REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 28, 2021
The City Council of the City of Vinton, Iowa met in regular session on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 110 W 3rd Street with the following members in attendance:
Present: Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark
Absent: Gates, Hessenius
Due to COVID-19, the meeting was also held electronically via Zoom.
Mayor Maynard called the meeting to order.
Maynard requested to move New Business Item H up on the agenda. Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to approve the agenda. Approved unanimously.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to approve the consent agenda as presented. Approved unanimously. Items on the consent agenda are to receive & file Council meeting minutes of October 14, 2021 and approve city invoices.
Old Business
Motion by Stark, second by Edwards to approve the third 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: Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to adopt above stated Ordinance 1065. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark.
Mayor Maynard opened the public hearing for the proposed disposal of an interest in real property by sale. Administrator Ward reminded Council that this property is located in Anderson Creek and will allow for the streets to line up between the 1st phase and the 2nd phase. After no public comment, Maynard closed the public hearing.
Matt Kindl, owner of the Steam Plant property updated Council on his progress on the property. While all of the deadlines haven’t been met yet, noticeable work has been done on the property. His priority is to get the roof closed up before winter. Kindl does not have a final use plan yet for the property. Building Inspector Hansen requested an elevation drawing to be submitted to the City. Council also requested benchmarks for the next 6 months of work.
New Business
Motion by Parr, second by Stark to approve the request for street closures for the Veteran’s Holiday Parade scheduled for Thursday, November 18. Approved unanimously. The parade route will be identical to previous years with lineup on 6th Street.
Motion by Stark, second by Edwards to approve the first consideration of Ordinance 1067 – an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to the Parks & Recreation Board. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark. The changes better align the Ordinance with the current practice and procedures of the Board.
Motion by Stark, second by Elwick to approve a resolution providing for vacation, conveyance, and transfer of street and alley right of way herein described from the City of Vinton to Michael & Amy Van Wechel. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr to approve pay application #1 to Eastern Iowa Excavating & Concrete for the Rehabilitate Runway 9/27 project at the Vinton Veterans Memorial Airport. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Elwick, second by Edwards to approve the Professional Services Agreement for Environmental Assessment for Wastewater Treatment Plant. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark. This assessment is a requirement from USDA.
Motion by Stark, second by Edwards to approve Contact Amendment 2 for the Vacant State Building Fund. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark.
Motion by Stark, second by Parr to approve the plat of survey for Anderson Creek Subdivision. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark. The request was unanimously approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission. This will allow for two lots to be combined.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parr to approve the request from Vinton Parks & Recreation for street closures on November 6, 2021. Approved by the following votes: Ayes: Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark. East 2nd Street between 1st Avenue and A Avenue will be closed from 4-9:30pm on Saturday, November 6 for the Fall Festival Finale.
Chad Schmadeke, Mark Wilburg and John Mossman, representing the Vinton Country Club spoke to Council with concerns about the water rates that went into effect July 1, 2021 resulting in substantial increases in their bills. The tiered water rates went away July 1 and all water consumption is now billed at the same rate. The board is asking council to consider a reduced water rate for the course. Both the City and VCC have researched and no record of an agreement of reduced water rates was found. Council agreed to continue this discussion at a work session prior to the next regularly scheduled council meeting.
Discussion of meter pit installation was tabled for a future meeting.
The November council meetings are scheduled for November 10 and November 22 due to the holidays. A work session will be held prior at 6pm prior to the November 10 meeting to discuss water rates.
Reports
City Administrator Ward reported the library has hired Renee Greenlee as the new Director. Greenlee will begin on Monday, November 8, 2021. Work has begun with Tionna Pooler to evaluate sewer rates. The search for a new airport engineer has begun. Preapplication work for funding continues for the sewer plant expansion project.
Parks & Recreation Director Boggess reported the Fall Festival is in progress. Positive feedback has been received about the series of fall events. The glow trail continues to receive national recognition. The trail has also won the Innovative Concrete Category Award for the 2021 Excellence in Concrete Awards presented by the Iowa Ready Mixed Concrete Association and American Concrete Institute -Iowa Chapter.
Water Superintendent Walker reported sludge hauling is complete for the year. Several staff are completing certifications.
Street Superintendent Meyer reported City cleanup days went well. Leaf pickup has begun for the season. Meyer would like to discuss the possibility of increasing the cost of the street opening permit in the future. The street crew was going to help with some tree cleanup in Evergreen Cemetery but has been met with some resistance. Elwick will reach out to the Evergreen board.
Building Inspector Hansen reported a new seed mix has been selected for the retention basin. Hansen will reach out again to the engineer about the unfinished dirt work at the bottom of the basin. Hansen would like to discuss a proposed schedule of civil fees at a work session this fall.
City Clerk Schwan reported the annual audit will take place in the middle of November.
Good & Welfare
Make sure to vote for your favorite scarecrows around town! Reminder – trick or treating is Sunday from 5-7pm.
With no other business before the council, motion by Edwards, second by Stark to adjourn the meeting. Approved unanimously. Time: 8:30pm.