REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 27, 2021
The City Council of the City of Vinton, Iowa met in regular session on Thursday, May 27, 2021at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 110 W 3rd Street with the following members present:
Present: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark
Absent: None
Due to COVID-19, the meeting was also held electronically via Zoom.
Mayor Maynard called the meeting to order.
Motion by Stark, second by Gates to approve the agenda as presented. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve the consent agenda as presented. Approved unanimously. Items on the consent agenda are to receive & file Council meeting minutes of May 13, 2021, approve invoices, approve the renewal of a Class B liquor license for the Cobblestone Inn & Suite, approve the renewal of a class E liquor license for Fareway and approve cigarette/tobacco permits for Fareway & Casey’s General Store.
Communications, Petitions, Remonstrances
The City Clerk received an email from D. Sanders regarding the library. Copies were provided in the council packet.
Committee Reports
A 3D image of the public safety building is complete. The next meeting will be in June.
Citizens Input
None
Old Business
Motion by Stark, second by Edwards to approve the third consideration of an ORDINANCE amending provisions pertaining to water rates. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to adopt the above started ordinance. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The Mayor declared ORDINANCE 1053 adopted.
Motion by Gates, second by Stark to approve the third consideration of an ORDINANCE amending provisions pertaining to city attorney appointment and compensation. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to adopt the above started ordinance. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The Mayor declared ORDINANCE 1054 adopted.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the third consideration of an ORDINANCE amending the official zoning district map of the City. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Gates to adopt the above started ordinance. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The Mayor declared ORDINANCE 1055 adopted.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the third consideration of an ORDINANCE amending the official zoning district map of the City. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to adopt the above started ordinance. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The Mayor declared ORDINANCE 1056 adopted.
Motion by Stark, second by Gates to approve the third consideration of an ORDINANCE amending the provisions pertaining to solid waste control. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Gates to adopt the above started ordinance. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The Mayor declared ORDINANCE 1057 adopted.
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve the first consideration of an ORDINANCE amending provisions to building codes. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. This would bring the mechanical and electrical code up to 2021 editions as well as the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings.
Mayor Maynard opened the public hearing for the proposed budget amendment for FY20-21. The amendment was necessary because of the IBSSS grant and loan funds as well as the unexpected COVID related grants. With no comments, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve a resolution for the budget amendment FY20-21. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Former IBSSS Steam Plant property owner, Mr. Kindl, sent an email stating he had not had time to put together a milestone schedule for the next 6 months of work. The email also included a request to begin demolition of the lower section of the building. Building Inspector Blake Hansen confirmed a building permit had not yet been applied for at the time of the meeting. Administrator Ward was directed to let Kindl know demolition work could not begin without a building permit.
Administrator Ward reported that Council has sent the precedent of soliciting bids for solid waste collection and it strongly recommended to continue with that format. Council could consider extending the current solid waste collection at the end of the current contract but only after bids are received.
New Business
Motion by Gates, second by Hessenius to approve the request from VPRD for street closures for the Farmers Market. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. East 2nd Street between 1st Avenue and A Avenue will be closed from 4:15pm-7:15pm on Thursday’s from July 1 to September 9, 2021.
Motion by Parr, second by Edwards to approve the annual request from Iowa Pyrotechnic Associate for fireworks display on August 27 & 28, 2021 and event financial contribution. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The City will contribute $5,000 to the event.
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve a resolution to approve reimbursement to Vinton Braille School LLC from the Iowa Vacant Building Rehabilitation Fund Forgivable Loan Award. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Gates to approve a resolution to approve reimbursement to Vinton Braille School LLC from the Iowa Vacant Building Demolition Fund Grant Award. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve a resolution authorizing a property lien for 713 D Avenue. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Both owners are deceased and $2,636.24 is owed to the City in unpaid utilities, junk removal and mowing.
Motion by Gates, second by Stark to approve the invoice from Baker Enterprises for the South Trail improvements. Council members had some questions regarding the charges. Park & Rec Director Boggess will invite a Baker representative to the next council meeting. Council members Gates & Stark withdrew their respective motions.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Elwick to table the approval of the Baker Enterprises invoice for the South Trail until the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to approve the quote from Midland Door Solutions for the airport hanger repairs. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Gates to approve the dental renewal with Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The annual benefit will increase from $1,000 to $2,000 with the plan cost decreasing by 1.9 percent.
Motion by Edwards, second by Gates to approve the vision insurance plan presented by PDCM. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Coverage would be voluntary and the cost would be covered by the employee.
Motion by Parr, second by Edwards to approve the resolution to transfer funds from the General Fund to the Library Fund. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Stark, second by Gates to approve the acceptance of the plat of survey for the Schoonover property. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Thomas Hootman, 305 E 5th Street questioned the nuisance violation he received. Council encouraged Hootman to continue to work with the Building Inspector to bring the property into compliance.
Reports
Administrator Ward shared the wetland project is progressing.
Street Superintendent Meyer shared crews continue to work on patching and concrete repair. There are two vacancies in the department as a result of other internal transfers.
Building Inspector Hansen has been busy with grass notices, building permits and issuing several civil infractions.
Police Chief Paxton shared Officer Deaton will soon be promoted to Sergeant. Interviews have been conducted to fill the vacancy in the department with an offer to be made soon.
City Clerk Schwan shared Pest Control will be here in June to spray City Hall for ants.
Good & Welfare
The ribbon cutting for the new trail is tonight at 9:30pm at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and 21st Street.
Mayor Maynard announced the next item on the agenda is a Closed Session. “To go into closed session I will need a motion and a second to go into closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.”
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to enter into Closed Session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i). Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to return into open session per Iowa Code 21.5(3). Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
With no other business before the council, motion by Parr, second by Stark to adjourn the meeting. Approved unanimously. Time: 9:20pm.