City Council Minutes | March 20, 2023

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
March 20, 2023 5:30 pm

 

The City Council of the City of New Hampton met in special session at the Community Services Building at 260 East Prospect, New Hampton, Iowa on Monday March 20, 2023, 5:30 pm. Mayor Robert Schwickerath called the meeting to order. Council members present were Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher, Humpal, McDonald was absent. Tammy Robinson, City Attorney Todd Prichard and over 20 county residents were also in attendance.

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

The purpose of the joint meeting with the Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors and the New Hampton City Council was to listen to the Chickasaw County Law Enforcement Facility Jail Study Report from the Samuels Group. The presentation included a summary of existing conditions, project scope and space planning and the estimated costs and economic impact.

Moved by Fisher, seconded by Daly; that the meeting be suspended at 7:14 pm to reconvene at the council chambers at 112 East Spring Street/City Hall. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Motion Carried.

The City Council of the City of New Hampton reconvened in regular session in the Council Chambers at 112 East Spring Street, New Hampton Iowa at 7:26 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:26 p.m. Council members present were Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher and Humpal. McDonald was absent. Also in attendance were Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Kennan Seda, Karl Fliris, Bob Fenske, Steve McDonald, Ashely Schuchhardt, Rick Kramer, Michelle Tindell and City Attorney Todd Prichard.

Move Daly by, seconded by Fisher; That the consent agenda be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve City Council Minutes of March 6, 2023
3. Approve City Claims of $57,760.87
4. Department Head Minutes of March 7, 2023
5. Finance Committee Minutes of March 6, 2023
6. Board of Adjustment – Steve McDonald Request at 116 E. Hamilton
7. New Horizons Street Closure Request for Farmers Market
8. Pub @ The Pinicon Class C retail Alcohol License renewal
9. Jerry Heying Retirement Notification Letter
10. Park & Rec Board Minutes of March 6 and March 9, 2023
11. Community Foundation Grant Awards for 1. Police Department and 2. City Clerk (Tornado Siren)
12. Tree Forever Grant
13. Finance Reports

     FUND  RECEIVED  DISBURSED
 GENERAL $52,282.81 $128,034.14
 ROAD USE TAX $40,437.12 $52,543.14
 SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $14,446.76 $31,304.18
 LOCAL OPTION TAX $50,138.69 $0.00
 HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $10,980.88 $0.00
 HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES $3,660.30 $0.00
 TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL $1,539.53 $0.00
 SPECIAL REVENUE- GRANTS $28.00 $63,626.55
 DEBT SERVICE $596.22 $0.00
 LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $98.15 $0.00
 ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $7,624.05 $20.00
 STORMWATER CAPITAL PROJECTS $4,185.84 $10.00
 CAPITAL PROJECTS $13,225.28 $1,220.95
 WATER UTILITY $46,100.43 $28,849.17
 SEWER UTILITY $76,379.58 $50,171.51
 WASTEWATER PROJECT $0.00 $0.00
 SOLID WASTE $10,997.84 $351.77
 INDUSTRIAL PARK DEVEL. $0.00 $0.00
 CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $3,796.84 $12.38
 CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $3,782.77 $12.38
 CAPITAL PROJECTS-SANITARY SR $0.00 $0.00
 CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $2,250.00 $522.00
 PERPETUAL CARE $0.00 $0.00
 TOTAL $342,551.09 $356,678.17

 

Property owner, Ashely Schuchhardt, requested approval to open a daycare business in her home at 626 N. Foley, New Hampton. City Code requires council approval prior to the establishment of Home Occupation or Home industry. Moved by Denner, seconded by Speltz; That the Home Occupation request of Ashely Schuchhardt, 626 North Foley Ave, New Hampton, to open a daycare business in her home, be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

Rick Kramer, representing the TRIBE Trail Committee, explained the need to purchase additional land from Phyllis & Joe Leibold for Phase III of the TRIBE Trail. The TRIBE trail funds will pay for this land purchase. Moved by Humpal, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No 6561 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN OFFER TO BY REAL ESTATE FOR THE TRIBE TRAIL PHASE 3 FROM JOE & PHYLLIS LEIBOLD, be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Resolution approved.

City Attorney prepared a draft of an ordinance amending the stop or yield required at the four intersections surrounding First United Methodist Church and the facility renter, Little Sprouts Daycare facility. First United Methodist Church member, Karl Fliris, requested the council remove item #3 which prohibited parking for 132’ on the west side of North Locust. Fliris was concerned that members of First United Methodist Church utilize those parking areas when they enter their facility from the west side of the building. The council appreciated the comments about the proposed ordinance change. Moved by Daly, seconded by Denner; That the parking restriction for 132’ on the west side of North Locust Avenue be removed from the proposal; and the Ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE STOP OR YIELD REQUIRED” receive its second consideration. Ayes – Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Mayor Schwickerath ordered the item be on the agenda at the next regular council meeting for its third and final consideration.

Sergeant Paul Scally is requesting pay increase for the time he is assuming the Chief of Police responsibilities. Scally assumed the chiefs duties on March 6, 2023 and will continue to fulfill the responsibilities as chief of police until a new chief has been hired. Scally is requesting 1/3 of the previous chiefs salary be paid to him, $445.62 per week. Scally will continue to receive his regular pay as sergeant and any additional overtime worked. Moved by Denner, seconded by Fisher; That Resolution No 6562 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A WEEKLY PAY INCREASE OF $445.62 FOR SERGEANT SCALLY TO FULFILL THE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHIEF OF POLICE UNTIL A FULL TIME REPLACEMENT HAS BEEN HIRED, RETROACTIVE TO March 6, 2023, be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Resolution approved.

The Park & Recreation department recently cleared a large amount of brush near Garnant Park and has created two piles of debris. The department is requesting to burn these two different brush piles. The city code states: An owner or occupant of property may burn large brush piles on his own property between November 15 and March 15 provided the burn pile is a minimum of 300 feet from the nearest occupied dwelling. These piles are within 300 feet of occupied dwellings and the March 15 deadline has passed.

After a lengthy discussion, the Council and City attorney agreed that the liability risk outweighs the council’s ability to grant an exception to the park staff. Moved by Denner, seconded by Humpal; 1. The two large brush piles be split into smaller piles, 2. Must be burned with the fire department managing the fire as a controlled burn, 3. Have the multiple piles burned as soon as possible only when winds are directed to the southeast. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

PWD Mai informed the council that as a result of a retirement, he is advertising for a job opening in the water department.

Attorney Prichard updated the council on the status of a lawsuit with Dennis Hansen, et al.

Moved by Fisher, seconded by Daly; That the meeting adjourn at 8:18 p.m. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Robert Schwickerath, Mayor