City Council Minutes | October 16, 2023

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
October 16, 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, October 16, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Denner, Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Porath and Speltz. Also in attendance were Tim Pederson, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, City Attorney Todd Prichard, Bob Fenske, Shawn Hildahl, Red Power Representatives including Buck Henderson, Joe Kapaun, Brian Tenge, several NHHS students, Brad Nelson, Toby Schwickerath, Marc Andera, Nick Jurgensen and Matt Kuhn.

1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve City Council Minutes of October 2, 2023
3. Approve City Claims of $112,697.87
4. Airport Request to Rent Utility Tractor for 2024 Season for $3,000
5. Airport Commission Minutes of August 14th & October 9, 2023
6. Park & Rec Board Minutes of October 4, 2023
7. Library Minutes of October 3, 2023
8. Committee as a Whole Minutes of October 2, 2023
9. Department Head Minutes of October 3, 2023
10. Fire Department Minutes of October 2, 2023
11. Butch’s Place-Class C Retail License #LC0039605 effective 11-1-2023
12. Dak’s Tap – Class C Retail License #LC0048930 effective 10-27-2023
13. A-T-V Shack – Class E Retail License effective10-27-2023
14. FMC Agenda & Minutes10-10-2023
15. Moody’s Investors Service – Annual Profile/Comment October 2023
16. Upper Wapsipinicon River Watershed Management Authority Board Request of $600
17. Finance Reports

FUND RECEIVED DISBURSED

GENERAL $108,976.65 $138,680.50
ROAD USE TAX $54,788.73 $40,928.02
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $10,603.64 $21,715.47
SELF INSURANCE FUND $8,861.44 $17,892.92
LOCAL OPTION TAX $55,396.89 $0.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $0.00 $6,163.02
TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL $20,773.40 $0.00
SPECIAL REVENUE- GRANTS $19.00 $0.00
DEBT SERVICE $3,145.50 $0.00
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $76.67 $152.38
COMM CENTER RENOVATION $150.00 $16,927.09
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $9,090.14 $10.00
STORM WATER CAPITAL PROJ $5,215.29 $5.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS $51,568.74 $232,957.40
WATER UTILITY $86,190.89 $22,965.72
SEWER UTILITY $70,547.29 $47,488.49
SOLID WASTE $12,393.45 $12,684.32
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $4,472.67 $5.00
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $4,460.72 $5.00
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $1,155.00 $1,741.00
PERPETUAL CARE $420.00 $0.00
TOTAL $508,306.11 $560,321.33

Moved by Denner, seconded by McDonald; that the Cinco De Mayo Mexican Kitchen and Bar liquor license request be removed from the Consent Agenda and the remaining items be approved as presented; Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Public Works Director Mai presented an amendment to the existing Fee Schedule including the following recommendations:

Directional Boring Trenching: $0.75/SF entrance to exit of excavation areas + $0.50/LF trench/boring (Min. $50)
Coring: $50.00 per core

Moved by Porath; seconded by Humpal; That the second reading of amending the Ordinance for the City of Hampton’s Fee Schedule, be approved. Ayes – Denner, Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Porath. Speltz. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried. Mayor Schwickerath requested the third and final reading of the ordinance change be on the November 6, 2023 City Council agenda.

Toby Schwickerath, Fire Chief, informed the council that the Fire Department would like to plan to purchase a tanker truck instead of a quick attack vehicle. Schwickerath requested the City Council endorse the process to begin the research for taking bids for a new tanker truck; Schwickerath is estimating that the cost could exceed $600,000 but will provide more information to the council when his research is completed. The Council requested that both Dayton & New Hampton Townships are informed of the possible pricing. Moved by Humpal, seconded by Fisher; That the City Council endorse the New Hampton Fire Department bidding process for a replacement tanker truck, be approved. Ayes – Denner, Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Porath. Speltz. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

New Hampton Red Power, located at 2205 240th Street, is planning on constructing a building and is requesting the New Hampton Fire Department’s assistance with meeting the State of Iowa Fire Marshalls requirements for fire protection.
Toby Schwickerath, Fire Chief, shared his concerns with the council citing the lack of volunteers and resources to assist Red Power. After a lengthy discussion, Moved by Speltz, seconded by McDonald; To allow Fire Chief Toby Schwickerath to prepare a letter to allow the variance for New Hampton Red Power for fire protection requirements; to allow the Fire Department to amend the current budget with a portion of the billed charges, be approved. Ayes – Denner, Fisher, Humpal, McDonald, Porath. Speltz. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Public Works Director Casey Mai requested City Council input regarding dead or diseased ash trees that are located on private property which need to be taken down. The current City Code does allow the city to enforce the removal of dead trees, but Council is concerned about the financial constraints that residents may be experiencing. It was determined to mail residents an initial notice letter requesting each resident’s plan of removing the dead/diseased trees from their property; the resident should respond within 90 days of receipt of receiving this letter. The Council also requested all dead/diseased be removed no later than September 1, 2024. Moved by Speltz, seconded by Porath; To direct Public Works Director Casey Mai to contact all property owners with a dead/diseased tree(s) with an initial letter requesting their plans to remove the tree(s) and requesting all dead/diseased tree(s) be removed from private property by September 1, 2024, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Moved by Fisher, seconded by Denner; that the meeting adjourn at 8:11 p.m. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Robert Schwickerath, Mayor