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 7, 2021. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner, Diiro, Fisher. Also in attendance were Zach Nosbisch, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Rick Kramer, Jenny van der Meer, Bob Fenske, Jenny and Makenzie Bouillon, Kris Kramer and over 35 landowners/landlords concerned about the proposed Rental Code and City Attorney Kevin Kennedy.
Mayor Schwickerath started the meeting by encouraged all in attendance be respectful and civil during the discussions for the evening.
Moved by Perkins, seconded by Boos; that the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.
Moved by Diiro, seconded by Fisher; That the minutes of the regular council meeting of May 17, 2021, be approved. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.
Moved by Perkins, seconded by McDonald; that the claims in the amount of $243,471.61, be approved. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.
7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING
This being the time and place specified for holding a public hearing and taking action on the proposal to enter into a Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement, had been published according to law and as directed by the Council and that this is the time and place at which the Council shall receive oral or written objections from any resident or property owner of the City. The Mayor asked for any oral objections. There were none. The Mayor asked for any written objections. There were none. There being no further objections or comments, the Mayor announced that the hearing was closed.
Moved by Boos, seconded by Diiro; That Resolution No. 6472 Resolution taking additional action with respect to a Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement and authorizing, approving and securing the payment of a $1,370,000 Sewer Revenue Loan and Disbursement Agreement Anticipation Project Note (IFA Interim Loan and Disbursement Agreement), be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner, Diiro, Fisher. Nays-None. Absent-None. Resolution approved.
Public Works Director Casey Mai presented the Rental Code to the Council for the first consideration for an ordinance change. Resident Chip Schwickerath presented the council with concerns and questions about the purpose of the proposed code. Nate Schwickerath shared some suggestions to solve the problems of nuisance properties and how the city of New Hampton could address the issues. Some of the landlords stated they will pass on the additional fees to the renters, which, in their opinion would be detrimental to the renter. Residents Dixie Zeien and Stephanie Mashek spoke in opposition of the Rental Code as well, citing they are very attentive to their properties and keep them clean and safe. After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Schwickerath thanked all the guests in attendance for sharing their views about the Rental Code. The Council will take all the information they received into consideration when determining the next step.
The council reviewed the proposed fee schedule presented by Public Works Director Casey Mai. As a result of the Rental Code previously discussed it was decided to remove all fees in the Rental Permits section. Moved by Perkins, seconded by Boos; That the Ordinance for ADOPTING THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON FEE SCHEDULE, receive its first consideration. Ayes – McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner, Diiro, Fisher. Nays-None. Absent-None. Mayor Schwickerath ordered the second consideration for the ordinance change will be the June 21, 2021 city council meeting.
Moved by Perkins, seconded by McDonald; That Resolution No. 6473 A RESOLUTION To fix a date of meeting at which it is proposed to approve a Development Agreement with MDK Company, including annual appropriation tax increment payments in an amount not to exceed $162,000 (June 17, 2021), be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner, Diiro, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Economic Development Director Tammy Robinson shared with the council her request to all the contractors to begin construction on the project prior to the approval of the Development Agreement. Moved by Denner, seconded by Diiro; That Dale Reicks and the Melrose Housing Addition be granted permission to begin construction of the project prior to receiving the approval of the TIF Development Agreement as long as all other City of New Hampton requirements are met, be approved. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.
Economic Development Director Tammy Robinson shared with the council her request to all the contractors to begin construction on the project prior to the approval of the Development Agreement. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Perkins; That Security State Bank be granted permission to begin construction of the project prior to receiving the approval of the TIF Development Agreement as long as all other City of New Hampton requirements are met, be approved. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.
Economic Development Director Tammy Robinson shared with the council the Advisory Board request to grant a $7,500 loan for “Sweets by Keke” to remodel a main street building for a new bakery and gift store. Moved by Boos, seconded by Fisher; That a grant in the amount of $7,500 is awarded to Randy and Jenny Bouillon for purpose of remodeling the existing building at 2 East Main Street, New Hampton, be approved. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.
Moved by Perkins, seconded by Diiro; That Police Chief Zachary Nosbisch solicit bids to sell the 2011 Dodge Charger and deposit the proceeds into the police department’s capital projects fund, be approved. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.
City Attorney Kevin Kennedy presented a lease agreement between the City of New Hampton and the Chickasaw Ambulance Council for the use of garage space in the old NH fire station. The annual rent amount is $15,000. Moved by Denner, seconded by Diiro; That Resolution No. 6474 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON AND THE CHICKASAW COUNTY AMBULANCE COUNCIL FOR GARAGE SPACE, be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner, Diiro, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
The Finance Committee met and discussed salaries and wages for non-bargaining unit personnel for the FY 2021-2022. The committee is recommended the following wages for council approval.
| NAME | TITLE | 2020/2021 | 2021/2022 |
| Karen Clemens | City Clerk Zoning Admin. | $57,235 per year
$ 6,316 per year |
$ 65,458 per year
|
| Zach Nosbisch | Chief of Police | $61,907 per year | $ 63,764 per year |
| Tammy Robinson | Econ. Dev. Director | $58,440 per year | $ 60,193 per year |
| Courtney Lechtenberg | Deputy City Clerk | $ 20.88 per hour | $ 21.92 per hour |
| Casey Mai | Public Works Director | $75,000 per year | $ 77,250 per year |
| Eric Kuehn | Street Supt. | $24.59 per hour | $ 25.33 per hour |
| Ken Douglas | Meter Reader | $14.28 per hour | $ 14.71 per hour |
| Ken Douglas | Car Allowance | $40.00 per month | $ 40.00 per month |
| Karen Schmitt | Police Dept. Secretary | $14.68 per hour | $ 15.12 per hour |
| Megan Baltes | Economic Dev Assistant | $18.79 per hour | $ 19.35 per hour |
| Kevin Kennedy | City Attorney | $2,962 per month | $ 3,051 per month |
| Equipment operators | Part-time/as needed | $16.00 per hour | $ 16.00 per hour |
| Deborah Rosonke | Custodian | $15.55 per hour | $ 16.02 per hour |
| Truck Drivers | $21.00 per hour | $ 21.00 per hour | |
Moved by McDonald, seconded by Fisher; That Resolution No. 6475 A RESOLUTION APPROVING WAGES AND SALARIES FOR NON-BARGAINING UNIT PERSONNEL EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2021, be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner, Diiro, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Moved by Perkins, seconded by Boos; That the Cigarette Permits for July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 for Casey’s General Store, Fareway Stores, Kwik Star at 115 East Main, Kwik Star at 825 W. Milwaukee and Dollar General, be approved. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried
Moved by Denner, seconded by Fisher; That the Class B Beer Permit for the New Horizons Chamber for the Heartland Days celebration, App # 139820, be approved. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried
City Attorney Kevin Kennedy reported on the Board of Adjustment meeting for the request of Travis Pitz’s request for a side yard variance for a new accessory building/garage was approved.
Moved by Perkins, seconded by McDonald; that the following minutes and correspondence be accepted and place on file.
Ayes – Six. Nays-None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
Advisory Board Minutes – May 11, 2021
Advisory Board Minutes – May 27, 2021
Committee As a Whole – May 17, 2021
Department Head Minutes – May 4, 2021
NEIACA 2021 Community Needs Assessment
Public Works Director Mai updated the council on the new contractor at the WWTP and has interviewed a possible candidate for the grade 4 position.
Moved by Boos, seconded by Fisher; that the meeting adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.
ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk
Robert Schwickerath, Mayor