City Council Minutes | June 20, 2022

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 20, 2022. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner and Fisher. Humpal was absent. Also in attendance were Zachary Nosbisch, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson and City Attorney Todd Prichard

Moved by McDonald, seconded by Fisher; That the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes –Five. Nays – None. Absent –Humpal. Motion carried.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Speltz; That the minutes of the regular council meeting of June 6, 2022, be approved. Ayes –Five. Nays – None. Absent –Humpal. Motion carried.

Moved by Daly, seconded by Fisher; That the claims in the amount of $59,318.33 be approved. Ayes –Five. Nays – None. Absent –Humpal. Motion carried.

Council Member Denner moved, seconded by Council Member McDonald; that Ordinance No. 890 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON FEE SCHEDULE, receive its third and final consideration, be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Mayor Schwickerath announced that Ordinance #890 was duly adopted.
City Clerk Karen Clemens presented the annual transfers for council approval.
1. Trust and Agency – Perpetual Care Interest 950.7214.65888 $506.00
2. Commercial TIF – Legal Fees 126.7038.63931 $0.00
3. Local Option Sales Tax – Debt Service Transfer 121.7300.65888 $321,848.76
4. Water Utility – Debt Service Transfer 600.6021.69150 $18,098.00
5. Sewer Utility – Debt Service Transfer 610.8017.68510 $49,768.00
6. General Fund – Community Center Maint. Levy 001.6050.69150 $20,119.91
7. Employee Benefits Fund –Taxes for FICA IPERS 112.7214.69100 $160,530.00
8. Emergency Levy 112.7214.69100 $40,240.00
$611,110.67

To:
1. General Fund – Cemetery Operations 001.060.43000
2. TIF Project Fund – 127.091.48301
3. Debt Service – Wastewater and Street Proj 200.010.48303
4. Debt Service – Water Project 200.010.48303
5. Debt Service – Sewer Project 200.010.48303
6. Comm Center Maintenance Fund – Maint. 312.092.48300
7. General Fund – FICA Ipers 001.080.69150
8. Emergency Levy from Spec Rev to General Fund 001.080.69150

Council Member McDonald, moved seconded by Council Member Fisher; that Resolution #6524 APPROVAL OF TRANSFERRING FUNDS, be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution adopted.

Councilmember McDonald discussed the recommendation from the Finance Committee for salary and wages for non-bargaining unit personnel effective July 1, 2022. The recommendation grants a 2.5% increase which is the same the union members are receiving. The new salaries are as follows:

NAME TITLE 2021/2022 2022/2023

Karen Clemens City Clerk /Zoning Admin $65,458 per year $ 67,094 per year

Zach Nosbisch Chief of Police $63,764 per year $ 65,358 per year
Tammy Robinson Econ. Dev. Director $60,193 per year $ 61,698 per year
Courtney Lechtenberg Deputy City Clerk $ 21.92 per hour $ 22.47 per hour
Casey Mai Public Works Director $77,250 per year $ 79,181 per year
Eric Kuehn Street Supt. $58,842 per year $ 60,313 per year
Ken Douglas Meter Reader $14.71 per hour $ 15.08 per hour
Ken Douglas Car Allowance $40.00 per month $ 60.00 per month
Karen Schmitt Police Dept. Secretary $15.12 per hour $ 15.50 per hour
Megan Baltes Economic Dev Assistant $19.35 per hour $ 19.83 per hour
Todd Prichard City Attorney $3,051 per month $ 3,127 per month
Equipment operators Part-time/as needed $16.00 per hour $ 16.00 per hour
Deborah Rosonke Custodian $16.02 per hour $ 16.42 per hour
Truck Drivers $21.00 per hour $ 21.00 per hour

