REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 14, 2021
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa was held on the 14th day of January, 2021 at 7:00pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Due to COVID-19 virus, the meeting was also held electronically using Zoom which was hosted at 110 W 3rd Street. Mayor Maynard presided with roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present: Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr and Stark. Absent: Hesson.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda as amended which removed the following items: New Business 9c) Approval of resolution authorizing the City of Vinton to enter into an easement agreement with Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District; New Business 9d) Approval of resolution authorizing the City of Vinton to enter into an easement agreement with Vernon S. Fleckner Trust; New Business 9e) Approval of resolution authorizing the City of Vinton to enter into an easement agreement with Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District and New Business 9f) Approval of resolution authorizing the City of Vinton to enter into an easement agreement with J. Allan & Teresa M. Merchant. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The consent agenda included the following items: receive & file the council meeting minutes of December 23 & 30, 2020, receive & file the Vinton Airport Commission meeting minutes of December 16, 2020 and to approve invoices.
The committee for the public safety building continues to meet. Work continues on floor plans and associated square footage and budget.
Interviews have been conducted with applicants for the Building Inspector & Code Enforcement official. The position remains open at this time.
Motion by Stark, second by Edwards to approve the request for remediation grant reimbursement to Benton County Title Company in the amount of $19,421.41. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This is the last reimbursement Benton County Title Company is eligible for under the grant.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to approve a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE INVOICE PAYMENT FOR SITE MANAGEMENT OF THE IOWA BRAILLE AND SIGHT SAVING SCHOOL PROPERTY BY THE VINTON BRAILLE SCHOOL LLC. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Both City Administrator Ward & City Attorney Fischer confirmed that Hobart’s continue to work through the novation process.
Motion by Stark, second by Edwards to approve an invoice for Nick Johnson Concrete LLC for 8th Avenue and 9th Street sidewalk repair. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This is a follow-up from earlier work done with handicap ramps.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the Planning & Zoning recommendation regarding the preliminary plat for phase two of the Anderson Creek Subdivision. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This phase would include 67 lots in total. The water pressure issue needs to be worked out before the final plat is accepted. City Administrator Ward reminded Council that lots can not be sold until the final place is accepted.
Tressa Walton from Wilson-Hite Insurance presented the Council with a proposal for Wilson-Hite Insurance to manage the city’s health insurance. They could provide the exact same coverage while supporting a local insurance agency. If a decision is made to switch, plans should be made by March 1, 2021 to allow for items to be in order for the new coverage year of the city which begins July 1, 2021. No action was taken.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to approve the first consideration of an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Vinton, Iowa by adding new subsections regarding stop signs and no parking zones. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. This update includes Anderson Creek and 13th Street.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Elwick to approve a RESOLUTION TO DECLAIRE CERTAIN CITY PROPERTY AS SURPLUS PROPERTY. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. The Sewer Department will be disposing of the 1979 Bean Model 2520 sewer cleaner.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve a bid from Schminke Excavating for $3,500 for sewer repairs on West 1st Street. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
City Administrator Ward was contacted by Everest Infrastructure Partners with a proposal to purchase the City’s current cell phone tower lease that is on the east water tower. The City of Vinton currently receives $1,100.00 per month with the current lease. The proposal from Everest Infrastructure Partners would be a lump sum payment of $211,500. Concerns included losing control over the water tower. No action was taken.
Motion by Stark, second by Edwards to approve Mayor Maynard’s appointment of Kim Meyer to the VMEU/VMCU Trustees with a term ending December 2026. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried.
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the Police Department and Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers Local Union No. 238 July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023 agreement. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the annual disbursement to HACAP in the amount of $6,395.00. Questions: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Elwick to approve the appointment of the Cedar Valley Time & the Vinton Eagle as the official newspapers. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to set a public hearing for the maximum property tax levy for February 3, 2021 at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.
A budget work session is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3, 2021 starting at 5:30pm in City Hall.
City Administrator Ward will not be in the office on Monday, January 18. Ward also shared there will be a work session before the council meeting on Jan 28 at 6:00pm for the public safety building.
Water Superintendent Walker continues to work on minor maintenance at the plants.
Street Superintendent Meyer shared the street crew is doing some tree work. Meyer also asked residents to be patient with snow removal during upcoming snow events.
Police Chief Paxton reminded residents to move vehicles off the streets if it snows. He’d like to meet with the Public Safety committee regarding EMS not being considered an essential service and possibly adding an ambulance levy. He plans to bring a proposal in front of council in the near future to increase the parking fine.
City Clerk Schwan shared a city dump truck was involved in an accident on 12/31/20. Nobody was injured and our employee was not at fault. Schwan is working with Meyer on the insurance claim. Schwan also shared plans to do some minor remodeling in the Utility Billing Office to improve work flow and safety. Two additional security cameras have already been added to high traffic areas in the building.
Being no other business before the City Council a Motion by Edwards, second by Hessenius to adjourn the meeting. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried. Time: 8:10 p.m.