REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 10, 2021
The City Council of the City of Vinton, Iowa met in regular session on Thursday, June 10, 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 Gates, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda as presented. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Gates, second by Parr to approve the consent agenda as presented. Approved unanimously. Items on the consent agenda are to receive & file Council meeting minutes of May 27, 2021, receive & file airport meeting minutes of May 19, 2021, approve invoices, approve the renewal of a Class B liquor license for the Cobblestone Inn & Suites, approve the renewal of a Class C beer permit for Kwik Star, approve cigarette/tobacco permit for Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh, John’s Qwik Stop & Dollar General.
Communications, Petitions, Remonstrances
The City Clerk received an email from D. Sanders regarding the library. Copies were provided in the council packet.
Committee Reports
A general council work session was held prior to this council meeting. Items of discussion were the street improvement project currently underway and a project update on the former IBSSS campus.
Citizens Input
Dennis Lausar representing Lions Club invited Council members to the Lions Club 100th anniversary celebration and meeting planned for July 6 & 7, 2021.
Tom & John Wiese, landowners along the trail, addressed the Council with concerns about the sewer line easement and lack of proper farm drive replacement as part of the south trail improvement.
Dean Schminke, representing the Flechner Trust (landowner along the trail), addressed the Council with concerns about lack of property farm drive replacement as part of the south trail improvement as well.
Old Business
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the second consideration of an ORDINANCE amending provisions to building codes. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. This would bring the mechanical and electrical code up to the latest editions as well as the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings.
Motion by Gates, second by Edwards to approve the invoice from Baker Enterprises for the South Trail improvements. Staff from Baker Enterprises were unable to attend to answer questions. Council members Gates & Edwards withdrew their respective motions.
Motion by Edwards, second by Gates to approve the quotes from Midland Door Solutions for airport hanger repairs. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The quote presented at the May 27, 2021 had expired.
Parks & Recreation Director Boggess shared work on the Community Wellness Center has gone into a quiet phase. Fundraising efforts with large donors have begun. A full report will be given at a July council meeting.
New Business
Motion by Stark, 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. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. This resolution was for the balance of the invoice that was approved on May 27, 2021.
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. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Stark, second by Gates to approve a resolution to approve reimbursement to Vinton Braille School LLC from the Iowa Vacant Building Rehabilitation Fund Forgivable Loan Award. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to participate in the Wex transportation program. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. City staff will still be able to purchase fuel at any local gas station.
Motion by Gates, second by Stark to approve an invoice from Shive Hattery for the South Trail improvements. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Stark. Nays: Hessenius, Parr.
Mayor Maynard left the meeting.
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve an invoice from Fehr Graham for street improvement work. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Gates, second by Edwards to approve invoice #2 from Boomerang for street improvement work. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Work is progressing nicely and ways to improve communication have been identified and implemented.
Mayor Maynard returned to the meeting.
Motion by Edwards, second by Stark to approve the parade route for Party in the Park. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The parade will begin at Tilford Elementary, travel north on 8th Avenue and onto E 5th Street.
Motion by Stark, second by Gates to approve a request from Specialty Racing Promotions for supervised fireworks on July 4, 2021 at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Fireworks will be at the conclusion of the races, possibly between 9:45 and 10:15pm.
Motion Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the request from Lions Club for a street closure on July 6, 2021. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. East 2nd Street between 1st Avenue and A Avenue will be closed from 4pm to 8pm on July 6, 2021 for the Vinton Lions 100 Year Anniversary Celebration.
Mr. Hobart, property owner of the former IBSSS campus, has received interest in the vacant lots along Highway 218. In order for Hobart to sell the lots, the property needs to be rezoned from residential to commercial. It was consensus of council to send the request to the Planning & Zoning Commission. Administrator Ward will schedule a time for P&Z to meet.
Mr. James Gill had presented a letter to the City Clerk requesting an appeal hearing on nuisance abatement letters he had received on April 21, 2021. Mr. Gill was not present at the meeting.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to deny the appeal of Mr. Gill. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The order to abate the violation by June 21, 2021 still stands.
Several city staff and council members have been approached about parking on West D Street. The concern is that if/when cars park on both sides of the street, large trucks and emergency vehicles aren’t able to get through. Since the initial complaint, a business has redone a parking lot which has eliminated most of the street parking. No action was taken at this time.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported a business grant will be on the next council agenda. Lynch Dallas will handle the title opinion for the land purchase. Ward will be attending a conference in July. The library has received a grant for the children’s area.
Street Superintendent Meyer reported applications are being accepted through the end of the day on June 11 for 2 positions in the street department. Crews are working on painting curbs & parking lines. Meyer has received a request for a stop sign when leaving Kwik Star onto 13th Street.
Police Chief Paxton reported extra officers will be on duty this weekend for Rock Fest.
Building Inspector Hansen has received over $3,000 in building permits in the last 2 weeks. Hansen has been busy with junk vehicles and looking into the history of previous violations in town.
Parks & Recreation Director Boggess thanked everyone for attending the trail opening in May. The splash pad and the pool are both open and well attended. The newly hired Recreation Coordinator will begin on July 6, 2021.
City Clerk Schwan reported the conversion work for the new software is beginning. A final switchover date of January 1, 2022 is the goal.
Good & Welfare
Blessed Hope is completing work around the community and helping residents clean up and paint their properties.
Mayor Maynard announced the next item on the agenda is a Closed Session. “To go into closed session, I will need a motion and a second to go into closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session.”
Motion by Gates, second by Stark to enter into Closed Session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i). Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Edwards to exit closed session. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Gates, second by Hessenius to return into open session per Iowa Code 21.5(3). Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
With no other business before the council, motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to adjourn the meeting. Approved unanimously. Time: 8:45pm.