News : Council takes action in Hobart Contract and etc. at 1/9/24 meeting

The City of VInton Council, met on Thursday evening, January 9, 2025 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

You can watch the meeting here https://www.youtube.com/@CityofVintonIA

The meeting began with the call to order, roll call and pledge of allegiance. All members of the council were present. Along with Mayor Bud Maynard present were Ron Hessenius, Rylie Pflughaupt, Tami Stark-Mahood, Wesley Reeker, Zach Parameter and Andrew Elwick.

This week's big news from the meeting would be the last item of business, a closed session with the council. The council also went into the closed session according to Iowa Code Section 21(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 returned to an open session and issued a "Notice of Default and Contract Termination" to Hobart Restoration concerning the developer's agreement on the Braille School Property. This will give the city an opportunity to renogotiate or change the direction of the property altogether.

The council had discussed in previous meetings things that they had expected to see created on the Braille School property. They would have liked to have seen additional housing in the old buildings that sit on the property for one of the items and a strip mall was also among the other suggestions. Hobarts explained that you can't make people buy the property and bring a business in but they have tried to do so.

Currently the buildings on the property are being rented to Americorp. Hobarts felt that the rental would create cash flow and explained the many roadblocks that they have encountered in the project. Another issue that neither side had figured in was hauling away more than 100 large dumpsters full of miscellaneous debris before they could begin work on the buildings. On the heels of this, COVID-19 affected the supply chain causing interruptions and delays and etc. 

Overall, Hobarts have added the Family Dollar/Dollar Tree and several lots bringing new housing to the area. The corner lot on 13th St. and Highway 218 is reserved for an emergency center, and the company is in negotiations to bring in a large building next to this that would house the USDA bringing more employment to the area.  He Hospital Pub is one building that was purchased by Hobart to turn into a restaurant and is owned by Hobart.

Another of the things that Hobarts have done is put the property on the tax rolls creating more revenue for the city and county. Hobarts had asked for another three years extending their original agreement. The current agreement expired at the end of 2024. it is unclear if the council plans to renegotiate the contract, change their expectations or seek other companies to take over the project. 

The council did receive another proposal for the property and a suggestion from another citizen in the community, both of which were unsolicited by the city. The first was the idea of something like a casino being brought in and the last one is from an organization called, "After Dark Tourism" which is part of OSPHPRC, Inc. or, "Old South Pittsburg Paranormal Research Center" out of Tennessee. 

In their proposal they said that they set up mostly a weekend destination with rental rates at 98%. "We have worked with Hollywood producers, videographers, and musical groups who all utilize our locations to produce movies and videos. Our locations are registered with the international film registry and will bring anywhere between 20 to 250 people to aid in the filming of this media. Combined with after dark tours, historical tour and the production of movies, videos and documentaries we can bring 10 15, 000 people a year to Vinton, generating tax revenue and new guests to a town people would not normally visit," the proposal goes on to say. (The proposal will be included at the end of the article if you'd like to read their ideas.)

The council has made no decision at this point and it is possible for them to renegotiate with Hobarts as to their expectations for the continued development of the property. 

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In other business-

The regular meeting began with the Agenda and Consent Agenda were approved minutes from the December 26, 2024 meeting were filed along with the 2024 bridge inspection report from Calhoun-Burns & Associates

City invoices were also approved, communications and petitions or remonstrances were received and filed. There were no committee reports, or citizen input. 

Under new business, the council approved a resolution agreement for leasing, assignment, sale of existing dark fiber located in the City of Vinton's right of way by Interstate Power and Light Company. 

The disbursement of hotel/motel tax proceeds to Vinton Unlimited was approved. The official newspaper was designated as the Vinton Newspapers.

A change of order request for the Waste Water Treatment Plant improvements to the exterior generator room door was rejected. The cost proposed was just over $9,000.The council saw no need for the addition and rejected the proposal. 

After discussion, approval was given for a work order to design, bid construction and administration and grant administration services for obstruction removal (trees) at the Vinton Veterans Memorial Airport. The airport was awarded a $200,000 grant for the 16/34 runway. The city would have to pay "up to" $30,000. The trees are located on a private property rather than city property. The Iowa Department of Transportation would cover the remaining "up to" amount of $170,000. City Adminstrator Chris Ward praised the work by those overseeing the work at the Airport and how hard they are working to keep costs down.

Three parking spaces will be converted from city parking to general parking in hopes to alleviate parking congestion for Horst Physical Therapy patients who need to access the business for treatment. 

The Red Carpet Fundraiser application for the Vinton Public Library was approved for March 2, 2025. 

Vacancies on boards and commissions were discussed following the reappointment of Nate Edwards to the Building & Housing Board of Appeals, his term will be through December 2028. The Yundt Trust and Pflughaupt added to the list with with a term expiring of 2025.

Reports

February 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. a Work Session will be held for Vinton Parks & Recreation to discuss fundraising and possible construction of a Wellness and Recreation Center. 

Melissa Schwan, City Clerk reported that unfortunately the person they worked with for the website passed away unexpectedly so there will be a transition there. She requested a work session for January 23, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the Pocket Park on 4th St. 

Mayor Maynard updated on the Waste Water Plant that there was an issue and he talked with those working on the project with a deadline of the middle of next month. Hessenius brought another issue to the attention of the council concerning a roof panel. 

The council discussed the water line that had been laid too shallow, along the lots behind the Dollar Tree/Family Dollar. 

The meeting was adjourned. 

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