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 20, 2026. Mayor Geerts called the meeting to order. Council members present were McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner (via telephone), Kiffel, Larsen. Also in attendance were Casey Mai, Kyle Anderson, Conrad Rosendahl, Janine Babcock, Jacob Hackman, Laurie Gebel, Lynn Schwickerath, Sara Collins, Pete & Dixie Zeien, Leo Dowd, Roger Stansbery, David Boss, Autumn Carter, Jim Siglin, Kathy Tenge, Chris & Jackie Perkins, Kari Huffman, Kennedy Huffman, Jonas Schwickerath and Bob Fenske.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; that the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
- Approve regular City Council minutes 6.26
- Approve city claims of $ 190,140.07
- Fire Department Minutes of 7.6.26
- Department Head Minutes of 7.7.26
- Park & Rec Minutes of 7.8.26
- Library Board Resignation
- Airport Minutes of 6.8.26
- Committee as a Whole Minutes of 7.14.26
- Street Closure Application – St Joseph School Back to School Fundraiser
- Class B Retail Alcohol License Renewal – Five Star Coop
- Finance Reports
| FUND | RECEIVED | DISBURSED |
| GENERAL | $301,260.50 | $273,339.71 |
| ROAD USE TAX | $188,862.22 | $54,133.36 |
| SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN | $5,227.09 | $195,275.62 |
| SELF INSURANCE FUND | $8,242.27 | $9,353.28 |
| LOCAL OPTION TAX | $47,837.04 | $205,741.06 |
| HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX | $4,643.35 | $17,721.00 |
| HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES | $1,572.78 | $0.00 |
| TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL | $5,872.96 | $172,035.39 |
| HOUSING REHAB. GRANT | $10,440.67 | $0.00 |
| SPECIAL REVENUE- GRANTS | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| DEBT SERVICE | $225,325.07 | $1,000.00 |
| LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS | $716.50 | $863.00 |
| COMM CENTER RENOVATION | $20,232.00 | $0.00 |
| 2026 STREET RECONSTRUCTION | $0.00 | $27,166.77 |
| ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS | $12,158.70 | $113,507.50 |
| STORMWATER CAPITAL PROJ | $12,126.45 | $1,598.80 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS | $110,863.27 | $50,242.13 |
| WATER UTILITY | $113,267.74 | $56,225.89 |
| SEWER UTILITY | $186,408.47 | $115,513.64 |
| WASTEWATER PROJECT | $134,922.02 | $134,922.02 |
| SOLID WASTE | $35,852.79 | $34,039.39 |
| INDUSTRIAL PARK DEVEL. | $0.00 | $1,880.00 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER | $75.00 | $133,397.20 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER | $25.00 | $0.00 |
| CUSTOMER DEPOSITS | $1,451.00 | $1,566.00 |
| PERPETUAL CARE | $5.00 | $0.00 |
| TOTAL | $1,427,387.89 | $1,599,521.76 |
Moved by McGrath, seconded by Kiffel; to approve the consent agenda. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
Public Comments: Resident Roger Stansbery shared his concerns about the TRIBE Trail crossings on West Main and South Linn Avenue. Resident Sara Collins shared her safety concerns for TRIBE Trail users.
7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance Amendment Chapter 77 Personal Transportation Devices
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the ordinance amendment of adding Chapter 77 Personal Transportation Devices to the City Code. 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 9th day of July 2026 in New Hampton, Chickasaw County. Mayor Geerts asked for oral comments. There were seven residents who shared their questions and concerns regarding the Personal Transportation Devices ordinance. Mayor Geerts asked for written comments. City Clerk Karen Clemens shared the two written comments that she received from residents. Mayor Geerts declared the hearing closed.
Safety Committee chair, Deb Larsen, reviewed each section of the proposed Chapter 77 Personal Transportation Devices Regulations with council input on each section. Several modifications were made to the code sections.
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Schwickerath; That the first reading of the Ordinance Amendment Chapter 77 Personal Transportation Devices, be approved. Ayes – McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried. Mayor Geerts ordered the item to be on the agenda at the next regular city council meeting for its second consideration.
7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING: North Linn Avenue Water Main Loop
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the North Linn Avenue Water Main Loop. 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 9th 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.
PWD Casey Mai informed the council that the Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors is interested in participating with the financing of the North Linn Water Main Loop project. The Chickasaw County Attorney, David Laudner, has prepared a draft 28E agreement for council review. The draft agreement will be on the agenda at the next regular council meeting.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6850 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID AND APPROVING CONTRACT WITH BLAZEK CORPORATION FOR $235,300 FOR THE NORTH LINN AVENUE WATER MAIN LOOP, be approved. Ayes – McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution – approved.
Council reviewed the proposed ordinance changes to the following code sections:
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.
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 McGrath That the third and final reading of the Ordinance Amendment for Sections 90.08 and 96.03, be approved. Ayes – McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – None. Mayor Geerts announced that Ordinance #903 is adopted.
Police Chief Conrad Rosendahl is requesting permission to hire Adalberto (Berto) Uribe Vasquez as a full time uncertified officer for the City of New Hampton. The candidate will need attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) to become a certified offier. Moved by McGrath, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6851 RESOLUTION HIRING ADALBERTO (BERTO) URIBE VASQUEZ AS AN UNCERTIFIED OFFICER AT THE HOURLY RATE OF PAY OF $29.28, be approved. Ayes – McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
The Finance Committee met at 6:30 on Monday, July 20th to discuss the encumbrance request of four departments. The total requested amount is $31,115.82 and includes the following departments: Fire – $6,567.82, Airport – $5,430, Park & Rec – $8,118.00, City Clerk – $11,000. The Finance Committee recommends approval of the encumbrance requests. Moved by Kiffel, seconded by Speltz; That the request to encumber funds for the Fire, Airport, Park & Rec and City Clerk departments from the FY2026 budget, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
City Clerk Karen Clemens presented two bids to replace the flooring in the community center and hallway to the clerk’s office and to the south entrance. Midwest Flooring LLC’s bid was $10,379.97; Dungey’s Flooring bid was $13,556.95. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6852 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF MIDWEST FLOORS LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,379.97 FOR THE FLOORING REPLACEMENT PROJECT IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER BE APPROVED, be approved. Ayes – McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Mayor Steve Geerts is requesting approval of the appointment of Emma Rosonke to the Library board for a six year term.
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Schwickerath; That the appointment to the Library board is approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
PWD Casey Mai requested approval of a Temporary Construction Easement with property owners Eric & Kimberly Olson on Cleveland Street. This easement is for the Logan & Cleveland Street Project which will provide contractors the necessary space for equipment and supplies during construction. The Olson’s will be reimbursed between $2,800 and $4,000 to return the property to the original condition. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen; That Resolution No. 6853 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT WITH ERIC & KIMBERLY OLSON, CLEVELAND STREET, be approved. Ayes – McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
PWD Casey Mai gave the council an update on all the construction projects.
Moved by Kiffel, seconded by Schwickerath; that the meeting adjourns 8:35 pm. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk
Geerts, Mayor