COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 25, 2024
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 25th day of July 2024 in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided and the roll being called the following members were present: Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood; Parmater was absent.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the agenda with new business item 9f – approval of resolution approving temporary public utility easement (VanDeusen) removed. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to approve the consent agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – all. Motion carried. Items on the consent agenda include receive & file Council meeting minutes of July 11, 2024, receive & file Library meeting minutes of June 12, 2024, receive & file Airport Commission meeting minutes of June 19 & July 17, 2024, approval of special class C retail alcohol license for McBride Mobile Taps (07/26/24, 08/09/24, 08/23/24) and approval of City invoices.
Communications, Petitions or Remonstrances – None
Citizens Input
Bob & Linda Fischer, 602 N 9th Avenue, addressed the Council with concerns regarding the water pressure and quality at their home. The issues seemed to start in the Spring.
Old Business
Motion by Recker, seconded by Stark-Mahood to approve a resolution approving the third amendment to tower and ground space lease between the City of Vinton, Iowa, Landlord, and USCOC of Greater Iowa, LLC. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried. The new amendment allows US Cellular to install additional equipment on the water tower. US Cellular agreed to increase the monthly rent and pay for the City engineer to review their plans for the project.
New Business
John Fischer joined via Zoom to request consideration of a partial release of judgement resulting from court action for a nuisance at the Alphagen property. The judgement is also tied to a parcel in the County that Fischer is wishing to transfer title on. Fischer is offering to pay $1,000.00 of the $6,500.00 judgement in exchange for the partial release of the judgement.
Motion by Hessenius to not accept the offer made by Fischer. Motion died with lack of a second.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Pflughaupt to accept the offer made by Fisher to pay $1,000.00 in exchange for partial release of the judgement. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood; Nays – Hessenius. Motion carried.
Julie Bechtel & Nate Bechtel, owners of S&J Sanitation were in attendance to hear any concerns or suggestions regarding sanitation service in the last year. City staff have been in contact with Bechtel regarding plans for Fall Cleanup Days also.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to approve a resolution approving sanitary sewer easement plat and permanent public utility easement agreement. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Hessenius to approve a resolution approving a data breach response policy for the City of Vinton. Both motions were rescinded and Attorney Doug Herman will review the document.
The approval of a resolution to approve the disaster recovery plan for the City of Vinton was tabled for the Attorney to review as well.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve pay estimate #5 to Woodruff Construction for the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to approve change order #1 on the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Hessenius to approve a quote from Iowa Pump Works for Old Main Lift Station. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to approve a quote from Quality Excavating Incorporated for Anderson Creek street lighting. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a quote for materials for Anderson Creek street lighting. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Stark-Mahood to approve the annual disbursement for Vinton Unlimited for FY25. Unanimously approved. A lump sum of $25,000 and 5% of the local option sales tax amount ($31,114.20) was included in the FY25 budget.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the annual disbursement for the Vinton Community Foundation for FY25. Unanimously approved. Five percent of the local options sales tax amount ($31,114.20) was included in the FY25 budget.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Stark-Mahood to approve a special events application for Boomtown 5k. Unanimously approved.
Motion by Recker, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a special events application for Boomtown. Unanimously approved.
Motion by Recker, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve a special events application for Boom-Fest. Unanimously approved.
The City has received a request for a preliminary and final plat for Alliant Energy. At the suggestion of Pflughaupt, consensus of the rest of Council was to send the request to the Planning & Zoning Commission for review.
Reports
Administrator Ward reported the City has received preliminary SRF paperwork for the water plant upgrades. The City has been awarded loan forgiveness on the WWTP project. The Street Department is about half done with seal coating and then will begin removing ash trees from town.
Good & Welfare
Act I of Benton County is performing Rock of Ages, it’s going to be a great show!
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Recker to enter into closed session as permitted by Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j): a) To discuss the purchase of real estate where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property. (Potential purchase/acquisition 1); b) To discuss the purchase of real estate where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property. (Potential purchase/acquisition 2); c) To discuss the purchase of real estate (Permanent and Temporary Easement) where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property. (Potential purchase/acquisition 3). Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Pflughaupt to exit closed session and return to open session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(3). Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Stark-Mahood, seconded by Recker to direct City staff to proceed as discussed in closed session (purchase/acquisition 1). Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Recker to direct the City Attorney to proceed as discussed in closed session (purchase/acquisition 2). Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Recker to direct the City Attorney to proceed as discussed in closed session (permanent and temporary easement). Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Elwick to enter into closed session as permitted by Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c): To discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Hessenius to exit closed session and return to open session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(3). Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Pflughaupt, Recker, Stark-Mahood. Motion carried.
With no other business before the Council, motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Hessenius to adjourn. Unanimously approved. Time: 9:20pm.