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, February 6, 2026. Mayor Geerts called the meeting to order. Council members present were McGrath, Schwickerath, Larsen, Kiffel. Absent – Speltz, Denner. Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard, Casey Mai, Kyle Anderson, Eddie Shekleton, and three NHHS students.
1. Approve regular City Council minutes of February 2, 2026.
2. Approve city claims of $66,016.53
3. Airport Commission minutes January 12, 2026
4. Resignation from Board of Adjustment
5. Park & Rec minutes of February 4, 2026
6. Fire Department Minutes of February 2, 2026
7. Finance Committee Minutes of Jan 29th, Feb 2nd, Feb 9th
8. Library Board minutes of February 4, 2026
9. Department Head Minutes of February 3, 2026
10. Cemetery Minutes of February 9, 2026
11. Board of Adjustment Minutes of February 10th, 2026
12. FMC Agenda, Minutes & Correspondence
13. Correspondence regarding: Storm Water Easement with Precision of NH
14. Finance Reports
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; to approve the consent agenda. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Speltz, Denner. Motion carried.
7:00 PUBLIC HEARING: CITY CODE AND ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposed amendment to the New Hampton City Code and the Zoning Ordinance. 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 11th day of February 2026 in New Hampton, Chickasaw County.
Mayor Geerts asked for oral comments. McGrath shared his concerns about the updates regarding the number of chickens allowed on a property as well as an annual fee requirement. PWD Casey Mai explained these changes are recommendations and the council can make changes. Mayor Geerts asked for written comments. There were none. Mayor Geerts declared the hearing closed.
City staff is requesting Council approval of updates to the City Code and Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance. Council request city staff review the recommendations made for the number of chickens and associated fees and it will be discussed at the March 2, 2026 meeting. Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Larsen; That AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, THE ZONING & SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON, IOWA, receive its second consideration. Ayes – Schwickerath, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – McGrath. Absent – Speltz, Denner. As a result of two council members being absent, the resulting vote is a 3-3 tie. Iowa State Code allows the Mayor to vote to break the tie. Mayor Geerts voted affirmatively, approving the second reading of the ordnance. Mayor Geerts ordered the ordinance amendment be on the March 2, 2026 council meeting agenda for its third and final review.
7:00 PUBLIC HEARING: MIKKELSON PARKING LOT PROJECT
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposed drawings, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the Mikkelson Parking Lot Improvements Project. 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 11th day of February 2026 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.
Strand Associates provided the drawings, specifications, form of agreement and opinions of cost for the Mikkelson Parking Lot project. Moved by McGrath, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6796 APPROVING DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF AGREEMENT, AND OPINION OF COST FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, be approved. Ayes- McGrath, Schwickerath, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Speltz, Denner. Resolution approved.
Bids for the Mikkelson Park Lot project were opened by Strand Associates engineer, Mitch Holtz, on February 9, 2026. Strand Associates tabulated the nine bids and provided the low bids for both portland cement concrete and hot mix asphalt. The bids were:
Jerry Tank Masonry (Portland cement concrete paving) for $199,316.11
Mehmert Tiling (Hot mix asphalt paving.) for $184,106.93.
Moved by McGrath, seconded by Larsen; that Resolution No. 6797 AWARDING CONTRACT FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF NOTICE TO PROCEED WITH JERRY TANK MASONRY IN THE AMOUNT OF $199,316.11, be approved. Ayes- McGrath, Schwickerath, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Speltz, Denner. Resolution approved.
City staff has received a request to allow parking on North Sherman Avenue to provide additional safety measures for patrons at the Crystal Ball Rolling Rink. PWD Mai informed the council that the road is 28’ wide which is narrower than necessary; he is also concerned that the truck traffic on the road may be impeded by parked cars. Council would like the property owners, Pete & Dixie Zeien, to discuss other parking arrangements in the adjoining parking lots. Council will continue discussing this request at the March 2, 2026 council meeting.
Police Chief Conrad Rosendahl is requesting council approval to hire Darby Stone as a part time officer for the police department. The department is short staffed and may need part time employee help. Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Kiffel; That Resolution No. 6798 A RESOLUTION HIRING DARBY STONE AS A PART TIME POLICE OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON AS PER THE UNION AGREEMENT PAY RATE, be approved. Ayes- McGrath, Schwickerath, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Speltz, Denner. Resolution approved.
PWD Casey Mai presented a proposed agreement with Calhoun-Burns & Associates for the 2026 Bridge Inspections. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6799 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR BRIDGE INSPECTIONS WITH CALHOUN-BURNS & ASSOCIATES, be approved. Ayes- McGrath, Schwickerath, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Speltz, Denner. Resolution approved.
City Attorney Todd Prichard would like to update the council regarding the storm water issue in the West Industrial Park. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; The council go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)c, which provides: To discuss strategy with Council in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation, be approved. Ayes- McGrath, Schwickerath, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Speltz, Denner. Motion carried.
Open Session ended: 7:47 PM Open Session resumed: 8:42 PM
Action taken as a result of Closed Session:
Moved by Larsen, seconded by McGrath; To direct Casey Mai to hire a contractor to televise the storm water main that is covered by the newly constructed Precision of New Hampton, Inc building; to engage with attorney Jason Palmer of Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP to assist with any litigation with a cap of $5,000 for the legal fees; to inform Precision of New Hampton that the costs associated with the televising the storm water line will be deducted from the $125,000 in funds Precision of New Hampton paid to the city; Ayes- McGrath, Schwickerath, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Speltz, Denner. Motion carried.
Prichard will prepare the letter and send to Precision of New Hampton, Inc or its representatives.
City Clerk Karen Clemens informed the council that Police Officer Cory Frank has been communicating with staff regarding his return to light duty. Frank is waiting for the doctor’s approval to work light duty.
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Kiffel; that the meeting adjourn 8:57 pm. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Denner and Speltz. Motion carried.
