VINTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 11, 2021
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 11th day of March, 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, Stark. Absent – None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
After meeting with each candidate, Mayor Maynard made his formal recommendation for appointment of Bethany Gates as the 4th Ward Council Member. Approval from council was indicated through a roll call vote. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None.
Mayor Maynard administered the oath of office to Bethany Gates, 4th Ward Council representative.
Motion by Stark to approve the agenda, second by Hessenius. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, second 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 February 25, 2021, receive & file Airport Commission meeting minutes of February 17, 2021, receive & file VPRD meeting minutes of February 11, 2021, approve the renewal of a Class B beer license with Sunday sales for the Benton County Agricultural society and to approve invoices.
City Council received numerous letters from students at Tilford & Shellsburg Elementary for Kindness Week. Several other city departments received letters as well.
The General Government committee has met and is recommending an RFP be prepared and published for legal counsel on behalf of the City of Vinton.
The Business Type Activities committee has met and is recommending an RFP be prepared and published for health insurance coverage for city employees. This will be discussed as an old business item on the agenda.
Kord Sellers, 1307 B Avenue, spoke to the council about the influx in activity in the housing market and whether or not the City could increase efforts to encourage residents to move to town. Council Member Stark agreed to meet with Sellers and brainstorm ideas.
Motion by Parr, second by Edwards to approve the third consideration of an ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF VINTON, IOWA BY AMENDING PROVISIONS TO PARKING VIOLATIONS. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This is the third and final reading of the ordinance.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to adopt the above stated ordinance. Questions: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared ORDINANCE 1052 duly adopted.
Council Member Stark recapped the recommendation of the Business Type Activities committee to prepare an RFP for health insurance coverage for city employees. Stark stressed the desire is to keep the coverage identical, just bring the service local if possible. The only switch would be the Agent of Record (AOR). After brief discussion, council directed Administrator Ward to prepare an RFP draft for review at a work session on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 6:00pm.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark 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, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. 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 Stark, 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, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. 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 Hessenius to approve a RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RELEASE OF A MORTGAGE at 1120 E 3rd Street. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This was a mortgage issued by the City in 2002 for repairs for the home.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the agreement for bridge inspections with Calhoun-Burns & Associates. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This is the yearly inspection and meets the requirements for the Iowa Department of Transportation.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to approve a Business Improvement Grant award for Henkle Creek Mercantile in the amount of $1,000.00 Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This grant is funded by the city’s portion of the hotel motel tax received.
Carl & Karlene Gray, 2601 61st Lane, Vinton, own a lot within the City and inquired about Vinton Code of Ordinances Chapter 106, Collection of Solid Waste and whether or not they should be charged a landfill fee. After much discussion around the definition of a “deliverable address,” the landfill charge will be removed from the Gray’s account. Council will consider addressing Code of Ordinances Chapter 105 in the future to better define “deliverable address.”
Discussion of city employees driving department vehicles home was sent onto committee for full discussion and creation of a policy. No such policy currently exists.
Matt Storm, Interim Manager Consultant for iVinton was present to answer questions from council regarding the new software proposal. Storm will work with Schwan to develop cost-sharing proposals and will present to council at the work session on March 18, 2021.
City Administrator Ward will be at the Iowa Municipal Management Institute next week. He has been asked to be a panelist and present on the development of iVinton. He along with Council Member Elwick visited the former IBSSS steam plant and had a productive meeting with the new owner. The new owner will attend the April council meeting to answer any questions. The Emergency sirens have been worked on.
Street Superintendent Meyer shared the street crew has finished trimming/removing trees damaged in the derecho. The new truck has arrived with the grader and backhoe coming in the next few weeks. Crews have been working on pothole patrol.
Police Chief Paxton shared Officers Parmater and West will be presenting to council in the upcoming weeks. The new radars have arrived and are working well. Chief may be looking to purchase an additional speed display in the future.
Matt Storm, Interim Manager Consultant for iVinton shared there are over 850 current customers with iVinton with more customers coming on as soon as the ground thaws.
Water Superintendent Walker shared W 1st Street has been repaired and crews are going to be looking at 8th Avenue next week. Hydrants will be flushed in April.
City Clerk Schwan shared the roof replacement has started and should be finished soon. The VMEU Board of Trustees met on March 9, 2021 and would consider partnering with the city to purchase 5-10 acres near the sewer plant.
Good & welfare: Vinton’s Fire Department Fish Fry, drive through style, is scheduled for Friday, March 19 beginning at 4pm.
Being no other business before the City Council, motion by Edwards, second by Stark to adjourn the meeting. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried. Time: 8:45pm.