COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 25, 2024
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 25th day of January 2024 in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided and the roll being called the following members were present: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Stark to approve the agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda include receive & file Council meeting minutes of January 11, 2024, receive & file Library meeting minutes of December 13, 2023, approval of Special Class C retail alcohol license for McBride Mobile Taps and approval of City invoices.
Communications, Petitions or Remonstrances
Council received a notice of rate increase from Lynch Dallas beginning July 1, 2024.
Committee Reports
The Public Works committee met prior to the Council meeting to discuss traffic control along East 13th Street. An ordinance will be drafted for consideration at a future meeting. The Public Safety committee also met prior to the Council meeting to discuss the creation of a snow emergency policy. An ordinance will be drafted for consideration at a future meeting.
Citizens Input
Rylie Pflughaupt, 215 E 8th Street thanked the public works crew for doing an excellent job with snow removal.
Kord Sellers, 1307 B Avenue spoke regarding the proposed water & sewer rate increases.
Old Business
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the third consideration of ordinance 1093 – an ordinance providing for the vacation of an alley in Vinton, Iowa. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Gates to adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the second consideration of ordinance 1094 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to water rates. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Gates to approve the second consideration of ordinance 1095 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to sewer rates. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve the quote from Pollution Control Systems for Budd’s Lift Station equipment replacement. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
New Business
Motion by Gates, seconded by Elwick to approve the first consideration of ordinance 1096 – an ordinance repealing section 99.02 pertaining to special rates for sewer service charges. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to approve a proposal for professional services for water treatment facility from Fehr Graham. Nate Kass from Fehr Graham was present to answer questions. After brief discussion, Council wished to have a work session with Kass to discuss further due to the large scope of the project and financial costs. The motions were withdrawn. A work session will be scheduled for a future date.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to approve the quote from Ervin Motors to purchase 2023 GMC Sierra for $42,090.00. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried. The truck will be purchased by the Parks Department and paid for with insurance funds from the Riverside arson.
Motion by Parmater, seconded by Stark to approve the business improvement grant award to M&B Investment LLC. Question: Ayes – Gates, Hessenius, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark; Abstain – Elwick. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to release the RFP for 2020 Derecho Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery New Housing program. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Parmater to appoint Ron Hessenius to the Rural Fire Advisory Board. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Parmater, seconded by Gates to appoint Andrew Elwick to the Vinton Unlimited Board. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported Hobarts would like to meet with the Council regarding J Avenue. Budget work session is next week.
City Clerk Schwan reported a communication piece has been drafted regarding water and sewer rate increases. It will be shared online and in the Livewire.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Walker reported crews have been busy with a few water main breaks. The surplus dump truck has been sold.
Police Chief Paxton reported there is one fulltime vacancy in the department. One of the new squad cars has been equipped and will go into service in the next day or so.
Parks & Recreation Director Boggess reported staff has been busy doing audits on the existing programming and concessions compared to other communities. Winter programming is going well.
Good & Welfare
Kudos to the City staff for the fantastic job during the last winter storm. VPRD bingo is Sunday. Congrats to the girls wrestling team for winning the WaMaC conference tournament.
With no other business before council, motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to adjourn. Unanimously approved. Time: 7:35pm.