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 20, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Geerts at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Also in attendance were Interim Police Chief Chad McGee, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Kelly Terpstra with the NH Tribune, Toby Schwickerath, Mark Andera, Nick Jurgenson, Brian Laures, Jeremy McGrath, Chip & Darlene Schwickerath, Pete & Dixie Zeien, Kerstin Schwickerath, Nate Schwickerath, Tara Hackman and Dakota Gaede.
Approve meeting agenda:
- Approve meeting agenda
- Approve City Council Minutes on May 6, 2024.
- Approve City Claims of $172,936.67
- Department Head Minutes May 7, 2024
- Fire Dept Minutes May 5, 2024
- Park & Rec Minutes of May 8, 2024
- License BW0095820 The Blue Iris LLC – May 15, 2024
- Chamber of Commerce Street Closure request: Farmers Markets multiple dates
- Finance Reports
| FUND | RECEIVED | DISBURSED |
| GENERAL | $690,587.69 | $248,844.30 |
| ROAD USE TAX | $40,989.13 | $98,415.45 |
| SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN | $77,758.11 | $20,289.18 |
| SELF INSURANCE FUND | $12,505.39 | $9,704.29 |
| LOCAL OPTION TAX | $44,146.35 | $0.00 |
| HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX | $0.00 | $6,000.00 |
| HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES | $34.00 | $0.00 |
| TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL | $101,683.84 | $0.00 |
| HOUSING REHAB. GRANT | $0.00 | $480.48 |
| SPECIAL REVENUE- GRANTS | $67.00 | $3,648.25 |
| DEBT SERVICE | $23,561.11 | $171,122.75 |
| LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS | $286.00 | $0.00 |
| ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS | $9,727.70 | $10.18 |
| STORMWATER CAPITAL PROJ | $5,530.19 | $5.08 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS | $37,950.84 | $5,937.25 |
| WATER UTILITY | $63,173.29 | $26,745.42 |
| SEWER UTILITY | $130,884.81 | $43,481.25 |
| WASTEWATER PROJECT | $585.62 | $230.00 |
| SOLID WASTE | $32,411.38 | $32,952.46 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER | $4,810.09 | $5.08 |
| CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER | $4,777.10 | $5.08 |
| CUSTOMER DEPOSITS | $1,006.00 | $947.00 |
| PERPETUAL CARE | $70.00 | $0.00 |
| TOTAL | $1,282,545.64 | $668,823.50 |
Moved by Humpal, seconded by Porath; That the agenda be amended by removing agenda Item I. CONSIDERATION OF EXTENDING OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT FOR CHIEF OF POLICE. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
Moved by Porath, seconded by Speltz; that the consent agenda be approved as amended. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING FOR HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposed Hazard Mitigation Plan. 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 16th day of May 2024 in New Hampton in the County of Chickasaw. Mayor Geerts asked for oral comments. Council members requested additional edits to the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Mayor Geerts asked for written comments. There were none. Mayor Geerts declared the hearing closed. Moved by Porath, seconded by Larsen; To table the resolution for the Hazard Mitigation Plan until the June 3, 2024 City Council meeting Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
7:00 PM PUBLIC HEARING FOR CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON
Mayor Geerts announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing on the proposed Code of Ordinance of the City of New Hampton. 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 9th day of May 2024 in New Hampton in the County of Chickasaw.
Mayor Geerts asked for oral comments. Several residents shared their concerns about the impact that the code changes will have on the residential rental property, specifically parking concerns. Property owner Nate Schwickerath posed several issues regarding inoperable cars and parking restrictions. Other residents shared issues of dilapidated houses and junk vehicles in yards. Fire Chief Toby Schwickerath also shared concerns regarding several items in the code.
After a lengthy discussion, Mayor Geerts declared the hearing closed.
Moved by Denner seconded by Speltz; That the proposed Ordinance titled AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE ‘CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON, IOWA’, receive its first consideration. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
Mayor Geerts ordered the item be on the agenda at the next regular council meeting for its second consideration.
City Staff is recommending approval of a Fee Schedule with an effective date of July 1, 2024. The fee schedule will be approved by resolution going forward so an ordinance will not be necessary. Moved by Porath, seconded by Larsen; That Resolution No. 6637 ADOPTING THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON FEE SCHEDULE FOR THOSE FEES TO GO INTO EFFECT JULY 1, 2024, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution carried.
PWD Mai requested bids for a Street Restoration Project which was due on May 20th, 2024 at 5:00 pm.
CONTRACTOR PRICE
Black Top Service $3.23/sq yard -Total bid of $49,096.00
Fahrner Asphalt Sealers $2.98/sq yard -Total Bid of $45,296.00
The bids were shared with PWD Mai and staff for review for approval at the June 3, 2024 City Council meeting.
City Clerk Karen Clemens presented the Local Union #2003 signed labor agreement with the City Council. The contract is a three year agreement with scheduled wage increases of July 1st, 2024 of 3%, July 1st, 2025 of 4% and July 1, 2026 of 3%. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Denner; That Resolution NO. 6638 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A THREE YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE LOCAL UNION #2003 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution carried.
Mayor Geerts would like to advertise an opening for an officer in the police department. The position will be published for 30 days or until the vacancy has been filled. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Porath; To direct City Clerk Karen Clemens to advertise the vacancy and accept applications for the police officer position in the New Hampton Police Department, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
Park & Rec Director Tara Hackman requested council approval for a Change Order on the TRIBE Trail Phase 3 project in the amount $6,220. The contractor incurred additional costs due to tearing a building down on the trail that was not part of the original bidding process. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Fisher; That Resolution No. 6639 A RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGE ORDER #01 IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,220.00 WITH WICK’S CONSTRUCTION AND THE TRIBE TRAIL PHASE III PROJECT, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution carried.
Park & Rec Director Tara Hackman informed the City Council on the TRIBE Trail plans to install flashing lights at the trails crossing on South Linn Ave, near 459 South Linn and 516 South Linn. Preliminary estimates for installing flashing crossing lights on the east and west side of South Linn Ave is approximately $17,000. The Council encouraged Hackman to continue with the installation of the lights so they are installed when the TRIBE Trail is completed.
Rose Phillips with INRCOG has prepared another contract for the Housing Preservation Grant Project.
Moved by Fisher, seconded by Humpal; That Resolution No. 6640 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of New Hampton, Iowa, Awarding an Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Contract to GLIDEWELL CONTRACTING for PROJECT #2 of the New Hampton Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) Program, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution carried.
City Attorney Todd Prichard has received information from Precision of New Hampton regarding the existing litigation between the two entities. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Fisher; That the council go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)c, which provides: To discuss strategy with Council in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
Entered Closed Session at 9:23 pm
Resumed Open Session at 9:27 pm.
Action taken as a result of closed session:
Moved by Porath, seconded by Denner; To direct City Attorney Todd Prichard to reject the offer made by Precision of New Hampton regarding the construction of a building over the City of New Hampton’s storm sewer easement. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motin carried.
Moved by Fisher, seconded by Larsen ; that the meeting adjourn at 9:38 p.m. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.
ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk
Steve Geerts, Mayor