Government : City Council: Woodhouse submits resignation

Thursday night's meeting began with the swearing-in of officer Laura Deaton from southern Iowa.

The following was approved:

meeting agenda

consent agenda

The Mayor noted that the airport meeting minutes indicated that they were seeking to add an additional hanger at the airport and that he had a quote for a 70 X 60 fully insulated building with concrete slab and foundation.

Received and filed communications and remonstrances in which there were none.

Committee reports:

The University of Iowa wants to do more research in Vinton

Discussed streets, and resources for the sewer plant.

Under Citizen's input, Nathan Edwards mentioned that he had been contacted by a resident concerning the dirt road, 61st St. south of town and asking for the road to be widened and rocked. It is located in the area of the new addition, and school, the thought is that the county is already addressing it.

A public hearing was opened on the maximum tax. There were no comments from the public on the issue. The hearing was closed.

Approve the resolution for the maximum property tax with no comments it was approved.

On the agenda was a public hearing for a proposed police vehicle lease purchase. The hearing was opened, the police chief clarified to the council that there was no vehicle request at this time. The last vehicle was approved a year ago. There was some confusion as to why it was on the agenda as the department just received the last vehicle. The hearing was closed. The next item on the agenda to approve a resolution for the vehicle also did not apply.

Approved agreement for obtaining easements for street projects.

There was a date set for a public hearing for Hy-Vee concerning the tax abatement on March 12 at 7:00 p.m.

Tim and Jane Osborn were once again on the agenda asking for a partial tax lien be removed on what they believe the city mishandled on the first claim against them. There were two and the Osborns agree that the city handled the second case correctly The incident in question was concerning an incident that happened in July 2017. The city was supposed to submit an itemized list of the expenses and the Osborns feel that this was not done so the lien should be removed. Citing state law 364.22 explains how it should be handled if you use the court. Ordinance 55 which was in effect at the time explains how to handle situations that don't go to court. The residents didn't get the itemized list from the council. The council agreed to investigate the issue and readdress it at the next meeting.

Next on the agenda was a discussion of a letter sent to the council on January 17, some 6 weeks ago. The mayor addressed Valerie Close concerning her letter of concern about a threat she received from a member of the VMEU/VMCU board. He said that he had been in discussion with people over the last 5 weeks with those present at the time of the threat which included Mr. Woodhouse and that he wants to make it clear that he does take anything seriously that concerns the citizens. "I have spent the past 5 weeks in conversations with Mr. Woodhouse and other people that were there, to try to render some decision on what I (can do to) make this all go away." The mayor then read a letter of resignation from Mr. Woodhouse which said:

"Mayor Bud Maynard,

I feel that there has been much too division in Vinton over the past weeks and I hope that I can (unclear here) ... by resigning f rom the utility and communications boards.

I've always had Vinton as one of many of my many top priorities and have enjoyed serving on the council and on the VMEU Boards.

I hope as always the best for Vinton, and therefore I do wish to resign from the two boards.

Sincerely,

Alan Woodhouse"

The mayor concluded that he had received an email from someone that said, "a bad decision proven beyond a doubt to be a bad decision does not make one a bad person. And unless the council tells me different I'm going to consider the matter closed. Are you good?" he asked. She replied that she was.

New business.

The council approved:

-a resolution to declare certain city property as surplus property, which include 2 Tractors one a 1969 420 John Deere Tractor the other a 1981 Case Tractor at the airport.

-application to state revolving fund for waste water treatment plant upgrades. The city is looking at variations of fundings.

-sewer bill adjustment for a water line break at 108 N. 8th Ave.

-set a public hearing for application for TIF Economic Development Assistance for Custom Millwork on March 12 at 7:00 p.m.

-set a public hearing for application to use TIF funds for down payment program on March 12 at 7:00 p.m.

In the Anderson Creek Addition, there are now 19 lots that are sold, according to the mayor, and that will bring 7 new families with children.

Under Reports Chris Ward talked abotu the Business Improvement Grants via the hotel/motel tax, he has 4 applications for $1,000 grants and believes that there is enough to fund all 4 of those.

The two grants and forgivable loan program paperwork for the projects at the former Braille School have changed to forgivable loans if the criteria is met. These will be presented at the next council meeting, due to a lot of hard work on the part of Melissa Schwan of Vinton Unlimited.

The city received the insurance dividend check of $35,000 f rom WIlson-Hite.

Tami Stark mentioned the need to hold a Government Committee Meeting on March 5th at 5:30 p.m.

Mayor reminded residents of the 2nd Ward to get out and vote at the special election on Tuesday.