A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 21nd day of November, 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, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Absent: Hessenius.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Elwick 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 November 8, 2018, to approve the renewal of a class c liquor license with Sunday sales for Mickey’s Bar and to receive and file the Parks and Recreation Board meeting minutes of November 8, 2018.
Dave and Diana Whitson, 1205 E 4th Street, requested an adjustment for their December sewer charge because of toilet malfunction. Council will consider this at their next meeting after the next billing cycle is processed.
Doug Martens, 1605 2nd Avenue, discussed storm water drainage near his home. He asked if the grass along the north-south ditch by his property could be killed and rock put down. The Public Works Committee will look at this ditch.
Mayor Maynard announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing for an appeal from Charles Pelton to keep a dog. Pelton, 907 W 3rd Street, was present for this hearing. He would like to keep the dog as a guard dog. It is a Great Dane Mastiff mix, about 4 years old. The dog has bitten two people, one in 2017 and one in 2018. The dog is currently out of the county. Hesson stated he does not want a third individual to be bitten. Mayor Maynard asked council to sustain the police departments order to remove the dog from the city. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.                      The Mayor closed the hearing. Administrator Ward will send a letter confirming council’s decision.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to approve a street design agreement with Fehr Graham. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to approve a proposal from Heartland Strategies, LLC, for professional lobbying services related to the acquisition and funding for rehabilitation of the IBSSS campus. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The cost is $1,000 per month, for up to twelve months.
Motion by Parr, second by Hesson to approve a remediation grant disbursement to Benton County Title in the amount of $20,578.59. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Abstain – Edwards. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. These expenses are from the downtown fire last February.
The E 3rd Street sewer lines have been televised by Roto-Rooter but the video has not been received yet. No news yet on the two properties that are in the flood buy-out program. Administrator Ward will attend a meeting on Tuesday with Iowa Valley Resource and Development.  He will also check with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security on the status of the flood buyout program. A structural engineer has looked at the old braille school power plant building and will send a report soon.
Motion by Hesson, second by Elwick to approve RESOLUTION CONFIRMING COMPENSATION OF THE INTERIM VINTON PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 11-18-03 passed and approved. The interim salary is set at $55,521.88.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to set a public hearing for December 13th at 7:00 pm on a proposed lease/purchase agreement with Ford Motor Co for a new police department vehicle. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hesson to approve a request for the Tour de Lights route on December 2nd. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Police Chief Paxton said he is looking into selling the two Toyota vehicles and purchasing a pickup with asset forfeiture funds.
Administrator Ward reported Tionna Pooler, Independent Public Advisors will be here on Dec. 13th to review sewer rates. The Business Type Activities committee will meet at 6:00 pm on Dec. 13th to discuss sewer rates.
Good & Welfare:Â Happy Thanksgiving.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:45 p.m.