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 16, 2026. Mayor Geerts called the meeting to order. Council members present were Speltz, Denner (via telephone), Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath and Schwickerath. Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard, Casey Mai, Kyle Anderson, Conrad Rosendahl, Tammy Robinson, Jake Hackman and several NHHS students.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; that the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
1. Approve regular City Council minutes of March 2, 2026.
2. Approve city claims of $99,721.76
3. Department head Minutes 3-3-2026
4. Fire Dept Minutes of 3-2-26
5. FMC –Minutes, Financials
6. Fireworks Display Permit – NHCSD May 22, 2026 9:30 pm
7. Dollar General #2397 – Liquor License
8. Library Board Minutes of March 3, 2026
9. Park & Rec Board Minutes of March 4, 2026
10. Airport Minutes February 9 & March 9, 2026
11. Finance Reports
FUND RECEIVED DISBURSED
GENERAL $67,403.76 $150,564.87
ROAD USE TAX $32,778.96 $52,548.13
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $48.69 $15,564.80
SELF INSURANCE FUND $8,188.28 $4,273.67
LOCAL OPTION TAX $46,191.54 $250,000.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $3,770.40 $1,711.52
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES $1,289.26 $0.00
TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL $97.38 $0.00
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $13,046.16 $19.61
COMM CENTER RENOVATION $11,307.00 $0.00
2026 STREET RECONSTRUCTION $0.00 $37,300.00
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $8,703.42 $7.94
STORMWATER CAPITAL PROJ $8,658.34 $7.94
CAPITAL PROJECTS $78,090.37 $6,705.68
WATER UTILITY $62,405.58 $35,442.35
SEWER UTILITY $63,684.34 $47,523.88
SOLID WASTE $26,085.59 $34,062.83
INDUSTRIAL PARK DEVEL. $250,000.00 $3,880.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $164.83 $20,400.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $35.01 $0.00
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $1,608.00 $917.00
PERPETUAL CARE $140.00 $0.00
TOTAL $683,696.91 $660,930.22
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Kiffel; to approve the consent agenda. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing to review an application for a State Revolving Fund (SRF) and the design and environmental information related to the proposed improvements to the City’s wastewater treatment plant. 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 12th day of February 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.
Economic Development Director Tammy Robinson requested approval of a 28E agreement with Chickasaw County for the Paving Project on 225th Street along the South Industrial Park. Robinson is coordinating improvements to the South Industrial Park to attract new businesses and industries. TIF funds will be used to pay for the improvements. Attorney Todd Prichard prepared the document, which identifies the role and responsibilities of the city and county for the project and future maintenance of the street. Moved by McGrath, seconded by Schwickerath; That Resolution No 6805 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 28E CITY/COUNTY COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR A PAVING PROJECT ON 225TH STREET ALONG THE SOUTH INDUSTRIAL PARK, be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
City Clerk Karen Clemens requested the council to set a public hearing for the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027 at 7:00 pm Monday, April 20, 2026. Moved by, seconded by; that Resolution No. 6806 RESOLUTION SETTING TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING THE CITY’S FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath. Nays – None Absent – None. Resolution approved.
City Clerk Karen Clemens presented an engagement agreement with Dorsey & Whitney LLP to serve as Bond Counsel and Disclosure Counsel for the City’s General Obligation Bonds. The fees for managing the bonding process is $31,500
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Kiffel; that Resolution No 6807 RESOLUTION APPROVING ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP FOR THE GENERAL OBLIGATION CORPORATE PURPOSE 2026 BONDS, be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
City Clerk Karen Clemens is requesting approval to set a public hearing regarding two proposals for loan agreements; an Essential Purpose Loan Agreement with a not to exceed amount of $12.0 mil and a General Purpose Project not to exceed $225,000. Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; that Resolution No. 6808 RESOLUTION SETTING THE DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSALS TO ENTER INTO GENERAL OBLIGATION LOAN AGREEMENTS AND TO BORROW MONEY THERE UNDER, be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Public Works Director Casey Mai is requesting the council to set a bid date and public hearing for public improvements for the West Garfield Extension. The date of the bid letting is April 14, 2026 and the public hearing is April 20th, 2026. Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Speltz; that Resolution No. 6809 RESOLUTION SETTING BID DATE AND PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS (WEST GARFIELD EXTENSION), be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Police Officer Cory Frank returned to transitional / light duty work on Monday, March 16, 2026. The majority of his time will be spent in the clerk’s office assisting with scanning in old documents. EMC requires weekly updates on the hours worked so their work compensation payment is adjusted accordingly. Moved by Larsen, seconded by McGrath; that Resolution No. 6810 RESOLUTION APPROVING TRANSITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE LIGHT DUTY FOR CORY FRANK AT $16.00 PER HOURS FOR 20 HOURS PER WEEK, be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
City staff is requesting approval of an agreement with Tyler Technologies, the city’s software provider, for the additional services associated with the AMI project. The Lt Plant will share a portion of this as it benefits all affected utilities. Moved by McGrath, seconded by Schwickerath; that Resolution No. 6811 RESOLUTION APPROVING QUOTE WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Strand Associates presented an agreement with Terracon for Geotechnical Engineering Services for the Logan Street and Cleveland Street projects. The estimated cost is $18,350. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6812 RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH TERRACON FOR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE LOGAN STREET AND CLEVELAND STREET PROJECTS , be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath, Schwickerath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
City Attorney Todd Prichard updated the council on the Precision of New Hampton stormwater issue and the timeline for the eminent domain proceedings.
Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Spetlz; that the meeting adjourn 7:24 pm. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
