VINTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 11, 2021
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 11th day of February, 2021 at 7:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Due to COVID-19 virus, the meeting was also held electronically using Zoom which was hosted at 110 W 3rd Street. Mayor Maynard presided with roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr; Absent – Stark.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Edwards, second by Elwick the approve the agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to approve the consent agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The consent agenda included the following items: receive & file council meeting minutes of January 28 & February 3, 2021, receive & file Park & Recreation meeting minutes of December 10, 2020 and January 14, 2021, receive & file the Vinton Airport Commission meeting minutes of January 20, 2021, approve invoices and approve the renewal of a Class E liquor license with Sunday sales for Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh, 911 S K Avenue.
The committee for the public safety building continues to meet. The floor plans are going to be flip flopped. A redraft is expected at the next committee meeting.
Motion by Parr, second by Edwards to approve the third consideration of ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA BY ADDING NEW SUBSECTIONS REGARDING STOP SIGNS AND NO PARKNG ZONES. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This is the third and final reading of the ordinance.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared ORDINANCE 1050 duly adopted.
Motion by Parr, second by Edwards to approve the third consideration of ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 155, BUILDING CODE AND BUILDING HOUSE BOARD OF APPEALS ADOPTING THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This is the third and final reading of the ordinance.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to adopt the above stated ordinance. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared ORDINANCE 1051 duly adopted.
Motion by Edwards, second by Elwick to approve the first consideration of an ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA BY AMENDING PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO PARKING VIOLATIONS. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The change in ordinance would increase the parking fines by $5.00.
Motion by Edwards, second by Elwick to disapprove a RESOLUTION SETTING A DATE FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE 4TH WARD COUNCIL SEAT FOR THE REMAINING BALANCE OF THE UNEXPIRING TERM OF NOVEMBER 2, 2021. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to approve the intention to appoint the 4th Ward council seat. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The 4th Ward Council position will be filled by appointment at the March 11, 2021 council meeting at 7:00pm held in City Hall, Vinton, Iowa.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to approve the mayoral appointment of Kordereau Sellers, Tanner Davis & Bryant Davis to Board of Adjustments & Appeal for a term ending December 31, 2025. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Mayor Maynard tabled the appointments to Building & Housing Board of Appeals until all council members are present.
Motion by Edwards, second by Elwick to approve the appointment of Nancy Scott, Don Weideman, John Scherbring, Cory Elwick & Darran Sellers to Planning & Zoning Commission for a term ending December 31, 2025. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Edwards to approve the appointment of Shelley Mossman to Airport Commission for a term ending December 31, 2026. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Edwards to approve the appointment of Tami Stark to Vinton Community Foundation for a term ending December 31, 2025. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Mayor Maynard tabled the appointments to Vinton Unlimited Board of Directors, Rural Fire Advisory Board and Benton County Community Foundation until all council members are present.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to approve the appointment of Tami Stark to the Hotel Tax Revenue Committee with Vinton Unlimited. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to approve a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REIMBURSEMENT TO VINTON BRAILLE SCHOOL LLC FROM THE IOWA VACANT BUILDING REHABILITATION FUND FORGIVABLE LOAN AWARD. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The City of Vinton will be reimbursed by the State of Iowa after paperwork is submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to approve a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REIMBURSEMENT TO VINTON BRAILLE SCHOOL LLC FROM THE IOWA VACANT BUILDING DEMOLITION FUND GRANT AWARD. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The City of Vinton will be reimbursed by the State of Iowa after paperwork is submitted to the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to approve a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE DISBURSEMENT OF HOTEL/MOTEL TAX PROCEEDS TO VINTON UNLIMITED. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This is the pass through of the quarterly disbursement from the State of Iowa.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to approve the Business Improvement Grant application for North Benton Ambulance in the amount of $500.00. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This grant is funded by the city’s portion of the hotel motel tax received.
Motion by Parr, second by Edwards to approve the Business Improvement Grant application for Flowers by Nature’s Corner in the amount of $632.50. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to approve the Business Improvement Grant application for Think Snow LLC in the amount of $1,000.00. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Edwards to approve the Business Improvement Grant application for Three D Kitchens in the amount of $1,000.00. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to approve the Engineering Services Agreement for the Runway Rehab project at Veterans Memorial Airport. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to approve the recommendation for the name of the newly constructed south trail as “Nathan Hesson Memorial Trail”. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The name was recommended by the Parks & Recreation Board & Staff.
Councilmember Stark joined the meeting via Zoom.
Wellness Center Survey results were shared with Council members. The survey was completed in late fall 2020 with 925 surveys returned. Over 93% of respondents were in favor of a new wellness center with over 70% of those responding willing to increase taxes to finance such project.
Parking in public parking lots during the winter makes snow removal a challenge. The public works committee will schedule a meeting to discuss potential remedies.
The next budget work session will be on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 beginning at 5:30pm in City Hall.
City Administrator Ward has had a discussion with an individual about the level B road just south of the new Anderson Creek subdivision and possibly partnering with the county to improve the road. The Electric Utility Board is willing to have a discussion about a joint land purchase in the future.
Street Superintendent Meyer thanked everyone for their patience with snow removal.
Mayor Maynard thanked everyone who has volunteered to serve on a board or commission. Maynard also asked residents to dig out the snow around the fire hydrants in town.
Good & welfare: Good luck to all the Vinton Shellsburg athletes this weekend – girls basketball, district wrestling and the bowling teams!
Being no other business before the City Council a Motion by Parr, second by Edwards to adjourn the meeting. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried. Time: 8:00 p.m.