Совет города Винтон единогласно одобрил обновление плана городского обновления

The City of Vinton is looking at amending its existing urban renewal plan. During council’s Aug. 27 meeting, council was asked to consider engaging counsel for the purpose of updating its Urban Renewal Plan. According to City Administrator Chris Ward, this is in connection with Vinton Unlimited’s Main Street project. “And also because the Down Payment Assistance program is actually running ahead of schedule, we need to have a place for those urban renewal funds,” said Ward. “So, after discussing with this for bond counsel, this was an acceptable use of those funds, and this is what’s before you.” Staff need permission from council to move forward, said Ward. Projects such as mitigation for the old east school building could be included. “We can also put those things in the urban renewal plan,” said Ward. The idea drew unanimous approval. Ward also brought up for upcoming the 13th Street bridge/Fourth Street project and said Fehr Graham wants to go over the plans at a work session. During Public Comment, a resident complained about an interaction with a neighbor and the Vinton Police Department. The resident said her rights had been violated during a recent incident during which the resident said she did flick a cigarette butt “to distract her” in a dispute with another individual. After the cigarette hit the other individual during the Aug. 3 incident, the resident was charged. “Officer [Justin] Coshow arrested me for this,” said Cheryl Lynn Ducharme, 59, of Vinton. “It’s a direct violation of Iowa Code 704.4 for reasonable force to stop or prevent criminal interference with property owner’s property rights. Ducharme was charged and posted bond of $300. She threatened to potentially file a lawsuit against the city. As the matter was not on the agenda, council took no formal action. Additionally, Library Director Kelly Henkle was on hand to give her annual report.