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 20, 2026. Mayor Geerts called the meeting to order. Council members present were Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Kiffel. Absent – Denner. Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard, Casey Mai, Kyle Anderson, Mitch Holtz with Strand Engineering, Eddie Shekleton with Mehmert Tiling, Tony Trower, Roger Stansbery, Bob Fenske and 9 NHHS students.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; that the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Motion carried.
1. Approve regular City Council minutes: 4-6-2026 & Special Meeting Minutes-4-6-2026
2. Approve city claims of $68,309.84
3. Department Head Minutes April 7, 2026
4. New Fireman: Noah Jenkins
5. Library Board Minutes April 7, 2026
6. FMC Solid Waste Agency Minutes of January 22, 2026
7. Upper Wapsi Watershed Mgmnt. Authority Minutes January 13, 2026
8. Finance Reports
FUND RECEIVED DISBURSED
GENERAL $92,187.23 $145,972.76
ROAD USE TAX $33,447.74 $37,058.96
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $21,393.52 $15,564.80
SELF INSURANCE FUND $8,414.44 $6,725.92
LOCAL OPTION TAX $49,935.83 $0.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $3,715.40 $1,256.80
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES $1,272.37 $0.00
TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL $6,668.28 $0.00
DEBT SERVICE $3,493.43 $0.00
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $293.10 $8,420.45
COMM CENTER RENOVATION $0.00 $626.00
2026 STREET RECONSTRUCTION $0.00 $28,591.48
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $15,674.38 $13.50
STORMWATER CAPITAL PROJ $15,630.61 $13.50
CAPITAL PROJECTS $1,405.59 $624.80
WATER UTILITY $126,846.20 $37,098.09
SEWER UTILITY $127,678.12 $53,655.35
WASTEWATER PROJECT $153,034.53 $153,034.53
SOLID WASTE $45,491.86 $34,103.94
INDUSTRIAL PARK DEVEL. $0.00 $0.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $180.59 $7,140.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $44.98 $0.00
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $1,999.00 $1,846.00
PERPETUAL CARE $280.00 $0.00
TOTAL $709,087.20 $531,746.88
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Larsen; to approve the consent agenda. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Motion carried.
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the 2027 Fiscal Year Budget. 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 April 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 McGrath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6816 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Resolution approved.
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the Proposed Drawing, Specifications, Form of Contract and estimate of cost for construction of the West Garfield Street Extension Project in and for the City of New Hampton, Iowa. 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 April 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 Engineer Mitch Holtz explained the bidding process for the West Garfield Street Extension and informed the council that there was one bid that he determined was unresponsive since they did not complete the required documentation. Holtz presented the bids received:
Bidder / Address Computed Bid Bid Base Bid + Base Bid +
Total Base Bid Alternative Alternative Bid Alt. Bid Alt.
No. 1 No. 2 No. 1 No. 2
Mehmert Tiling, Inc. $ 576,109.26 $ 66,464.00 $ 66,130.00 $ 642,573.26 $ 642,239.26
Lime Springs, IA 52155
Progressive Structures, LLC $ 584,582.75 $ 73,408.00 $ 73,100.00 $ 657,990.75 $ 657,682.75
Luxemburg, IA 52056
Blazek Corporation $ 635,240.20 $ 70,432.00 $ 73,100.00 $ 705,672.20 $ 708,340.20
Lawler, IA 52154
Peterson Contractors, Inc. $ 638,245.75 $ 60,611.20 $ 74,290.00 $ 698,856.95 $ 712,535.75
Reinbeck, IA 50669
Cole Excavating, LLC $ 723,774.00 $ 66,464.00 $ 64,430.00 $ 790,238.00 $ 788,204.00
Greene, IA 50636
Holtz recommended to approve and accept the bid of Mehmert Tiling, Inc. for $642,573.26 which includes Bid Alternate No 1 which identifies the use of concrete for the project. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Kiffel; That Resolution No. 6817 RESOLUTION AWARDING CONTRACT FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS, AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF NOTICE TO PROCEED TO MEHMERT TILING, INC. BASE BID ALTERNATE NO. 1 WITH CONCRETE, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Resolution approved.
Strand Associates has requested approval of three easements from Scott & Lori Carey at 606 West Garfield. The City of New Hampton is needing a Storm Sewer Easement, a Water Main Easement and a Temporary Construction Easement for the Garfield Street Extension Project. Carey’s have agreed to all three easement requests. Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6818 RESOLUTION APPROVING A STORM SEWER EASEMENT, WATER MAIN EASEMENT AND TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT AND RIGHT OF ENTRY WITH SCOTT AND LORI CAREY AT 606 WEST GARFIELD STREET, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Resolution approved.
Tony & StacyTrower own the property at 7 North Chestnut and is requesting a curb cut from the council to have the empty lot be a parking lot for their tenants. A similar request was made by the Trowers in April 2024 and was approved by the council at that time, but the improvements were never made. The Trowers are requesting the removal of a parking spot on the east side of North Chestnut to allow appropriate space for ingress and egress to the proposed parking lot. Public Works Director Casey Mai shared his concerns with the request regarding safety, visibility, ADA sidewalk requirements and water and sand runoff from the empty lot. There was a lengthy discussion regarding different options for the location of the curb cut, the necessary sidewalk replacement, the control of water runoff and the code requirement to replace the existing lot with impervious materials. The council requested additional time to review the request and to discuss with the Trower’s a decision they would agree with. The curb cut request will be on the next regular council meeting agenda. Moved by Kiffel, seconded by Speltz, to table the curb cut request and have staff get measurements for all the issues being discussed and add the item to the May 4, 2026 city council agenda. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Motion carried.
City Staff is working on the AMI system including the installation of new water meters for all residents and has requested council input on the necessary steps city staff can take to encourage and require all residents and businesses to cooperate to have the new water meters installed at their location. PWD Casey Mai shared an ordinance of another city, which identified the timeline and fines if city staff and contractors are unable to install the meters in a timely and efficient manner. Mai will prepare a resolution for council review at the May 4, 2026 City Council meeting.
Councilmember McGrath & Larsen have developed a Procurement Policy for council approval. The policy does require City Council approval for all purchases made over $5,000. The departments that have their own boards are exempt from this requirement including Park & Recreation, Library, Airport and Cemetery.
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6819 RESOLUTION APPROVING A PROCUREMENT POLICY FOR THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Resolution approved.
City Clerk Karen Clemens requested council to set a public hearing for the FY2026 budget amendment.
Moved by McGrath, seconded by Larsen; That Resolution No. 6820 RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING FOR FY2026 BUDGET AMENDMENT, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Resolution approved.
City Attorney Todd Prichard would like to update the council on matters regarding Eminent Domain for a storm water easement at 2000 Parker Street, New Hampton.
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Kiffel; that the city 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: Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Kiffel. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Motion carried.
Open Session Ends: 8:15 PM
Open Session Resumed: 8:48 PM
There was no action taken after closed session:
City Attorney Todd Prichard updated the Council on the recent hearing regarding the Writ of Certiorari / Nicholas & Lindsey Valentini. Attorney Jason Palmer assisted Prichard at the hearing. Prichard will inform the council of a court decision .
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Kiffel; that the meeting adjourn 8:55 pm. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Motion carried.
ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk
Steve Geerts, Mayor