City Council Minutes | March 1, 2021

City Council
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Monday
March 1, 2021 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, March 1, 2021.The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m.Councilmembers present were McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner, Diiro and Fisher. Also in attendance were Zach Nosbisch, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Alan Powell with Jendro Sanitation, Jenny Montieth from Mercy Hospital, Bob Fenske, Amanda Webb with Hacker Nelson PC, Matt Kuhnand City Attorney Kevin Kennedy.

Moved by Diiro, seconded by Perkins; that the agendabe approved as presented.Ayes-Six.Nays-None.Absent –None.Motion carried.

Moved byPerkins, seconded byDenner;That the minutes of the regular council meeting of February 15, 2021, be approved.Ayes- Six.Nays -None.Absent –None.  Motion carried.

Moved by Perkins, seconded byDenner;that claims in the amount of $100,535.47, be approved. The Council requested that the claim to the Chickasaw County Auditor for $7,295.70 be removed.Ayes-Six.Nays – None.Absent –None.  Motion carried.

7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING FOR 20212 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET

Mayor Schwickerath announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year Budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022.  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 16th day of February 2021 in New Hampton in the County of Chickasaw.  Mayor Schwickerath asked for oral comments.Boos requested to table the closing of the public hearing until the discussion of sewer and water rates is complete. Moved by Boos, seconded by Denner; To table the closing of the public hearing until the discussion of water and sewer rates is over.  Ayes – McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner, Diiro, Fisher.

Amanda Webb, a representative from Hacker, Nelson &Co., PC, presented the FY21019-2020 audit.  Moved by Perkins; seconded by Boos; That the FY2019-2020 Audit be approved and filed with the state auditor.  Ayes – Six.Nays – None.Absent – None.  Motion carried.

Alan Powell with Jendro Sanitation was in attendance and requested that the City Council change the start date of the new contract from June 1, 2021 to September 1, 2021.   He plans on having his staff deliver the totes to residents in August 2021.Moved by McDonald, seconded by Boos; That Resolution No. 6461 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH JENDRO SANITATION SERVICES, INC FOR GARBAGE AND RECYCLING PICKUP FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026, be approved.  Ayes – McDonald, Perkins, Boos,Denner, Diiro,  Fisher.Nays – None.Absent – None.  Resolution approved.

Mayor Bobby Schwickerath shared with the council that the Chickasaw Ambulance Council (CAC) has been working on a short term solution for ambulance service.  The CAC requested a one year extension on the existing contract with Chickasaw Ambulance Service. In return, the Chickasaw Ambulance Service presented a two year extension with significant increases in fees, without justification.  The City Council was also concerned that the City of NH is providing $7,295.00 to provide assistance to the CAC and that is not being used at this time. The audit issue is not being addressed as agreed upon in the 28E.  There was speculation that other cities in Chickasaw County may be requesting to leave the 28E Agreement.   After a lengthy discussion it was moved by Perkins, seconded by Boos; To not sign the proposed agreement with Chickasaw Ambulance Council and the Chickasaw Ambulance Service, be approved.  Ayes – Perkins, Boos, Denner, Diiro, Fisher.  Nay – McDonald.Absent – None.  Motion carried.   Mayor Schwickerath will inform the CAC of the City of New Hampton’s decision.

Moved by Perkins; seconded by Diiro; that the request from Windstream Communications LLC todig in the right of way for Job #713302216, including North and South Linn Ave, be approved. Ayes – Six.Nays – None.Absent – None.  Motion carried.

Moved by Boos; seconded by Diiro; that the request from Windstream Communications LLC to dig in the right of way for Job #713492233,including IA Hwy24, S Water Ave., E. Prospect and N Locust, be approved.  Ayes – Six.Nays – None.Absent – None.  Motion carried.

The city received a letter from UWRWMA requesting a voluntary contribution to the organization so they can continue the work of soil and water conservation practices throughout the Wapsi River area.  They are requesting $600.00 annually. Moved by Perkin, seconded by Fisher; To contribute $600.00 to the Upper Wapsipinicon River Watershed Management Authority to assist with funding staff at the UWRMWA, be approved.Ayes – Six.Nays – None.Absent – None.  Motion carried.

The New Hampton fire department is requesting council approval to apply for a “Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response” (SAFER) grant from FEMA.  This grant will support the fire department in the recruiting process for hiring additional firefighters.Moved by Denner, seconded by Boos; Thatthe FEMA Grant submission request for the New Hampton Fire Department, be approved.Ayes – Six.Nays – None.Absent – None.  Motion carried.

Public Works Director Casey Mai shared with the council correspondence he received from Steve Troyer of Fox Engineering for an agreement for engineering services for the facility plan for the WWTP and the Nutrient Reduction Strategy. The NutrientReduction Strategy needs to be completed by 2022 and the entire plant needs to be in compliance by 2032.  Moved by Boos, seconded by Diiro; That Resolution No. 6462 RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH FOX ENGINEERING FOR THE WASTEWATER FACILITY PLAN AND THE NUTRIENT REDUCTION STRATEGY IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,900, be approved., be approved.  Ayes-McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner, Diiro, Fisher.Nays – None.Absent – None.Resolution approved.

Public Works Director Casey Mai presented an analysis of water and sewer rates with other communities similar in size.  He is looking for council recommendation for rate increases to generate revenue for our future improvements.  The city’s infrastructure is very old and we will need to update/replace a large portion of it, including a waste water treatment plant.  The preliminary estimate for a new WWTP facility is approximately $16 million.  The council recommended that the possible rate changes be discussed in more depth at a Committee As a Whole meeting.  Clemens will post aCommittee as a Whole meeting for 6:00 pm on March 15, 2021.

Mayor Schwickerath request to continue with the Public Hearing.

Mayor Schwickerath asked for written comments.  There were none.  Mayor Schwickerath declared the hearing closed.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by McDonald; That Resolution No. 6460A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 BUDGET, be approved.  Ayes – McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner, Diiro, Fisher.  Nays-None.Absent – None.  Resolution approved.

Public Works Director Casey Mai presented suggested changes in permit fees for the city. Mai also requested that the council review all permit fees each year and make any necessary changes at that time. The council recommended that the possible rate changes be discussed in more depth at a Committee As a Whole meeting.  This issue will also be discussed at the Committee as a Whole meeting at 6:00 pm on March 15, 2021.

Councilmember Denner shared with the council that he received two requests for a drive up box for utility bill payments.  Clemens explained there are two methods to drop off utility payments; drop box and the drive up window.

Moved by Denner, seconded by McDonald; that the meeting adjourn at 9:02 p.m.Ayes – Six.Nays – None.Absent – None.  Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: KAREN CLEMENS, City Clerk

ROBERT SCHWICKERATH, Mayor