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, November 18, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Geerts at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher and Larsen. Humpal was absent. Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard, Conrad Rosendahl, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Bob Fenske, Toby Schwickerath, Mark Andera, Nick Jurgensen, Jonas Schwickerath and several NHHS students.
Approve meeting agenda
Approve City Council Minutes of November 4, 2024.
Approve City Claims of $1,049,385.77
New Horizons Chamber Request to Close Streets 12-5-2024
Fire Department Minutes of 11-4-2024
Park & Rec Board Minutes of 11-6-2024
New Hires for Fire Department: Jayden Jones & Russell Haskins
Department Head Meeting Minutes 11-5-2024
Library Board Minutes of 11-13-2024
Class C Liquor License: Bowl Away Lanes & Lounge 11-15-2024
Home Occupation Permit for Federal Firearm License: J Gansen
Finance Reports
FUND
RECEIVED
DISBURSED
GENERAL
$711,606.37
$184,282.45
ROAD USE TAX
$39,862.61
$51,544.20
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN
$219,774.24
$20,141.76
SELF INSURANCE FUND
$7,981.00
$3,373.72
LOCAL OPTION TAX
$55,065.88
$0.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX
$4,417.09
$6,333.46
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES
$1,507.74
$0.00
TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL
$249,891.19
$0.00
HOUSING REHAB. GRANT
$14,580.38
$23,063.71
DEBT SERVICE
$23,405.86
$14,193.00
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS
$107.63
$785.60
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS
$10,356.69
$11.66
STORM WATER CAPITAL PROJ
$5,957.53
$5.84
CAPITAL PROJECTS
$97,861.96
$63,975.01
WATER UTILITY
$84,532.91
$37,170.05
SEWER UTILITY
$80,827.19
$38,516.07
SOLID WASTE
$35,021.89
$32,833.10
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER
$5,165.32
$5.84
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER
$5,076.82
$5.84
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS
$2,618.00
$740.00
TOTAL
$1,655,618.30
$476,981.31
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen; that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.
The Mayor announced that, on October 21, 2024 and November 4, 2024 the City Council had given its initial and second consideration and had adopted an ordinance entitled “Ordinance No. 898 An Ordinance Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the October, 2024 Addition to the New Hampton Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa.”
It was moved by Council Member Porath and seconded by Council Member Speltz that the aforementioned ordinance be given its final consideration and that it be adopted. Ayes – Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal.
Whereupon, the Mayor declared the motion duly carried and declared that said ordinance had been given its final consideration and has been adopted.
7:00 Public Hearing
The City Council investigated and found that notice of the intention of the Council to conduct a public hearing on a Development Agreement between the City and New Hampton Transfer & Storage, Inc. had been published according to law and as directed by the City Council and that this is the time and place at which the Council shall receive oral or written objections from any resident or property owner of the City. The Mayor asked for Oral Comments: Property owner, Jonas Schwickerath, shared a brief explanation of the project. The Mayor asked for Written Comments: There were none. There being no further objections or comments, the Mayor announced that the hearing was closed.
Moved by Denner, seconded by Fisher That RESOLUTION No. 6687 A RESOLUTION APPROVING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH NEW HAMPTON TRANSFER & STORAGE, INC. AUTHORIZING ANNUAL APPROPRIATION TAX INCREMENT PAYMENT AND PLEDGING CERTAIN TAX INCREMENT REVENUES TO THE PAYMENT OF THE AGREEMENT, be approved. Ayes – Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Larsen. Nays – None Absent – Humpal. Resolution approved
There was a Committee Meeting As A Whole at 6:00 pm prior to the regular city council meeting with Travis Squires with Piper Sandler, Inc.. Squires met with the council to discuss the financing of several capital improvement projects including the wastewater treatment plant and road reconstruction. PWD Casey Mai has scheduled a meeting with Squires to determine sewer rates for council review and subsequent approval. After a brief discussion, the Council requested another Committee As a Whole meeting at 5:30 pm on December 16th with Travis Squires.
