Government : City Council discusses a variety of topics at last week's meeting

The City Council met in regular session Thursday evening. Video of the meeting can be seen here. (Please hit subscribe while you are there...by doing this, it would allow me to start live streaming again...after we have enough subscribers...and save me hours of uploading to YouTube!)

Agenda for the meeting can be seen here.

iVinton

The discussion for this can be found on another story today, at this link.

In other business...

Rick Erickson has submitted his retirement letter as the street superintendent in Vinton, the letter was accepted.

Anderson Creek Addition

The council discussed the plat that was submitted for final approval from the council and recommended sending it on to the Zoning and Planning Commission for their meeting at the end of the month.

That plat includes 33 proposed units.

City Administrator Chris Ward, brought information to the council shared with him by Matt Johnson of Cedar Valley Bank and Trust concerning a grant program through the East Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. The program offers downpayment assistance to first time home buyers. There will be a limited number of homes in the new subdivision that would fit the criteria. (Here is a link about the ECICOG program)

The council also approved the completion and final acceptance for the airport fuel dispenser project.

New Business

The council approved the transfer of funds to the Library Fund and approved a resolution for Senior Officer Designation.

The council also approved the purchase of a submersible mixer for digester for the sewage plant.

The council also approved the distribution of hotel/motel tax to Vinton Unlimited, in the amount of $8,339.05.

Sidewalk reimbursements were approved to Hesson Properties for sidewalks installed at 612 and 614 B Ave. and 906 E. 9th St. with Nathan Hesson abstaining on the votes. Kenneth Struve was also reimbursed for the sidewalk at 415 W. 13th St. 

A  work session with EOR Engineers for the wetland project was scheduled for the 26th at 6:00 p.m.

Plans continue to move forward for the new Emergency Services facility. Chris Ward, City Administrator will be meeting with the architect.

On the 26th the Chief Executive of the Flood Insurance Program will also make a visit to Vinton.

On Friday, Chris and Melissa Schwan of Vinton Unlimited and Dennis Lausar met in Cedar Rapids with Hobart Historic Restoration.

One of the nuisance properties was sold to an organization called Freedom Farms LLC, who will now receive a notice that the property is in violation of city ordinance.

The city received a favorable ruling in the Osborn case. The city has also informed the owners of the location of the truck that was removed from their property. 

Brian Parr mentioned how Melissa Schwan went above and beyond in the Sesquicentennial celebration.

The Mayor also mentioned the success of Boomtown.

Plans are also in the works to remove the old Hardees building.

Taxes have been abated on the city-owned properties that were purchased.

In other updates:

Benton Title Company of Vinton, will be holding a Grand Open House on Thursday, September 19 and Friday, September 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The public is invited to stop in and see the finished building.

On October 12, 1-4 p.m. a 90th Anniversary of Edward's Plumbing will be celebrated with chili and prizes including a new furnace/