Grundy Reporter

City of Vienna City Council Met May 5.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council of the City of Vienna met in regular session at Vienna City Hall with the following members and guest: 

ELECTED/APPOINTED OFFICIALS PRESENT: Richard Owen, Mayor Steve Penrod, Alderman Alan Racey, Alderman Austin Tuey, Alderman Melissa Hill, Alderman Angela Moore, Alderman Ron Pitts, Alderman Shane Racey, Superintendent Brent Williams, Fire Chief Jim Miller, Police Chief Melissa Presser, City Attorney Aleatha Wright, City Clerk Alisa Sowers,Depot Coordinator 

ELECTED/APPOINTED OFFICIALS ABSENT: Jim Evans, Alderman Michelle Meyers, Treasurer 

GUESTS Jordan McBride Jennifer & Lowell Jacobsen Phil Morris 

There being a quorum, Mayor Owen called the meeting of the Vienna City Council to order at 6:30 p.m. 

NEW BUSINESS 

The swearing in ceremony for elected officials took place beginning with Mayor Owen swearing in Steve Penrod as Vienna's newly elected Mayor. Penrod then swore in the following elected officials: Aleatha Wright-City Clerk, Austin Tuey-Ward I, Alan Racey-Ward II, Ron Pitts-Ward III, and Angela Moore-Ward III. 

Alderman Hill made a motion to Authorize and Approve the Omnibus Consent Agenda consisting of the April 21, 2021 council meeting minutes and the Warrant ($28,951.54). Alderman Tuey seconded the motion. All in favor motion carried. 

Alderman Owen made a motion to Authorize and Approve $500.00 (Community Funds) towards Jon Simmons memorial bench project at the city park. The motion was seconded by Alderman Tuey. All in favor, Motion carried. 

Mayor Penrod reviewed bids from the previous meeting concerning the Library roof replacement. After brief discussion, council was in consent to award the bid to Trico-Roofing. Alderman Racey made a motion to accept the bid submitted by Trico-Roofing for $10,200.00. The motion was seconded by Alderman Moore. All in favor, Motion carried. 

Alderman Hill made a motion to Authorize and Approve $1,500.00 (General Funds) for the repair of two culverts including concrete costs on North 5th St. Alderman Tuey seconded the motion. All in favor, Motion carried. 

PUBLIC COMMENT - None 

Attorney Presser discussed the process of the city installing stop signs on North Sixth street at two separate locations as reviewed at the previous council meeting. Presser said the city ordinance gives the city the authority to install signage through a resolution report from the police chief or engineer, although after referring to the state manual, stops signs could not be installed solely for the purpose of controlling speed. Council reviewed a revised resolution report from Chief Miller including reasonings of both speed control and restricted view of oncoming traffic due to houses and trees. Alderman Racey mentioned the concern of 6th and Green Street as an additional location for stop signs. Presser recommended the city engineer review the report and concur with locations before a resolution was passed. 

ELECTED/APPOINTED OFFICIALS 

Mayor Penrod said the amphitheater grant paperwork was being finalized, commending city hall's involvement working with Southern Five on the project. Penrod informed council he was contacted from a resident with an offer of property to the city as a donation. The property, located behind Rusty's Home Center, adjoins the bike trail but has no alternate access. Brief discussion was had if the city could utilize the property. No action taken. Penrod gave a report on the Spring Fling Carnival proceeds totaling $2,133.00. Penrod said according to Little Egypt Shows, it was the carnival's highest turnout since 2015. 

Penrod said he had attended the recent Johnson County commissioner's meeting highlighting a few topics including FEMA updating the county's floodplain map, the county's recent program to clean up properties and dilapidated homes, and revising the county emergency plan. Penrod noted that once the county's plan was completed, John McCuan, County FEMA Coordinator, would assist with revising the city's emergency plan. 

Penrod reviewed committee assignments for council members that would be finalized at the next council meeting. Penrod voiced his appreciation for Jim Evans who filled in to serve as Alderman Ward 3 for the city this past year up until the April election. 

Penrod named his appointments for his term including Mayor Pro-Tem-Richard Owen, City Superintendent- Shane Racey, Police Chief-Jim Miller, Fire Chief-Brent Williams, and Treasurer Michelle Meyers. At this time, each individual was sworn in by Mayor Penrod. Meyers, absent, would be sworn in at the next scheduled meeting. 

Police Chief Miller updated council that John Giffin would be graduating the part time academy in June. 

Fire Chief Williams mentioned fire safety classes held at the fire dept by U of I. Williams also said the hot water heater at the department may need replaced. 

Alisa Sowers, Depot, informed council she attended a recent county commissioner meeting, saying the county approved funds for 5,000 brochures to distribute for the Tunnel Hill Trail. Sowers noted this week was “National Travel and Tourism Week”. 

Alderman Owen commented on the amphitheater project concerning an electrical issue oversight. Owen said Scott Wright was completing the electrical work for the city. Owen also expressed gratitude towards the city council for his tenure of mayor the last several months. 

As there was no further business to discuss Alderman Owen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Hill seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

Mayor Penrod declared the meeting adjourned at 7:21 p.m. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Lm5O_t2tzfg4aIGvAIWwbzvQl0PPYY1TS9BeZkdNS3A/edit