REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 27, 2020
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 27th day of February, 2020, 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, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Absent: None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Vinton’s newest police officer, Laura E. Deaton, took the oath of office.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, 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 February 13, 2020, approve invoices in the amount of $91,091.54, receive and file the Library Board meeting minutes of February 12, 2020 and to receive and file the Airport Commission meeting minutes of February 19, 2020.
Mayor Maynard reported he had met with U of I grad students and V & K engineers.
Edwards said that Wayne Siela had inquired about rocking a dirt road just south of town. This road is a county road.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on the proposed maximum property tax for fiscal year 2021. Administrator Ward said this does not include debt service. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTION APPROVING FY2021 MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 02-20-03 passed and approved.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a proposal to lease purchase a police vehicle. This lease purchase is for a 2020 Ford Interceptor for three years. The Mayor closed the hearing. A resolution for this was previously approved in December 2018. It has taken Ford a year to build this vehicle.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve an agreement with Fehr Graham for professional services to obtain easements related to street improvement projects. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The City will be billed on a time and material basis.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to set a public hearing for a request for tax abatement for Hy-Vee for March 13th at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Tim and Jane Osborn, 615 A Avenue, asked council to take a lien off their property for nuisance abatement costs. Attorney Fischer will look into this topic.
Mayor Maynard read a resignation letter from Alan Woodhouse. He has served on the VMEU Board of Trustees for many years and recently the VMCU Board of Trustees.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO DECLARE CERTAIN CITY PROPERTY AS SURPLUS PROPERTY. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 02-20-04 passed and approved. A 1981 Case tractor and a 1969 John Deere tractor are no longer needed by the airport.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve an application to the state revolving fund for engineering and design costs for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Dave Boisen explained a water line break at his mother-in-law’s, Nancy Stainbrook, house at 108 N 8th Avenue. Mayor Maynard asked council to approve adjusting her water and sewer bill back to the average for the last twelve-month billings. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
A public hearing was set for March 12th at 7:00 pm for an application for financial assistance through tax increment financing for Custom Millwork & Finishing. They are planning an expansion and to add two to four new employees. A developer’s agreement with the City will be needed.
A public hearing was scheduled for March 12th at 7:00 pm for a down payment assistance program using TIF funds. This is for new home owners in the Anderson Creek Estates.
Administrator Ward reported he has received four grant applications for business improvements. He has paperwork from the state for the grant and forgivable loan for the IBSSS campus.
Stark asked to hold a general government committee meeting on March 5th at 5:30 pm. They will be discussing the process for appointments to boards and commissions and council meeting procedures.
Good & Welfare: Mayor Maynard said he a good meeting with Hobart Historic Restoration.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to adjourn the meeting. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried. Time: 8:00 p.m.