REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JULY 28, 2022
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 28th day of July, 2022 at 7:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided and the roll being called the following members were present and absent: Present: Bearbower, Elwick, Hessenius, Gates, Pflughaupt, Stark. Absent: None.
The pledge of allegiance was recited.
Motion by Gates, second by Bearbower to approve the agenda with the removal of new business items C and D. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Gates 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 July 14, 2022, approval of class E liquor license for Casey’s General Store, approval of class B liquor license for Cobblestone Inn & Suites and approval of City invoices.
Communications, Petitions & Remonstrances
Council received an email from Dana Sanders regarding the library board.
Committee Reports
A work session was held prior to the council meeting with Jim & Jimmy Hobart of Vinton Braille LLC regarding the progress of the former IBSSS campus development.
Citizens Input
Crystal Coder representing the social media group Benton County for Diversity asked the City Council to issue a public statement of support for the Vinton Public Library, the upholding of the Library Bill of Rights and the upholding of the Freedom to Read Statement.
Preston Moore, Iowa State Director for the Humane Society of the United States asked the City Council to immediately suspend enforcement of the dog breed restrictions and adopt a new dangerous animal law.
MaKinzie Brecht & Gabby Gormley, both Keystone residents, addressed council with concerns regarding the pit bull ordinances in Benton County and Vinton.
Eric Upmeyer, 915 E 3rd Street, spoke in support of the Vinton Public Library.
Mike Dominick, 1102 3rd Avenue, spoke regarding critical race theory.
Kord Sellers, 1307 B Avenue, shared he’s been experiencing sewer issues this year. He has been working with City staff to locate and resolve the issue.
Bud Maynard, 408 W 16th Street shared a letter regarding the Library.
Old Business
Motion by Pflughaupt, second by Stark to approve the second consideration of Ordinance 1075 – an ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of Vinton, Iowa by amending provisions pertaining to solid waste collection fees. Question: Ayes – Bearbower, Elwick, Hessenius, Gates, Pflughaupt, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
New Business
Motion by Pflughaupt, second by Bearbower to approve change order #2 from Tschiggfrie Excavating for Anderson Park Courts Project in the amount of $2,000.00. Question: Ayes – Bearbower, Elwick, Hessenius, Gates, Pflughaupt, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The change order is a result of extra grading on the south side of the courts.
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve pay estimate #1 for Anderson Park Courts Project. Question: Ayes – Bearbower, Elwick, Hessenius, Gates, Pflughaupt, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Tschiggrie Excavating will be paid $131,139.66 for the work completed to date.
Motion by Gates, second by Pflughaupt to approve a quote for a GIS locator from Rep Com International at a cost of $11,630.25. Question: Ayes – Bearbower, Elwick, Hessenius, Gates, Pflughaupt, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Gates, second by Stark to approve a quote for a brush chipper from Vermeer. Question: Ayes – Bearbower, Elwick, Hessenius, Gates, Pflughaupt, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The total cost ($39,479.50) will be shared between the street and electric departments.
Motion by Pflughaupt, second by Gates to approve the offer for ownership of the former Duane Arnold outdoor warning siren. Question: Ayes – Bearbower, Elwick, Hessenius, Gates, Pflughaupt, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The siren comes at no cost to the City however the City will need to pay for reprogramming.
Motion by Gates, second by Stark to approve a quote from Frontline Warning Systems for outdoor siren programming. After a brief discussion, motions were withdrawn. Staff will talk to the Benton County Emergency Management Director.
Motion by Gates, second by Pflughaupt to approve the request for an extension to the CDBG Homebuyer Assistance Program contract. Question: Ayes – Bearbower, Elwick, Hessenius, Gates, Pflughaupt, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The request will extend the contract end date from August 1, 2022 to October 1, 2022 to accommodate close out activities.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to approve the request from the Vinton Community Foundation for disbursement of funds. Question: Ayes – Bearbower, Elwick, Hessenius, Gates, Pflughaupt, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This is the budgeted allotment of local option sales tax.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Pflughaupt to approve the request from Evergreen Cemetery for disbursement of funds. Question: Ayes – Bearbower, Elwick, Hessenius, Gates, Pflughaupt, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The amount budgeted FY23 is $30,000.
Motion by Pflughaupt, second by Stark to approve the special event application for the Kiwanis Boomtown 5k. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Council received & filed the 2022 bridge inspection report from Calhoun-Burns & Associates. The bridge included in this inspection is located on East 13th Street and is in extremely poor condition.
Motion by Stark, second by Gates to approve the request to the Benton County Supervisors to waive taxes on parcel 24092925. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Benton County currently holds the tax deed for the property. The City has already been contacted by potential interested buyers with a desire to build a single-family home.
Motion by Pflughaupt, second by Bearbower to approve the Mayoral appointment of Jeff Mangold to the Vinton Parks & Recreation Board for a term ending June 30, 2025. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
A work session is scheduled for August 11, 2022 at 6:00pm to discuss the possible extension of West 4th Street.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported he will be attending a meeting with the DOT tomorrow regarding the railroad crossings at K Avenue. The Iowa League of Cities fall conference registration is open.
Water/Sewer Superintendent Walker reported staff has had an initial kickoff meeting with Tantalus for the meter collection system. Staff have been painting fire hydrants.
Parks & Recreation Director Boggess reported August 1 the pool will go to reduced hours for the duration of the summer due to staffing. The search for an Assistant Director is still ongoing. Boggess requested a work session with the culture & recreation committee regarding general city beautification.
Street Superintendent Meyer reported crews are about half done seal coating for the summer. Communication regarding the streets in the 2nd phase of Anderson Creek has been poor.
City Clerk Schwan reported she has been busy running reports and gathering data for both the water study to be completed by Mr. Callahan and the electric rate study.
Good & Welfare
Act I of Benton County is presenting Seussical the Musical beginning August 4 at the Vinton Shellsburg HS Auditorium.
With no other business before the Council, motion by Gates, second by Pflughaupt to adjourn. Approved unanimously.