REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 13, 2022
The City Council of the City of Vinton, Iowa met in regular session on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 110 W 3rd Street with the following members in attendance:
Present: Bearbower, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark
Absent: None
Mayor Maynard called the meeting to order.
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve the agenda as presented. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Gates, second by Hessenius to approve the consent agenda as presented. Approved unanimously. Items on the consent agenda are to receive & file Council meeting minutes of December 22, 2021, approval of city invoices and approval of cigarette/tobacco permit for Dollar General Store.
Communications, Petitions & Remonstrances
Mayor Maynard received a letter asking for him to recruit a Starbucks to Vinton.
Maynard has received a letter of resignation from Rich Hainstock from the VMEU and VMCU Board of Trustees effective immediately.
City Administrator Ward had received a complaint from a resident about the condition of the streets and the amount of ice build-up.
Committee Reports
A work session was held prior to the council meeting to discuss a proposed schedule of fines for civil citations.
Citizens Input – None
Old Business
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the second consideration of Ordinance 1071 – an ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of Vinton by amending provisions pertaining to zoning regulations. Approved by the following votes: Bearbower, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark.
New Business
Motion by Pflughaupt, second by Gates to approve a resolution to approve reimbursement to Vinton Braille School LLC from the Iowa Vacant Building Demolition Fund Grant Award. Approved by the following votes: Bearbower, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark.
Motion by Pflughaupt, second by Gates to approve a resolution for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program. Approved by the following votes: Bearbower, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. This is the award for phase one of the Building Resilient Infrastructure Community (BRIC) Grant for engineering feasibility and project scoping to reduce flash flooding on the south portion of Vinton.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to approve a professional services agreement with Fehr Graham for BL Anderson Park Court Improvements. Approved by the following votes: Bearbower, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark. The scope of work is not limited to but will include survey, design and bidding and construction phase engineering for the removal of the existing two basketball courts and the redevelopment of a single basketball court and three new pickleball courts. The Rec Department has received a large donation to support the project. Estimated completion is by fall of 2022.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve a quote for concrete work in Kiwanis Park from C&S Concrete. After discussion, Council Members withdrew their respective motions. VPRD Director will get some clarification on the quote and represent to council at a future meeting.
Motion by Stark, second by Pflughaupt to approve the purchase of the Wastewater Treatment Plant clarifier gearbox #2 from Evoqua in the amount of $38,000. Approved by the following votes: Bearbower, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the purchase of an electric hoist for the Old Main Lift Sation from Zimmer & Francescon. Approved by the following votes: Bearbower, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Stark.
Josh Frye, owner of J&R Sanitation presented a request to Council to consider amending the current solid waste and recycling contract to allow for weekly pickup of recycling. Frye has had numerous residents call for this request. The proposed amendment includes an increase of $4/month and extends the contract through June 30, 2027. No action was taken, the proposal will be sent to committee for continued discussion.
Mayor Maynard is recommending the appointment of Gerald Horst as VMEU/VMCU Trustee to a term ending December 2027. Approved unanimously. This will be Horst’s second term.
Motion by Pflughaupt, second by Stark to appoint the Cedar Valley Times & The Vinton Eagle as the official newspapers for the City of Vinton. Approved unanimously.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported the IBEW representative is ready to meet for initial contract negotiations. Ward will schedule a time Holly Corkery (Lynch Dallas) and Maynard to meet with the IBEW representative. Ward has received an offer to purchase 10 acres of the land surrounding the sewer plant but the offer is below fair market value. Budget work is coming along well, the first work session is next week.
Street Superintendent Meyer reported crews have been prepping for the predicted snow. Crews typically wait for 3-4inches of snow to fall before beginning to plow.
Water/Wastewater Superintendent Walker reported crews are completing meter installs and some minor repairs at both plants. Walker hasn’t heard from Veensta & Kimm lately regarding plant design.
Police Chief Paxton reported he will be hiring for the last open position in the spring. Two officers will be attending the academy in March.
Parks & Recreation Director Boggess reported a special populations casino night is the next upcoming event. An e-sports workshop will be held next week for other communities to learn about our program. Boggess would like to request a work session with council to discuss the Recreation Center.
Building Inspector Hansen reported the Alphagen underground area has been collapsed. Progress on the steam plant appears halted. Hansen has received the structural report for the Seed House. This will be shared with council at a future meeting.
Good & Welfare
Congratulations to Matt Phippen, Vinton resident, who has been hired as the Director of RAGBRAI. Kudos to the Vinton Early Learning Center on being awarded a Child Care Challenge Grant. The Streets Department has been doing an excellent job with snow removal despite the frigid temperatures. Happy retirement to Tom Richstmeier from the Vinton Municipal Electric Utility.
With no other business before the council, motion by Hessenius, second by Gates to adjourn the meeting. Approved unanimously.