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 19, 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Geerts. Council members present were Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen Porath, Schwickerath. Also in attendance were Conrad Rosendahl, Casey Mai, Eric Kuehn, Rose Reicherts, Russ May, NHHS students and Bob Fenske.
1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve Regular City Council Minutes of May 5, 2025.
3. Approve City Claims of $ 149,161.47
4. Upper Wapsi WMA Minutes of May 1, 2025
5. Park & Rec Minutes of May 7, 2025
6. Fire Department Minutes of May 5, 2025
7. Department Head Minutes May 6, 2025
8. Library Board Minutes May 6, 2025
9. Water Committee Minutes of May 5, 2025
10. Mobile Restaurant Permit: Winneshiek Wildberry Winery; Sip by Sip Mobile Bartending
11. Class C Retail Alcohol License: New Horizons – Chamber / Heartland Days
12. Class C Retail Alcohol License: The Blue Iris
13. Special Class C Retail Alcohol License: Cloud Wine, LLC May 23, 2025
14. Device Retailer License: New Hampton Mart 7-1-2025
15. Retail Tobacco License: New Hampton Mart 7-1-2025
16. Retail Tobacco License: DOLGENCORP,LLC (N Linn Ave) 7-1-2025
17. Finance Reports, April 2025
FUND RECEIVED DISBURSED
GENERAL $637,391.74 $197,917.31
ROAD USE TAX $48,985.03 $49,000.51
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $185,702.85 $43,561.30
SELF INSURANCE FUND $13,065.33 $8,120.48
LOCAL OPTION TAX $93,511.35 $0.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $3,287.41 $6,163.19
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES $5,593.07 $0.00
TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL $211,202.25 $0.00
DEBT SERVICE $19,667.88 $169,193.00
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $4,832.92 $0.00
COMM CENTER RENOVATION $0.00 $3,061.70
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $20,873.11 $0.00
STORMWATER CAPITAL PROJ $12,261.14 $0.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS $81,108.22 $19,851.79
WATER UTILITY $100,135.09 $59,924.98
SEWER UTILITY $102,136.64 $91,615.95
WASTEWATER PROJECT $108,881.75 $108,881.75
SOLID WASTE $33,570.41 $25.28
INDUSTRIAL PARK DEVEL. $0.00 $0.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $24,950.63 $0.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $9,210.08 $0.00
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $662.00 $763.00
PERPETUAL CARE $70.00 $0.00
TOTAL $1,717,098.90 $758,080.24
Mayor Geerts announced that Item G. Wage increase Resolution – Wastewater Superintendent Grade 4 Operator be removed from the agenda. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Porath; that the agenda be amended by removing Item G. and approve the consent agenda as presented. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
7:00 PUBLIC HEARING ON ORDINANCE AMENDING SEWER AND WATER RATES AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION FEES
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposed ordinance amending sewer and water rates and infrastructure maintenance and operation fees. 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 8th 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.
Moved by Denner, seconded by Humpal; That an Ordinance entitled A ORDINANCE AMENDING SEWER AND WATER RATES AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION FEES, receive its first consideration, be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent- None. Motion carried. Mayor Geerts ordered the second reading of the ordinance amendment be on the agenda for the June 2, 2025 city council meeting.
The Council requested an ordinance change which include requirements for operating ATVs and UTVs. Attorney Prichard prepared the ordinance amendment:
Subsection 75.08 of the City Code is replaced and amended as follows:
No person shall operate an ATV, off-road motorcycle, or off-road utility vehicle within the City in violation of Chapter 321I of the Code of Iowa or a snowmobile within the City in violation of the provisions of Chapter 321G of the Code of Iowa or in violation of rules established by the Natural Resource Commission of the Department of Natural Resources governing their registration, equipment and manner of operation.
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.
(Code of Iowa, Ch. 321G, Ch. 321I, & Ch. 321.234A)
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; That a Resolution No 6733 A RESOLUTION TO SET THE PUBLIC HEARING TO REVISE ATV AND UTV REGULATIONS OF THE CITY CODE FOR JUNE 2, 2025 AT 7:00 pm, be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent- None. Resolution approved.
Moved by Denner, seconded by Larsen; That AN ORDINANCE REVISING ATVS AND UTVS REGULATIONS receive its first consideration. Ayes – Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent- None. Motion approved. Mayor Geerts ordered the second reading of the ordinance amendment be on the agenda for the June 2, 2025 regular city council meeting.
Public Works Director Casey Mai gave a brief update on the inspection of dead trees on private property. Letters have been sent to property owners notifying them of the timeline to remove the dead tree(s).
Moved by Denner, seconded by Porath; that the meeting adjourn at 7:09 pm. Ayes –Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