Moved by Daly, seconded by Council Member Speltz; that Resolution #6525 A RESOLUTION APPROVING SALARIES AND WAGES FOR NON-BARGAINING UNIT PERSONNEL EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2022, be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution adopted.
The Park and Recreation office would like to have a Petty Cash fund in their office of $180.00. The Park & Recreation Board has approved establishing the fund but city council approval is necessary. Moved by Fisher, seconded by Council Member Speltz; Resolution No. 6526 A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A PETTY CASH FUND OF $180.00 FOR THE NEW HAMPTON PARK & RECREATION OFFICE, be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution adopted.
Imperial Roof Systems has requested a partial payment on the Community Center roofing project. The funds to pay for this project is coming from the ARPA funds received from the Federal Government. Moved by Denner, seconded by Council Member Daly; that Resolution NO. 6527 A RESOLUTION APPROVING PAY ESTIMATE NO. 1 TO IMPERIAL ROOF SYSTEMS IN THE AMOUNT OF $41,104.35 FOR THE NEW HAMPTON COMMUNITY CENTER ROOFING PROJECT, BE APPROVED. Ayes – McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution adopted.

Police Chief Zach Nosbisch shared with the council a revision to the City Code regarding the use of UTV/ATV’s in the city of New Hampton. Recently, the Governor signed into law several changes to the State Law which overrides the city ordinance. Moved by Denner, seconded by McDonald; That the proposed ordinance AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE ATV/UTV REGULATIONS receives its first consideration. Ayes – McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. The Mayor requested the proposed ordinance be placed on the July 5, 2022 regular council meeting agenda for its second consideration.

City staff is requesting council direction on changing the ‘no right turn on red’ designation at the intersection of Main Street and Linn Avenue. This designation was initially implemented when Linn Ave was also Hwy 63. The Iowa Department of Transportation was contacted and they do not regulate this type of traffic regulation. NHCSD Superintendent, Jay Jurrens, was also contacted and he did make a request to keep the ‘no right turn on red’ designation from 7:00 am – 9:00 am and 2:00 to 4:00 pm on schooldays. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Denner; to direct the Street Department to install new signs at the intersection of Main Street and Linn Avenue to read:”No Turn on Red: Monday – Friday; 7:00 am – 9:00 am; 2:00pm – 4:00 pm”, be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.

Public Works Director Casey Mai presented a notification letter from the Iowa DNR regarding “lead service lines (water)”. This letter is a result of the EPA requiring all community water suppliers to develop an inventory of water lines which distributes water to every customer/resident. Mai explained that this inventory will require a house by house inspection. PWD Mai would also like to include three other inspections during this inventory process: 1. Record water meter type and install a tracer wire, 2. Review sump pump connections and 3. Locate the water shut off location. This project will be time consuming and Mai is asking for council direction on how to best accomplish this inventory project since we do not have extra staff. This inventory is due to the state by October 16, 2024. Mai is requesting to have a plan in place by 1/1/2023 to avoid a delay in completing the project. Mai will research other options to staff this project and report back to the council.

In November 2012, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) created the Iowa Nutrient Removal Strategy, which was revised in May 2013 and October 2014. The city was required to submit a Nutrient Reduction Feasibility Study in April 2016. That study (revised in April 2017) concluded that nutrient reduction was not currently feasible, and the city should plan to replace the wastewater treatment plant and incorporate nutrient reduction within the next 20 years. The City’s current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requires the city to submit new Nutrient Reduction Feasibility Study by July 1, 2022. The capital cost opinion for implementing these options ranges from $26.5 to $34.3 million. This would have a significant impact on annual costs, at an estimated $2,493,000 per year including debt service on the new facilities and operation and maintenance costs. Due to the high cost and additional needs at the facility, implementing additional nutrient removal is not currently feasible without significant grants or loan forgiveness. The city should consider implementing fee increases to be able to fund the required improvements, as well as apply for available grants and loan forgiveness funding opportunities. Given the age and condition of the existing plant, the city should plan to replace the existing facilities within the next 15 years and incorporate additional nutrient removal into the new facilities at that time. The City will submit the Facility Plan to IDNR before the start of 2023 in attempt to meet the nutrient reduction strategy by 2036.

Moved by McDonald, seconded by Daly; THAT Resolution No 6528 A RESOLUTION TO ALLOW FOX STRAND ASSOCIATES TO SUBMIT THE NUTRIENT REDUCTION FEASIBILITY REPORT LETTER TO THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES BY JULY 1, 2022, BE APPROVED. Ayes – McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution adopted.

