayor works for Boomerang.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on plans and specifications for street improvement projects. The were no comments. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION ADOPTING PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, ESTIMATE OF COST, AND FORM OF CONTRACT FOR THE VINTON STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, VINTON, IOWA. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 07-20-02 passed and approved.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to approve the Fehr Graham recommendation to accept a bid from Boomerang Corp for the street improvements project in the amount of $2,546,162.50. This was the lowest bid submitted. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Engineer Nate Kass said the bids were very competitive.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the engineering proposal from Fehr Graham for the street improvements project. After discussion, the motion and second were withdrawn. Kass will send a revised agreement stating they will bill on a time and material basis, with the estimated cost to be $148,000.
A public hearing for an appeal from Andrew Weyer to keep a dog is rescheduled for August 13th at 7:00 pm.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to adopt AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO CHAPTER 78 GOLF CARTS. 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 Hesson 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 1048 duly adopted.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, TO ENTER INTO REAL ESTATE AND ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH THE BOARD OF REGENTS, STATE OF IOWA, FOR THE USE AND BENEFIT OF THE IOWA BRAILLE AND SIGHT SAVING SCHOOL. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 07-20-03 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hesson to approve change order #1 for the splash pad. This is for relocating the mechanical enclosure at the City’s request. The cost is $4,041. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve change order #2 for the splash pad. After discussion the motion and second were withdrawn. This deals with stabilizing rock, geogrid and backfill. The cost is $9,950. Parks Director Boggess will seek information on this topic.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hesson to approve an invoice for $42,884.50 from Ambient Glow Technology for glow stone for the trail project. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve a time extension amendment for the subaward agreement with Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD). This is for the flood buyout project. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Council discussed the IBSSS steam plant. Administrator Ward stated Attorney Bill Sueppel has been working on the property. Elwick would like this structure secured. He would also like to have a code enforcer to deal with similar properties in the future.
Airport Commission Chairman Whelchel said that the airport is used by the army for training, helps farmers and serves the community. Parr says the county also benefits from Vinton having the airport. Parr would like to not use FAA grants as much. FAA requirements make projects more costly. He suggested trying to have a business locate on airport land. Parr would like more revenue options other than fuel sales and hangar rent for the airport.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to approve an agreement with Solum Lang Architects for the design of the Emergency Services Facility. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Architects Darci Lorensen and Al Buck are both Benton County residents. Fire Chief Garwood said the safety committee liked Solum Lang. Their services will cover bidding and construction for the new facility.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hesson to have the Planning and Zoning Commission review City Code Chapter 165 Zoning Regulations for possible updates. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to approve the hauling of sludge from the wastewater treatment plant. After discussion the motion and second were withdrawn. Superintendent Walker will get more information and quotes for this process.
Council approved a nuisance property complaint form that Stark drafted. This form will be given to the police departed and posted to the city’s website.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Matt Anderson to the Parks and Recreation Board for a 3-year term. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to approve street closings for Party in the Park activities on August 1st. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Streets closed will be 8th Avenue at A Street and 9th Avenue and Park Drive.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve a permit for supervised display of fireworks at Riverside Park for Party in the Park on August 1st. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward reported bond funds have been received. The City has been awarded the CDBG grant. County Assessor Andreesen would like to set up a meeting with Vinton and Atkins about using their GIS mapping system. Superintendent Walker said they have replaced fire hydrants and valves. Director Boggess said they are getting ready for Party in the Park and working on the splash pad. City Hall roof repair and replacement quotes have been received. They will be considered at the next meeting.
Good & Welfare: Farmers Market at Celebration Park has been well attended. Many projects will be underway this year, street projects, public safety facility, trail, splash pad and the purchase and sale of the braille school property.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Hesson to adjourn the meeting. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried. Time: 8:42 p.m.