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, July 6, 2026. Mayor Geerts called the meeting to order. Council members present were Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner (via telephone), Kiffel. Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard, Kyle Anderson, Conrad Rosendahl, Tammy Robinson, Casey Mai, Mic Shekleton, Rebecca Shekleton, Mick Gage, Brandon Hemann, Roger Stansbery and Bob Fenske.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Kiffel; that the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
1. Approve regular City Council minutes 6.15.26
2. Approve city claims of $ 549,656.15
3. Resignations from Boards and Commissions (2)
4. Tax Abatement – Daniel & Jolene Rimrodt
5. Class B Retail Alcohol License Kwik Trip Inc. #714 – 115 East Main
6. Property Tax Changes Summary
Moved by Kiffel, seconded by Larsen; to approve the consent agenda. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING: PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR LOGAN & CLEVELAND STREETS
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the public improvement project which includes Logan Street and Cleveland Streets improvements. 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 2nd day of July 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.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6841 RESOLUTION APPROVING DRAWINGS, SPECIFICATIONS, FORM OF AGREEMENT, AND OPINION OF COST FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, be approved. Ayes: Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
The city received two bids for the Logan and Cleveland Street Improvements.
Skyline Construction Blazek Corporation
Base Bid $2,653.797.00 $3,672,385.36
Alternative 1 335,224.76 364,447.93
Alternative 2 323,134.00 352,699.95
Alternative 3 183,015.00 214,200.00
Alternative 4 171,774.00 194,051.50
PWD Casey Mai recommended accepting the bid from Skyline Construction, Inc for the project. Their base bid, in the amount of $2,653,797.00, plus bid alternative No. 1 of $335,224.76, plus bid alternative No. 3 of $183,015.00, for a total of $3,172,036.76. Moved by McGrath, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6842 RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT, AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF NOTICE TO PROCEED, be approved. Ayes: Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Listed below are the existing code requirements and the suggested changes to the City Code for plumbers & contractors.
Existing: 90.08 PLUMBER REQUIRED. All installations of water service pipes and connections to the water system shall be made by a competent licensed plumber, to the extent made on City property.
Proposed: 90.08 INSURED & BONDED CONTRACTOR REQUIRED. All installations of water service pipes and connections to the water system shall be made by an insured and bonded contractor with the city who specializes in completing underground infrastructure work. Water connections five feet (5’) from the structure to inside shall be completed by a licensed plumber with the State of Iowa. Bonding & insurance requirements can be obtained from Section 135.09.
Existing: 96.03 PLUMBER REQUIRED. All installations of building sewers and connections to the public sewer shall be made by a State-licensed plumber
Proposed 96.03 INSURED & BONDED CONTRACTOR REQUIRED. All installations of building sewers and connections to the public sewer system shall be made by an insured and bonded contractor with the city who specializes in completing underground infrastructure work. Sewer connections five feet (5’) from the structure to inside shall be completed by a licensed plumber with the State of Iowa. Bonding & insurance requirements can be obtained from Section 135.09.
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Larsen; That the Second Reading of the Ordinance Amendment for Sections 90.08 and 96.03, be approved. Ayes: Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – None. Mayor Geerts ordered the item be on the agenda at the next regular council meeting for its third and final consideration.
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6843 RESOLUTION APPROVING ENGAGEMENT LETTER WITH PIPER SANDLER & CO FOR 2026 DEBT OBLIGATIONS, be approved. Ayes: Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6844 RESOLUTION APPROVING DISSEMINATION AGREEMENT WITH PIPER SANDLER & CO AND THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON, be approved. Ayes: Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
The council reviewed the timeline prepared by Travis Squires with Piper Sandler for the financing project and had no concerns.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6845 RESOLUTION SETTING BID DATE AND PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE NORTH LINN WATER EXTENSION LOOP PROJECT FOR JULY 20, 2026, be approved. Ayes: Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
The Safety Committee met on Tuesday, June 30th to draft a proposed ordinance for “Personal Transportation Devices”. The council reviewed the regulations and discussed several key areas, including age restrictions, varying speed limits, and restrictions on mobility devices, as well as addressing general concerns. The council will schedule an additional safety meeting prior to the next council meeting to make changes to the proposed ordinance. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Kiffel; That Resolution No. 6846 RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY CODE FOR THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON FOR JULY 20, 2026 at 7:00 pm, be approved. Ayes: Larsen, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel. Nays – McGrath. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
The following appointments to the boards and commissions are effective July 1, 2026.
Board of Adjustment – Bobby Schwickerath 5 year Term
Board of Adjustment – Tim Denner 5 year Term
Cemetery Board – Andy Hugeback 3 Year Term
Cemetery Board – Jane Kraft 3 Year Term
Library Board – Kevin Hassman 6 Year Term
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Schwickerath; That the appointments to the Boards and Commissions are approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution # 6847 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AN AGREEMENT WITH TERRACON FOR ASBESTOS AND LEAD BASED PAINT CONSULTING SERVICES AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT, be approved. Ayes: Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel. Nays – None.
Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Moved by Kiffel, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution # 6848 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TASK ORDER NO. 26-01 WITH STRAND ASSOCIATES FOR CONSTRUCTION RELATED AND POST CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE MIKKELSON PARKING LOT RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT, be approved. Ayes: Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Moved by Speltz, seconded by McGrath; That Resolution # 6849 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TASK ORDER NO. 26-02 WITH STRAND ASSOCIATES FOR CONSTRUCTION RELATED AND POST CONSTRUCTION SERVICES WITH THE WEST GARFIELD STREET EXTENSION PROJECT, be approved. Ayes: Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; that the meeting adjourns 8:20 pm. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
