City Council Minutes | November 6, 2023

Council Chambers
Monday
November 6, 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, November 6, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Humpal, McDonald, Porath, Speltz and Denner. Fisher was absent. Also in attendance were Tim Pederson, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, City Attorney Todd Prichard, Bob Fenske, Becky Schwab with SEH, Inc., Megan Baltes, Tara Hackman, Matt Kuhn and several NHHS government students.

1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve City Council Minutes of October 16, 2023
3. Approve City Claims of $107,150.57
4. Class B Retail Native Wine: Pocketful of Posies – 11/1/2023
5. Class C Retail Alcohol License: Cinco De Mayo Mexican Kitchen & Bar – 10/13/2023
6. Class B Retail Alcohol License: Kwik Star #895 – 12/29/2023
7. Class C Retail Alcohol License: JLEB, LLC (Bowlaway Lanes) – 11/15/2023
8. Cemetery Board Minutes of October 22, 2023
9. Committee as a Whole Minutes of October 16, 2023
10. Stipulation of Public Safety Status PPME Local 2003
11. 2023 Annual Financial Report

Moved by McDonald, seconded by Humpal; that the Consent agenda be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Motion carried.

Moved by Denner; seconded by Porath; that Ordinance #894 AMENDING THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON FEE SCHEDULE, be approved. Ayes – Humpal, McDonald, Porath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher.

Mayor Schwickerath declared Ordinance # 894 duly adopted.

The TRIBE Trail committee opened bids for the final phase of the TRIBE Trail on October 23rd. SEH engineer, Becky Schwab, assisted with the bid opening. Bids received were as follows:

Croell, Inc. $667,815.30
Wick’s Construction – $576,732.00

Schwab recommended to the Council to award the bid to Wick’s Construction noting that the bid is a 21% reduction from the engineer’s estimates. Moved by Denner, seconded by McDonald. That Resolution No. 6596 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF WICK’S CONSTRUCTION FOR THE TRIBE TRAIL PHASE III in the amount of $576,732.00, be approved. Ayes – Humpal, McDonald, Porath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Resolution approved.

Moved by Denner, seconded by McDonald; That Resolution No. 6597 A RESOLUTION MAKING AWARD OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO WICK’S CONSTRUCTION FOR THE TRIBE TRAIL PHASE III, be approved. Ayes – Humpal, McDonald, Porath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Resolution approved.

City Clerk Karen Clemens presented the TIF Indebtedness needed to fund the TIF projects for the 2024/2025 Fiscal Year. This certification is due to the Chickasaw County Auditor’s office by December 1, 2023. Moved by Porath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6598 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS FROM TAX INCREMENT REVENUE, be approved. Ayes – Humpal, McDonald, Porath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Resolution approved.

City Clerk Karen Clemens shared the tentative plan to offer a discounted rate for garbage pickup for residents 65 years and older is a discriminatory price; the Iowa State Auditor office advised Clemens and City Council to not adopt this pricing method. As a result, Jendro Sanitation has offered a lower rate for all customers of $13.99 per month, a reduction from the original quote of $15.09 per month. The Council discussed delaying the price change until the February 2024 billing and have the solid waste fund will absorb the price increases in December and January 2024. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Porath; That Resolution No. 6599 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE GARBAGE FEE CHANGES including the following:
1. MONTHLY FEE OF $13.99 PER HOUSEHOLD
2. DIRECT CITY ATTORNEY PRICHARD TO UPDATE THE AGREEMENT WITH JENDRO SANITATION
3. UTILIZE SOLID WASTE FUNDS TO DEFER THE PRICE INCREASE UNTIL FEBRUARY 2024, be approved. Ayes – Humpal, McDonald, Porath, Speltz, Denner. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Resolution approved.

Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors chairperson, Matt Kuhn, was in attendance to request the City of New Hampton contribute to the water line extension costs to the Heritage Building at 2275 South Linn Ave. Kuhn requested the city pay for the increase expense from a 6” water line to 8” water line and pay for the automatic flusher. No action was taken

PWD Mai informed the council that there are 670 lead copper line inspections completed. He encouraged the council to inform their constituents to complete the survey.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Humpal; that the meeting adjourn at 7:29 p.m. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Fisher. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Robert Schwickerath, Mayor