The City Council of the City of Vinton, Iowa met in regular session on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 110 W 3rd Street with the following members in attendance:
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 Gates, second by Stark to approve the agenda as amended with “final” stricken from Old Business Item 8b and New Business items 9e – Approval of Change Order #7 for the South Trail improvements and 9m – Discussion of Corbett Memorial Wetland removed. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Edwards, second by Gates to approve the consent agenda as presented. Approve unanimously. Items on the consent agenda are to receive & file council meeting minutes of July 22 & 31, 2021, approve city invoices, approve the renewal of a Class E liquor license for John’s Qwik Stop and approve the renewal of a Class C liquor license for Berry’s Lanes.
Communications, Petitions or Remonstrances
Council Member Elwick had received several questions about the status of the street construction projects with regards to seeding and cleanup. Elwick had also spoke with several contractors with concerns about garage footings and enforcement.
Committee Reports
A work session was held prior to this council meeting to discuss the requirement for footings on detached garage structures built in town. A resolution will be prepared for the August 26th council meeting.
Citizens Input
Becky Stainbrook, 1016 1st Avenue shared concerns about the cleanup from the street construction projects and if that responsibility fell with the homeowner or the contractor. Project Engineer Nate Kass assured Stainbrook that the project is not finished yet and the contractor is responsible for the dirt work cleanup along the sidewalks and the seeding.
Dean Schminke, 1017 Golf View Drive, representing the Flechner Trust shared concerns over the cost of the farm drive issues along the south trail. A meeting with all of the involved parties will be scheduled prior to the next council meeting.
Old Business
Motion by Stark, second by Parr to accept the quote from Kromminga Motors for $53,380.00 for a New Holland E37C mini excavator with the premier warranty coverage for the water department. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve the invoice for Baker Enterprises for the South Trail improvements. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark. Nays: Gates, Hessenius. This is for work already completed and does not include change orders for the farm driveway work.
Motion by Gates, second by Edwards to approve the land management proposal from Iowa Land Management for the recently purchased land by the city’s sewer plant. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr. Abstain: Stark.
New Business
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to approve the first consideration of an ordinance amending the code of ordinances by amending provisions pertaining to alcoholic beverage control. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to approve the first consideration of an ordinance amending the code of ordinances by amending provisions pertaining to public disorder. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve the first consideration of an ordinance amending the code of ordinances by adding provisions pertaining to low-speed bicycles and fully controlled-access facilities. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Gates, second by Stark to approve the first consideration of an ordinance amending the code of ordinances by amending provisions pertaining to abandoned vehicles. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Mayor Maynard left the meeting
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve pay application #4 from Boomerang for street improvement work in the amount of $536,191.19. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Project Engineer Nate Kass reported 6th Street will be paved in the following week, crews are beginning to work on backfilling curbs, seeding will start soon and the Avenues will be opening up.
Mayor Maynard returned to the meeting.
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to accept the quote from Modern Compressed Air for $12,194.12 for a Elgi 30 horsepower air compressor for the sewer plant. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Parr, Stark. Abstain: Hessenius.
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to approve the request from Evergreen Cemetery for disbursement of funds totaling $20,000. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The disbursement was included in the budget.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve the request from Vinton Unlimited for street closures for Sounds from the Cedar on August 14, 2021. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Portions of West 2nd Street and A Avenue will be closed between 3:00pm and midnight.
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to approve the request from Blessed Hope Community Church for street closures for a Trunk or Treat event on October 31, 2021. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The 400 block of 1st Avenue will be closed from 2pm to 8pm.
Council Member Parr asked to discuss the status of the downtown traffic lights. Council Member Elwick spoke with business owners along 4th Street and they like having the traffic lights in place. Concerns are surrounding the speed of traffic and the u-turns across lanes of traffic. No action was taken.
Council Member Parr also asked to discuss the safety of the intersection of 3rd Street and 1st Avenue. North and south bound traffic moves quickly on 1st Avenue and the intersection is often blind because of the large intersection and parking surrounding the courthouse. One possibility would be to implement a 2 or 3-way stop. Engineer Nate Kass will research what solutions might be possible being the state highway is part of the intersection.
Motion by Gates, second by Stark to receive and file the 2021 Calhoun-Burns Bridge Inspection Report. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Edwards, second by Elwick to receive and file the FY19/20 audit report. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to appoint Tom Boeckmann to the Vinton Veterans Airport Commission. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Mayor Maynard set Sunday, October 31 from 5:00-7:00pm as trick or treating hours.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported the airport will be discussing the possibility of finding a new engineer. CGA has staffing issues and isn’t able to fulfill requirements. Setting the date for bond sale for the sewer plant land will be on the next council agenda.
Street Superintendent Meyer reported crews continue to work on seal coating streets.
Water Superintendent Walker reported the life stations have been cleaned. Proficiency testing has been completed for the lab, staff are working on certifications. Crews will be replacing and painting hydrants in the upcoming weeks.
Police Captain Dickinson reported Officer Eden is working though his field training. The new group of reserves are working through training also.
Building Inspector Hansen recently had a tour of the retention basin. The dirt that was hauled in for the new public safety building has been seeded.
City Clerk Schwan reported the City Hall doors will be replaced next week. We’ve submitted an order for free computers as part of the state’s COVID relief program. The first major data dump has occurred as part of the software conversation. Extensive review of our rates is the next step. Papers can be filed for the November election starting on Monday. A complaint has been made to the DNR regarding the brush dump.
Mayor Maynard reminded the council members to file papers if they are interested in re-election.
Good & Welfare
Representative Hinson will be in town next Monday. The softball game between the high school wrestling team and the police department was a wonderful fundraiser for the wrestling team. The concert in Celebration Park is this weekend.
With no other business before the council, motion by Parr, second by Gates to adjourn the meeting. Approved unanimously. Time: 8:45pm.