VINTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 8, 2021
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 8th day of April, 2021 at 7:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Due to COVID-19, 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, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Absent – None.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve the agenda with the removal of new business item c) Approve resolution to accept conveyance of real estate from Jonathan R Clingman and Julie Jo Clingman, husband and wife. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius 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 March 25, 2021 and approve invoices.
A special council meeting was held prior to this council meeting to review and select a benefits consultant for the renewal year beginning July 1, 2021. Three insurance agents presented proposals. City staff was also present to ask questions. After discussion, the decision was made to remain with PDCM for the upcoming renewal year.
The committee for the public safety building has approved a final floorplan. A 3D rendition is expected in the next 2-3 weeks.
The former IBSSS Steam Plant property is currently in condemned status. Some of the windows have been boarded up by the new owner. Current owner Matt Kindl joined the meeting via Zoom. Council asked Kindl to contact a structural engineer and report back at the next council meeting if he wishes to ask council to remove the property from condemned status.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to approve a quote from Schminke Excavating for sewer repairs on 2nd Avenue and 8th Street. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Stark. Nays – Parr. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The City will pay up to $4,450.00 with the homeowners being asked to pay $5,000.00.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the vehicle policy as presented. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Gates, Stark. Nays – Elwick, Hessenius, Parr. The Mayor declared the motion failed.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr 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 Gates, second by Stark 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 Gates, second by Edwards to approve change order #5 for the South Trail project. This involves culvert work and moving the trail slightly. Council questioned if this drainage issue should have been identified by the engineer in the initial plan. Parks & Recreation Director Boggess will revisit this change order with Shive Hattery. After discussion, Councilmembers Gates and Edwards withdrew their respective motions.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve change order #6 for the South Trail project. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This is to install pipes under the trail for Anderson Creek. The developer will pay the cost of the change order. A resolution will need to be drafted formalizing the agreement.
Nate Kass from Fehr-Graham presented the results of the Water Plant Study. A plant remodel and new construction are estimated to be approximately the same cost. Council took no action.
Mayor Maynard left the meeting.
The current street construction project on 6th Street has provided an opportunity to eliminate a dead end water main on A Avenue from the railroad to 10th Street.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to do a short stub out of the water main on 6th Street towards A Avenue in anticipation of connecting the lines in the future to eliminate the dead end. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Mayor Maynard returned to the meeting.
Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to accept a plat of survey for 102 & 106 Blue Jay Avenue. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to accept a plat of survey for 1202 2nd Avenue. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
With the time being 8:15pm, the Benton County Supervisors joined the meeting for a joint discussion on a possible 61st Street project partnership. Wayne Siela presented an overview of the work that has been done to date on the project. The primary goal is to widen 61st Street and finish with rock. The County is asking the City to consider paying for 30% of the project including the initial surveying and engineering work that needs to be completed. City staff will ask Fehr-Graham for a survey cost estimate. No further action was taken.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the RFP for City Attorney services. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Proposals are due by 4:00pm on April 30, 2021.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the Parks & Recreation structural reorganization plan. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The reorganization allows for creation of a Recreation Coordinator rather than an Assistant Parks Foreman. The hourly wage approved during the budget workshop would be converted to a salary amount.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to set the date for a public hearing for Neve’s property rezoning for April 22, 2021 at 7:00pm in City Hall. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to set the date for a public hearing for Anderson Creek Subdivision rezoning for April 22, 2021 at 7:00pm in City Hall. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
City Administrator Ward reported reimbursement from the State of Iowa for the 4th Street fire is expected soon. Trading in a lawn mower at the airport will be on the next council agenda. An Open Meetings Law workshop has been scheduled for April 29 at 6:30pm in the Tilford Auditorium. All boards and commission members are encouraged to attend. An ordinance update on water rates is expected soon. The update is needed because of a previous error.
Police Chief Paxton reported he is currently advertising for a fulltime officer as one fulltime officer is transitioning to part-time. A promotion of an officer to the rank of sergeant is expected soon. Three officers will be sworn in at the next regular council meeting.
City Clerk Schwan will be attending the IMFOA Conference April 22 & 23 in Des Moines. There was an error on the budget forms resulting from figures not being transposed correctly. After consulting with the State, a new public hearing was not necessary. The property tax levy decreased from $17.22 to $17.15. City Hall will be hiring a new janitor. Schwan would like to switch credit card providers for the City employees.
Mayor Maynard reported Hobarts would like to come to an upcoming council meeting to discuss plans and provide a project update. Maynard asked for city staff to work on having all city buildings re-keyed.
Good & welfare: North Benton Ambulance successfully passed their latest state inspection!
Being no other business before the City Council, motion by Stark, second by Edwards to adjourn the meeting. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried. Time: 9:20pm.