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 15, 2026. Mayor Geerts called the meeting to order. Council members present were Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath Speltz, Denner (via telephone). Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard, Casey Mai, Kyle Anderson, Tammy Robinson, Conrad Rosendahl, Mic and Rebecca Shekleton, Brandon Hemman, Carleen Shimek and Barb Tank.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Kiffel; that the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
1. Approve regular City Council minutes 6.1.26 and Special Meeting 6.10.26
2. Approve city claims of $282,900.65
3. Park & Rec Minutes of June 3, 2026
4. Library Board Minutes of June 2, 2026
5. Airport Board Minutes of May 11, 2026
6. Cemetery Minutes of May 27, 2026
7. Class B Retail Alcohol License: Dollar General 910 East Main Street
8. Special Class B Retail Native Wine License: Schueth Ace Hardware
9. ABD Ownership Amendment: Jacqueline Perkins & Douglas Schueth
10. FMC Executive Board Minutes February 12, 2026
11. Finance reports- May 2026
GENERAL $124,625.60 $214,137.54
ROAD USE TAX $48,799.56 $55,093.61
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $22,444.02 $57,956.55
SELF INSURANCE FUND $9,234.35 $6,143.09
LOCAL OPTION TAX $64,007.66 $0.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $4,412.98 $1,621.80
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES $2,399.43 $0.00
TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL $40,939.04 $0.00
DEBT SERVICE $3,969.51 $91,147.50
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $1,901.62 $332.08
2026 STREET RECONSTRUCTION $0.00 $38,489.00
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $14,330.18 $32.70
STORM WATER CAPITAL PROJ $13,401.79 $782.70
CAPITAL PROJECTS $26,939.13 $87,365.46
WATER UTILITY $60,647.83 $58,849.76
SEWER UTILITY $97,419.62 $99,071.15
WASTEWATER PROJECT $176,353.95 $176,353.95
SOLID WASTE $34,232.69 $35,988.48
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $3,249.49 $14,774.50
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $928.43 $0.00
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $1,545.00 $1,544.00
TOTAL $751,781.88 $939,683.87
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Kiffel; to approve the consent agenda as amended. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REGARDING INSURED AND BONDED CONTRACTORS
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposal to amend the New Hampton City Code of Ordinances, Sections 90.08 and 96.03 regarding insured and bonded contractors. 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 11th day of June 2026 in New Hampton, Chickasaw County.
Mayor Geerts asked for oral comments. Mic & Rebecca Shekleton shared their concerns for the ordinance amendment and questioned the timing of the amendment. The lengthy conversation included discussing state requirements for licensed and non-licensed contractors and identifying solutions that will meet both the city code and state code. Another guest, Carlee Shimek, also asked what DNR certification was necessary? Staff was not sure and would find out.
Mayor Geerts asked for written comments. There were none. Mayor Geerts declared the hearing closed
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 is licensed with the State of Iowa that 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 is licensed with the State of Iowa that specializes in completing infrastructure work. Bonding and insurance requirements can be obtained from Section 135.09.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; That the First Reading of the Ordinance Amendment for Sections 90.08 and 96.03, be approved. Ayes – Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – Nays. Absent – None. Motion carried. Mayor Geerts order the item be on the agenda at the next regular council meeting for it second consideration.
Mitch Holtz, Strand Associates engineer, requested to delay the public hearing and opening of bids for the Logan Street and Cleveland Street projects. Contractors were unable to complete the bid process due to time constraints and Holtz wanted to allow them additional time. Delaying this project by two weeks would not significantly impact the timeline of the project. The bid opening is scheduled for Monday, June 22, 2026 at 1:00 pm in Council Chambers. Moved by Speltz, seconded by McGrath; That Resolution No. 6836 RESOLUTION SETTING BID DATE AND PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR THE STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR LOGAN AND CLEVELAND STREETS FOR JULY 6, 2026 AT 7:00 PM, be approved. Ayes – Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – Nays. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Council requested Street Superintendent Kyle Anderson provide three quotes for replacement of several hydrants in the city. The only sealed bid received was from Core & Main, Grimes, Iowa for $60,573.77. Two other vendors provided documentation but the bids were considered unresponsive. Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Kiffel; That Resolution No. 6837 RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID FROM CORE & MAIN IN THE AMOUNT OF $60,573.77 FOR THE PURCHASE OF HYDRANTS AND NECESSARY ACCESSORIES, be approved. Ayes – Kiffel, Larsen, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – McGrath. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Public Works Director Casey Mai requested the revised Fee Schedule be approved effective July 1, 2026 Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6838 ADOPTING THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON 2026-2027 FEE SCHEDULE AND CITY CITATION FEES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026, be approved.
