City Council Minutes | February 4, 2020

City Council
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Tuesday
February 4, 2020 7:00 pm

 

The City Council of the City of New Hampton met in regular session in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Diiro, Kuhn, Perkins, Boos and Denner. McDonald was absent. Jr. Mai, Tammy Robinson, Courtney Lechtenberg and City Attorney Kevin Kennedy were also present.

Moved by Kuhn, seconded by Perkins; The agenda be approved as presented. Ayes-Five. Nays-None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Boos; That the minutes of the January 20, 2020 regular Council meeting minutes be approved. Ayes-Five. Nays-None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Perkins; That claims in the amount of $94,014.42 be approved. Ayes-Five. Nays-None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

Moved by Diiro, seconded by Kuhn; That Resolution NO. 6419 BE AMENDED TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 2, 2020 TO HEAR CITIZEN COMMENTS ON THE FY2020-2021 MAXIMUM PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS REQUEST, be approved. Ayes- Diiro, Kuhn, Perkins, Boos, Denner. Nays- None. Absent-McDonald. Resolution approved.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Denner; That Resolution NO. 6420 A RESOLUTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MARCH 16, 2020 TO HEAR CITIZEN COMMENTS ON THE FY2020-2021 BUDGET, be approved. Ayes- Diiro, Kuhn, Perkins, Boos, Denner. Nays- None. Absent-McDonald. Resolution approved.

Windstream has requested to install fiber in the city right-of-way along West Milwaukee, North Linn and South Linn to the intersection at West Hamilton. Jr Mai requested that the council allow them to bury the fiber only between the sidewalk and curb. There is also concern about the deteriorating condition of existing utility poles that Windstream owns. The council directed Jr Mai to compile of list of utility poles that need replacement or repairs and submit the list to City Clerk Karen Clemens. Clemens will contact Windstream and request the poles be repaired or replaced prior to the approval of their request of installing fiber in the right-of-way. Moved by Kuhn, seconded by Denner; To table the action allowing Windstream to work in the city right-of-way and direct Jr Mai and Karen Clemens to communicate with Windstream about the poor condition of their utility poles and request repairs or replacement, be approved. Ayes-Five. Nays- None. Absent-McDonald. Motion carried.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Diiro; That the liquor license renewal for The Pub at the Pinicon, 2205 South Linn Ave. Linn Ave., #LC0035934, be approved. Ayes-Five. Nays- None. Absent-McDonald. Motion carried.
Moved by Perkins, seconded by Kuhn; Approving the application of Jeff & Kim Berns, Patrick & Laura McDermott for Tax Exemption under the city-wide Urban Revitalization Plan for New Hampton and authorizing the Mayor to sign the application and forward to the County Assessor, be approved. Ayes-Five. Nays-None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

Mayor Schwickerath shared with the Council the results of the Finance Committee meeting and the uncertainty of the lawsuit with Chickasaw County regarding the ambulance service. Moved by Kuhn, seconded by Perkins; That the Council go into a 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- Diiro, Kuhn, Perkins, Boos, Denner. Nays- None. Absent- McDonald. Motion carried.

The Council entered closed session at 7:11P.M.

The Council resumed open session at 7:52 P.M.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Kuhn; To increase property tax funding to have funds available in the event the City of New Hampton is required to contribute for the ambulance service funding, as itemized below, be approved. Ayes – Diiro, Kuhn, Perkins, Boos, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

 

General Levy $8.10
Community Center Maintenance $0.135
Cultural Center $0.270
Library $0.270
Emergency Levy $0.270
FICA/IPERS $1.2022
Other Employee Benefits $2.71791
Debt Service $1.01922
Total $13.98433

Moved by Kuhn, seconded by Denner; That the following be accepted and placed on file:

  1. Finance Committee Minutes of January 20, 2020

Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Diiro; That the meeting adjourn at 7:55 p.m. Ayes- Five. Nays-None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: KAREN CLEMENS, CMC, City Clerk

ROBERT SCHWICKERATH, Mayor