REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2019
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 12th day of December, 2019, 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 Stark to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr 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 25, 2019, approve invoices in the amount of $496,197.86, receive and file the November revenue and expenditure report, and to receive and file the Parks and Recreation Board meeting minutes of November 14, 2019.
Roger Uthoff, 1503 S 14th Avenue, asked about the water meter ordinance dealing with temporary absences. He does not wish to pull the meter. The water can be shut off at the curb stop and he will also shut off the water valve inside his house. He said the ordinance does not require the meter to be pulled. Council said to follow the ordinance.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to pass a RESOLUTION SETTING TIME OF HEARING ON A PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO VACATE AN ALLEY. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 12-19-01 passed and approved. A public hearing is set for December 26th at 7:00 pm.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Edwards to approve going forward with street projects using local funding and planning to issue G.O. bonds for financing. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Administrator Ward will contact engineer Nate Kass and financial advisor Tionna Pooler.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr to refer a preliminary plat of the Mary Ingalls subdivision to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declare the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Parr to approve a bid for a roof at the waste water treatment plant from Imperial Roof Systems for $11,875. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to approve a request from Brett Stein to park trailers and vehicles on a leased lot at the corner of E 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Hesson to set a public hearing to consider bids for a splash pad for January 9, 2020 at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward said he had met with the Eastern Iowa Housing Trust Fund director and learned that Cedar Valley Bank and Trust was awarded $105,000 for down payment assistance for first time home buyers. This would assist the purchase of seven homes. Council took no action at this time to commit any funding assistance. Ward is waiting to hear from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines on a grant application. Council could use TIF funds to assist in this first time home buyers grant program.
Mark Noe and Andrew Elwick both expressed interest in being appointed to the 2nd Ward Council seat vacancy that will occur in January. Council had previously stated their intention to appoint someone to this seat. Ballots were collected from Council members, excluding Ron Elwick, for their selection. Andrew Elwick was selected. He will be sworn into office in January.
Kurt Karr, Amy Edison, Heather Kingsbury and Mike Elwick had expressed interest in being appointed to the VMEU Board of Trustees. Kurt Karr later withdrew his application siting a gender balance requirement. After listening to the candidates, Mayor Maynard asked Council to consider his re-appointment of Mike Elwick to the VMEU Board of Trustees. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Hessenius, Parr. No – Hesson, Stark. Abstain – Elwick. The motion died. Motion by Hessenius, second by Parr to hold a special Council meeting December 19th at 6:00 pm to consider an appointment to the VMEU Board. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The City Attorney is reviewing the appointment. Hesson asked Attorney Fischer for clarification on conflicts of interest and nepotism rules.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT A PROPOSAL FOR AUDITS OF THE CITY OF VINTON FOR THE YEARS ENDING JUNE 30, 2020, 2021 AND 2022. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 12-19-02 passed and approved.
The public works committee will meet on January 9th at 6:00 pm to discuss water line replacements when installing a meter pit.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve a quote from Braun Intertec for soil borings for the waste water treatment plant in the amount of $6,570. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Cell phones for public works departments will be discussed during negotiations for union contracts.
The new bike ride, Iowa’s Ride, will be stopping overnight in Vinton July 13, 2020. Councilman Hesson will be the council’s representative to this planning committee.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Parr to set a public hearing on nuisance abatement for Jim Gill property on 700 block of East 2nd Street for January 9, 2020 at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
A budget work session set for January 16, 2020 at 5:30 pm.
Administrator Ward stated the airport’s new John Deere tractor is in Keystone and that training is scheduled for next week. The old braille steam plant owners plan to raze the building. He has started working on the budget. There is a new step in budgeting this year, requiring an extra hearing and publication. Chief Paxton said they has good turnout at the Pizza Ranch fundraiser. They have received generous donations for the Holiday with a Cop. The City has received another disbursement of hotel/motel tax from the State.
Mayor Maynard appreciates the interest that has been shown by residents willing to serve on City Council and City Boards.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 9:03 p.m.