News : City Council Meeting 4/26/24

The City Council met on Thursday, night. Following a call to order, roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, the agenda, consent agenda were approved. The following was also approved were the council work session & meeting minutes of April 11, 2024.

Received and filed were:

-Airport meeting minutes of April 17, 2024

-Library meeting minutes of March 13, 2024

-Parks & Rec meeting minutes of April 11, 2024

The following was approved:

-cigarette/tobacco permits for Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh, Casey's (C Ave) and Casey's (W 4th Street)

-special class C retail alcohol license for Lucky Wife Wine Slushies

- special class C retail alcohol license for McBride Mobile Taps

-City invoices

Communications and petitions or remonstrances were filed.

There was no Citizen's Input.

Under old business there was discussion concerning the potential action regarding proposed US Cellular Water Tower Lease Amendment terms. There will be an annual 2% increase rather than the 10% every five years.

Approval was given for professional services for the water treatment facility from Fehr Graham. It is estimated to be done in the summer of 2027. Fees were approved for $1,310,000.

Discussion was held concerning West 1st St. Work on the south side is almost done. The north side will then be removed and paved. They will also be working on some of the cement around a couple of the manholes. The ground either settled or the square around the manholes heaved and raised a couple of inches. Those will also be redone. The sidewalks are done and seeding is being done.

A public hearing for the FY25 budget adoption was held. Chris Ward, City Administrator spoke. Rates will remain the same. Cuts were made by the state but Ward believes that the city will be in good shape without any deficits. There will be Capital Improvements including the wastewater plant and some capital improvements on the electric side. There are funds available for these projects.

The Budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 was approved.

The council also approved a resolution to purchase 13 street lights from the East Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative in the Anderson Creek Development.

The Water Department will be purchasing these for $3,900 from East Central Iowa REC who put in the infrastructure for $24,086.60 and will sell everything to the city "as is." (This is the only time that water and electricity mix.) The purchase will allow electronic equipment to be placed for meter reading abilities.

Approval for city insurance renewal with PDCM Insurance was given. $7.92 was the total difference from last year's plan and this year for the complete plan.

There was discussion and direction to proceed with sale of property located west of Koop's. Jeremy Koop spoke to the council concerning the purchase of the sliver of land. The small piece was leftover from the sale of the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School to the City of Vinton. He estimates that it is going to cost more than $30,000 to fix the area where the retaining wall is that needs to be repaired. The city will consult the attorney to move forward to sell the area.

The Iowa Pyrotechnic Association requested a financial contribution to the Boomtown event. The City has previously donated to the event. The city approved a $6,000 donation for this year.

Rylie Pflughaupt was appointed to the Charles & Helen Yundt Charitable Trust Board.

Megan Liles was appointed to the board of Vinton Parks & Recreation for the unexpired remainder of the term ending June 30, 2025.

Dakoda Sellers was appointed to the Board of Adjustments and Appeal, there is still need for one more appointment to this Board. To apply, click HERE.

A date was set for a public hearing for the FY24 budget amendment for the meeting on May 23, 2024.

Under Reports:

Chris Ward - May 7th he and Melissa Schwan City Clerk will have a meeting with ECICOG about upcoming projects or projects that they would like to see. Tomorrow Ward will be in Independence at the NE Iowa Manager's meeting.

Blake Hansen City Inspector reported that six houses are being built right now. The first of three of the "Homes for Iowans" are going to be moved into Anderson Creek. There will be nine altogether from the Newton facility that builds modular homes. These are income based. A few new people have come to Vinton to buy, improve and flip houses in Vinton.

On Monday, April 29th the new modular houses will be arriving at Anderson Creek.

Two properties are also on the radar that still need to be dealt with. The Seed House had a judgment that went through in January to bring it into compliance by June 1. An appeal was filed and granted.

East School, is still in the process. Neither the owner nor the city have finances to take care of the structure. It is condemned as of now and locked. If the city takes over they would be liable for anything that happens on the property. (see photos)

Hansen expects to take it down would cost about $750,000 with $250,000 just for asbestos removal. Demolition would provide the possibility to create three more lots.

Two houses on 2nd Ave. and the apartments on G Ave. have caught fire this year. Hansen hopes that by this fall the structures will be repaired.

Craig Walker of the Water Department reported that the water tower was washed yesterday and that sewer plant construction has begun. He is also working on pricing for sewer pipe lining.

Ted Paxton, Vinton Police Chief officer has hired a new officer, who graduated from Hawkeye Community College. He has interned with department and Paxton feels like he will be a great fit. He will begin around August.

At the end of May he will attend a conference for Police Chief's in Iowa City.

A new sign has also been applied to the west wall of the Vinton Police Department.

Matt Boggess of Vinton Parks and Recreation said that his department is working on all of the outside projects. They are putting the finishing touches on what will be called the "Lions Park" formerly the B.L. Anderson Park.

There will be a Middle School Pickle Ball event at the park held by the Lions Club. The first 50 children will receive their own paddles.

VPRD is offering a lifeguard class and has 17 in training, 15 of those will be working at the pool. The pool will open in about a month.

Melissa Schwan, City Clerk said that the 4th Ward applications are due at 4:00 p.m. Friday, April 26. Interviews will be conducted on Tuesday, April 30 beginning at 5:00 p.m. Information to apply for the seat can be found HERE.

Good & Welfare:

It was the last meeting for 4th Ward Councilwoman Bethany Gates, Mayor Bud her for her service.

Matt Boggess reported that the V-S Girls Soccer will be playing CPU on Friday. VS has only lost one game and CPU none.