A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 12th day of September, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present: Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Absent: Hessenius.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are to receive and file the Council meeting minutes of August 22nd, approve invoices in the amount of $759,690.79, receive and file the August revenue and expenditure report, approve the renewal of a class B liquor license with native wine permit for Cobblestone Inn & Suites, and to receive and file the Airport Commission meeting minutes of August 21st.
Council received and filed a retirement letter from Street Superintendent Rick Erickson. He will be retiring at the end of this year.
Edwards reported that the business type activities committee had met to discuss garbage and recycling collections.
Tom Richtsmeier, VMEU General Manager, gave an update on the iVinton communications broadband project. The town has been divided into 6 zones. The “hut” is on the city parking lot on 4th Street. The communications office is located at 412 1st Avenue. ImOn will process billing and be providing an operational technician. Patriot is doing the site surveys. Overall, the project is going well.
Motion by Stark, second by Hesson to receive Anderson Creek final plat and to send it to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their recommendation. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward informed Council that there is grant program available from East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. This program would assist potential home buyers with qualifying income to purchase a lot and build a new home in the Anderson Creek Subdivision. The City would have to provide matching funds. The matching funds would come from TIF revenues. Ward will seek more information on this program.
Motion by Hesson, second by Stark to approve final pay estimate #3 retainage for Unified Contracting Services for the airport fuel dispenser improvement project. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This approves paying $5,632.51 to the contractor. Airport Chairman Whelchel commented that the new fuel dispenser is working well.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve the completion and final acceptance for the airport fuel dispenser project. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Administrator Ward has received a proposal for a strategic planning session for council. This topic was tabled. Ward will get more information about a planning session.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to approve a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM GENERAL FUND TO LIBRARY FUND. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-19-01 passed and approved. A transfer of $59,605 will be made.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr to approve a RESOLUTION APPROVING SENIOR OFFICER DESIGNATION. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 09-19-02 passed and approved. This approves the senior officer designation for Alex Gutierrez.
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve the purchase of a submersible mixer for the digester at the wastewater treatment plant from Electric Pump. The cost is $36,670 and this mixer has variable speed unit. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Parr to approve the distribution of $8,339.05 from the hotel/motel tax to Vinton Unlimited. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to approve a sidewalk reimburse to Hesson Properties, 612/614 B Avenue in the amount of $750. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark. Abstain – Hesson. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to approve a sidewalk reimburse to Hesson Properties, 906 E 9th Street in the amount of $750. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark. Abstain – Hesson. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hesson, second by Elwick to approve a sidewalk reimburse to Kenneth Struve, 415 W 13th Street in the amount of $750. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
A work session with EOR Engineers was set for September 26th at 6:00 pm to discuss the wetland project.
Administrator Ward stated he had received a request about the City replacing a driveway, sidewalk and retaining wall for a property and then have the cost assessed with property taxes. Interviews with architects for a new public safety facility are scheduled. A National Flood Insurance representative will be in Vinton later this month. Ward will be meeting with Hobart Historic Restorations. The old Braille school power plant has new owners. Attorney Fischer reported the City received a favorable ruling from the court on the Osborn property. The old Hardee’s building will be demolished soon. Property taxes on four City owned parcels have been abated. It was suggested to start the budget process for the next fiscal year sooner this winter.
Good & Welfare: Benton County Title is having an appreciation open house on September 19th and 20th. Edwards Plumbing and Heating will be celebrating their 90th anniversary in October. Vinton’s Sesquicentennial activities and the Boomtown fireworks were great.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:33 p.m.