REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 10, 2023
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa on the 10th day of August 2023 in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided and the roll being called the following members were present: Elwick, Gates, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the agenda as presented. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Parmater to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda include receive & file Council committee & regular meeting minutes of July 27, 2023, approval of special class C retail alcohol license for McBride Mobile Taps and approval of City invoices.
Communications, Petitions or Remonstrances
The City Council received a resignation letter from Cory Elwick serving on the Planning & Zoning Commission.
Committee Reports
The rental code committee had their first meeting last week. A second meeting is scheduled for September 13 at 6pm in City Hall.
The business type activities committee met prior to the council meeting to discuss the sale of the West 6th Street lot. The committee is recommending removing the minimum bid and leaving all other buyer requirements the same.
A work session was held prior to the council meeting with North Benton Ambulance on the feasibility and future of the ambulance.
Citizens Input
Jeff Sojka, 510 Riverside Drive, is seeking permission to clean up the riverbank across from his property. Administrator Ward pointed out that the DNR and Army Corp of Engineers would have to grant permission, not the City.
Dakoda Sellers, 2108 W 4th Street, spoke about his previously submitted proposal to purchase the West 6th Street property. Sellers is asking for a guarantee that the Council will vacate the alley once he purchases the lot.
Tami Stark, 1115 3rd Avenue, shared that she is not willing to guarantee vacation of an alley prior to any purchase of land neighboring an alley.
Old Business
Mayor Maynard opened the public hearing regarding ordinance 1087 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to zoning regulations. Darran Sellers asked why this change is being made now. The changes are at the recommendation of the City Attorney and City staff. The Planning & Zoning Commission is also in support of the change. With no other comments, Maynard closed the public hearing.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the second consideration of ordinance 1087 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to zoning regulations. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motion by Gates, seconded by Elwick to waive the third consideration of ordinance 1087 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to zoning regulations. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Motin by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to adopt ordinance 1087 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to zoning regulations. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
Administrator Ward was previously directed to research funding options to address the former East School and its neglected state. Ward is still researching options.
New Business
Motion by Gates, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the first consideration of ordinance 1088 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to flood plain management. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Gates, Parmater, Pflughaupt, Stark. Motion carried.
A public hearing will be held Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 7:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers on the above mentioned ordinance.
Rich & Nancy Farmer, 104 Homecoming Court, were present to discuss their desire to reduce the size of their backyard and give the land to their neighbors. Several issues need to be considered including the details of the ECICOG down payment assistance grant, the TIF and covenants in Anderson Creek. Administrator Ward was directed to research further and bring back to the next meeting.
Motion by Stark, seconded by Pflughaupt to approve the special event application for Special Olympics Ride – Aug 19, 2023. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, seconded by Stark to approve the special event application for Vinton Cruise – Sept 23, 2023. Question: Ayes – all. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported the West 1st Street project has started. The water tower painting project will begin soon. There had been some illegal dumping along the river reported resulting in a visit from the DNR. The illegal material has been removed by the responsible individual. Hobarts are requesting a work session to discuss J Avenue and TIF. Ward has resigned from the Empower Rural Iowa board.
Parks & Recreation Director Boggess reported the skating rink resurfacing project is complete and it looks fabulous. Registration for fall programming begins next week. The pool closes for the season on Sunday, Aug 13. The contractor who did the surfacing on the pickle ball courts has been trying to find a resolution to the bubbles in the surface material.
Melissa Schwan, City Clerk reported the window for filing election paperwork for the upcoming November election opens August 28, 2023 and closes at 5pm on September 21, 2023.
Mayor Maynard & Stark would like to have a meeting with Ward and all department heads on Friday, August 18 at 2pm in City Hall.
With no other business before council, motion by Pflughaupt, seconded by Gates to adjourn. Unanimously approved. Time: 7:45pm.