VINTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 25, 2021
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 25th day of February, 2021 at 7:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Due to COVID-19 virus, the meeting was also held electronically using Zoom which was hosted at 110 W 3rd Street. Mayor Maynard presided with roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Absent – None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve the consent agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The consent agenda included the following items: receive & file the Council meeting minutes of February 11, 2021, approve invoices, approve the renewal of a Class C beer permit for Dollar General – 103 S K Avenue and approve the renewal of a Class E liquor license for Ehlinger’s Vinton Express – 310 K Avenue S.
Administrator Ward received an unsigned letter about slush in a resident’s garage. Mayor Maynard received a letter from Bill Ervin & Keith Ervin complimenting the street department on snow cleanup efforts.
The North Benton Ambulance Board is conducting 2nd round interviews. The committee for the public safety building is awaiting a date for the next meeting.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the second consideration of an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA BY AMENDING PROVISIONS TO PARKING VIOLATIONS. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The change in ordinance would increase the parking fines by $5.00.
Tressa Walton, Wilson-Hite Insurance was present to follow-up on her January presentation to the City Council regarding providing insurance coverage to employees. Walton confirmed she would be able to offer health, dental and life if Wilson-Hite Insurance was the agent for the City. Some city employees have concerns about changes in coverage, costs and service. After discussion, council members wish to move forward with an RFP process to explore options. A committee meeting will be scheduled in the future.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the mayoral appointment of Nate Edwards and Andrew Elwick to Building & Housing Board of Appeals for a term ending December 31, 2024. Questions: Ayes – Hessenius, Parr, Stark; Nays – None; Abstain – Edwards, Elwick. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the appointment of Andrew Elwick to the Vinton Unlimited Board of Directors. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Hessenius, Parr, Stark; Nays – None; Abstain – Elwick. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to approve the appointment of Ron Hessenius to the Rural Fire Advisory Board for a term ending December 31, 2023. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark; Nays – None; Abstain – Hessenius. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the appointment of Nate Edwards to Benton County Community Foundation for a term ending December 31, 2023. Questions: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark; Nays – None; Abstain – Edwards. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve a RESOLUTION TO DECLARE CERTAIN CITY PROPERTY AS SURPLUS PROPERTY. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This is the 2009 Chevy Impala that is used as the City vehicle.
At the recommendation of the Police Chief, the 2nd resolution to declare certain city property as surplus was removed from the agenda.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to approve a RESOLUTION TO PURCHASE FIVE (5) MOBILE RADAR UNITS. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to approve a RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FROM FRONTLINE WARNING SYSTEMS FOR CITYWIDE EMERGENCY SIREN UPGRADE. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The existing radio frequency will be going offline in June 2021 due to the closure of Duane Arnold Energy Center closing.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve the invoice for Shive Hattery in the amount of $2,192.20 for the Community Wellness Center. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to accept the Veteran’s Memorial Airport COVID grant in the amount of $13,000.00. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The grant is to be primarily used for combating the spread of pathogens at the airport.
After review of the existing Vinton Code of Ordinances Chapter 20, City Attorney, council wishes to prepare a Request for Proposals for attorney services. The general government committee will meet once the 4th Ward representative is appointed to begin drafting the RFP.
The public hearing for the fiscal year 2022 budget will be held on March 25, 2021 and 7:00pm in City Hall.
City Administrator Ward is working to contact the new owner of the former IBSSS steam plant. Ward will be attending the Iowa Municipal Management Institute in mid-March. A Planning & Zoning meeting will be scheduled in the upcoming weeks.
City Clerk Schwan shared that applications are available for anyone interested in being appointed to the 4th Ward council position. Applications are to be turned in by March 8, 2021. A work session will be held on Wednesday, March 10 for the council to interview the applicants.
Good & welfare: Mayor Maynard thanked residents for promptly moving vehicles after the last snowfall. Congratulations to the VS wrestlers and bowlers who both had successful ends to their respective seasons.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Parr to adjourn the meeting. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried. Time: 7:55 p.m.