News : City to receive funding to pay for half of comprehensive plan

The Vinton City Council meeting took place Thursday night with three empty chairs surrounding Mayor John Watson.

Council member Lisa Vermedahl was on a cruise; Ron Hessenius was at a wrestling tournament where his son was competing. And Don Burkey had shoulder surgery a few hours before the meeting.

Despite his surgery, Burkey agreed to participate in the meeting via telephone, to give the council the four members it needs to have a meeting.

There were no controversial issues on the agenda, although there was one issue that City Coordinator Andy Lent said the council should act on quickly.

Because of the damage of the Flood of 2008, Vinton is eligible for a block grant to cover half the cost of creating a new comprehensive plan. With new Governor Terry Branstad making state budget cuts a priority, Lent said he was concerned that the new administration may not honor the commitment made by the Culver administration. He told the council that if they approved the resolution, the signed contract should protect the city against losing that funding. The council unanimously approved the resolution. The city will receive a block grant for up to $5,682.

That grant comes through the Rebuild Iowa Office as well as the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

Tobacco violation settlement

The council also approved a $1,500 settlement from the Vinton Casey’s store, which was cited for selling tobacco to an underage juvenile last year. Because the City of Vinton issues the permit to sell tobacco, the fine for the violation goes to the city, said Lent. The money will go into the city’s general fund, he said.