City Council Minutes | December 20, 2021

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
December 20, 2021 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, December 20, 2021. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Denner, Fisher, McDonald and Perkins. Boos and Diiro were absent. Also in attendance were Zachary Nosbisch, Casey Mai, Kalista Daly, Mindy Humpal, Brad Schmitt from NH Middle School, Lisa Agrimonti and Raj V Rajan, Engineers with the Soo Green Project, Bob Fenske and several NHHS government class students and City Attorney Todd Prichard.

Mayor Schwickerath announced this meeting was Councilmember Scott Perkin’s final meeting. The mayor thanked Scott for all his contributions he has made on behalf of the City of New Hampton.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Denner; That the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Boos and Diiro. Motion carried.

Moved by McDonald, seconded by Perkins; That the minutes of the regular council meeting of December 6, 2021, be approved as amended. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Boos and Diiro. Motion carried.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Denner; That the claims in the amount of $39,037.04 be approved. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Boos and Diiro. Motion carried.

7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING – ORDINANCE CHANGING PRECINCT BOUNDARIES
Mayor Schwickerath announced this is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposed precinct boundary changes. 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 7th day of December 2021 in New Hampton in the county of Chickasaw. Mayor Schwickerath asked for oral comments. There were none. Mayor Schwickerath asked for written comments. There were none. Mayor Schwickerath declared the hearing closed.

Moved by McDonald, seconded by Perkins; That the ORDINANCE No 885 AN ORDINANCE CHANGING PRECINCT BOUNDARIES, receive its third and final consideration. Ayes – Denner, Fisher, McDonald, Perkins. Nays – None. Absent – Boos and Diiro. Mayor Schwickerath ordered Ordinance No 885 duly adopted.

7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING – ELECTRIC FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH SOO GREEN
Mayor Schwickerath announced this is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposed ordinance granting a franchise to SOO Green HVDC Link Projectco, LLC to construct, operate and maintain a new 525 kilovolt underground high-voltage current electric transmission line in the City and within city-owned property. 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 7th day of December 2021 in New Hampton in the county of Chickasaw. Mayor Schwickerath asked for oral comments. Raj V. Rajan Ph.D. representing Soo Green HVDC Link Projectco LLC, made a presentation explaining the project and the positive implications it will have for local stakeholders. Mayor Schwickerath asked for written comments. There were none.

Mayor Schwickerath Declared the hearing closed.

Raj V. Rajan Ph.D. explained that all construction that will be done in Chickasaw county will be done in the railroad right-of-way. Moved by Perkins, seconded by Denner; That the proposed ordinance AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND ELECTRIC FRANCHISE AGREEMENT WITH SOO GREEN, receive its first consideration.
Ayes – Denner, Fisher, McDonald, Perkins. Nays – None. Absent – Boos and Diiro. Motion approved.
The ordinance request will be placed on the January 3, 2022 Council meeting agenda for its second consideration.

New Hampton Middle School Principal, Brad Schmitt, along with Police Chief Zachary Nosbisch are requesting the council to consider making limited time parking spots on Ash Drive between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. Currently the city code states that “Ash Drive is a school No Parking Zone”. Schmitt’s request would allow vehicles to park for 15 minutes for student drop off and pick up which may alleviate the ‘grid-lock’ that occurs before school and immediately after school. One of the concerns is if limited parking is not allowed; emergency vehicles will not be able to proceed through the many vehicles.. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Fisher; To authorize Public Works Director Casey Mai to install “15 Minute Parking Between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm” signs on the west side of Ash Drive, be approved. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Boos and Diiro. Motion carried.

A recent opinion from State Auditor Rob Sand stated that Cities cannot “donate” funds to outside organizations without reflecting a purpose of the donation. The funds that the City of New Hampton contributes to the Chiclkasaw County on Aging are for purposes of maintaining the bus transportation. City Attorney Todd Prichard has prepared a 28E agreement with the Chickasaw County on Aging. The agreement does not affect our contribution to the CEC and the chassis.
Moved by Denner, seconded by Fisher; To direct Mayor Bobby Schwickerath to sign the 28E Agreement between the City of New Hampton and the Chickasaw County Council on Aging, be approved. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Boos and Diiro. Motion carried.

Police Chief Nosbisch has been concerned about the safety of staff and equipment with the current office layout. Nosbisch is proposing to remodel the entry way to improve protection for staff, equipment and vehicles. Nosbisch prepared pictures of the proposed remodeling project for the entryway at the PD. Moved by Perkins, seconded by McDonald. That Police Chief Nosbisch makes the necessary improvements to the police department office building use his capital projects funds to improve safety for staff and equipment, be approved. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Boos and Diiro. Motion carried.

FUND RECEIVED DISBURSED

GENERAL $74,983.53 $124,247.49
ROAD USE TAX $30,667.36 $25,385.57
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $14,312.43 $48,919.21
LOCAL OPTION TAX $118,247.36 $0.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $0.00 $500.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES $0.00 $0.00
TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL $8,836.61 $0.00
SPECIAL REVENUE- GRANTS $906.28 $0.00
DEBT SERVICE $5,505.69 $9,782.50
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $161.50 $3,061.36
COMM CENTER RENOVATION $0.00 $0.00
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $9,248.17 $4.27
STORMWATER CAPITAL PROJECTS $5,274.31 $2.14
CAPITAL PROJECTS $40,092.90 $24,940.14
WATER UTILITY $45,816.47 $23,696.19
SEWER UTILITY $60,962.20 $40,731.31
WASTEWATER PROJECT $0.00 $1,965.00
SOLID WASTE $12,739.09 $13,447.09
INDUSTRIAL PARK DEVEL. $0.00 $0.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $4,544.35 $2.14
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $4,566.30 $2.14
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $1,593.50 $1,904.00
TRUST & AGENCY $44.00 $0.00
TOTAL $438,502.05 $318,590.55

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Denner; That the Finance Reports for November 2021 be approved. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Boos and Diiro. Motion carried.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by McDonald; That the following minutes and correspondence be accepted and place on file. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Boos and Diiro. Motion carried.

Fire Dept Minutes 12-6-2021
Department Head Minutes 12-7-2021
Library Board Minutes 12-7-2021
Moody’s Investors Service Annual Comment on New Hampton
DNR Letter of Non Compliance dated 12-7-2021

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Denner; that the meeting adjourn at 8:04 p.m. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Boos and Diiro. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Robert Schwickerath, Mayor