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 7:00 p.m. Monday, April 21, 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Geerts. Council members present were Schwickerath, Speltz, Humpal, Larsen. Porath and Denner were absent. Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Jordan & Beth Fye, Karla and Keith
Elenz, Mike O’Neill, Seth Wisner, Joel Knutson and Bob Fenske.
1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve Special and Regular City Council Minutes of April 7, 2025.
3. Approve City Claims of $280,217.12
4. Park & Rec Minutes of April 9, 2025
5. Cemetery Board Meeting of April 4, 2025
6. Fire Department Meeting April 7, 2025
7. Department Meeting Minutes April 8, 2025
8. Class E Retail Alcohol License: New Hampton Mart #LE0004257 6/3/25
9. Finance Reports
FUND RECEIVED DISBURSED
GENERAL $113,383.06 $128,795.06
ROAD USE TAX $31,954.45 $25,846.17
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $29,667.68 $18,197.66
SELF INSURANCE FUND $8,438.94 $17,876.03
LOCAL OPTION TAX $49,008.09 $0.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $3,489.57 $4,371.40
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES $1,181.13 $0.00
TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL $8,451.83 $0.00
DEBT SERVICE $2,881.34 $0.00
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $39.69 $1,564.40
COMM CENTER RENOVATION $0.00 $1,200.00
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $11,552.91 $0.00
STORMWATER CAPITAL PROJECTS $6,777.85 $0.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS $24,943.80 $20,633.18
WATER UTILITY $95,805.70 $41,760.47
SEWER UTILITY $92,142.80 $47,037.67
WASTEWATER PROJECT $54,578.70 $54,578.70
SOLID WASTE $39,229.92 $66,869.03
INDUSTRIAL PARK DEVEL. $0.00 $0.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $5,702.03 $0.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $5,639.23 $0.00
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $1,158.00 $2,294.00
PERPETUAL CARE $140.00 $0.00
TOTAL $586,166.72 $431,023.77
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; that the consent agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Porath and Denner. Motion carried.
7:00 pm PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SALE OF LAND (SOUTH BROADWAY AVE SOUTH 660’)
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposed sale of Land described as: A portion of land located south of the intersection of South Broadway Avenue and West Garfield Street extending approximately 660’ south with a 66’ width.
The Council investigated and found that the time and the place of the hearing had in accordance with the law and as directed by the City Council been published in the New Hampton Tribune on the 17th day of April 2025 in New Hampton, Chickasaw County. Mayor Geerts asked for oral comments. Jordan & Beth Fye are interested in purchasing the parcel of land to allow access to a single family dwelling they are planning on building on a two acre lot which is adjoining to the south of the parcel. Fye’s would grant easements to adjoining property owners. Other residents shared their concerns about having access for ingress and egress from their properties.
Mayor Geerts asked for written comments. There were none. Mayor Geerts declared the hearing closed.
Council members continued to discuss the sale price of the property, the necessary easements for adjoining property owners and ensuring consistency with previous sales of city property. After a lengthy discussion, it was moved by Humpal, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6724 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SALE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY, MINIMUM BID OF $2,000 PLUS SURVEYING COSTS AND RECORDING FEES, DIRECT CITY ATTORNEY TODD PRICHARD AND PWD MAI TO PREPARE EASEMENTS; SEALED BIDS ARE DUE MAY 2, 2025 BY 4:30 PM WITH BID OPENING AT THE MAY 2, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 7:00 PM, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent- Porath and Denner. Resolution approved.
7:00 PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2026 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the 2026 Fiscal Year Budget. The Council investigated and found that the time and the place of the hearing had in accordance with the law and as directed by the City Council been published in the New Hampton Tribune on the 10th day of April 2025 in New Hampton, Chickasaw County. Mayor Geerts asked for oral comments. There were none. Mayor Geerts asked for written comments. There were none. Mayor Geerts declared the hearing closed.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz That Resolution No. 6725 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent- Porath and Denner. Resolution approved.
Chickasaw County EMS Director, Joel Knutson, shared the EMS 2024 Annual Calendar Year Report. Knutson and staff continue to work on grant applications and fundraisers to assist with future necessary purchases. Mayor Geerts complimented Joel and the EMS staff for what they have accomplished this past year. Knutson also hinted that the July 2025 quarterly EMS payment may be waived again.
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6726 RESOLUTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON MAY 5TH, 2025 AT 7:00 PM TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE CHANGE BY REMOVING SECTION 75.08 FROM THE NEW HAMPTON CITY CODE, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent- Porath, Denner. Resolution approved.
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. There we concern that the same rules should apply to golf carts as well as UTV and ATV’s. After a lengthy discussion, the council will address the operational rules for golf carts in a separate discussion. Moved by Humpal, seconded by Speltz; That Ordinance #900 entitled ‘AN ORDINANCE DELETING SECTION 75.08 FROM THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON CITY CODE receive its second consideration. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – Nays. Absent- Porath and Denner. Motion carried. Mayor Geerts ordered the item be on the agenda at the next regular council meeting for its third and final consideration.
Residents Jeramy and Tasha Croell are requesting an easement from the city of New Hampton near their property at 329 S Western Avenue. Moved by Humpal, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6727 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN EASEMENT WITH JERAMY AND TASHA CROELL FOR 329 SOUTH WESTERN AVE, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – Nays. Absent- Porath and Denner. Resolution approved.
PWD Casey Mai presented a list of civil citation fees for council review. Mai is requesting the city adopt administrative fines to reinforce the consequences of code violations. Mai would include the list of civil citation fees with the annual fee schedule approval typically approved in June each year.
City Clerk Karen Clemens updated the council on the deteriorating condition of the boiler that heats the Community Center, City Hall and all city offices. Clemens has reached out to Strand Associates to discuss the possible replacement of the boiler with a mechanical engineer. Clemens will present more information at May 5th council meeting if it is available to her.
Clemens also shared a timeline of City Council action regarding the legality of keeping chickens in the city limits. Several residents have requested information; Clemens wanted Council to be aware of the current City Code laws which allows chickens to be in the city limits only with written consent of the council.
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Larsen; that the meeting adjourn at 9:06 pm. Ayes –Four. Nays – None. Absent – Porath and Denner. Motion carried.
