REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 22, 2016
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 22nd day of December,
2016, 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:
Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Absent: None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The Mayor asked to have the discussion on the IBSSS campus moved up on the agenda to the
first item under old business. Motion by Parmater, second by Elwick to approve the amended
agenda. Question: Aye – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Hesson to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The
Mayor declared the motion carried. The one item on the consent agenda is to receive and file the
Council meeting minutes of December 8, 2016.
Council received a letter from Cedar Valley Recycling and Transfer Company. They have
increased the recycling tonnage rate.
Parmater reported that the watershed management authority is taking job applications for a
project coordinator. Stark reported that many residents attended the E 3rd Street project meeting
with engineer Nate Kass.
Hesson reported that council had a work session Wednesday morning. They met with UNI
Institute for Decision Making and staff from the Board of Regents. They discussed the process
of forming a visioning committee and recommend having 20 to 25 members. They do want
input from people all across the community. They think the committee should meet for six to
nine months, then make a recommendation to Council. IBSSS will be in operations for at least 2
more years. Council received the IBSSS facility condition report from the Regents. The
inspection was done by employee Kevin Kacena.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a
proposed budget amendment for the current fiscal year. The 2006 G.O. bond issue has been
refinanced, reducing the City’s future interest expense. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION AMENDING THE
CURRENT BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2017. Question: Ayes –
Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the
motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 12-16-03 passed and approved.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a
proposed new revitalization area for John’s Qwik Stop. The improvements have been completed
making the property eligible for a three year tax abatement. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Parmater, second by Elwick to adopt an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE
OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, BY DESIGNATING A NEW
REVITALIZATION AREA (John’s Qwik Stop). Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson,
Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said
ordinance had been given its initial passage.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to adopt an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, BY AMENDING THE OFFICIAL
ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY (Druschel). Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius,
Hesson, Parmater, 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 Parr to now adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes –
Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the
motion carried and declared ORDINANCE 1018 duly adopted.
City Attorney Fischer stated that Council previously approved a lease for Kiwanis Park. This
lease has recently been signed by the Regents. It now needs to be signed by the Mayor and
Clerk. The lease will allow the construction of a splash pad on the property.
Motion by Parmater, second by Parr to approve a partial pay estimate No. 1 to WRH, Inc. for
ultraviolet light replacement, for the wastewater system improvements, in the amount of
$67,138.40. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr, Stark. Nays – None.
The Mayor declared the motion carried. These improvements are required for the DNR permit.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to approve the payment to VohneLiche Kennels, Inc. for the
K-9 unit and related expenses. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parmater, Parr,
Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Officer Parmater brought in K-9
unit Gino to show Council.
Council reviewed a draft of a Social Host Ordinance. Attorney Fischer stated that he, along
with Chief Paxton and Administrator Ward worked on this. The ordinance addresses alcohol and
controlled substance abuse. Violations of the ordinance will be a civil penalty. A first reading of
the ordinance will be on the next council agenda.
Council discussed assisting VMEU in funding the feasibility study for a telecommunications
utility. The anticipated cost is around $60,000. No action was taken at this time.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve pay estimate #1 to K & W Electric for rotating
beacon improvements in the amount of $35,132.90. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius,
Hesson, Parmater, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward reviewed the inspection report from Veenstra&Kimm about the condition of
both water towers. They recommend that both towers be sandblasted on the inside and the
outside and then repainted. No action was taken on an Engineering Services Agreement with
Veenstra&Kimm, Inc. for Water Tower Repair and Recoating.Administrator Ward will look into
funding options.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parmater to approve the Cedar Valley Times and the Vinton
Eagle as the official newspapers for the year 2017. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared
the motion carried.
Stark reported that the Benton County Country Fest is scheduled for June 24th. This is also the
Party in the Park weekend.
Administrator Ward reported he had been asked about a crosswalk from Celebration Park to
Fire Station on 2nd Street. IDOT permission would be needed. An old cistern was filled in with
sand at 908/910 A Avenue.
Clerk reported budget worksheets were given to departments, to be returned by Jan. 3rd.
Condolences were expressed for Chief Paxton and family, since his father recently passed away.
Representative Dawn Pettengill stated they will be working on the state budget soon. She is
expecting to see cuts, but not in education.
Good & Welfare: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:30 p.m.
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk
Categories: 2016Meeting Minutes