Ayes – Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – Nays. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Mayor Geerts requested approval of the following appointments to the City of New Hampton Boards & Commissions, effective July 1, 2026
Airport Commission – Jack van der Meer 6 Year Term
Tree Board – Casey Mai 3 Year Term
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Kiffel; To approve the two appointments to the City of New Hampton Boards and Commissions effective July 1, 2026 be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
City Clerk Karen Clemens requested council approval to pay additional invoices, as budgets allow, prior to July 1, 2026. Council also discussed the request to transfer unspent budget funds to each departments capital projects account. Clemens will inform council on the year end balances after payroll and invoices are paid for FY2026. Moved by Kiffel, seconded by Speltz; To approve the City Clerk’s office to pay additional bills for city departments, as each departments budget allows, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
City Clerk Karen Clemens presented the 3% salaries and wage increases for non-bargaining unit personnel effective July 1, 2026. Moved by Larsen, seconded by McGrath; That Resolution No. 6839 A RESOLUTION APPROVING SALARIES AND WAGES FOR NON-BARGAINING UNIT PERSONNEL EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2026, be approved. Ayes – Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – Nays. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Name Position 25-26 Rate 26-27 Rate
Anderson, Kyle Street, Water & Sanitary Superintendent $ 72,800.00 $ 74,984.00
Baltes, Megan Economic Dev Assistant $ 21.42 $ 22.06
Equipment Operators Part-Time/ As Needed $ 16.00 $ 16.00
Fire Dept Firefighter $ 17.00 $ 17.00
Gorman Clemens, Karen City Clerk $ 74,027.00 $ 76,248.00
Hemesath, Karen Car Allowance $ 60.00 $ 60.00
Hemesath, Karen Meter Reader $ 16.50 $ 17.00
Kuehn, Eric Wastewater Superintendent $ 86,840.00 $ 89,445.00
Lechtenberg, Courtney Deputy City Clerk $ 24.78 $ 25.52
Mai, Casey Public Works Director $ 87,363.00 $ 89,984.00
Marvin, Dennis Interim Water Superintendent $ 29.35 $ 30.23
Prichard, Todd City Attorney $ 3,450.72 $ 3,554.00
Riehm, Troy Park Time Police Officer $ 30.68 $ 31.60
Robinson, Tammy Economic Dev Director $ 73,590.00 $ 75,798.00
Rosendahl, Conrad Chief of Police $ 81,292.00 $ 83,731.00
Stone, Darby Park Time Police Officer $ 30.68 $ 31.60
Truck Drivers Part-Time/ As Needed $ 21.00 $ 21.00
Van der Meer, Jenny Financial Clerk $ 22.93 $ 23.62
City Clerk Karen Clemens requested council approval for the annual transfer of funds and the budgeted transfers for FY2026. The budgeted transfers are:
From Account # To Account #
Police 001.1010.67993 390.36008 $ 25,000.00
Fire 001.1050.67981 360.36000 $ 20,000.00
Airport 001.2080.67993 390.36009 $ 3,400.00
City Clerk’s Office 001.6020.67993 390.36010 $ 2,500.00
Snow removal 110.2050.67993 390.36003 $ 7,500.00
Street Cleaning 110.2070.67993 390.36013 $ 2,500.00
Storm sewers 110.8065.67993 390.36017 $ 7,500.00
Water* 600.6021.67993 751.092.48300 $ 158,500.00
$ 226,900.00
Year End Transfers 2025/2026
From: From Account: To Account:
LOST Funds for Ambulance 121.9100.69100 $25,822.56 001.080.69151
LOST – Debt Service Transfer 121.7300.65888 $154,327.00 200.010.48303
LOST – RUT Bridge Engineer 121.9100.69100 $25,591.50 110.080.69151
Water Utility – Debt Service 600.6021.69150 $18,700.00 200.010.48303
Sewer Utility – Debt Service 610.8017.68510 $51,350.00 200.010.48303
General Fund – Comm Center Maint. Levy 001.6050.69150 $20,232.00 312.092.48300
Employee Benefit/Taxes for FICA IPERS 112.7214.69100 $188,000.00 001.080.69150
Hotel/Motel to Gen Fund – Fireworks Grant 122.5020.69150 $5,000.00 001.080.69150
Hotel/Motel – Sheakley Park Equip 122.5020.69150 $5,000.00 390.36028
Park & Rec Purchase from Cemetery 001.4030.67990 $2,500.00 390.36022
Road Maintenance 330.2010.69150 $113,500.00 110.080.69151
LMI Transfer – DTS Realty 126.7021.69100 $1,577.00 160.080.69150
LMI Transfer – South Lake Condo 126.7040.69100 $8,863.67 160.080.69150
$620,463.73
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen; That Resolution No. 6840 A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS, be approved. Ayes – Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – Nays. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
PWD Casey Mai informed the council that two variance requests were approved by the Board of Adjustment at their 5:30 meeting. The request of Jeremy, Jamey and Joshua Pesek and the request of Bryan Hugeback were both approved.
Council members and city staff have received complaints and concerns about safety concerns and the use of electric scooters on city sidewalks and streets. Chief Conrad Rosendahl has requested information from other Iowa cities but would like to set up a Safety Committee meeting to determine how the city wants to proceed. It was suggested to invite county, state and school representatives to the safety meeting. City staff will organize the meeting.
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen; 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 – Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – Nays. Absent – None. Motion carried.
Open Session Ended: 8:23 PM
Open Session Resumed: 8:52 PM
There was no action taken after closed session:
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen; that the meeting adjourns 8:54 pm. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk
Steve Geerts, Mayor