REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 14, 2021
The City Council of the City of Vinton, Iowa met in regular session on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 110 W 3rd Street with the following members in attendance:
Present: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark
Absent: Edwards
Due to COVID-19, the meeting was also held electronically via Zoom.
Mayor Maynard called the meeting to order.
Motion by Gates, second by Stark to approve the agenda as presented. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to approve the consent agenda as presented. Approved unanimously. Items on the consent agenda are to receive & file Council meeting minutes of September 23, 2021, approve city invoices and approve library invoices.
Communications, Petitions or Remonstrances
Chad Schmadeke representing the Vinton Country Club submitted a letter to Council regarding concerns over the water rates.
Committee Reports
A work session was held prior to the council meeting to discuss proposed changes to the Chapter 24 code of ordinances relating to the Vinton Parks & Recreation board. The changes will be drafted in an ordinance for first consideration at the next council meeting. Also discussed were funding options for the wastewater treatment expansion. USDA and SRF are both viable options.
Citizens Input
Anna Sallee, 205 Q Avenue, raised concern about the lack of upkeep of the Don Martin Storm Shelter. Administrator Ward will talk with the Street Department.
Dakoda Sellers, 2108 W 4th Street, questioned the use of the current North Benton Ambulance Garage if they eventually relocate into a new Emergency Services building. Being the City currently does not own the space, the future of the building is yet to be determined.
Old Business
Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the third consideration of Ordinance 1064 – an ordinance amending the code of ordinances by amending provisions pertaining to water rates. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to adopt above stated Ordinance 1064. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Stark, second by Gates to approve the second consideration of Ordinance 1065 – an ordinance amending the code of ordinances by adding a new section providing exemptions to frost protection. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The proposed ordinance will allow for the exemption of frost protection for detached structures under 1,008 square feet.
Mayor Maynard opened the public hearing on the IBSSS rezoning request from R3 to B1. The request will change the zoning from multi-family to commercial. After no comments, the Mayor closed the public hearing.
New Business
Jennifer Fencl, ECICOG and Lou Wehrspann, from engineering firm WHKS, presented an overview of the work done to date on the Corbett Memorial Wetland project. The initial plan for water retention submitted by the original engineer was not feasible. WHKS was hired for redesign and implementation. Council had concerns about the unfinished dirt work at the bottom of the basin, the lack of communication between the County, the contractors and the City and the seeding/weed control. Wehrspann will look into the possible unfinished dirt work. The contractor plans to do a dormant seeding this fall and another reseed again in the spring.
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to approve the first consideration of Ordinance 1066 – An ordinance amending the official zoning district map of the City (Mary Ingalls Subdivision). Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to waive the second consideration of Ordinance 1066 – An ordinance amending the official zoning district map of the City (Mary Ingalls Subdivision). Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to waive the third consideration of Ordinance 1066 – An ordinance amending the official zoning district map of the City (Mary Ingalls Subdivision). Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to adopt Ordinance 1066 – An ordinance amending the official zoning district map of the City (Mary Ingalls Subdivision). Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Gates to approve a resolution to authorize reimbursement to Vinton Braille School LLC from the Iowa Vacant Building Demolition Fund Grant Award. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. This invoice is the remaining 55% of the invoice presented for reimbursement in September. The State of Iowa has reversed their decision and has gone back to fully funding the demolition grant.
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve a resolution to authorize reimbursement to Vinton Braille School LLC from the Iowa Vacant Building Rehabilitation Fund Forgivable Loan Award. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Just over $93,000 remains to be reimbursed out of the award.
Motion by Gates, second by Elwick to approve a resolution to authorize reimbursement to Vinton Braille School LLC from the Iowa Vacant Building Demolition Fund Grant Award. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Parr, second by Gates to approve a resolution proposing disposal of an interest in real property by sale and notice of public hearing. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The request to vacate is a portion of the right of way in Anderson Creek Estates. The public hearing shall be held October 28, 2021 at 7:00pm in City Hall.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve a resolution integrating iVinton and Vinton Municipal Utility bills. Motion failed by the following votes: Ayes: Parr. Nays: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Stark.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr to approve the quote for a 4-in-1 bucket for the Street Department. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. The 2021 GEM 275MP bucket will be purchased from Martin Equipment for a price of $19,150.00 plus a cutting edge costing an additional $1,000.00
Motion by Elwick, second by Gates to approve the quote from Tom McNally in the amount of $16,500.00 for the airport painting project. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Funding from the CARES Act will pay for the painting project.
Mayor Maynard left the meeting.
Motion by Gates, second by Parr to approve pay app #6 from Boomerang for street improvement work. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Elwick, Gates, Hessenius, Parr, Stark. Sixth Street is open for traffic. A few minor things still need to be completed. A final walk through is expected next week.
Mayor Maynard returned to the meeting.
The event request from Kevin Schlarbaum was tabled as he was not present.
A request has been received to combine two parcels in Anderson Creek for construction of a duplex. Consensus of the Council was to forward the request onto the Planning & Zoning Commission for their recommendation.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported the Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on October 19. The Library Board is holding 2nd round interviews for the Director position. Ward will contact Tionna regarding funding for the WWTP expansion project.
Parks & Recreation Director Boggess reported Nathan’s Miles 5k event is this weekend.
VCU Communication Director Matt Storm reported just under 1,050 customers are receiving iVinton services.
Building Inspector Hansen reported the Attorney has provided some direction on the Seed House to address the serious structural concerns. The underground section of Alphagen will be collapsed by early November. Hansen was inside the old East School for a visual inspection. The new Dollar General will be sprouting soon.
City Clerk Schwan reported Council will need to begin working on redistricting/reprecincting as a result of the latest census. Once the maps are approved in Des Moines, we will have 60 days to review and change our city council wards.
Good & Welfare
North Benton Ambulance is having a fall breakfast this Saturday at the American Legion. The glow trail has received lots of fabulous publicity across the county. City-wide leaf pickup has begun.
With no other business before the council, motion by Gates, second by Parr to adjourn the meeting. Approved unanimously. Time: 9:05pm.