REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 13, 2021
The City Council of the City of Vinton, Iowa met in regular session on Thursday, May 13, 2021 at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 110 W 3rd Street with the following members present:
Present: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark
Absent: None
Due to COVID-19, the meeting was also held electronically via Zoom.
Mayor Maynard called the meeting to order.
Motion by Stark, second by Gates to approve the agenda as presented. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve the consent agenda as presented. Approved unanimously. Items on the consent agenda are to receive & file council meeting minutes of April 22, 28 and May 6, 2021, receive & file airport meeting minutes of April 21, 2021 and approve city invoices.
Communications, Petitions, Remonstrances
Council Member Elwick received a comment from a citizen concerned that the IBSSS sign at the Braille School has been replaced/covered with a for sale sign.
Committee Reports
The next Emergency Management Facility meeting is Tuesday, May 18.
North Benton Ambulance has hired a Director.
Citizens Input
Keith Ervin, representing the Evergreen Cemetery, asked for support from the City to trim, clean up and remove some damaged trees at the Cemetery.
Old Business
Mayor Maynard opened the public hearing for the 2021 Amendment to the City’s Development Agreement with Vernon S Flechner Trust in the Anderson Creek Subdivision. The Amendment is for the 2nd phase of the development. After no comments, Maynard closed the hearing.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the second consideration of an ORDINANCE amending provisions pertaining to water rates. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Stark, second by Gates to approve the second consideration of an ORDINANCE amending provisions pertaining to city attorney appointment and compensation. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Mayor Maynard opened the public hearing for the Neve property rezoning. The rezoning would change the property from M-1 (Restricted Industrial District) to R-3 (Multiple Dwelling District). After no comments, Maynard closed the public hearing.
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to approve the second consideration of an ORDINANCE amending the official zoning district map of the City. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Mayor Maynard opened the public hearing for the Anderson Creek Subdivision rezoning. The rezoning would change the property from A-1 (Agricultural District) to R-3 (Multiple Dwelling District). After no comments, Maynard closed the public hearing.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve the second consideration of an ORDINANCE amending the official zoning district map of the City. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the second consideration of an ORDINANCE amending the provisions pertaining to solid waste control. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Matt Kindl, owner of the former IBSSS Steam Plant and his brother, Tim Kindl presented a letter to the Council from a structural engineer after review of the property. The engineer identified the building as being “in fairly good condition” with the potential “that the building can be restored.” The priorities of the owner are to secure the windows, roof and overall cleanup of the property. For the next meeting, City Council would like to see a building permit application and a 6-month schedule of work they intend to complete.
Administrator Ward attending a meeting with the Benton County Supervisors to discuss a partnership for reconstruction of 61st Street. It is the agreement of the Supervisors and the City Council to accept the engineering proposal from Shive Hattery. Direction was provided to Ward to work on the details of a 28E agreement.
The Electric Trustees have decided to move forward with a new billing and financial software for electric and telecommunication utilities. If the City declined the switch, other city utilities would be on a separate bill. This would not be efficient for work flow. The new software would include integrated online bill pay also. Direction was given to Schwan to move forward with the cost-sharing proposal.
New Business
Motion by Gates, second by Stark to approve a RESOLUTION for the City Attorney appointment of Lynch Dallas to serve as the City Attorney effective July 1, 2021 unless otherwise determined appropriate to retain in advance thereof. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve a RESOLUTION approving the 2021 Amendment to the Development Agreement with Vernon S Flechner Trust, Authorizing Annual Appropriation Tax Increment Payments and Pledging Certain Tax Increment Revenues to the Payment of the 2021 Amendment. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Gates, second by Hessenius to approve the sewer main installation on I Avenue & West 16th Street. Discussion centered around if City was going to financially contribute to the project. Five homes could be affected but some are not having issues. After discussion, Gates and Hessenius withdrew their respective motions.
Motion by Gates, second by Hessenius to approve the sewer main installation on I Avenue & West 16th Street. Motion failed by the following votes: Ayes: Stark. Nays – Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr to approve a final grant reimbursement in the amount of $10,000 to Benton County Title Company from the Community Catalyst & Building Remediation Grant. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Gates to approve the invoice from Shive Hattery for the South Trail improvements in the amount of $10,598.96. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Parr, Stark; Nays: Hessenius.
Motion by Stark, second by Edwards to approve the invoice from Baker Enterprises for the South Trail improvements in the amount of $31,031.51. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve the invoice from Dorsey & Whitney for Braille School work in the amount of $95,000.00. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Mayor Maynard left the meeting.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to approve the invoice #1 from Boomerang for street improvement work. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. A non-compliance has been issued for the lack of appropriate traffic control. Plans for the sidewalk near A&W are being reworked but will reduce the project cost.
Mayor Maynard returned to the meeting.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the health insurance renewal presented by PDCM for the coverage year beginning July 1, 2021. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. There will be a 1.69% increase in premiums for the upcoming year. There will be an increase in the emergency room and pharmacy copays. This is a BC/BS change not related to our insurance agent. Council was also presented with options for dental and a voluntary vision plan. Council asked Department Heads to speak with their staff and report back at the next council meeting. No action was taken on the dental and vision plan.
Dakoda Sellers, 2108 W 4th Street, was present to appeal his notice of a zoning violation he received on April 29, 2021. Two violations were citied in his notice – permitted uses of R-3 and off-street parking for the property at 602 8th Avenue, Vinton. At the time of the meeting, both violations have been corrected.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark that Mr. Sellers has satisfactorily abated the above cited violations. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Edwards, second by Stark to set the date for the public hearing for the proposed budget amendment for FY20-21 as May 27, 2021 at 7:00pm in City Hall. Approved unanimously.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported a closeout meeting with FEMA for the derecho funds is scheduled for next week. Airport engineer, Joe Roenfeldt with CGA has left the firm. Ward has served the City of Vinton for 7 years.
Street Superintendent Meyer reported crews are working on potholes and finishing up alley work. Meyer noted manholes in the Anderson Creek addition are sticking up above the concrete.
Water/Wastewater Superintendent Walker reported his new trucks have arrived. Staff has been assisting with the street projects and completing locates.
Police Chief Paxton reported on Building Inspector Hansen’s latest activities. Applications have been received for the vacant officer position.
Matt Storm, Interim Manager Consultant reported over 900 customers are currently receiving iVinton services.
City Clerk Schwan reported a building custodian has been hired for City Hall.
With no other business before the council, motion by Parr, second by Stark to adjourn the meeting. Approved unanimously. Time: 9:35pm.