PWD Casey Mai is requesting approval of hiring Jim Kuhn as ‘Public Works Operator’. This new position will allow Kuhn to be able to assist with any public works task. His starting pay will be $24.44 with a $.25 increase after 6 month probation. Moved by Larsen, seconded by Fisher; That RESOLUTION No. 6688 A RESOLUTION TO HIRE JIM KUHN AS PUBLIC WORKS OPERATOR AT A RATE OF PAY OF $24.44 PER HOUR EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 19, 2024 WITH AN INCREASE OF $.25 AFTER 6 MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT, be approved. Ayes – Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution approved
PWD Casey Mai is requesting approval of hiring Kyle Anderson. The position ‘Street, Water & Sanitary Superintendent” combines the responsibilities of three departments into one. His starting pay will be $65,000/year with a $5,000 + 3% increase July 1, 2025. Moved by Fisher, seconded by Porath; That RESOLUTION No. 6689 A RESOLUTION TO HIRE KYLE ANDERSON AS STREET, WATER & SANITARY SUPERINTENDENT AT AN ANNUAL RATE OF PAY OF $65,000 be approved. Ayes – Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution approved
PWD Casey Mai also informed the Council that the current Street Superintendent, Eric Kuehn, will transition to working at the wastewater treatment plant 100% in the next month and contractor, Iowa Municipal Solutions owner, Chris Even, will phase out his assistance with the City of New Hampton.
Council requested staff to review the Union Agreement with Union 2003 regarding clarification of vacation time off, probation length and the addition of pay increases for employees who are certified for water treatment, water distribution, wastewater or pesticide application. Local Union No. 2003 representative, Mark Hubbard, has signed the Memorandum of Understanding. Moved by Porath seconded by Larsen That RESOLUTION No 6690 RESOLUTION TO APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING THE LOCAL UNION #2003, be approved. Ayes – Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution approved
Economic Development Director Tammy Robinson shared that there is a continued lack of communication with the property owner, Josh Mack, regarding the unsafe conditions of 13 West Main Street. Robinson has visited with Kit O’Donohoe from Elwood O’Donohoe Braun & White Attorneys law firm requesting his representation for the City with any necessary legal action. City Attorney Todd Prichard cannot represent the city as he has a conflict of interest with Mr. Mack. Staff would like to proceed with enforcing legal action against the property owner declaring the building unsafe. Moved by Porath, seconded by Fisher That RESOLUTION No. 6691 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO PROCEED THE DECLARATION OF AN UNSAFE BUILDING AT 13 WEST MAIN AND HIRE ATTORNEY KIT O’DONOHOE OF ELWOOD O’DONOHOE LAW FIRM AS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE, be approved. Ayes – Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution approved.
Fire Chief Toby Schwickerath updated the council on the status of the damaged 2016 Grass Truck. The truck was heavily damaged at a fire in the 1st week of October as a result of heavy smoke, a tractor and grass truck collided. The insurance company has totaled the 2016 truck. The net settlement is $37,912, less the deductible. The salvage buy back amount is $10,225, with the net settlement of $27,662. Schwickerath is requesting council support to purchase a new truck chassis and rebuild the damaged 2016 grass truck with all the expenses the responsibility of New Hampton Firefighters Association.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz That That RESOLUTION No 6692 A RESOLUTION TO ALLOW FIRE CHIEF, TOBY SCHWICKERATH, TO PURCHASE NEW 2025 CAB & CHASSIS FOR A GRASS TRUCK AND TO REBUILD THE 2016 GRASS TRUCK, PENDING NEW HAMPTON FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION APPROVAL TO REIMBURSE THE CITY FOR ALL RELATED EXPENSES. Ayes – Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher, Larsen. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Resolution approved.
Moved by Speltz, seconded by Porath; that the meeting adjourn at 8:08 pm. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.
