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 2, 2026. Mayor Geerts called the meeting to order. Council members present were Schwickerath, Denner (via telephone) Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath. Absent – Speltz. Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard, Casey Mai, Kyle Anderson, Conrad Rosendahl, Tammy Robinson, Bob Fenske, Jake Hackman, Cory McDonald, Pete & Dixie Zeien, and several NHHS students.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; that the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Speltz. Motion carried.
1. Approve regular City Council minutes of February 16, 2026.
2. Approve city claims of $395,542.89
3. Fireworks Display Agreement J&M Displays, Heartland Days
4. Class ‘C’ Retail Alcohol License Renewal – Pub at the Pinicon 2/25/26
5. Engagement Letter with Lamson Dugan & Murray LLP (W. Ind. Park Storm Water)
6. Finance Committee Minutes of 2-16-2026
Moved by McGrath, seconded by Schwickerath; to approve the consent agenda. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Speltz. Motion carried.
Speltz arrived at 7:03 pm.
PWD Casey Mai provided an updated code section 714 – Farm Animals based on the prior council discussion of limiting the number of chickens to six (6). Moved by Denner, seconded by Schwickerath; That AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ‘CODE OF ORDINANCES AND THE ZONING & SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON, IOWA, receive its third and final consideration. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath. Nays – None Absent – None. Mayor Geerts duly ordered that Ordinance # 902 is adopted.
City staff has received a request to provide additional safety measures on North Sherman Avenue for patrons at the Crystal Ball Roller Skating Rink. PWD Mai informed the council that the road is 28’ wide which is narrower than necessary; he is also concerned that the truck traffic on the road may be impeded by parked cars. Council members encouraged the property owners, Pete & Dixie Zeien, to continue to place cones along adjoining property owner’s driveways to deter customers from parking on that property.
Cory Frank informed City staff that he will not find out if he is released to work light duty until March 18th 2026. The return to full duty date is still expected to be May 4, 2026. The City Council will have the opportunity to take action, if needed, at the May 4th, 2026 council meeting. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; To extend the unpaid leave for police officer Cory Frank until May 4, 2026, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
Eocene Environmental Group has requested a change order for an additional $1,500 to cover cost of wetland permitting work due to wetland discovery on the Garfield extension project. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Kiffel; That Resolution No. 6800 APPROVING CHANGE ORDER #1 EOCENE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP – GARFIELD STREET EXTENSION, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
City Clerk Karen Clemens requested the council to set a public hearing for the proposed property tax levy for Fiscal Year 2027 at 7:00 pm Monday, April 6, 2026; this public hearing requires a special council meeting where the public hearing is the only agenda item. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen; that Resolution No. 6801 RESOLUTION SETTING TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSIDERING THE CONSOLIDATED GENERAL FUND TAX LEVY FOR THE CITY’S FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath. Nays – None Absent – None. Resolution approved.
A&R Land Services provided several documents regarding the acquisition of property from Joseph & Phyllis Liebold Revocable Trust for the wastewater treatment plant project. A&R Services have prepared the following: Purchase Agreement, Warranty Deed, Acquisition Plat, Disclosure of Representation, Donation, Request for Taxpayer Identification number, Offer to Purchase and Notice of Earliest Move Date, Trustee Warranty Deed, Purchasers Affidavit and Individual Trustee’s Affidavit. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; that Resolution No. 6802 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ASSOCIATED ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS FOR PRESENTATION TO THE JOSEPH M. LEIBOLD AND PHYLLIS M. LEIBOLD REVOCABLE TRUST, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
A&R Land Services provided several documents regarding the acquisition of property from Croell Redi-Mix, Inc. for the wastewater treatment plant project. A&R Services have prepared the following: Purchase Agreement, Temporary Construction Easement, Public Utility Easement, Easement Exhibit, Request for Taxpayer Identification number, Disclosure of Representation, Donation and Offer to Purchase and Notice of Earliest Move Date. Moved by Schwickerath, seconded by Larsen; that Resolution No. 6803 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND ASSOCIATED ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS FOR PRESENTATION TO CROELL REDI-MIX, INC, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen, McGrath. Nays – None Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Public Works staff, Casey Mai & Kyle Anderson, are requesting comp time for the time worked on weekends or holidays for snow removal and other public works emergencies. They are requesting comp time at regular rate of pay. After a lengthy discussion, it was moved by Schwickerath to Approve 56.25 comp hours to Casey Mai and Kyle Anderson which needs to be used by September 2, 2026. The motion did not receive a second.
Council members discussed options to avoid having the salaried employees work in excess of 40 hours per week. Council requested the salaried employees record their actual time worked during the public work emergencies. Moved by Kiffel, seconded by Schwickerath; that Resolution No. 6804 APPROVE 40 HOURS OF COMP TIME GRANTED TO CASEY MAI AND KYLE ANDERSON EXPIRING ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2026, be approved. Ayes – Schwickerath, Speltz, Denner, Kiffel, Larsen. Nays – McGrath. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Jordyn & Beth Fye are requesting the City of New Hampton to sign an amendment to the easement for the property that they own. The easement clarifies use and responsibilities, related to the maintenance of the property that is subject to the easement. The property for the fire department is included with this amendment which necessitates the city’s approval. Attorney Todd Prichard shared his concerns with the proposed easement and presented several questions regarding how this easement impacts an existing City of New Hampton easement approved in August 2025. The issue was tabled and Prichard will follow up with Jordyn & Beth Fye.
Black Hills Energy awarded a grant to the City of NH for $11,307 to support the installation of the new boiler system in the Community Center.
A meeting for the Committee as a Whole is scheduled for March 16, 2026 at 6:00 pm to discuss and draft a policy how to pay salaried employees who works more than 40 hours per week.
Moved by Kiffel, seconded by Larsen; that the meeting adjourn 8:15 pm. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
