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, June 1, 2026. Mayor Geerts called the meeting to order. Council members present were Speltz, Denner (via telephone), Kiffel, Larsen (via telephone), McGrath, Schwickerath. Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard, Kyle Anderson, Conrad Rosendahl, Tammy Robinson, Pete & Dixie Zeien, Toby Schwickerath, Nick Jurgensen, Kassidi Havens, Linda & Randy Block and Carrie Becker.
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Kiffel; that the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
1. Approve regular City Council minutes 5.18.26
2. Approve city claims of $741,297.10
3. Finance Committee Minutes of 5.18.26
4. Street Closure Application: Holy Family Fall Festival Committee
5. Special Class C Retail License: Blue Iris
6. Tobacco Permit: Casey’s #1416, 615 North Linn
7. Changes to Perpetual Care Fund for Cemetery Fund #950
8. Procurement Policy Request: Hydrant Replacement Project
Council members requested that Item 8. Procurement Policy Request be included in the discussion with item K. Procurement Policy Discussion. Moved by McGrath, seconded by Larsen; to approve the consent agenda as amended. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING: RESOLUTION ON PROPOSAL TO ENTER INTO A SEWER REVENUE LOAN AND DISBURSEMENT AGREEMENT AND TO BORROW MONEY
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposal to enter into a Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement and to Borrow money. 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 21st day of May 2026 in New Hampton, Chickasaw County. Mayor Geerts asked for oral comments. There were none. Mayor Geerts asked for written comments. There were none. Mayor Geerts declared the hearing closed
Moved by McGrath, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6829 RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO A SEWER REVENUE LOAN AND DISBURSEMENT AGREEMENT AND TO BORROW MONEY THERE UNDER, be approved. Ayes: Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6830 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DORSEY & WHITNEY, LLP REGARDING THE 2026 SRF PLANNING & DESIGN LOAN, be approved. Ayes: Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Resident Dixie Zeien is requesting council approval to hold a Golf Cart Parade on July 2, 2026 at 6:30 pm. A route map has been provided to the police department; the plan is to cross Main Street at Western Avenue and again on Locust Avenue. Police Chief Conrad Rosendale requested all golf carts/vehicles included in the parade should be street legal vehicles and have the required safety features for traveling on city streets. Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Larsen; That the Golf Cart Parade request for July 2, 2026 at 6:30 pm and the proposed route be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
Chief Conrad Rosendahl is requesting approval of hiring Kassidi Havens as a police officer. Havens is a certified police officer and has been employed by the City of Eldora police department. There will be a contract buy-out once Havens is no longer employed with Eldora. Moved by McGrath, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6831 RESOLUTION HIRING KASSIDI HAVENS AS POLICE OFFICER EFFECTIVE JUNE 14, 2026 AT A RATE OF PAY OF $30.68, be approved. Ayes: Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Ex-city employee, Cory Frank, received notice that, per his employment agreement dated 12/28/23, his obligation to reimburse the City of New Hampton is $5,480.89. Cory is requesting the City extend his payment due timeline by allowing him to pay approx $1,000 per month. After a brief discussion, no action was taken.
The City of New Hampton has received an Iowa Department of Transportation Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy grant for $860,542. The IDOT approved the RISE grant for the project identified as RM-5427(611)90-19 construction of approximately 2,119 feet of Rusty Kennedy Road in the south industrial park. Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6832 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT FOR A REVITALIZE IOWA’S SOUND ECONOMY PROGRAM PROJECT, be approved. Ayes: Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Street Superintendent Kyle Anderson presented a quote from a vendor for replacement of several hydrants in the city. According to the recently approved Procurement Policy, City staff is required to provide 3 quotes for any purchases over $5,000. For consistency purposes, Anderson would like to purchase the same style of hydrants from a vendor who sells the Watrous hydrants. Fire Chief Toby Schwickerath requested additional clarification for purchases that are considered emergency or nonemergency items. After a lengthy discussion the council requested that all department heads present their purchase request/quotes to the city clerk for council review; each request will be discussed as a separate line item on the city council agenda.
The IDOT is requesting approval of a 5 year agreement for the maintenance, repair and minor reconstruction of the primary roads within the boundaries of the city. The current agreement will expire on June 30, 2026. Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6833 RESOLUTION APPROVING AGREEMENT FOR MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF PRIMARY ROADS IN MUNICIPALITIES, be approved. Ayes: Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Included is an Agreement for Engineering Services from STS Civil for the North Linn Water Extension Loop – Phase 2 with Jonas Schwickerath and New Hampton Transfer & Storage. The City Council approved to contribute 50% of the Phase 2 expenses in Resolution #6771. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen; That Resolution No. 6834 RESOLUTION APPROVING AGREEMENT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH STS CIVIL FOR THE NORTH LINN AVENUE WATER EXTENSION LOOP PHASE 2, be approved. Ayes: Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
PWD Casey Mai is requesting a change to the existing City Code requirement for plumbers & contractors. Listed below are the existing code requirements and the suggested changes.
Existing: 90.08 PLUMBER REQUIRED. All installations of water service pipes and connections to the water system shall be made by a competent licensed plumber, to the extent made on City property.
Proposed: 90.08 INSURED & BONDED CONTRACTOR REQUIRED. All installations of water service pipes and connections to the water system shall be made by an insured and bonded contractor with the City who specializes in completing infrastructure work. Bonding & insurance requirements can be obtained from Section 135.09.
Existing: 96.03 PLUMBER REQUIRED. All installations of building sewers and connections to the public sewer shall be made by a State-licensed plumber
Proposed: 96.03 INSURED & BONDED CONTRACTOR REQUIRED. All installations of building sewers and connections to the public sewer shall be made by an insured and bonded contractor with the City who specializes in completing infrastructure work. Bonding and insurance requirements can be obtained from Section 135.09.
Council members requested the public hearing be approved but delay the 1st reading of the ordinance until the June 15th council meeting. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No. 6835 RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT FOR THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON FOR JUNE 15TH, 2026 AT 7:00 PM, be approved. Ayes: Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved. Mayor Geerts order the ordinance amendment be placed on the June 15th City Council meeting for its first consideration.
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Kiffel; That The council may go into 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 – Speltz, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Motion carried.
Open Session Ended: 8:35 PM
Open Session Resumed: 9:03 PM
Action taken because of closed session:
Moved by Speltz, seconded by McGrath; to direct City Attorney Todd Prichard to proceed with filing a Petition for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief concerning Precision of New Hampton’s construction of a building over a city storm water main easement. Ayes – Speltz, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Motion carried.
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; that the meeting adjourns 9:04 pm. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Denner. Motion carried.
ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk
Steve Geerts, Mayor