Government : City Council covers several topics, from pit bulls to "Who owns the light poles?

Thursday night's council meeting gave the council a full agenda to discuss.

Kicking off the meeting, Mayor Bud Maynard presented a statement with the consent of the council which read:

"The City of Vinton, including its employees, officials, and duly appointed board members have and will continue to support each person's protected right of free speech and will not limit the legal expression of that right. However, the City does not condone illegal discrimination or harassment and such speech is not protected free speech under the law.

The City will strive to nurture and maintain an environment that is safe and free from discrimination associated with an individual's status in a protected class so that everyone who chooses to work, live, or play in Vinton can do so happily, safely, and free from discrimination."

A time for citizen input was held which brought several residents in opposition to the pit bull ban. The city council will address it in a special work session to review the ordinance.

David McNeal spoke as the father and grandfather of one of the families called on saying that they have a dog that is not a pit bull and his three grandchildren are afraid to leave the dog now in fear that it will be gone when they get home.

Laura Hopper of rural Keystone supported changing the ordinance as well. She used to own a pit bull/black lab mix she said that was smart and loving. She felt that breed-specific laws allow the characteristics, and identifying breeds leads to a lot of misidentifying of the breeds She also stated that breed-specific ordinances discriminate against responsible owners.

Rhonda. Welper of rural Benton County said, "When dogs are denied appropriate care love they turn. It's not a dog or cat's fault. They aren't born that way. To say that any breed is vicious is being ignorant to categorize as we've been taught not to categorize people. It's not a specific breed. They are family. The thought of losing a pet because of the color or breed, caused her grief as it did when she lost her parents. She spoke of FEMA's policy that they must now to all breeds in the case of evacuation after they found the people wouldn't leave their animals behind. She encouraged the council to revamp their ordinance and, "Put whole families first, the whole nontraditional family."

Amber Wolfe spoke saying that she had grown up here, and hopes that what happened in Keystone doesn't happen here. She talked about a new college graduate employee who posted a photo on Facebook with her pit bull excited that she had a new job in Benton County and was greeted by people telling her "you can't bring your dog to Benton County." Wolfe believes that all breeds should be welcome and that there should be a specific reason, something the animal did incorrectly that would jeopardize them.

Makenzie Brecht of Keystone addressed the council. She was one of the families targeted She explained that all of this was the result of an abandoned dog who was identified as a pit bull who bit a child. As a result, responsible dog owners are being punished. She said that the existing laws do not stop irresponsible owners from breaking the law. "Our dogs are part of our family. Replace the law with responsible ownership policies..

She cited the stats for Keystone and Benton County. Zero dogs in Keystone have been cited for bites or other offenses. In Benton County, 35 and none of those were pit bulls.

Preston Moore, Iowa State Director of the Humane Society, an expert in building legislation on the topic of animal control, said that several residents throughout the county have been in contact with him including Vinton residents that are terrified that their dogs will be seized.

He told the council that communities can use resources to target specific incidents rather than a broad label due to the breed. He is hoping that Vinton, the county seat, will take the lead in Benton County.

He shared the statistic that less than 10% of Iowa communities have a breed-specific prohibition, and he expects the numbers to go down by 1% by next year at this time.

He also shared the story of the new employee in Benton County and shared that this was her only family according to her post. She was hired as an academic support person. He explained that this is another way that the bans affect the community. "When communities are trying to draw professionals, they shouldn't be welcomed with, 'you can't bring your dog' It's counter to what communities should be doing," he said.

We are telling people,

"Your dog hasn't done anything wrong,

but you can't have it here anymore."

Moore also highlighted comments made by the deputy when visiting the homes making subjective and arbitrary comments were made including, "You don't have to get rid of her, you just can't have her in Benton County. And you're not the only one, I have nine people, nine people. Some of these dogs have slipped through the cracks. People ya know. The city gave us a list and that's where we're at." He cited a second comment, "Or I mean, basically the problem you have is everybody can see him. If you have him on a farm somewhere, I'll be honest, you've got to play the game, you have too many people watching everything in town, if you have him out on a farm unless he kills a chicken, nobody cares. But they care because you're in town. What you do with him, ya know, I don't even want to know."

Moore said he believes this is a good example of how ludicrous it is when you have to operate solely on visual identification. He shared that the state is really close to passing laws prohibiting these kinds of breed-specific prohibitions. He isn't sure if it will be this year or in two or three, but it will happen. "Support for this is growing with speed that even I didn't anticipate," he said. "Primarily because of the situation in Keystone, it's gotten a lot of attention here in Iowa and nationally."

Moore and the Humane Society of the United States, are offering the City of Vinton in revising and implementing a new ordinance with new language. It is offered free of charge. He said that he'd be happy to serve as a continuous resource to the community in the process. He also offered his phone number to anyone in Benton County who has the desire to discuss their concerns with him. His number is 240-753-9427. The Humane Society bases its policies on "good, sound, science-evidenced policy," Moore said.

Moore summed it up by saying, "I'm a lifelong Iowan and I want to see communities thrive and be the best that they can be and part of that is having sensible dangerous animal codes."

The Mayor thanked those who presented to the council for their professionalism in addressing the council.

In Old Business, the council adopted Ordinance 1075, a solid waste collection fee increase.

They also approved a quote to program outdoor sirens.

The roof at Fischer Park is in desperate need of repairs an the council approved quote to repair the roof.

A Water Rate Structure Analysis was presented by Pat Callahan of Callahan Municipal Consultants. Callahan recommends keeping the rate structure and to look at the water rates as a stand-alone business.

Callahan explained that the city will need to set aside funds for replacing the infrastructure, as well as maintainance and repairs. He believes that a flat structure is best because it charges the same for the 1st gallon of water used and the "1 millionth gallon."

He said that while the golf course is a great asset to the community, there are others that could make the same argument. His concern is that if the city went back to the old structure, reducing the income from large users, it will have to be made up by the average users. (Editor's note: the city of Vinton has already been doing that for the Vinton Country Club for several years) Callahan explained that the city has already spent an enormous amount on the water towers, water plants, water mains and all of this needs to be maintained and repaired to provide all of the water needed for the small user as well as the large volume user.

"Water is a precious commodity and I don't think you should give a break to water use. If you want to go to a tiered approach, you can do it, but where do you draw the line? You could draw it just so one large user gets the break. I wouldn't recommend it," he said.

He would recommend that the country club look at other options. He also contacted 9 other golf courses, and they all have another source and don't use treated water. Under 7 million gallons were being used to water the greens.

If they do, you will lose your best customer, at 5% but expenses go down. he doesn't believe they will offset each other. But is this the best use of treated water in the community?

The council also distributed the annual disbursement of funs to Vinton Unlimited.

Scott Wirth was also appointed as the Assistant Director of Vinton Parks & Recreation.

eLation software expenses were discussed. The software is a computer program used by both the city and the electric utilities. Discussion was held on cost sharing with VMEU. The electric part of the city is paying 65% of the cost. There was discussion on how to better divide the cost.

There are several work sessions scheduled over the next few weeks to discuss funding for and who is in charge of the beautification board, Hobart/Braille School details, UTV to update laws/ordinances, food truck discussion, the pit bull ban, cost sharing of software between the city and electric utilities.

In other discussions

The bridge on E 13th was discussed, In 2001 the car count was 20 cars per day. and is now up to 60 cars. With the increase, there is hope for a federal grant for bridge replacement.

The street department reported that they had six blocks of seal coat to complete before moving on to patching and replacing cement.

The question of "Who owns the light poles?" came up as hanging flower pots could be installed to beautify the downtown. It is believed that the city pays the electricity and buys the bulbs, while Vinton Municipal Electric Utilities owns poles.

There are some issues around the glow trail along the level B road as well as parts of its removal in the new housing development behind the high school. Widening roads has resulted in partial removal.

Under good and welfare

-the Vinton Police Department had a chance to brag a little bit after winning the Pitches for Pins ballgame which raised over $10,000 for the wrestling team.

-the Christmas in July promotion by Vinton Unlimited finished up the month of July with $90,000 in sales in downtown Vinton from the punch cards turned in.