News : City Council Meeting starts rough, but sails through a variety of business

The Vinton City Council met on Thursday night in regular session. On the top of the agenda was the approval of a Class B retail alcohol license for Kwik Trip Inc., Class C retail license for H Squared Pizza, McBride Mobile Taps, and Benton Co. Agricultural Society (pending dramshop approval).
Citizen Input This brought Misty Meister who addressed the council. She cited past action by the city requiring the removal of a building on her mother's property. The property was the location of the former steam plant located north of the former braille school. She quickly became upset and claimed discrimination by the council. Meister's time ended with Meister yelling at the council and storming out of the meeting then disrespectfully flipping the bird to the council as she exited.
Old BusinessThe third consideration and adoption of ordinance 1097, 1098 and 1099 amending provisions pertaining to sewer, water, and solid waste collection rates.
New BusinessA public hearing was held for the Community Development Block Grand Disaster Recovery housing fund application. Paula Mitchell of ECICOG presented the need identified for needed housing in Vinton. $1,210,000 will be available to build.A resolution was authorized and the council directed East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) to submit an application and documents for funding for the Community Development Block Grand Disaster Recovery Housing Program (CDBG DR) to the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Approval was also given for the City of Vinton Fair Housing and Outreach Plan.
The council approved a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a service agreement with ECICOG for the CDBG DR application preparation for the administration and project delivery of the grant if awarded.
Project Assurances were provided to the Iowa Economic Development Authority agreement for homes to be built by the developer at 909, 913, 1001 13th St. and 1201 and 1205 G Ave. by Kevin Haefner Construction.
The housing will benefit residents who are at or below 80% of the median income in Benton County. Adjusted for household size, the income limit for one occupant would be $53,400 and limits are adjusted upward per occupant. Buyers would have to qualify for a fixed rate mortgage.
Because of the nature of the project, as a result of the derecho contributing to a housing need in the area, for the first four months the homes would be marketed to anyone affected by the derecho, meaning that there's a strong chance that if you lived here during the 2020 storms you probably qualify.
Approval of resolution approving transfer of property previously sold to Dakoda Sellers aka Duda Properties LLC (512 W 6th Street) was granted.
Airport Surplus EquipmentA resolution was granted to declare certain city property as surplus property to be disposed of. This includes a 1968 John Deere tractor 4020 series with a Westendorf loader with 18,826 .5 hours, it has spare front wheels and tires with no known problems or issues. Also a 2016 John Deere X540 with a 54" mower deck, with 1,021.6 hours that needs a clutch replaced. The items can be seen at the Vinton Municipal Airport. To bid, click HERE!
New Handicap ParkingA new parking spot will be added in the 500 block of West 5th St.
Miscellaneous
Approval of proposed modifications of the property at 512 West 6th St. that would affect the buyer Dakoda Sellers, was discussed and approved. The decision would allow the merging of three properties for Sellers to build upon.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The first pay estimate was approved to Woodruff Construction for improvements in the amount of $344,850. Approval was given for a quote from Gurney for $18,390.00 for actuator replacement at WWTP.
Approval was granted for the purchase of a chipper truck and box fromAspen Equipment for $116,650.00.
Approval was granted for the purchase of a 2024 GMC Sierra for $44,125.00 from Ervin Motors to replace the truck destroyed in the park vandalism last year. The original truck had been damaged in transport, so Parks and Rec will receive a brand new truck for roughly $1,000 more.
Business Improvement Grant
The city of Vinton receives grant applications for small businesses that are locally owned. The funding for the Business Improvement Grant is 25% of the hotel/motel tax that is collected by the city. Applicants can apply for the monies one time per year, per business.
The amount that can be awarded for the fiscal year is $2,000 and was awarded to Nature's Corner. The money will be used to repair the sidewalk in front of the business to prevent tripping hazards. The complete cost of the project is estimated to be $4,530.

A second grant of $2,000 was awarded to Ann Fry Gordon for property at 109 West 4th St., in Vinton for electrical updates in the building with an estimate of $6,750 for the total cost.
The remaining 75% of the hotel/motel tax is turned over to Vinton Unlimited in the amount of $6,798.31 for other grant awards.
Warning Sirens
Approval was given for annual service and contract for Whelen Outdoor Warning Sirens
Special Event Request
Approval was given for the Benton County Speedway Car Show on March 23, 2024 on 1st Ave. between 4th and 5th St. in Vinton.