City Council Minutes | March 7, 2022

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
March 7, 2022 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 7, 2022. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:02 p.m. Council members present were Humpal, McDonald, Boos, Daly, Denner, Fisher. Also in attendance were Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Bob Fenske, Megan Baltes, Rick Kramer, several NHHS students and City Attorney Todd Prichard (via telephone).

Moved by Daly, seconded by Boos; That the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Moved by McDonald, seconded by Fisher; That the minutes of the regular council meeting of February 21, 2022, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Humpal; That the claims in the amount of $88,736.25 be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

7:00 PUBLIC HEARING FOR FY BUDGET 2022/2023
Mayor Schwickerath announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year Budget beginning July 1, 2022 and ending June 30, 2023. 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 24th day of February 2022 in New Hampton in the County of Chickasaw. Mayor Schwickerath asked for oral comments. There were none. Mayor Schwickerath asked for written comments. There were none.

Mayor Schwickerath declared the hearing closed.

Moved by Boos, seconded by Humpal; That Resolution No. 6501 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 BUDGET, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Boos, Daly, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.

TRIBE Trail Committee members, Megan Baltes and Rick Kramer, requested the council to consider a $250,000 pledge for Phase 3 of the TRIBE Trail Project. The total cost of Phase 3 is estimated at $521,620. If the council will pledge this money, it will help to leverage grant funds as well as local donations to raise the remaining $271,620. Some council members were concerned about increasing taxes even though they agreed it was a beneficial project to continue to improve the ‘quality of life’ in New Hampton. After a lengthy discussion, it was moved by McDonald, seconded by Denner; to request additional input from residents and table the discussion until the March 21, 2022 city council meeting, be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays – Fisher. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Finance Committee Chair McDonald shared with the council the recommendation of the Finance Committee to increase Eric Kuehn’s wage as he completes his wastewater certifications. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Boos; That RESOLUTION 6502 A RESOLUTION APPROVING WAGE INCREASE FOR ERIC KUEHN WHEN HE COMPLETES WASTEWATER CERTIFICATION GRADE 2, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Boos, Daly, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.

Council member McDonald presented a final version of the CIP 2022 Project Prioritization Questionnaire for council approval. The Council is requesting the department heads to have their projects submitted to the Council by the June 6th council meeting. Moved by Daly, seconded by Fisher; That the CIP 2022 Project Prioritization Questionnaire be implemented for city departments to evaluate CIP projects and submitted to the council by the June 6th City Council meeting, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

The New Hampton Running Club is requesting to host on 5K route on Saturday April 29th at 8:00 am. Moved by Denner, seconded by Humpal; That the New Hampton Running Club 5K route on April 29th, 2022, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

City Clerk Clemens presented a revised agreement for rental of the Community Center. As prices of all utilities continue to increase, the $40.00 current rental fee is not covering the expenses that are incurred. The proposal includes an increase the rental fee to $100.00 and the deposit from $100.00 to $150.00. Non –profit organization will continue to be no charge. Moved by Boos, seconded by McDonald; That Resolution No. 6503 A RESOLUTION APPROVING INCREASE IN RENTAL FEES AND DEPOSIT AMOUNTS FOR THE RENTAL OF THE NEW HAMPTON COMMUNITY CENTER, be approved. Ayes – Humpal, McDonald, Boos, Daly, Denner, Fisher. Nays- None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.
Jerry Reno, property owner of 18 East Main Street is requesting to place a dumpster on Main Street, in front of his building during construction on the building. Moved by Fisher, seconded by Daly; That the request of BLC, Inc to place a dumpster on Main Street for 2-3 days during construction, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Moved by Denner, seconded by McDonald; That the following minutes and correspondence be accepted and place on file. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Committee As A Whole minutes of 2-21-2022
Upper Wapsi Watershed Management Authority Donation Request
Park & Recreation Minutes of 3-2-2022

Mayor Schwickerath informed the city council that New Hampton has been chosen as a pass through town for RAGBRAI on July 29th, 2022. A committee has been established and there is a meeting scheduled for March 11th.

Moved by Boos, seconded by Denner; that the meeting adjourn at 7:45 p.m. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Robert Schwickerath, Mayor