City Council Minutes | November 4, 2019

COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Monday
November 4, 2019 7:00 pm

 

The City Council of the City of New Hampton met in regular session in the Council Chambers on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Larsen at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Diiro, Kuhn, Perkins, Carey and Denner. McDonald was absent. Zachary Nosbisch, Courtney Lechtenberg, Tammy Robinson, Tim Angell, Denise Sinnwell, Julie Winter-Havel, Lee Pool, Jason Speltz, Jason Rudd, Brandon Hemann, Jackie Perkins, Bob Fenske and City Attorney Kevin Kennedy were also present.

Moved by Carey, seconded by Diiro; The agenda be approved as presented. Ayes-Five. Nays-None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Carey; That the minutes of the October 21, 2019 regular Council meeting minutes be approved. Ayes-Five. Nays-None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Kuhn; That claims in the amount of $104,520.57 be approved. Ayes-Five. Nays-None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

Moved by Kuhn, seconded by Denner; That Ordinance # 873 entitled “AN ORDINANCE REQUIRING VEHICLES TRAVELING ON SPRING STREET TO YIELD AT SHEAKLEY AVENUE, receive its third and final consideration. Ayes – Diiro, Kuhn, Perkins, Carey, Denner. Nays- None. Absent – McDonald . Mayor Larsen ordered the Ordinance #873 duly adopted.

City Clerk Karen Clemens presented the 2018/2019 Annual Financial Report. Moved by Perkins, seconded by Carey ; That the 2018/2019 Annual Financial Report be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays-None. Absent-McDonald. Motion carried.

City Clerk Karen Clemens presented the 2020/2021 Annual Appropriations from Tax Increment Revenue. The amounts approved are the rebate amounts that will be paid in December 2020 and June 2021 to those businesses that have development agreements with the City of New Hampton. Moved by Kuhn, seconded by Perkins; That Resolution No. 6412 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIIZING ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS FROM TAX INCREMENT REVENUES, be approved. Ayes – Kuhn, Perkins, Carey, Denner. Nays- None. Abstention – Diiro. Absent – McDonald. Resolution approved.

Moved by Carey, seconded by Kuhn; That Resolution No. 6413 RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A PETTY CASH FUND OF $240.00 FOR THE NEW HAMPTON PUBLIC LIBRARY, be approved. Ayes – Diiro, Kuhn, Perkins, Carey, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Resolution approved.

Jason Speltz, Director of New Horizons-Chamber, explained the details of the agreement between the City of New Hampton, New Horizons-Chamber and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Moved by Perkins, seconded by Diiro; To direct Mayor Larsen to sign the Main Street Iowa Program Agreement, be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays-None. Absent-McDonald. Motion carried.

Lee Pool, organizer of The Little Light of Mine project explained their plans for December 20th at Mikkelson Park which includes reindeer, ice skating rink and fireworks. Moved by Denner, seconded by Kuhn; That the Little Light of Mine Committee be allowed to have a fireworks display on December 20, 2019 at Mikkelson Park, be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays-None. Absent-McDonald. Motion carried.

Mayor Larsen shared her concern over the existing sidewalk ordinance for main street businesses. The current ordinance allows a three foot area for displays and merchandise. Main street business owners would like to increase the area so they are allowed to have a display or signage but also does not impede pedestrian traffic. Jason Speltz, New Horizons Chamber director has contacted other Main Street Communities in Iowa and has received several variations of what is allowed. The three foot area is fairly consistent with the other communities. Jackie Perkins, owner of Schueth Ace Hardware, was concerned about the bicycles being allowed to ride on main street sidewalks. She claims that bicycles rding on the sidewalk in the business district is just as important of an issue due to safety concerns. The city council requested the Chamber of Commerce and main street business owners develop ordinance changes and present them to the city council. This will be discussed at a future meeting.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Dirro; That the liquor License No. LC0039605 for Butch’s Place and BC0029806 Kwik Star #895 be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays-None. Absent-McDonald. Motion carried.

Mayor Larsen requested the issue of riding bicycles on Main Street sidewalks be discussed at the next meeting.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Diiro; That the meeting adjourn at 7:29 p.m. Ayes-Five. Nays-None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: KAREN CLEMENS, CMC, City Clerk

DEBRA LARSEN, Mayor