A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 12th day of March, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor ProTem Stark presided and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present: Edwards, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Absent: Mayor Maynard.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Vinton’s newly elected 2nd ward councilman, Andrew Elwick, took the oath of office.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor ProTem declared the motion carried.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor ProTem declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are to receive and file the Council meeting minutes of February 27, 2020, approve invoices in the amount of $484,518.43, receive and file the February revenue and expenditure report, to receive and file the Parks and Rec board meeting minutes of Feb. 13, 2020 and to receive and file the January-February building inspection report.
Council received a letter from IDOT about projects on US 218 and Hwy 150. They also received a letter from Soren Peterson encouraging council to appoint Amy Edison to the VMEU Board of Trustees.
Stark reported that the general government committee had met to discuss the process of making appointments to boards and commissions and to discuss council procedures.
Dawn Driscoll, candidate for Iowa State Senate District 38, introduced herself to council.
Mayor ProTem Stark announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a proposal to designate an urban revitalization area for partial property tax exemption for Hy-Vee, Inc. They are asking for 80% abatement of the improvements made, for a three-year period. Hy-Vee representative, Rob Wadle, stated they will sell groceries, meats, fuel and have a pharmacy. John Ketchen and Dan LaGrange stated these were items are already available in Vinton. The hearing was closed.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION OF FINDING TO A PROPOSED URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA (Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh) AND PLAN ADOPTION. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor ProTem declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-20-01 passed and approved.
Mayor ProTem Stark announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing a proposed development agreement for financial assistance for Custom Millwork and Finishing. Robert Koenigsfeld and Kim Fischels, co-owners, said they are expanding their office and breakroom spaces. They also plan to add up to four additional jobs within the next year. The hearing was closed.
Motion by Edwards, second by Hesson to pass a RESOLUTION OF FINDING TO A PROPOSED URBAN REVITALIZATION AREA (Custom Millwork and Finishing, L.L.C.) AND PLAN ADOPTION. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor ProTem declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION
03-20-02 passed and approved. The City will give financial assistance in the amount of $11,500, after the completion of the project.
The Mayor ProTem announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a proposal to designate an urban revitalization area for the purposes of low- and moderate-income family housing assistance. Matt Johnson, Cedar Valley Bank & Trust, said funding sources will be $150,000 from the City, $105,000 from ECICOG and $45,000 from the Flechner Trust. This program will provide assistance to nine first time home buyers. Eight of the families will be new residents to Vinton. Administrator Ward said that a 28E agreement will be needed to have ECICOG administer the loans. The hearing was closed.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION TO LEASE PURCHASE A POLICE VEHICLE FOR FY 2019-2020. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor ProTem declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-20-03 passed and approved.
Tim and Jane Osborn, 615 A Avenue, had asked council to release a lien on their property from a nuisance abatement in 2017. Attorney Fischer stated that the special assessment to their property is in the amount of $1,256.50 and this is only for cleanup expenses.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to set a public hearing on the proposed budget for FY2020-2021 for March 26th at 7:00 p.m. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor ProTem declared the motion carried.
Motion by Edwards, second by Hesson to pass a RESOLUTION SETTING DATE FOR HEARINGS ON GENERAL OBLIGATION LOAN AGREEMENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $4,250,000. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor ProTem declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION
03-20-04 passed and approved. One hearing is for street improvements and acquisition of street department equipment. The other hearing is for a South Trail Improvement project. The hearings will be on March 26th at 7:00 pm.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to approve four small business grants to Tootsie’s Ice Cream & More, Hair Salon and Spa, The Palace Theatre and Custom Millwork and Finishing, each for $1,000. Question: Ayes – Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. Abstain – Edwards, Elwick. The Mayor ProTem declared the motion carried. The hotel/motel tax is the funding source for these grants.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Elwick to approve an agreement with Calhoun-Burns and Associates for bridge inspections. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor ProTem declared the motion carried. The cost for the Thirteenth Street bridge inspection will not exceed $900.
Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to set a public hearing for a proposed budget amendment for FY 2019-2020 for March 26th at 7:00 pm. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor ProTem declared the motion carried.
Evergreen Cemetery has asked for financial assistance in the amount of $15,000 and for rock hauling. It was suggested that the cemetery board organize a volunteer day to help with projects at the cemetery. Council will talk about assistance for the cemetery at their next meeting.
Officer Parmater said the boy scouts had recently visited with police officers. Clerk reported property deductibles were increased, saving some insurance premiums. VMEU is planning to pull fiber into conduits without having service orders. Received the abstract of votes from the county following the special election. Council received new municipal policy handbooks from the Iowa League of Cities. Administrator Ward will be at a literature club luncheon tomorrow. He is planning to attend a conference in Iowa City next week. Shane Scott will be going from the water department to the electric department. The library is advertising for a new head librarian.
Good & Welfare: Dean Schminke said Vinton is doing great things. He thanked council for all their work on many projects.
Motion by Hesson, second by Hessenius to adjourn the meeting. Question: Ayes – All. The motion carried. Time: 8:17 p.m.