City Council Minutes | February 5, 2024

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
February 5, 2024 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, February 5, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Geerts at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Fisher, Larsen, Porath, Speltz and Denner. Humpal was absent. Also in attendance were Casey Mai, Kristi Pedersen, City Attorney Todd Prichard, Mary Prouty, Cory McDonald, Bob Fenske, Tara Hackman, Kelly O’Donnell and several NHHS students.

Approve meeting agenda:
1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve City Council Minutes of January 2, 2024
3. Approve City Claims of $168,149.02
4. Finance Committee Minutes of January 8th & 15th, 2024
5. Fire Dept Minutes of January 8, 2024
6. Park & Rec Board Minutes of January 10, 2024
7. FMC Landfill Minutes of September, 9, 2023 (Annual Report is available for review)
8. Department Head Minutes of January 11, 2024
9. Library Board Minutes of January 11, 2024
10. Advisory Board meeting Minutes of January 12, 2024
11. Class C Retail Alcohol License #LC0035934 The Pub at the Pinicon; 2-25-2024
12. Class B Retail Alcohol License #LG0000234 Dollar General (North Linn) 3-1-2024
13. Special Class B Retail Native Wine Permit #WBN000647 Pocketful of Posies – Amendment
14. Hotel/Motel Grant Recipients List for 2024
15. Correspondence from Chickasaw County Auditor regarding EMS funds.
16. Chickasaw County EMS Annual Report January 2024
17. Request Police Dept Assistance with ‘Their Fight Is Our Fight” 5k on April 26, 2024
18. MercyOne NH Medical Center Agreement Regarding Healthcare Services to Low Income Indiv.
19. Application for Tax Exemption under Urban Revitalization Plan: Matthew & Casey Paulus
20. Street Closure Request: Makers Market June 7-8, 2023
21. Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of February 1, 2024
22. December 2023 Finance Reports

Moved by Larsen, seconded by Porath; that the consent agenda be approved as presented. . Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.

Tara Hackman, Park & Rec Director, informed the Council of the Park & Rec Boards request to allow property that was donated to the Park department in 2004 is deeded back to the previous owners. Hackman said the area is not of any use for recreational activities. Moved by Fisher, seconded by Larsen; That Resolution No. 6611 A RESOLUTION SETTING A DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR CITIZEN COMMENTS REGARDING THE SALE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution approved.

Public Works Director Mai shared additional information to the Council regarding the vacating the ROW of Gardner Street. The portion of this ROW on the east side of Spring Creek will be maintained by the Park & Recreation Department. Approximately 12,000 sq feet on the west side of Spring Creek is in the Flood Plain and will be unbuildable unless exceptions are granted for the food plain issues. Mai received a land value estimate from the Chickasaw County Assessor of $.18 to $0.48 per square foot. The estimated cost to conduct a survey of the ROW would be approximately $4,000. Both adjoining property owners are interested in purchasing the ROW. After a lengthy discussion the Council directed PWD Mai to have the property surveyed as one lot and to sell the property to the highest bidder, with a minimum bid of $8,500.00. Moved by Denner, seconded by Fisher; That Resolution No. 6612 A RESOLUTION SETTING A DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR CITIZEN COMMENTS REGARDING THE SALE OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution approved

PWD Casey Mai was recently contacted by the Chickasaw County Engineers office requesting the City’s interest in improving Kenwood Ave from Hwy 18 south to 210th Street; the east half of the road is in the City Limits. Mai concerns are primarily financial as this section of road has not been included into any Capital Improvements Projects discussions. Mai explained his upcoming revenues, expenses and projects he is planning for the immediate future. Chickasaw County may continue with the project if the City will sign a 28E agreement for repayment of the city’s portion of expenses, which is estimated to be $170,000 – $180,000. Moved by Porath, seconded by Larsen; To direct PWD Mai to continue working with the Chickasaw County Engineer to develop a 28E Agreement for the Kenwood Ave street improvement project. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.

PWD Casey Mai shared 4 summary sheets of street improvements needed for South Broadway, North Maple, Logan Street and East Cleveland. The total cost of these street improvements from a quote from March 2023 is $5,842,641.60. These four sections of streets were classified as the most deteriorated streets and Mai in requesting council direction on continuing with the street improvements. Moved by Porath, Seconded by Speltz; To direct PWD Mai to get updated estimates for the street improvement project for South Broadway Ave, North Maple Ave, Logan Street and East Cleveland Ave. and to report back to the council. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.

PWD Mai shared photos of the Mikkelson Parking lot which is located at the NW corner of the intersection of East Spring Street and South Locust Ave. The lot is in deteriorated condition and the street department staff has been filing holes for several years. The steps located on the north side of the parking lot have been fenced off as they are unsafe. Council is also concerned about the condition of the parking lot at the Public Library as it is also experiencing sink holes and deteriorating condition. Moved by Fisher, seconded by Porath; To direct PWD Mai to solicit estimates for replacement of the Mikkelson Parking Lot and the Public Library parking lot and report back to council. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.

Police Chief Tim Pederson is interested in purchasing a UTV for the police department and is needs a resolution from the City Council to include with his grant application with Black Hawk Gaming Association. Pederson has already applied and received two grants for this project; his goal is to purchase the equipment without use of taxpayer funds. Moved by Porath, seconded by Fisher; That Resolution No. 6613 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON, IOWA, IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR BLACKHAWK GAMING GRANT FOR THE NEW HAMPTON POLICE DEPT, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution approved

The City has received complaints regarding the deterioration of the decorative brick on Main Street. The City does have extra brick and staff will replace bricks as they decompose and become trip hazards. This is becoming a bigger problem each winter. The brick was placed in 2009 during the construction project; the lifespan of the bricks was impacted by the salt and chemicals used during winter. PWD Mai presented examples of the decaying bricks. Council asked Mai to purchase additional pallet of bricks to replace crumbling existing brick.

The street department is requesting to purchase used equipment to replace the current 1978 SnowGo snoblower due to replacement parts becoming obsolete to find. The Street Committee request to schedule a committee meeting to discuss this purchase as well as the street projects being discussed.

City Clerk Clemens informed the council that the current custodial service has notified us that they will no longer be cleaning city buildings. Clemens will start the search for a new vendor.

City Attorney Prichard informed the council that the existing lawsuit with Precision of New Hampton is in the appeal process.

Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen; that the meeting adjourn at 8:54 p.m. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Steve Geerts, Mayor