Government : City Council Notes October 8, 2020

The council sailed through the usual approval of routine business at the last council meeting.

In a work session prior to the meeting, the Council discussed a possible changes in UTV ordinances and requirements, with several more questions to answer on the subject.

There was also a discussion concerning the parking along 13th St. near and in front of Tilford Elementary and not allowing it along 13th in hopes of avoiding injuries to school children. The committee is still trying to find a solution.

There was a report on the new emergency building and the discussions happening between all of the services, EMS, Fire and the Police Department, and the footage required for each department and to allow for growth while staying within the budget.

There was no citizen input.

Under old business the council set Halloween night trick or treating hours from 5-7 p.m. If citizens do not wish to participate they are encouraged to just shut off the porch light.

The sale of an alley was tabled until one of the property owners will be able to address it as they are out of town.

November 19th will be the Veteran's Patriotic Parade bringing Santa Claus to town.

Public hearing was scheduled to request reimbursement for COVID-19 equipment for Virginia Gay Hospital for the October 22nd meeting. According to the government block grant under Community Development that was received it is required to have a public hearing before they can be reimbursed by the state.

The street department gained approval for the purchase of a new truck from Ervin Motors, which has been budgeted out of the road use tax fund. The old equipment is usually passed along to the Parks & Recreation Department. A backhoe and CAT grader which is budgeted out of the general obligation bond was also approved for purchase.

The purchase of a grinder pump as well as sludge blanket level sensors also budgeted for the waste water department, was also approved.

The council discussed the hiring of a new billing clerk for City Hall that would cover utility billing and accounts payable in both City Hall and the iVinton office.

The City Administrator, Chris Ward said that he is finishing up paperwork on the flood buy out at the same time ramping up work on paperwork for the derecho.

Police Chief Paxton said there are interviews coming up for Reserve Officers. 2 of the applicants went to work full time at Belle Plaine and one at Osage, so they will be trying to add on 6 reserve applicants from the Benton County area. Another community received a grant for training and will be training these officers so there will be no cost for the training of these reserves.

Matt Boggess gave an update. The skating rink painting has been completed and he is working on derecho cleanup. The Parks and Recreation department has turned in close to $6,000 in pop cans. Game Time has given a grant for a playground in the amount between $25-40,000 at Kiwanis Park and the trail is moving along and hopes the Splash Pad will be finished in the next few weeks.