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 4, 2024. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Geerts at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Larsen, Porath Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Fisher was absent. Also in attendance were Conrad Rosendahl, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Bob Fenske, Chris & Sara Onken, Steve Troyer with Strand Associates and several NHHS students.
Approve meeting agenda
Approve City Council Minutes of October 21, 2024.
Approve City Claims of $91,151.62
Airport Minutes of 10-14-2024
Library Minutes of 10-1-2024
ABD License: Class C Retail – Dak’s Tap 10-27-2024
ABD License: Class B Retail – Kwik Star #895 12-29-24
ABD License: Class B Retail Native Wine – Pocketful of Posies 11-1-2024
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Motion carried.
The Mayor announced that on October 21, 2024, the City Council had given its initial 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 Larsen that the aforementioned ordinance be given its second consideration and that it be adopted.
Whereupon, the Mayor declared the motion duly carried and declared that said ordinance had been given its second consideration.
Strand Associates engineer, Steve Troyer, was in attendance to explain the necessary agreements for the continued development of the WWTP and facilities. This amendment extends the term of the existing engineering agreement from 2 to 10 years. Moved by Porath, seconded by Humpal That RESOLUTION No. 6682 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT NO 1 TO AGREEMENT FOR TECHNICAL SERVICES WITH STRAND ASSOCIATES, INC., be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Resolution approved.
The On-Call Engineering agreement allows for Strand Associates, Inc. to continue the calculation of the M&O shared costs. These M&O calculations determine the share of expense that the industries utilize based on their flows.
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Speltz; That RESOLUTION No. 6683 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TASK ORDER NO. 24-01 FOR ON-CALL ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH STRAND ASSOCIATES, INC. be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Resolution approved.
The last agreement needing approval is for the engineering services for the pre-construction modifications for the WWTP. Moved by Porath, seconded by Humpal; That RESOLUTION No. 6684 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TASK ORDER NO. 24-02 FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENTS PLANT MODIFICATIONS WITH STRAND ASSOCIATES, INC., be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Humpal. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Resolution approved.
At the October 21st, 2024 council meeting Joel Knutson requested the council consider installing stop signs on East Prospect at the intersection of North Water Ave. His concern, now that the Chickasaw County EMS is established at their N Water location, that additional traffic controls might be necessary. Moved by Humpal, seconded by Larsen; That That RESOLUTION # 6685 A RESOLUTION APPROVING INSTALLATION OF STOP SIGNS AT THE EAST AND WEST BOUND TRAFFIC LANES AT THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH WATER AVENUE AND EAST PROSPECT, be approved. Ayes – Larsen, Porath, Speltz, Humpal. Nays – Denner. Absent – Fisher. Resolution approved.
In the Union Agreement, which was in effect July 1, 2024, the police department changed their work schedule to include 10 and 12 hours work days. As a result of this change, police officers are requesting a change to their earned vacation hours based on a 10 or 12 hour work day vs an 8 hour work day. The council also discussed a discrepancy in the union agreement regarding the length of probation for newly hired employees; and there is a discrepancy how the starting wage for a newly hired peace officer is determined. Union steward Chris Onken spoke on behalf of the union and agreed that there needs to be a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prepared to make these clarifications. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Larsen; To direct City Attorney Todd Prichard to prepare a MOU clarifying three items: 1. Earned vacation hours, not days 2. Probation clarification for newly hired employees and 3. Determination of a base pay for newly hired peace officers. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Motion carried.
Moved by Denner, seconded by Speltz That RESOLUTION No. 6686 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS FROM TAX INCREMENT REVENUE, be approved.
Gage Investments LLC
$3,250
MDK No. 3
$11,300
MDK No. 4
$30,500
New Hampton Tran.
$16,500
New Hampton Tran.
$30,500
Midwest Floors
$4,300
DTS Realty
$4,800
Dungey’s Furniture
$27,300
Hugeback Funeral Homes LLC
$13,650
JKN Properties
$9,700
4 The Cross Rentals
$1,270
Big Squeeze
$700
Five Star Cooperative
$100,000
Ozo Kleen
$775
MM Real Estate Holdings
$12,400
Security State Bank
$20,650
BTR Investments LLC
$1,000
South Lake Condo Assoc
$25,000
TIF Projects
$175,000
Total
$488,595
City Attorney Todd Prichard updated the council on the recent grievance and arbitration hearing. The grievant will receive the rate of pay at the time of the transfer plus back pay to the date of transfer.
Council member Humpal attended and appreciated the Library’s 125th Anniversary event.
Council member Porath encouraged everyone to vote in the November 5th General Election.
Moved by Porath, seconded by Speltz; that the meeting adjourn at 7:45 pm. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Motion carried.