Public Works Director Mai is requesting approval of an emergency repair to the west well pump. The well is currently shut down and needs repairs immediately. Since this is an emergency situation and although not required by code, Mai received two quotes:
1. Northway Well & Pump $90,000 (will not exceed)
2. Layne Christensen Company a.$102,700 with new pump
b. $ 92,545 with rebuilt pump

Mai is recommending the quote from Northway based on price and availability of equipment. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Fisher; To accept the quote of Northway Well & Pump for repairs on the west well in the amount not to exceed $90,000.00, be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.

Mai reported that the variance request for Dustin Lechtenberg was approved.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Fisher; That the application for Tax exemption under the City of New Hampton, Iowa Urban Revitalization Plan for Jill Samec, be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.

Mayor Schwickerath reported on a recent meeting he attended as a member of the Chickasaw County Ambulance Council (CCAC). It was decided at this joint meeting of the CCAC and the Board of Supervisors (BOS) that if the BOS approves the use of ARPA for the equipment purchases, each city will develop a 28E agreement with the BOS. The council discussed their available options of financing the City of New Hampton’s per capita share of approximately $362,300.00. There are two ways of paying for the ambulance. The Council can approve, based on the appropriate number of residents signatures, to follow Iowa Code section 357G and create an emergency medical district which could be taxed up to $1.00 per $1,000 property valuation. The 357G process is lengthy and does need a 60% voter approval. The Council can also request to have the voters change the use of the Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) funds. Currently the funds are used for infrastructure but if voters approved, the funds could be used for the ambulance expenses and any remaining amounts will continue to be used for infrastructure. This also requires a 60% voter approval. If either of these two options is not approved, the city will not have funds to pay the ambulance expenses. After a lengthy discussion, it was moved by Fisher, seconded by Daly; To direct the City Clerk to finalize the procedures needed to have either option on the ballot for voter approval and report to the council at the July 5th, 2022 city council meeting. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Motion carried.

GENERAL $131,524.11 $161,848.78
ROAD USE TAX $50.00 $35,261.00
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $23,259.11 $37,685.42
TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL $13,762.77 $96,098.50
TIF COMM PROJECT $0.00 $417.96
HOUSING REHAB. GRANT $1,815.00 $0.00
SPECIAL REVENUE- GRANTS $61.00 $0.00
DEBT SERVICE $6,358.98 $339,782.50
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $165.97 $639.20
COMM CENTER RENOVATION $0.00 $0.00
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $9,450.50 $5.00
STORMWATER CAP PROJECTS $5,402.35 $2.50
CAPITAL PROJECTS $102,334.65 $9,614.75
WATER UTILITY $40,515.35 $34,285.85
SEWER UTILITY $80,327.80 $56,046.13
WASTEWATER PROJECT $0.00 $9,895.00
SOLID WASTE $12,828.93 $13,937.68
INDUSTRIAL PARK DEVEL. $0.00 $0.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $22,651.60 $2,739.26
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $4,661.60 $2.50
CAP PROJECTS-SANITARY SR $0.00 $2,736.76
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $3,320.00 $1,161.00
TRUST & AGENCY $181.00 $0.00
TOTAL $458,670.72 $802,159.79

Moved by McDonald, seconded by Denner, to approve the finance reports for May, 2022. Ayes – Five, Nays – None. Motion carried.

Moved by Daly, seconded by Fisher; that the minutes and correspondence be accepted and placed on file.
Department Head Minutes of 6-7-2022
Fire Department Minutes of 6-6-2022
Committee as a Whole 6-6-2022
Park & Rec Minutes of 6-8-2022
Library Board Minutes of 6-7-2022
Change to Iowa Public Bidding Law

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

City Clerk Clemens informed the council that there are 198 ash trees in the city ROW, 54 in the cemetery and 30 in Mikkelson Park and there are also 66 stumps that need to be ground. Staff is estimating the costs to remove the trees will exceed $100,000.

Clemens also suggested the council start utilizing a consent agenda at future council meetings. She will prepare an example for the council to review.

Moved by Daly, seconded by Fisher; that the meeting adjourn at 8:36 p.m. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.