City Council Minutes | May 5, 2025

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, May 5, 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Geerts. Council members present were Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen. Porath was absent. Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Eric Kuehn, Joe Leibold, Nick Leibold, Kelvin Leibold, Jordyn Fye, Ryan Gurwell of A & R Land Services, two NHHS students
and Bob Fenske.

1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve Regular City Council Minutes of April 21, 2025.
3. Approve City Claims of $80,732.75
4. Cemetery Board Meeting of April 18, 2025
5. Airport Minutes of April 14,2025
6. Police Department Memo Regarding Sergeant Position
7. Fireworks Agreement with J&M Displays for Heartland Days June 13, 2025
8. Mobile Vendors for Heartland Days – Sugar Bowl LLC, Titanium Lunchbox
9. Street Closure Application – NH Farmers Market on 4th Thursday each month.
10. Cigarette Permit Applications: Casey’s Marketing Co, Fareway Stores, Inc.
11. Agreement: Lucky Wife Wine Slushies 5/23/25 Fundraiser in Mikkelson Park

Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; that the consent agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Porath. Motion carried.

7:00 PUBLIC HEARING ON PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – WWTP LAND ACQUISITION
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposed Public Improvement Project – Wastewater Treatment Plant Land Acquisition. The City of New Hampton, Iowa will consider giving final approval to fund the site-specific design, the selection of the proposed route and/or site location for this public improvement, and to authorize the completion of this public improvement. The City of New Hampton proposes to, but has not yet given final approval, to open negotiations to acquire the property, easement(s), or other rights in real property necessary to construct this public improvement, or to institute condemnation proceedings, if necessary, to do so.

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 24th day of April 2025 in New Hampton, Chickasaw County.

Mayor Geerts asked for oral comments. Landowners Joe Leibold, Nick Leibold and Kelvin Leibold shared their concerns with the proposed project and the impact it will have on their farmland.

Mayor Geerts asked for written comments. There were none.

Ryan Gurwell of A&R Land Services shared the next steps in the land acquisition process, specifically the necessary appraisals and easements. Moved by Humpal, seconded by Denner; That Resolution No. 6728 A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON PROPOSED TO, BUT HAS NOT YET GIVEN FINAL APPROVAL, TO OPEN NEGOTIATIONS TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY, EASEMENT(S), OR OTHER RIGHT IN REAL PROPERTY NECESSARY TO CONSTRUCT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT, OR TO INSTITUTE CONDEMNATION PROCEEDING, IF NECESSARY TO DO SO, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent- Porath. Resolution approved.

7:00 PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET AMENDMENT
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the 2025 Fiscal Year Budget Amendment. 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 24th day of April 2025 in New Hampton, Chickasaw County. Mayor Geerts asked for oral comments. City Clerk Karen Clemens explained the amendment. Mayor Geerts asked for written comments. There were none. Mayor Geerts declared the hearing closed. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen That Resolution No. 6729 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET AMENDMENT, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent- Porath. Resolution approved.

7:00 PUBLIC HEARING FOR AN ORDINANCE CHANGE
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the New Hampton City Code ordinance change deleting the following:
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.

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 1st day of May 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.
The Council discussed additional issues regarding the use of UTVs and ATVs, specifically regarding the age of the driver. Iowa state law requires drivers are 18 years of age to drive UTVs and ATV’s, however, the Iowa state law for snowmobiles allow 16 year old drivers. Additionally, Iowa state law allows UTVs and ATV to be driven 24 hours a day; the city does not need to include any reference to the times allowed.
The third reading for approving the ordinance AN ORDINANCE REVISING ATVS, UTVS AND SNOWMOBILE REGULATIONS failed due to lack of a motion.

Council discussed the age requirements for these vehicles. Attorney Prichard recommended following Iowa State Code which requires the driver to be 18 years of age. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen; To discuss amending the City Code of Section 75.08 at the next regular City Council to replace the existing code section with the following: A person operating a UTV or ATV in the New Hampton city limits shall have a valid driver’s license and shall be at least 18 years of age and carry proof of financial liability coverage in accordance with Iowa Code Section 321.234A. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Porath. Motion carried

Bids were received for the sale of city owned property described as: A portion of land located south of the intersection of south Broadway avenue and west Garfield Street extending approximately 660’ south and a 66’ width.
Bids Amount
Jordan and Beth Fye $2,000 +Surveying & Recording fees

Moved by Speltz, seconded by Schwickerath; That a Resolution No 6730 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE BID OF JORDYN AND BETH FYE IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000 PLUS SURVEYING AND RECORDING FEES FOR THE PURCHASE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent- Porath. Resolution approved.

Staff has prepared proposed water and sewer rate increases, effective July 1, 2025, for the upgrades to aging infrastructure. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6731 RESOLUTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON MAY 19TH, 2025 AT 7:00 PM TO CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SEWER AND WATER RATES AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS FEES, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent- Porath. Resolution approved.

Staff member Eric Kuehn successfully passed the Grade 4 Wastewater Certification testing. As of result of this, PWD Mai is recommending Kuehn’s salary be increased to $80,000 effective May 5, 2025. Council members requested a Finance Committee meeting to discuss the wage increase request.

Chief Conrad Rosendahl requested to purchase 4 car cameras for the police department vehicles. The current cameras are unreliable and not effective for investigative purposes. Rosendahl will pay for these using funds from the police departments FY2025 budget. Moved by Humpal, seconded by Larsen That Resolution No. 6732 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF CAR CAMERAS FROM AXON ENTERPRISES INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $35,032.80 be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent- Porath. Resolution approved.

PWD Mai shared the information from the Water Committee meeting held prior to the council meeting at 6:00 pm. Resident and business owner, Jonas Schwickerath, is requesting an increase of water flow and pressure for his expanding business. Mai is working with Schwickerath to provide better water flow and possibly offer other businesses on North Linn the opportunity for city water. Mai is considering looping the water mains from Sara Lee Drive and Canty Ave to North Linn. Committee members encouraged Schwickerath to begin the engineering process to determine cost estimates.

The decorative bricks on Main Street sidewalks are deteriorating in several locations. In December 2020 the City paid $10,759.00 to have the new concrete poured and stamped near Kwik Star and NHMU. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; To direct city staff to provide the council quotes on the costs of coloring, stamping or regular concrete for the Main Street sidewalks. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Porath. Motion carried.

Brian Tank is the contractor repairing the collapsed brick wall at 1 West Main Street. Tank will start the repairs this week.

Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Larsen; that the meeting adjourn at 8:48 pm. Ayes –Five. Nays – None. Absent – Porath. Motion carried.