REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 25, 2018
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 25th day of October, 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, Stark. Absent: None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark 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 October 11, 2018, and to receive and file the Library Board meeting minutes of September 12th and October 10th, the Parks & Recreation Board meeting minutes of October 11th and the Airport Commission meeting minutes of October 17th.
Mayor Maynard reported that he, Hesson and Parr had talked with Devin Pickering and Mike Rommann about water drainage near south 2nd Avenue.
Rick Lazenby requested permission for a ride/run benefit on October 27th for Yvonne Zimpfer. They would like to block of the street in front of the Ron-Da-Voo that day. Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to approve this request. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Ron Geiger, VFW representative, requested permission for the Annual Veteran’s Patriotic – Christmas Parade on November 15th. Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve this request. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr to adopt an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO THE CHARGE FOR CONNECTING TO THE SANITARY SEWER. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its second consideration.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to adopt an ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE DIVISION OF TAXES LEVIED ON TAXABLE PROPERTY IN THE 2018 AMENDMENT TO THE VINTON CONSOLIDATED URBAN RENEWAL AREA, PURSUANT TO SECTION 403.19 OF THE CODE OF IOWA. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its second consideration.
Motion by Hesson, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION PROPOSING DISPOSAL OF AN INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY BY SALE AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 10-18-01 passed and approved. The public hearing is set for November 8th at 7:00 pm.
Adam Rodenberg, Middle Cedar Watershed Project Coordinator, talked about their work to reduce the impact caused by heavy rains or flooding. He is also working with private land owners. Environmental reviews and engineering designs are in progress. An appraisal of the land will be done. An application for a DNR permit will be necessary. He hopes the preliminary design will be complete in about one month.
Nate Kass, Fehr Graham engineer, talked about street designs. Some street repairs or replacements projects will be planned for next year. If a longer warranty is requested from a contractor for a street project, the cost will increase.
Kass and Street Superintendent Erickson talked about SUDAS specifications. These state urban design and specifications will provide a more uniform standard for the bidding process.
The street department plans to seal some cracks on 13th Street.
Council discussed the storm water drainage ditch near south 2nd Avenue. A quote was received from Pickering just today. Hessenius will contact Pickering to clarify details. A utility pole or two will have to be moved before regrading this ditch.
Administrator Ward reported he had contacted PDCM, the administrating company for the city’s health insurance, about offering coverage for North Benton Ambulance employees through a 28E agreement with the City. He was told that due to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that the health insurance is no longer group based and is now age based. There would be no cost savings for North Benton Ambulance. North Benton Ambulance will contact PDCM to inquire about getting their own health insurance coverage.
Administrator Ward reported that a structural engineer would be looking at the old Braille school power plant. He also stated the two properties are still in the flood buyout program.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to set a hearing date for an appeal from Charles Edward Pelton regarding a dangerous or vicious dog for November 8th at 7:00 pm. After discussion, the motion and second were withdrawn.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to set a hearing date for an appeal from Charles Edward Pelton regarding a dangerous or vicious dog for November 21st at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Council discussed a proposal for professional lobbying from Heartland Strategies to assist with funding for the development of the IBSSS campus. Mayor Maynard will talk with Braille School committee member Pat Baird and Hobart Historic Restorations about this proposal.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr to set the second council meeting in November for November 21st at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
A boring contractor hit two water lines along C Avenue. The repairs have been done. The large trash pumps for the sewer plant are functioning again. A new 6” trash pump could be added to the waste water treatment plant improvement project.
Administrator Ward stated that Parks and Rec. director Brad Barker’s last day will be Monday. He also reported that holiday lights have been purchased for downtown.
Clerk reported receiving a complaint about a fence on E 6th Street. The building inspector has contacted the owner. Two phone lines were cut at the airport while a contractor was working on the fueling system. The lines have now been repaired. The Iowa Department of Revenue has now imposed an excise tax on water instead of a sales tax. The electric utility is planning to install a sidewalk along the north side of the power plant. This will help for when HESCO barriers need to be set up for flood mitigation. The auditors were at City Hall this week.
Attorney Fischer has not heard any ruling from the magistrate on the recent court case.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 9:20 p.m.