City Council Minutes | August 1, 2022

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
August 1, 2022 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, August 1, 2022. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Daly and Denner. Also in attendance were Zach Nosbisch, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Bob Fenske, Tony Trower, Dustin Meirick, Jeff Wilson and City Attorney Todd Prichard.

Moved by Daly, seconded by Speltz; that the consent agenda be approved as presented. Ayes –Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve City Council Minutes of July 18, 2022
3. Approve and place on file Airport minutes of July 11, 2022
4. Approve FY2022 Outstanding Obligations Disclosure Statement
5. Approve Holy Family Church Street Closure on September 18, 2022
6. Approve City Claims of $82,300.46

Moved by Denner, seconded by McDonald; that Resolution No. 6534 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FY 2022 STREET FINANCE REPORT, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.

Moved by Fisher, Seconded by Humpal; That Resolution No. 6535 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SECTION 125 PREMIUM ONLY PLAN FOR THE EMPLOYEE SHARE OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM FOR PLAN YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2023, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.

Bids for diseased and dead/dying tree and stump removal were opened.

Contractor Tree Removal Stump Removal Total
SSPI Solutions, Waverly $109,120 $48,125 $157,425
Rosonke Tree Service, NH $138,750 $50,000 $188,750
Maple Valley Tree Ser, Drakesville $110,000 $25,000 $135,000
Wilson Custom Tree, Cresco $94,998 $27,265 $121,500
Meirick Tree Service, Alta Vista $0 $50,199 $50,199
Mike’s Tree/Landscape, Dubuque $124,500 $40,190 $164,690
Trenary’s Tree Care, Altoona $134,000 $12,000 $146,000

Public Works Director Casey Mai informed the council that after the tree and stumps are removed, the City will provide the dirt to fill the hole, but the property owner will be responsible to seed and water the area. The contractor will take the cut logs when done. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Fisher; That Resolution No 6536 A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE BIDS OF WILSON CUSTOM TREE SERVICE OF CRESCO, IOWA IN THE AMOUNT OF $$121,500, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved. PWD Mai requested to add to the August 15th agenda a discussion of where the funds for the tree and stump removal are coming from.

The Committee As a Whole met at 6:00 pm prior to the council meeting to discuss Police Chief Nosbisch’s request to increase new and existing police department officers wages. Nosbisch has only received two applications since the initial position opening in May, 2022. The wages and benefits currently offered to new employees are not competitive with other communities and we are not getting any applicants. The Committee As A Whole recommended a $2.00 increase to all new and existing police officers, including the sergeant and chief. Moved by Fisher, Seconded by Daly; To direct City Attorney Todd Prichard to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding to send to the Local Union No. 2003 IUPAT AFL-CIO to approve a $2.00/hr wage/salary increase for the current police department officers and all newly hired officers, certified or uncertified, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Council member McDonald shared and discussed in more detail the results of the Capital Improvements Plan he prepared. McDonald was concerned that some departments did not furnish any information. City Attorney Todd Prichard suggested that staff prepare a cash flow analysis for the current fiscal year and future years to better determine the cash that will be available for future projects. Clemens, McDonald and Prichard will work on this analysis.

The final EMS 28E Agreement was presented to the City Council for approval. Attorney Prichard is satisfied with the agreement and recommends council approval. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Fisher; that resolution No. 6537 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE EMS 28E AGREEMENT WITH CHICKASAW COUNTY, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.

City Clerk Karen Clemens gave an update on the building located at 15 West Main Street. The property owner has not responded to a local contractors request to inspect the building to determine necessary repairs. Clemens will take bids for the repairs and the expenses incurred will be placed on the property owner’s property tax bill.

Humpal offered assistance in distributing the Code of Conduct to each department head and staff member.

Clemens requested to schedule a special council meeting on Zoom.com to approve a resolution for the TRIBE Trail REAP Grant application. The Council agreed to have the meeting on Zoom.com at 4:00 pm Thursday, August 4, 2022.

Moved by Daly, seconded by Fisher; that the meeting adjourn at 8:11 p.m. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Robert Schwickerath, Mayor