REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 23, 2015
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 23rd day of April, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Watson presided and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present: Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Absent: None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are: receive and file the following meeting minutes of Council 04-09-15, Airport Commission 04-15-15 and Park and Rec. Board 04-14-15; approve the following renewals of class b native wine permit with Sunday sales for Cameron’s, class c liquor license with living quarters and Sunday sales for Vinton Hotel Group and class e liquor license for Fareway.
Council received a letter from Arbor Day Foundation stating Vinton was awarded Tree City USA recognition in 2014.
Resident Chelsea DeVivo expressed concern about the chicken ordinance. She would like the distance from any dwelling changed and to clarify the language for scheduling inspections. Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to refer review of the chicken ordinance to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Jamie Timmerman requested permission for the Flaughless 5K run/walk route on October 10, 2015. Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to approve this request. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Parmater to adopt an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO OPEN BURNING. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its second consideration.
Melissa Schwan, Vinton Unlimited director, gave an update on the preparation for RAGBRAI, which will be passing through Vinton on July 23rd. She requested funding of $3,000 from the City to help with expenses for RAGBRAI. Motion by Parmater, second by Vermedahl to approve this request. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Vermedahl, second by Stark to adopt an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON ADDING CHAPTER 168 ENTITLED “RAGBRAI” – MISCELLANEOUS PERMITS”. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its initial passage.
Motion by Parmater, second by Stark to approve the agreement with Iowa Codification, Inc. for services to update the City’s code of ordinances and will provide the code in an electronic version. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The total cost of $9,200 will be spread over two fiscal year budgets.
Motion by Stark, second by Parmater to approve a state grant application for new hangar doors and rotating beacon at the airport. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The City’s share of these projects will be 15%, or approximately $11,931.00.
Motion by Vermedahl, second by Stark to approve a federal grant application for improvement for airport runway 16/34. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The City’s share of this project will be 10%, or approximately $6,300.00.
Nate Kass, Fehr-Graham engineer, talked about the cost estimate for East 3rd Street improvements. Included with paving the street would be utility upgrades to the storm water intakes, water and sewer lines, and manholes. MAP-21 Surface Transportation Program funds would pay for approximately $1,005,000 and remaining bond funds of approximately $667,650 will pay for water and sanitary sewer improvements. Some homes will have to update their private water lines when this project is done. Council’s general consensus was to proceed with this project. A pre-design open house will be held on May 6th at 6:00 p.m.
Council referred the discussion on department head wages to the general government, community and economic development committee. This committee will meet on April 27th at 7:00 p.m.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to approve a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM SEWER FUND TO DEBT SERVICE FUND. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 04-15-07 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark approve a request from the parks and recreation department for Party in the Park parade route, 5K run route and street closings. Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Council reviewed a one year union contract for the police department. A resolution for this contract will be on the next council agenda.
Administrator Ward reported: 1) The storm shelter is now open. 2) He also reported that the general government committee had met to discuss health insurance. An employee meeting with union representatives and with PDCM representative Grant Rothweiler was held. Various options and being compliant with the affordable care act were discussed. The third party buy down or self-insurance through PRIME Benefits may change in the future. The general government, community and economic development committee changed their meeting to April 30th at 7:00 p.m. for wages and health insurance. Hopefully PDCM Insurance will provide insurance plans to compare.
The clerk reported: 1) The fire department had sold an old truck and equipment box at an auction. The City received $4,577.50 from this sale. 2) The Iowa DOT will be holding a preconstruction meeting for the Hwy 218 resurfacing project on April 29th in Cedar Rapids.
Police Chief Paxton reported: 1) They have narrowed the applicants down to about 15. 2) He is looking at squad cars for the next budget and is considering a lease purchase of 2 vehicles.
Good & Welfare: The Mentors and Literature Club held a good meeting with guest speakers of Ted Paxton, Chris Ward and Brad Barker.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:40 p.m.
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk