Government : City Council Meeting Notes 7/25/24 - the glass is half full, but what’s in it?

Kiwanis Boomtown 5K route for August 24, 2024

The Vinton City Council met on Thursday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m. Present were all the members of the council and the mayor with the exception of Zach Parmeter.

The meeting was called to order followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

The agenda was approved with the removal of item 9.f. off of the new business. The item agenda read, "Approval of resolution approving temporary public utility easement (VanDeusen)."

The consent agenda was approved which included:

-Receive & file Council work session & meeting minutes of July 11, 2024

-Receive & file Library meeting minutes of June 12, 2024
-Receive & file Airport Commission meeting minutes of June 19 & July 17, 2024
-Approval of special class C retail alcohol license for McBride Mobile Taps (07/26/24, 08/09/24, 08/23/24)
-Approval of City invoices

Communications and petitions or remonstrances were received and filed.

There were no Committee Reports for this meeting.

Under Citizen's Input/The glass is half full but what's in it?

Bob and Linda Fischer brought a water issue in their home before the council for consideration. The couple lives on North 9th Ave.

Following the flushing of the water mains in the first week in April, they have had issues with water pressure, sediment and discoloration of their water. The sediment has caused various issues for the couple including issues with their water softener which was serviced and then went out, the technician said that it was a city water issue. Their washing machine was also serviced and it was discovered that the water hose was plugged with sediment from the city water.

Water pressure from the home coincided with water use increases in the neighborhood. The water department has tried unsuccessfully to locate a leak in the pipes, but are unable to locate the issue after looking repeatedly. The equipment that the city has can find leaks if the pipes in the ground are metal, however, pipes in the neighborhood are plastic.

Last week the water in the home was brown. The city was called again. They were advised not to drink the water leaving them to purchase water which they have been doing anytime there is sediment in the water. Several neighbors are also having issues, but it appears that the Fischer home is being hit the hardest.

Since April, the couple have been in touch with the City Administrator, a council member and the city water department, without any solutions. The costs for repairs, service calls, and the purchasing of drinking water have cost the couple around $2,000 so far.

Under old business, the Council approved a resolution approving the third amendment to the contract agreement for the water tower and ground space lease between the City of Vinton, Landlord, and USCOC of Greater Iowa, LLC, Tenant. The contract for approval will increase the rent will increase the first of the month following the completion of improvements made to the tower.

The terms concerning whether the city would collect a 2% annual increase or a 10% increase every 5 years, was an issue between the two. The city attorney recommended a 10% increase at the beginning of each of the three contracts of five years.

The company wanted to stay with the terms of the original lease, which is what the city has done. Rent would increase to $2,500 per month in April of 2026. The attorney recommended staying with the 10% at the beginning of the renewal term. Right now the city is in the midst of a term. The second renewal would be in 2031 at a 10% increase and again in 2036 with another 10% increase.

The contract lease will be completed in April 2041 at which point the city will renegotiate a new contract. The company wanted to add three more renewals on top of this contract, but the attorney recommended not doing that. Currently, the company is paying the city engineer and the city attorney $5,500 to oversee the project. so he is not concerned about the project dragging out.

The council approved the agreement.

In new business a request for the consideration of a partial release of a judgment on property owned by John Fischer. After much discussion it was agreed that Fischer would pay $1,000 for the release of two acres of land for the building of a home. Currently, there is a $6,500 lien on the property. Fischer will still owe $5,500.

S&J Sanitation also approached the council to give an update on how things are going for the business. Overall the city and business agree that things are running smoothly. The company reported that in the last year, they have replaced a couple of mailboxes, hired two retired veterans, they will be obtaining a new truck next week. They thanked the city for their business.

City Wide Fall cleanup was briefly discussed for the first week in October.

A resolution approving a sanitary sewer easement plat and permanent public utility easement agreement with Alliant Energy was granted.

The council received a proposed Data Breach Response Policy as well as a Disaster Recovery Plan for the City of Vinton Municipal iVinton. The policies lays out a plan of action for the city. However, the city attorney did not have the opportunity to review the policies so both were tabled for a later time. The last time it was updated was approximately 20 years ago.

Approval was given for the pay estimate #5 to Woodruff Construction for Wastewater Treatment Plan as well as change order #1 on Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements.

The council also approved a quote from the Iowa Pump Works for the Old Main Lift Station.

Approval was given for a quote from Quality Excavating Incorporated for Anderson Creek street lighting. Quotes for materials were also given.

The annual disbursement for Vinton Unlimited and the Vinton Community Foundation for FY25 from the L.O.S.T. (Local Option Sales Tax) funds in the amount of $31,114.20. The Vinton Community Foundation submitted a plan for disbursement of the funds.

Approval was granted for the following special events Boomtown 5k for August 24, 2024 as well as the special events application for Boomtown, and Boom-Fest which will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p..m.for the same days.

A review request for preliminary and final plat for Alliant Energy was forwarded on to Planning and Zoning.

Reports

Chris Ward said that he had a call from "American Water" to inquire about buying the water and sewer utilities, but he felt it wasn't wise to sell as it would take control of rates to residents. Clinton is the only town in Iowa who has done this.

The water plant was contacted by Nate Kass, SRF updates will begin there in August.

The State Revolving Loan Fund contacted the city wanting to convert the city's Waste Water Treatment Plant Loan to a loan forgiveness program. Nothing would change the loan other than it would change from a state to a federal loan. The city could save 15% in interest and principle with a total reduction of $2,696.582.25. The catch is that the city would be required to but a 5' X 4' sign in front of the waste water plant. The city thought that would be a good deal.

Good & Welfare

Act I will be presenting Rock of Ages at the Palace Theatre this week on August 1st and 2nd at 7:00 p.m. and August 4th at 2:00 p.m and 6:00 p.m. at the Vinton Palace Theatre.

The Council then entered into a Closed Session as permitted by Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(j):

a. To discuss the purchase of real estate where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property. (Potential purchase/acquisition 1)

b. To discuss the purchase of real estate where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property. (Potential purchase/acquisition 2)

c. To discuss the purchase of real estate (Permanent and Temporary Easement) where premature disclosure could be reasonably expected to increase the price the governmental body would have to pay for that property. (Potential purchase/acquisition 3)

The council then returned to open session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(3) with potential action related to the purchase/acquisition of real estate, and Permanent and Temporary Easement and purchase/acquisition as discussed in the closed session.

A second Closed session was entered as permitted by Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation.

The council then returned to open session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(3) and adjourned the meeting.