News : Ordinances, Land Sale, East School & Election Time discussed at Council Meeting

Bricks have begun to fall from the south side of the old East School causing safety concerns.

The city council met this week and covered a short agenda in under an hour. Tami Stark, Rylie Pflughaph, Bethany Gates, Zach Parmater, Andrew Elwick were present.

Under committee reports, Bethany Gates reported that the Rental Code Committee met and developed a mission statement and will meet again on September 13th at 6:00 p.m. at city hall.

Tami Stark reported that the business type activities committee met before the council meeting to address the sale of a lot on East 5th St. by auction. The failure of the sale of the lost last time will bring it again without a minimum bid, but with the same requirements.

Mayor Bud Maynard also reported that there was a meeting with the Ambulance service discussing the feasibility of the ambulance service in the future and how it will affect everyone in the county. Currently, the service is operating in the red. A possible tax levy option will be put on the ballot for the county this November. If it fails, the towns and townships that the ambulance services could be asked to cover the expenses.

Citizen's Input

Jeff Sojka of Riverside Dr. approached the council asking permission to clean up the river's edge trimming grass and weeds. He explained that since 1989 he'd been maintaining the river bank. The river was rerouted leaving a new area to maintain. Before Sojka can maintain the area, the DNR contacted the city, the city will have to get back to the DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to work together to get permission for him to maintain that stretch of property.

Dakoda Sellers, is interested in the lot that the city is selling but would like the city to agree to vacate the alley between this lot and a lot that he owns across the alleyway. This would allow him to have a larger area fo construction. He stated that the council would like him to just move in a mobile home rather than build a multi-family home.

Maynard corrected the record and said that the council never said anything about a mobile home.

Stark also spoke and said that the council is not going to guarantee a vacation of property...at which point Sellers interrupted and asked if she was speaking as a council member or a citizen. She said for herself. He told her that she needed to come down and state her name and where she lived.

She spoke and explained that the city is NOT opposed to selling the lot nor vacating the alleyway. However, the city cannot guarantee the vacation of the alleyway for anyone before the property has been bid on.(In the past the city has done this only after property owners have requested it, but never for someone who does not have legal rights to the land.)

Under old business, a public hearing was held concerning Ordinance 1087.

Darran Sellers, asked why the changes were being made. The Mayor explained that it was being considered upon the recommendation of a board member. Sellers then asked if the council always waives a third consideration, or if it was only in this case. The city has in the past waived third reading of new ordinances.

The council approved amending provisions pertaining to the zoning regulations approving a second consideration and waiving the third consideration. The ordinance was adopted which amended the provisions pertaining to zoning regulations.

Sellers believes that this ordinance was made to accommodate a resident who would like to build a garage that is considered by the city to be too large for her backyard. The problem he said occurred when her plans were submitted to the city and sent on to Planning and Zoning but did not meet the requirements of the city.

Sellers then questioned who oversees the inspector and it was explained that the police chief does that. The resident has since submitted new plans for consideration.

The former East School building was also discussed. The building has fallen into such disrepair that it is now a safety issue with bricks beginning to now fall from the south side of the structure.

The city is hesitant to become involved and being responsible for the structure as it would cost an enormous amount to take down the structure. It is believed that because of the size of the structure, would run in the hundreds of thousands to demolish. Chris Ward has been searching for grants and possible solutions but so far has been unable to find any programs that could help with the cost.

Under New Business

The council approved the First consideration of ordinance 1088 - an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to flood plain management. A date was set for a public hearing regarding ordinance 1088 - an ordinance amending provisions pertaining to flood plain management August 24 at 7:00 p.m.

A discussion of a subdivision request in Anderson Creek was brought before the council by Rich and Nancy Farmer. The couple would like to gift some of their property to neighboring property owners. However, because of the way that the plots were designed to use two separate government entities for funding, restrictions are placed on what can and cannot be done with the property. A request like this also needed approval from the hospital board which was granted, but the government entities probably will hinder the simple request by the couple. The city will continue to look into this.

Also approved were two special event applications. One for the Special Olympics Ride on August 19, 2023 and the Vinton Cruise on September 23, 2023.

Reports

Chris Ward, City Administrator reported that work was underway on 1st St.

Work on the east water tower has begun. US Cellular towers had to be removed to a freestanding tower next to the structure so that the water town can be cleaned and repainted.

The DNR had a report of cinder blocks being dumped on the riverbank so they made a visit, but the blocks had been cleaned up before they arrived.

The Hobarts would like to have a work session about TIF funding at the next council meeting concerning the possible construction of J Ave.

Ward announced that he would be resigning from his place on Empower Rural Iowa Economic Development.

Matt Boggess of Vinton Parks and Recreation said that the skate center had its new floor in and the new floor has brightened the inside of the building, and the new sign is now up.

He also expects that the Veterans Park will be open for visitors by Labor Day weekend.

The Pickleball Court surface has begun to bubble. 95% of the court is fine. The company came to inspect the surface, and believed that they can pop the bubbles, inject a sealant and smooth the surface. The lifetime of the surface is only 3-5 years and it's only a year old. New surfaces are in development. Boggess said that Vinton is home to some of the oldest pickleball courts in the state while the game is just being introduced to other communities across the state.

Fall programming for VPRD is underway and the pool is scheduled to close for the season on Sunday.

Melissa Schwan, City Clerk reminded the council that if they'd like to file nomination papers to run in the election, they need to be submitted to her between Monday, August 28 and Thursday, September 21 at 5:00 p.m. Please note that papers cannot be filed before or after the filing period.

The positions up for election this year are:

Bud Maynard, (12/2023), Mayor

Tami Stark, Mayor Pro Tem (12/2023) At Large

Andrew Elwick (12/2023),2nd Ward,

Zach Parmater (11/2023), 3rd Ward.

Because the 3rd Ward seat was filled by appointment, the winner of this office will be seated immediately.

Schwan is also working on quotes for projects on the city hall building.

Under Good and Welfare, it was noted that construction has begun on the Family Dollar property on the northwest corner of the former Braille School property.

The meeting can be seen here.