The City Council of the City of New Hampton met in regular session in the Council Chambers at 112 East Spring Street, New Hampton Iowa at 7:15 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Geerts at 7:15 p.m. Council members present were Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz Denner,. Humpal.Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard ,Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Kyle Anderson, Jordan Fye, Jake Hackman, Melissa Scheidel, Cory McDonald, Roger Stansberry, Mitch Holtz with Strand Associates, Morgan Underwood, several NHHS students and Bob Fenske.
1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve City Council Minutes of March 17, 2025.
3. Approve City Claims of $293,821.20
4. Class C Retail Alcohol License Rancho Viejo Restaurant 4/1/2025
5. Library Board Minutes of April 1, 2025
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Larsen; that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
Mitch Holtz with Strand Associates Inc. presented and explained four task order agreements. The agreements are as follows:
Task Order No. 25-01: 2026 Logan Street and Cleveland Street Modifications
Task Order No 25-02: West Garfield Street Extension
Task Order No. 25-03: South Industrial Park Improvements
Task Order No. 25-04: Mikkelson Parking Lot Restoration
The initial estimated cost of the 4 projects is $12,020,500. Holtz is hopeful that the bidding will be favorable as several contractors’ have shown interest in the project. The task order approvals allow Strand Associates, Inc. to continue with design and bidding services. Once bids are received an additional agreement will be need for awarding contracts. Moved by Denner, seconded by Humpal; That Resolution No. 6716 RESOLUTION APPROVING TASK ORDERS #25-01, #25-02, #25-03 AND #25-04 WITH STRAND ASSOCIATES INC, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent- None. Resolution approved.
With the approaching wastewater construction project, it was brought to City staffs attention that the dog pound should no longer be located on the waste water facility property. The pound is managed by the non-profit organization, SNAP. Staff has informed SNAP of the change to allow their group time to determine their future plans. Melissa Scheidel, a member of SNAP, is concerned about the loss of funds they have invested into the facility. The Public Works Department has offered the possibility of using a lift station which will be taken out of service once the new plant is built. The representative from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has requested the registration and license be in SNAP’s name since the City is not in charge of the facility. Staff will continue to communicate with SNAP and assist with the relocation. No action was taken.
City Clerk Karen Clemens requests the council set a public hearing to hear citizen comments on the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Humpal; That Resolution No. 6717 RESOLUTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE 2026 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR APRIL 21ST, 2025 AT 7:00 PM, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent- None. Resolution approved.
City Clerk Karen Clemens requests the council set a public hearing to hear citizen comments on the 2025 Fiscal Year Budget Amendment. Moved by Porath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6718 RESOLUTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR MAY 5th, 2025 AT 7:00 PM, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent- None. Resolution approved.
The recent meetings of the Safety Committee have resulted in two recommendations for council approval. The first recommendation is to establish a No Parking Zone on the south side of West Hamilton between South Broadway Avenue and South Maple Avenue. This particular part of Hamilton street is narrow and is dangerous for kids walking to and from the elementary school building. City staff will paint the traffic markings for ‘No Parking’ upon approval of this resolution. Moved by Porath, seconded by Humpal; That Resolution No. 6719 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING NO PARKING SIGNS ALONG SOUTH SIDE OF WEST HAMILTON STREET BETWEEN SOUTH BROADWAY AVENUE AND SOUTH MAPLE AVENUE, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent- None. Resolution approved.
The second recommendation is adding a 4-way mobile stop sign, during the school year, at the intersection of West Hamilton and South Broadway. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6720, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MOBILE FOUR-WAY STOP SIGN AT INTERSECTION OF SOUTH BROADWAY AVENUE AND WEST HAMILTON STREET, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent- None. Resolution approved.
Police Chief Conrad Rosendahl requested that Section 75.08 of the City Code be deleted as it does not follow State Code. City Code 75.08 States: HOURS OF OPERATION No ATV, UTV, or snowmobile shall be operated in the City between sunset and sunrise except for emergency situations or for loading and unloading from a transport trailer.
Rosendahl stated that these vehicles are equipped properly to travel on the roadway and do not pose a hazard. Staff would like to delete this section of code. There were concerns about the similarity of golf carts and that they should be allowed the same 24 hour travel time ability. Moved by Humpal, seconded by Speltz; That an Ordinance entitled ‘AN ORDINANCE DELETING SECTION 75.08 FROM THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON CITY CODE receive its first consideration. Ayes – Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – Larsen. Absent- None. Motion carried.
Mayor Geerts ordered the item be on the agenda at the next regular council meeting for its second consideration.
PWD Casey Mai was approached by a resident who is interested in purchasing the portion of South Broadway that extends south of Garfield Street. The property is city owned and measures 660’ long & 66’ wide. The resident is interested in building a house at the south end of the parcel. Council is interested in receiving feedback from adjoining property owners. Moved by Humpal, seconded by Porath; That Resolution No. 6721 RESOLUTION SETTING A DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR CITIZEN COMMENTS REGARDING THE SALE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY FOR APRIL 21ST, 2025 AT 7:00 PM, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent- None. Resolution approved.
During the process of repairing water main breaks, PWD Casey Mai discovered that the City did not have easements in place with the railroad company. There are 7 locations along the railroad which the City of New Hampton is utilizing the railroad’s property for water, storm water and sanitary sewer mains. Approving these 7 easements will complete the necessary documentation needed. The easement locations are indentified by mile markers. The locations are:
No. 6965 – North Sherman
No. 6985 – Mobile Home Park
No. 6951 – North Maple
No. 6937 – North Linn
No. 6916 – East Milwaukee
No. 6888 – North Pleasant Hill
No. 07027 – Industrial Avenue
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6722 RESOLUTION APPROVING SEVEN EASEMENTS WITH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA & EASTERN RAILROAD CORPORATION, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent- None. Resolution approved.
Resident Mitch Kellogg is requesting a curb cut for the driveway at his property address of 316 Croell Drive. City Code allows a 32’ curb cut, Kellogg is requesting a 36’ curb cut. Moved by Humpal, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6723 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE DRIVEWAY CURB CUT EXTENSION AT 316 CROELL DRIVE, be approved.
Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent- None. Resolution approved.
Moved by Porath, seconded by Humpal; that the meeting adjourn at 8:46 pm. Ayes –Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
