A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 27th day of December, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa.  Mayor Maynard presided and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent:  Present:  Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr.  Absent:  Stark.

   The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

   Motion by Elwick, second by Hesson to approve the agenda.  Question:  Ayes – All.  The Mayor declared the motion carried.

   Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the consent agenda.  Question:  Ayes – All.  The Mayor declared the motion carried.  Items on the consent agenda are to receive and file the Council meeting minutes of December 13th, to receive and file the Library Board meeting minutes of November 14th and December 12th, the Parks and Rec. Board meeting minutes of December 13th and the Airport Commission meeting minutes of December 19th.

   Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to pass a RESOLUTION CONFIRMING APPOINTMENT OF THE VINTON PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR.  Question:  Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr.  Nays – None.  The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 12-18-05 passed and approved.  Matt Boggess is the new director.

   Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the Vinton Parks and Recreation Board’s recommended salary range and benefits for a new Assistant Director.  After discussion the motion and second were withdrawn.  Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the recommended salary range and benefits for a new assistant director, including the requirement to live in the park owned house.  Question:  Ayes – All.  The Mayor declared the motion carried. 

   Motion by Hesson, second by Edwards to approve a splash pad design and quote from Outdoor Recreation Products.  Their quote is $107,726.  Administrator Ward stated this project will be funded by donations.  Question:  Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr.  Nays – None.  The Mayor declared the motion carried.  Director Boggess said they used the cooperative purchasing agreement and received discounted prices, reducing the project cost.  The water system that will be used does not recycle the water.  Those systems are more costly to maintain.  The plan is to have the splash pad in operation next summer.

   Street Superintendent Erickson talked about a tractor the department purchased in the year 2000.  He stated it has had problems over the years and now the transmission is broken.  He has talked with Kromminga Motors about possible cost estimates for repairs.  The tractor is 18 years old.  They will need a tractor for mowing next spring.  Council’s general consensus was for Erickson to seek bids for a new tractor.

   Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM SPECIAL REVENUE SE TIF FUND TO DEBT SERVICE FUND.  Question:  Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr.  Nays – None.  The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 12-18-06 passed and approved.  A transfer of $6,500 is approved.

   Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to appoint the Cedar Valley Times and the The Vinton Eagle as the official newspapers for the City.  Question:  Ayes – All.  The Mayor declared the motion carried.       

   Water Superintendent Walker asked council to consider a different monthly meter charge for larger water meters.  The current ordinance states the monthly meter charge is $9.75.   A few businesses purchase bulk quantities of water, using a larger meter.  Walker stated he would like to replace the meter at the overhead filling station at the power plant.  They also have a meter that a few businesses borrow to hook up to a hydrant for bulk water purchases.  Walker will seek meter costs. 

   Administrator Ward reported that he had attended the IPIB training session with the VMEU Board of Trustees.  From that session, he learned that “other old business” and “other new business” are not recommended to be items on a council agenda.  Edwards stated that he will meet on Jan. 3rd with Ohrt family members.  Edwards also asked about a 3-way stop at the intersection of 1st Avenue and 3rd Street.  Administrator Ward will check with IDOT about this intersection.  Tom Lindauer reported high traffic speed on East 13th Street.  Ward reported the flood buy outs were approved just prior to the federal government shutdown.  Iowa Department of Economic Development stopped in Vinton last week.  They were pleased with the progress made by the businesses destroyed by last February’s fire.  They suggested a future grant for the old seed house.  Hessenius reported that the hospital has repaired their sewer line.  Mayor Maynard spoke at the Lion’s Club yesterday.  

   Good & Welfare:  Happy New Year.

   There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.  Time: 8:10 p.m.