City Council Minutes | April 17, 2023

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
April 17, 2023 7:00 pm

 

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, April 7, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Denner, Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz and Porath. Also in attendance were Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, City Attorney Todd Prichard, and 9 NHHS government students.

Move by Denner, seconded by Speltz; That the consent agenda be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

1. Approve meeting agenda
2. City Council Minutes of April 3, 2023
3. Approve Claims of $195,877.24
4. Airport Commission Minutes of April 10, 2023
5. Resignation from Airport Commission – Rich Grote
6. Appointment to Airport Commission – Brodie Rethamel
7. Department Head Minutes of April 4, 2023
8. Library Board Minutes of April 4, 2023
9. Committee As a Whole Minutes of April 3, 2023
10. Street Closure Request – Heartland Days parade, June 9, 2023
11. Street Closure Report – Heartland Days at Mikkelson Park, June 8-11, 2023
12. Liquor License Renewal & Ownership Updates: Casey’s Marketing Company #LE0003072
13. Hotel/Motel Grant Committee Meeting Minutes of April 13, 2023
14. Finance Reports

     FUND  RECEIVED  DISBURSED
 GENERAL $50,311.09 $162,219.97
 ROAD USE TAX $24,025.11 $37,747.82
 SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $12,951.57 $34,730.08
 LOCAL OPTION TAX $43,512.16 $0.00
 HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $0.00 $3,660.30
 TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL $2,912.64 $0.00
 SPECIAL REVENUE- GRANTS $41.00 $0.00
 DEBT SERVICE $1,926.47 $0.00
 LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $14.00 $0.00
 ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $11,038.91 $0.00
 STORMWATER CAP PROJECTS $6,531.69 $0.00
 CAPITAL PROJECTS $165,780.20 $4,794.62
 WATER UTILITY $46,690.57 $24,735.91
 SEWER UTILITY $92,801.77 $55,967.62
 SOLID WASTE $14,505.43 $12,762.96
 CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $5,415.34 $0.00
 CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $5,401.41 $0.00
 CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $1,088.00 $823.00
 TOTAL $484,947.36 $337,442.28

 

Following the discussion of consent agenda items, which included claims, McDonald encouraged all departments to utilize city staff, equipment and working together to minimize expenses.

City Clerk Clemens presented Budget Amendment #2 for FY 2022/2023.  Moved by Porath, seconded by Humpal; That Resolution No. 6567 A RESOLUTION SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR MAY 1, 2023, 7:00 PM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 BUDGET AMENDMENT #2, be approved. Ayes – Denner, Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Porath.  Nays – None.  Absent – None. Resolution approved.

Councilmember Humpal updated the council on the recent decisions made by the Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors (BOS) changing the course of the Law Enforcement Center proposed plans.  The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), an independent private corporation, had offered to contribute 5 acres of property in the South Industrial Park toward the construction of a county and city owned law enforcement center.  The consensus of the Board of Supervisors has declined to proceed with the Joint Authority Board, thus eliminating the City of New Hampton from being part of the project.  Since the City of New Hampton is not included in the plans for a law enforcement center, the IDC has voted unanimously to not donate the 5 acres to the building project.

At the April 3, 2023 Council Meeting, Hackman and Kuhn, both members of the BOS, were in attendance to learn if the City voted in favor of participation with a Joint Authority Board.  Once the city voted to join the board, several days later the county declined to participate.  McDonald was concerned that the BOS requested funds from the City for the feasibility study and today changed their minds about proceeding with the Joint Authority Board due to their loss of decision making control. McDonald defended the City Council’s attempt of a working relationship with the county and now has been undermined by some of the members of the BOS. Councilmember Porath also shared her frustration with these discussions stating that she is feeling a bit déjà vu similar to the recent ambulance and EMS discussions.

The entire city council and City Attorney Prichard expressed their disappointment with the consensus of the BOS.

PWD Casey Mai reminded the council of the Public Works work session for the wastewater treatment plant facility on Wednesday, May 26th at 5:30 – 7:30.

City Attorney Prichard updated the council on upcoming court proceedings with Precision of New Hampton.

Mayor Schwickerath shared his appreciation for the current council and their efforts to continue to cooperatively work together.

Moved by McDonald, seconded by Humpal; that the meeting adjourn at 7:43 p.m. Ayes – Six.  Nays – None. Absent – None.  Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Schwickerath, Mayor