REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 12, 2023
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 12th day of January, 2023 at 7:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided and the roll being called the following members were present: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark; Absent: Bearbower.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Stark to approve the agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Elwick to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are to receive & file Council meeting minutes of December 22, 2022, receive & file Parks & Recreation board meeting minutes of November 10 and December 8, 2022, receive & file airport meeting minutes of December 21, 2022, approval of Class E retail alcohol license for Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh and approval of City invoices.
Communications, Petitions or Remonstrances
Council received a letter from Hobart Historic Restoration.
Committee Reports
General Government met prior to the council meeting to review a draft of a public records request policy. Action will be taken at the next regular council meeting.
Business type activities is going to meet on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 4:30pm to review the RFPs received for sanitation services.
Citizens Input – None
Old Business
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a bid from Baker Tree Service LLC for ash tree removal. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The bid is for removal of ash trees in the parks including grinding and grading.
B Avenue continues to have sewer issues as a result of the City’s main. Fehr Graham supplied two bids for complete repair one with water and sewer and one with only sewer. Council will consider reimbursement to Sellers at a future council meeting.
New Business
Motion by Stark, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a professional services contract with Bolton & Menk for Runway 9/27 joint sealing and additional patching project. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve a resolution to approve a purchasing policy. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This is a requirement for the BRICK grant.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to approve a resolution approving the designation of the official newspaper for the 2023 year. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Gates to approve a quote for an enclosed trailer from Patten Equipment for $4,997.00. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The trailer will be used by the sewer department for storage of the sewer camera.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Gates to approve a quote for a dump truck cab and chassis from Truck Country for $79,900. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This purchase is for the water/sewer department and will still need a dump box.
Mayor Maynard appointed Mikel-Jon Elwick as VMEU/VMCU Trustee to a term ending December 2028.
A public hearing is set for council meeting on January 26, 2023 at 7:00pm for the maximum property tax levy for FY24.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported North Benton Ambulance would like to meet with Council prior to the next council meeting. City Hall will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day.
Street Superintendent Meyer reported crews are busy trimming trees.
Parks & Recreation Director Boggess reported the Rec Coordinator position has been filled with the new employee starting soon. Staff are busy with events and winter leagues.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Walker reported two antennas have been placed on the water towers as part of the new collection system. GPS work continues on the water infrastructure.
Police Chief Paxton reported the department will host an intern from Hawkeye beginning in January.
Code Enforcer Hansen reported final judgement has been received on the collection of properties on West 8th Street. Hansen has been made aware that a contactor has been contacted by the building owners about asbestos abatement at the Seed House. Notice has been served to the East School for property maintenance.
Good & Welfare
Happy New Year!
Motion by Stark, seconded by Pflughaupt to enter closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the government body in that litigation. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to exit closed session. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, seconded by Pflughaupt to return to open session per Iowa Code 21.5(3). Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a resolution to approve oversize garage application submitted by Randy and Sherri Tollefson. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
With no other business before the Council, motion by Gates, second by Pflughaupt to adjourn. Approved unanimously.