A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 28th day of May, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa and also electronically, due to the COVID-19 virus, using ZOOM Cloud hosted at 124 Scenic Drive. 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.
Mayor Maynard reminded all who were present to practice social distancing. Administrator Ward was operating the Zoom electronics for this meeting.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hesson 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 May 14, 2020, approve invoices in the amount of $149,605.95, approve cigarette/tobacco permits for Ehlinger’s Vinton Express, Casey’s General Store, John’s Qwik Stop and Fareway, and to receive and file the building inspector report for April 2020.
Council received and filed a retirement letter from Virginia Holsten. Mayor Maynard said that AmeriCorps is planning to start a gradual process of returning to service.
Council held a work session on May 14th. Due to COVID-19 virus this was held via Zoom Cloud. The work session topics were Iowa Chapters 21 and 22. Present for that meeting were Mayor Maynard, Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Stark, City Administrator Ward, City Attorney Fischer and City Clerk Michael. Administrator Ward will schedule a future time with Hessenius and Parr to go over these chapters.
Mayor Maynard announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a proposed budget amendment for fiscal year 2019-2020. The proposed amendment is for an electric utility bond payment and the housing down payment assistance program. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to pass a RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CURRENT BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2020. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 05-20-02 passed and approved.
  Motion by Edwards, second by Hessenius to adopt an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA, BY AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING DISTRICT MAP OF THE CITY. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and that said ordinance had been given its initial passage. Administrator Ward said that the Planning and Zoning Commission had met to consider Brian Hamling’s request to rezone two parcels from M-1 Restricted Industrial district to B-1 Commercial district. The commission recommends that council approve the rezoning request. Hamling plans to build one structure that is a shop, garage, house combined.  General consensus was that this would be a good use of the property.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hesson to approve amendment #2 for the airport environmental study. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson. Nays – Parr, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The cost of the amendment is $55,712 and 90% will be reimbursed by a FAA grant. Administrator Ward will inquire to the engineers about the additional agency coordination costs. Funding from the CARES Act could help pay for this amendment. Funds from the sale of the old surplus tractor will also help pay for this study.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to table a proposal for GIS mapping services from Fehr Graham Engineering. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Information from the Benton County Assessor will be sought, to possibly integrate with their Schneider mapping system.
Administrator Ward stated that Hobart Historic Restoration is interested in purchasing the old IBSSS power plant.
Attorney Fischer said that Iowa Chapter 657A provides rules for obtaining abandoned properties. The property is to have been empty for at least six months.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM SPECIAL REVENUE NW TIF FUND AND SPECIAL REVENUE WEST TIF #1 TO CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND AND WEST TIF #1 FUND. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 05-20-03 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hesson to pass a RESOLUTION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LOUISE GILCHRIST ENDOWMENT FUND. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTUION 05-20-04 passed and approved.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve a quote of $30,000 from Pickering Backhoe Service for sewer and water work for the new splash pad project. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Parks and Recreation Director, Matt Boggess, said that he and the board have had long conversations on what swimming programs to offer this summer, due to the COVID-19 virus. They may offer group lessons in smaller groups. They want to keep all children safe. They might offer lap swimming. CDC guidelines will be followed to sterilize the pool and building. They could open the pool on June 15th. When the splash pad opens in about six to eight weeks, social distancing will be encouraged.
Mayor Maynard asked to set a public hearing for June 11, 2020 at 7:00 pm for a proposed outdoor trail. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Attorney Fischer will prepare easements for this project.
Administrator Ward said that VMU had a special meeting to discuss a possible business incentive for a local company that is planning to expand its workforce. Janette McMahon, the new librarian has started working with Virginia. Chief Paxton said his department has been working on nuisance abatements of tall grass. The Public Safety committee will meet Saturday morning to discuss street parking in Anderson Creek Estates. Council will discuss when to resume assessing late fees on past due utility accounts at their next meeting. Street Superintendent Meyer said the new truck will be delivered next week. Mayor Maynard said that Steve Spencer has turned in a tree permit application.
Good & Welfare: Hy-Vee is now open. KwikStar is making progress on their new store.
Council recessed the meeting. Time: 8:10 pm. The meeting was reconvened. Time: 8:25 pm.
  Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to go into closed session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)i. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Time: 8:26 p.m.
Council reconvened open session. Time: 10:19 p.m.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Hesson to adjourn the meeting. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried. Time: 10:20 p.m.