News : City Council: Updating procedures, address Homeless shelter and other topics

The council met in regular session on Thursday evening, the 13th running through the usual list of approval of bills and minutes and other formalities.

The Council held a general work session before the council meeting, which can be seen here. In the Work Session, the council worked on wording for procedures for appointing board members. This session was requested by the Mayor following the VMEU appointment issues. A lengthy discussion ensued on how the gender balance law is applied. Chris Ward, Vinton's City Administrator also mentioned that according to law board appointments must be balanced if minorities apply.

The council also discussed the procedures for meetings which were last updated in 1984. The discussion was had on the order of events of the agenda. They also plan to change an abstention vote to a non-vote rather than a yes vote which also caused issued in the past.

Nathan Hesson a member of the Hotel Occupancy Tax committee shared with the council that a total of 11 applications were accepted and funded fully through the program awarding over $10,000 which was used within the community to promote tourism. The next applications will be awarded in November. If you have a project, feel free to stop in and talk to Melissa at Vinton Unlimited.

Tami Stark also discussed the Ambulance Services. Sharing with the council that the Ambulance services are not a federally funded or locally funded service and the county ambulance services are seeking to become a declared essential service that would open up funding for them. Police and fire are considered essential, but not the ambulance services. They are in need of new equipment which includes an electric cot, which then requires the ambulance to be retrofitted.

Receiving a petition from the residents of Q Ave. several of the residents from the area came before the council voicing their opposition to a homeless shelter in Vinton. Citing the decline of property value, reports of violence and nearly 100 police calls to an area homeless shelter in Cedar Rapids, the residents voiced their concern. Willis Dady has expressed interest in expanding into Vinton. The potential arrival of a homeless shelter in Vinton was met with resistance from residents on Q Ave. While some expressed helping the handful of homeless that are in Vinton, the residents were not in favor of setting up a shelter for the homeless in the city. Carl Hartwig spoke in opposition to the shelter as well. Explaining that his experience with homeless shelters led him to address the issue with the council. He advised the council to not place such a shelter in a residential area, suggesting rather that it be in an area outside the city limits.

Valerie Close also addressed the council, in reference to a letter she submitted concerning the threat that she received.

Tami Stark also read a statement to the council, addressing it as a resident. She addressed issues the council has had dating as far back as what she thought was August, in an error denying an application for someone to run for the city council. Other errors were made due to a lack of information being given to the council. She stated that no responsibility had been taken by the individuals responsible which result in the council taking the brunt of the blame. Fortunately, as Stark stated, this will all be resolved by a special election in a few weeks.

Reminding residents that ultimately, the council is made up of regular people, with full-time jobs, who have also accepted the responsibility of helping to manage city responsibilities. As a result work and family time is juggled to accommodate the city responsibilities. She summed up her remarks reinforcing that the council strives for fairness and civility as they do their job.

Jim Gill also approached the council asking for a time extension to clear his property. The council could see the progress and agreed to grant an extension.

A date of February 27th was set for a Truth in Taxation hearing as required by law.

Approval was given to transfer funds from the general fund into the Fire Department fund.

Hy-Vee has also asked for a tax abatement. The council discussed the issue, however, ordinances are in place addressing this.

July 13 and 14th during the Iowa Ride visit, Kiwanis Park will be used for a camping area. There will be an informational meeting on March 12th, 6:00 p.m. at the High School to answer questions and talk specifics with those interested.

Chris Ward talked about the upcoming census and the importance of everyone being counted. The numbers transfer into dollars for citizens of Vinton, and the county.

The Vinton Police Department will also be adding a new female officer to its staff this week.