City Council Minutes | May 1, 2023

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
May 1, 2023 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, May 1, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Porath and Denner.  Also in attendance were Tim Pederson, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Megan Baltes, City Attorney Todd Prichard (via telephone) and Brian Laures.

Move by Humpal, seconded by Porath; That the consent agenda, be approved. Ayes – Six.  Nays – None. Absent – None.  Motion carried.

  1. Approve meeting agenda
  2. Approve City Council Minutes of April 17, 2023
  3. Approve City Claims of $47,748.85
  4. Park & Rec Commission Minutes of April 5, 2023
  5. Liquor License: New Horizons – Chamber of Commerce Heartland Days Special Class C Retail Alcohol License (BW)

City Clerk Clemens presented Budget Amendment #2 for FY 2022/2023.  Moved by Denner, seconded by McDonald; That Resolution No. 6568 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT #2 FOR THE CURRENT BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Porath, Denner.  Nays – None.  Absent – None. Resolution approved.

Moved by Fisher, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6569 RESOLUTION APPROVING A MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING WITH UNION #2003 TO PROVIDE PAY INCREASES TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2023, be approved.   Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Porath, Denner.  Nays – None.  Absent – None.  Resolution approved. Clemens will forward the signed MOU to the Union #2003 steward.

Public Works Director Casey Mai presented a proposed updated fee schedule effective July 1, 2023.  There are a few proposed changes including the addition of all police department fees.  Council discussed the proposed changes and endorsed the revisions.  An update for mobile food vendors’ applications is requested to ensure the vendor’s sales are included in Chickasaw County sales tax reports.  Moved by McDonald, seconded by Fisher; That the Ordinance for AMENDING THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON FEE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2023, receive its first consideration, be approved.   Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Porath, Denner.  Nays – None.  Absent – None.

Mayor Schwickerath directed the proposed ordinance be on the next regularly scheduled council meeting on May 15, 2023 for its second consideration.

PWD Mai has offered the recently vacated water/sewer position to Nick Henningsen as the Water & Sanitary Collection Superintendent. Nick’s first day is May 1, 2023.  The Mayor and City attorney approved his start date as the same day his hire is approved by council. Moved by Denner, seconded by Porath; That Resolution No. 6570 RESOLUTION HIRING NICK HENNINGSEN AS DEPARTMENT HEAD WATER & SANITARY COLLECTION SUPERINTENDENT AT A SALARY OF $56,992 AND RECEIVING TWO WEEKS VACATION UPON EMPLOYMENT, be approved.   Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Porath, Denner.  Nays – None.  Absent – None.  Resolution approved.

City Clerk Karen Clemens requested the approval of an agreement for a new warning siren.   As a result of receiving a $10,000 Community Foundation Grant, along with the Community Center property tax levy, there are adequate funds available to replace the siren that sits atop the Community center.  There may be additional costs which are not part of either bid: removal of existing siren, and a transformer rectifier unit.

Moved by Fisher, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6571 RESOLUTION TO ENTER AGREEMENT WITH FEDERAL SIGNAL SAFETY AND SECURITY SYSTEMS, BLUE VALLEY PUBLIC SAFETY, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF WARNING SIREN IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,472.09, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Porath, Denner.  Nays – None.  Absent – None.  Resolution approved.

The TRIBE Trail Committee presented an amended Offer to Buy Real Estate Agreement. Megan Baltes explained the two changes made to the agreement. Initially, the Council approved Resolution #6561 in March 2023. This resolution will override #6561. This is needed to complete Phase 3 of the TRIBE Trail.  Moved by Porath, seconded by Denner; That Resolution No. 6572 RESOLUTION A RESCINDING RESOLUTION #6561 AND APPROVING AN OFFER TO BUY REAL ESTATE FOR THE TRIBE TRAIL PHASE 3 FROM JOE & PHYLLIS LEIBOLD, be approved.  Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Porath, Denner.  Nays – None.  Absent – None.  Resolution approved.

Economic Development Director Tammy Robinson presented information she received from INRCOG regarding possible matching housing grant funds.  A representative from INRCOG will be in attendance at the May 15th council meeting to present the opportunity to the City Council. Moved by Fisher, seconded by Speltz; That RESOLUTION NO. 6573 A RESOLUTION TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR MAY 15, 2023 AT 7:00 PM TO DISCUSS THE SCOPE OF WORK AND POSSIBLE FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR HOUSING GRANT FUNDS, be approved. Ayes – Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Speltz, Porath, Denner.  Nays – None.  Absent – None.  Resolution approved.

Councilmember McDonald thanked the city departments heads and their staff for continuing to make the city of New Hampton a great place to live.  McDonald also requested staff to prepare information for possible payment schedules for the street improvement project that is currently being prepared.  The cost estimate for these four street reconstruction projects is $5,842,641.

Staff has scheduled a wastewater treatment plant finance meeting, with the City’s industries who have large contributions to the wastewater treatment plant, for Tuesday May 9th, 2023 at 10:30 am.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Speltz; that the meeting adjourn at 7:51 p.m. Ayes – Six.  Nays – None. Absent – None.  Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Schwickerath, Mayor