Government : City Council Notes for 2/10/26

Marvin Roster discusses with the council the snafu concerning his building permit and restitution

The council met on Thursday evening. Present were Dakoda Sellers, Tami Stark-Mahood, Zach Parmater. and Andrew Elwick. Wes Recker and Ron Hessenius were absent.  Following a call to order and roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 

The agenda, consent agenda and minutes from the meetings of January 21, 22, 28 & February 2, 2026, were received and filed, as well as the meeting minutes from the Airport meeting of January 23, 2026, and the Vinton Fire Association 2025 Annual Report. City invoices, communications & petitions or remonstrances were also received and filed.

Approval was granted for a Class B retail alcohol license for Dollar General and Family Dollar Stores of Iowa and a Class C retail alcohol license for Vinton Country Club. 

The council met in a work session prior to the council meeting to discuss contracts for services from Benton County Sheriff’s Department.

Citizen’s Input:

-Darran Sellers approached the council concerning correspondence that he sent to the council.

-The next topic addressed was concerning pulling the fluoride, a chemical added to the water system was one of the topics of discussion. Opposed was Lois Mulvaney of Vinton, Dr. Levy, of Iowa City, I-Smile coordinator for Benton County, Becky Hackett-Leas, of Iowa City, Sara Stuefen DDS of Vinton, Grace Schmidt, Director of Benton County Health Department all spoke in support of keeping fluoride in the water system.

The council reviewed the Board of Adjustment minutes and decision, considering the request to reconsider a denial of variance for the Marvin Roster property. Joann Roster spoke to the council. She said that the letter sent to the neighbors concerning the issue arrived at their house the day after the open hearing on the issue. She felt that due to the situation, the neighbors were all now upset over something that was not their fault. She explained that they were following what the rules that they were given and now it's an issue in the neighborhood. 

The city clerk explained that the letters all went out the same day and she has no idea why the letter had been delayed.

The mayor called on Marvin Roster, before the meeting to discuss the situation,  but Roster was still very upset with the council over the error. The council approved a resolution to approve payment to the vendors on behalf of the Rosters for expenses incurred due to the error. 

A neighbor of the Rosters then asked who was paying for the error. It is believed that the city insurance will cover it. His argument was that to approve the variance would cost nothing, and not to approve it costs a lot of money.

Next on the agenda was the approval of a resolution to discontinue the addition of fluoride to the public water supply. However, the city has to give a 90 day notification before taking any action.,The consensus seemed to be that the council would not remove the fluoride at a later meeting. 

A public hearing was scheduled for the proposed vacation, sale and transfer of City owned real estate for February 26, 2026.

Next the council approved:

- a change order #12 for the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) improvement project.

- purchase of a 2026 GMC Sierra 2500 from Ervin Motors in the amount of $47,805.00 was granted for the street department.

- a quote for Ballpark Lift Station pump base stand from Bowker Pinnacle

- a quote for installation of slide gates at WWTP from Bowker Pinnacle

- annual service proposal and contract for Whelen Outdoor Warning Sirens

The council then discussed an offer to purchase City-owned property where the former Fischer Law Firm sat before the fire in downtown Vinton by Dan McCann of Benton County Title Company for $13,000 - the assessed value is $12,900.

Approval was given for a business improvement grant award to Koop’s Sales & Service. Dakoda Sellers pointed out that the grant application and description doesn't match. One states that it should be done in 30 days, but the description says there is 12 months to complete the project which is what is intended. So that will be clarified. 

Dakoda Sellers was appointed to the Vinton Community Foundation for a term ending December 2030.

A public hearing for the proposed Property Tax Levy Hearing for FY27 budget was set for the March 26, at 6:30 p.m. 

The  2025 bridge inspection report from Calhoun-Burns & Associates was received and filed. 

Under Reports, Chris Ward, City Administrator, shared that there would be an Airport meeting on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. He has contacted the engineers, and let them know that the city is looking at the possibility of decommissioning the airport.

Ward will be in and out of the office over the next couple of weeks until March. 

Scott Meyer reported that the city has completed work on 37 trees around the city so far with more trees ordered to plant.

Ted Paxton, Vinton Police Chief, reported that we have an officer completing training with new Code Officer in the process of becoming certified.

Craig Walker, of the Water Department two new water and sewer maps are in progress. To create GPS maps he said it would cost around $5,000 but he is waiting to hear back from the company. 

Good & Welfare - Congratulated Chloe Sanders on her wins, as well as the Vinton Shellsburg Boys Bowling won WAMAC and individual bowlers took 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th and 10th at the coference and compete on Monday in Carroll to qualify to compete at State. 

The meeting adjourned.