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, February 3, 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Geerts at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Porath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal and Larsen. Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard (on telephone), Conrad Rosendahl, Kerstin Schwickerath, Nate & Julie Schwickerath, Kayla Smith, Matt Kuhn and Bob Fenske.
Mayor Steve Geerts recommended appointing New Hampton resident Kerstin Schwickerath to fill the unexpired term as Councilmember at Large, effective immediately. Moved by Porath, seconded by Larsen; That the Mayor’s appointment of Kerstin Schwickerath to the fill the unexpired term as Councilmember At Large, be approved. Ayes- Five. Nays – None. Absent –None. Motion carried. Councilmember Schwickerath took the Oath of Office and took her place at the Council table.
1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve City Council Minutes of January 20, 2024.
3. Approve City Claims of $69,573.86
4. Hotel/Motel Grant Recipients for 2025
5. Agreement Regarding Healthcare Services to Low Income Individuals
6. Library Minutes of January 7, 2025
7. Airport Commission Minutes of January 13, 2025
8. Finance Committee Minutes January 29, 2025
9. FMC Landfill January 2024 Minutes
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen; that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
City Clerk Karen Clemens reported that portion of the roof that supports the new warning/tornado siren is in need of replacement. ARPA funds were used to update the roof in 2022 but this section was not completed in anticipation of the installation of a new siren. Imperial Roof Systems made some repairs in the Fall of 2024 to this section of roof to minimize any additional leaking. Moved by Porath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6706 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE BID OF $16,500 FROM IMPERIAL ROOF SYSTEMS FOR ROOF REPAIR ON THE SIREN TOWER, be approved. Ayes: Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Public Works Director Casey Mai received a request for a rezoning request from Stanley Trask Living Trust at 409 West Jefferson Street. The current zoning classification is R-2 and the request is to change to M-1. The Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on February 11, 2025 to discuss the request. If approved, the City Council needs to hold a Public hearing for the rezoning request. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Humpal; That Resolution No. 6707 A RESOLUTION SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR FEBRUARY 17, 2025 FOR A REZONING REQUEST OF STANLEY TRASK LIVING TRUST, be approved. Ayes- Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Chief of Police, Conrad Rosendahl, requested City Council approval to start a K9 program for the City of New Hampton Police Department. Rosendahl presented an itemized list of the expenses necessary for the program and a list of several grants & donations received to date. The projected initial expenses including the first year of service are $35,211.53. Rosendahl has secured $30,000 in donations/grants and has another $13,511 unsecured funds in donations/grants. The New Hampton Vet Clinic has pledged it services for care and boarding services for the K9; resident Chuck Stanton has also offered boarding services at no cost. The K9 will be a Shepard / Malinois mix and trained in 4 Categories: Narcotic Detection, Apprehension, Search and Rescue. City Attorney Todd Prichard supported the program and will assist in developing a K9 Policy Manual. Moved by Denner, seconded by Larsen; That Resolution No. 6708 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE K9 PROGRAM FOR THE NEW HAMPTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, be approved. Ayes- Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Police Chief Conrad Rosendahl was contacted by Bodensteiner Motorsports in New Hampton to participate in the Kawasaki Side By Side Loan program. This no cost program allows the City police department to utilize a new side-by-side to conduct police business. The City will be responsible for maintenance and insurance costs for the vehicle. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Porath; That Resolution No. 6709 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PARTICIPATION OF THE NEW HAMPTON POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE KAWASAKI SIDE BY SIDE LOAN PROGRAM, be approved. Ayes: Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
City Clerk Karen Clemens shared with the council the request for the purchase of vacated area of North Broadway Avenue, adjoining the existing railroad tracks is no longer necessary as New Hampton Cabinetry actually owns the property being requested. The public hearing that was scheduled is cancelled.
Staff has completed all the documentation for the purchase of the property at 341 South Chestnut Avenue except the final deed. Staff is hoping to get the signatures in early February 2025.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; that the meeting adjourn at 7:41 pm. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
