City Council Minutes | October 18, 2021

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
October 18, 2021 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 18, 2021. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Diiro, Fisher, McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner. Also in attendance were Zachary Nosbisch, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Mindy Humpal, Kalista Daly, Harry & Vivian Zipse, Darren Steinlage, Amy Ameling, Doug Eagan, a NHHS government class student and City Attorney Todd Prichard.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Diiro; that the agenda be approved as presented. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.

Moved by Diiro, seconded by Fisher; That the minutes of the regular council meeting of October 4, 2021, be approved. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.

Moved by Perkins, seconded by Denner; That the claims in the amount of $43,100.97 be approved. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.

Public Works Director Casey Mai is requesting approval of extending the city water and storm sewer mains for Melrose Wood, LLC for the Melrose East condo development on Lake View Court. The request includes 270’ of 42” pipe to reach the development. Moved by Perkins, seconded by Denner; That the request of Melrose Woods, LLC for water and storm sewer extensions for the Melrose East condominium development, be approved. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.

Director Amy Ameling, of Great Plays Day Care / Little Sprouts Children’s Center, shared with the council the plans on relocating the day care to the First United Methodist Church at 201 N Locust. They are requesting to place a dumpster on North Locust Ave. during the remodeling project; secondly, they would like to have five parking spots on North Locust specifically reserved for “Pickup & Drop off only” from 6:00 am – 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday; and finally, request a crosswalk be painted on East Court Street to provide a safe area for staff and students cross to the playground to the empty lot on the south side of East Court. Tammy Robinson also spoke on behalf of the request that the day care facility and stated they will do whatever it takes to ensure the facility is compliant with DHS, City of New Hampton Ordinances and State of Iowa laws.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Fisher; that Great Plays Day Care/ Little Sprouts Children’s Center following requests, be approved.
1. Place dumpster on North Locust Ave during remodeling project.
2. Proceed with ordinance change for limited time parking for five parking stalls on the east side of North Locust Ave for “Pickup up and Drop off only” from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday – Friday.
3. Proceed with resolution to direct Street department to paint crosswalk on East Court Street
Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Police officer Doug Eagan is requesting a leave of absence to care for an immediate family member. City Attorney Todd Prichard explained that the mandated Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allowed Eagan this benefit and that council approval is not required. Eagan also requested that a larger portion of an employee’s sick leave be allowed to be used for taking care of immediate family members. The current Union Contract allows for a 5 day limit of sick leave to be used for care of an immediate family member. The Council did not want to request changing the union agreement at this time. Moved by Denner, seconded by Fisher; That the leave of absence for police officer, Doug Eagan, be approved.
Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Darrin Steinlage would like to purchase the property which the city owns that adjoins the property his son, Jared Steinlage, owns at 810 East Main. The city does have a water main on the property. PWD Casey Mai does consider this property valuable to the city for possible future development and recommends maintaining possession of the 21,000 sq ft parcel of land. No action was taken.

Attorney Judy O’Donohoe contacted the City on behalf of the Margaret Schwickerath Estate regarding the property at 107 N. Pleasant Hill. The City of New Hampton has a special assessment on the lot for $3,210 which was for expenses of tearing down the house, a nuisance, in July, 1998. There are also unpaid taxes that have accumulated for several years. Moved by Perkins, seconded by Boos; that Resolution No. 6489 A RESOLUTION TO CANCEL THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ON PARCEL ID 191007126327 AT 107 NORTH PLEASANT HILL, NEW HAMPTON, IOWA AND DIRECT THE CITY CLERK TO PROCEED WITH THE CANCELLATION WITH THE CHICKASAW COUNTY TREASURER IN ELIMINATING THE FEES AND TAXES, be approved Ayes – Diiro, Fisher, McDonald, Perkins, Boos, Denner Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.

Moved by Denner, seconded by McDonald; That Ryan Schawver be appointed to the Board of Adjustment with a term ending July 1, 2026, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

City Attorney Todd Prichard reported that the Board of Adjustment meeting to discuss the variance request meeting with Mark & Diane Beckman, property owner at 115 North Walnut, was postponed until November 1, 2021 at 5:30 pm.

City Attorney Todd Prichard reported that the Board of Adjustment approved the use exception request for Great Plays Day Care / Little Sprouts Children’s Center, which will be located at 201 North Locust in the First United Methodist Church.

As a result of the 2020 US Census, the city is required to review wards and precincts to ensure population fairness among the 4 wards. Within 60 days after the Iowa Legislature finalizes the state-level redistricting map, cities that are requires to update their precincts or wards or verification of existing precincts/wards much submit them to the Iowa Secretary of State (SOS) office. Moved by Perkins, seconded by Diiro; That council members McDonald and Boos participate on the Redistricting committee for the 2020 Census, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Perkins; That the minutes and correspondence be accepted and placed on file. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.

Library Minutes of September 7, 2021
Fire Department Minutes of October 4, 2021
Department Head Minutes of October 5, 2021
Park & Rec Minutes of October 6, 2021
IA Dept of Natural Resources – Letter of Noncompliance
Library Minutes of October 6, 2021

PWD Casey Mai discussed the Letter of Noncompliance with the WWTP. The violations have been addressed.

City Clerk Karen Clemens reminded the Council that the letters from the Service Line Warranties of America will be mailed on October 29, 2021.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Boos; that the meeting adjourn at 7:54 p.m. Ayes-Six. Nays-None. Absent–None. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Robert Schwickerath, Mayor