City Council Minutes | October 5, 2020

City Council
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Monday
October 5, 2020 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 on Monday, October 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Kuhn, McDonald, Boos, Denner, Diiro. Perkins was absent. Also in attendance were Zach Nosbisch, Tim Angell, Bob Fenske, Eric Kuehn, Chad McGee and City Attorney Kevin Kennedy.

Moved by Dirro, seconded by Boos; The agenda be approved as presented. Ayes- Five. Nays – None. Absent – Perkins. Motion carried.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Kuhn; That the minutes of the September 21, 2020 regular Council meeting, be approved. Ayes- Five. Nays – None. Absent – Perkins. Motion carried.

Moved by McDonald, seconded by Diiro; That claims in the amount of $105,962.38 be approved. Ayes- Five. Nays – None. Absent – Perkins. Motion carried.

City Clerk Clemens presented a procurement policy for City of New Hampton departments to utilize. The policy is required to apply for FEMA/Iowa Homeland Security grants for COVID19 related expenses. Moved by Kuhn, seconded by McDonald; That Resolution No. 6445 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING A PROCUREMENT POLICY, be approved. Ayes – Kuhn, McDonald, Boos, Denner, Diiro. Nays – None. Absent – Perkins. Resolution adopted.

Councilmember Diiro, reporting from the Committee As a Whole meeting, presented a proposal to consolidate the supervisory positions of the street, water and wastewater departments. With the retirement of Mai and Angell, the question to change staffing seemed timely. There was a lengthy discussion of creating a job description, determining the salary/wage range and determining where this new position would fit with the current organizational chart. There is emphasis on finding staff with the appropriate Grade 2, 3 or 4 certifications that our wwtp requires. The council agreed that the position would require working a larger percentage of time with the street department and those responsibilities of the street department. Moved by Denner, seconded by McDonald; To direct the Committee as a Whole to create a new position that will supervise the street, sewer and water departments and to determine the appropriate wage scale for this position. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Perkins. Motion carried.

Councilmember Kuhn presented information he has gathered regarding other communities’ policies with regard to the size of accessory buildings. The Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended limiting the size of accessory buildings to 1,500 sq ft, but the council wanted to evaluate other options. Councilmember Kuihn and McDonald will work of the specifics of a new proposal and will present their recommendations at the next regular council meeting on October 19, 2020.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Kuhn; That Tim & Marsha Angell & Bill & Mary Prouty, request to close one block of East Gardner from Chestnut Avenue to Locust Avenue from 12:00 pm on Thursday, October 8, 2020 until 3:00 pm on Saturday October 10th to hold a Vintage Market sale, be approved. Ayes- Five. Nays – None. Absent – Perkins. Motion carried.

Officer McGee presented a public awareness campaign entitled “Start By Believing”. This campaign is a program of ‘End Violence Against Women International’ and is designed to improve the responses of friends, family members, and community professionals, so they can help victims to access supportive resources and engage the criminal justice system. McGee requested the council login to the Start By Believing website to learn more about the program. He will present additional information in future meetings.

Moved by Kuhn, Seconded by McDonald ; That Resolution No. 6446 RESOLUTION APPROVING DEPOSITORIES, be approved. Ayes – Kuhn, McDonald, Boos, Denner, Diiro. Nays – None. Absent – Perkins. Resolution adopted.

Depository Name Location of Home Office Maximum Balance in Effect
First Citizens National Bank Mason City, Iowa $7,000,000
Fidelity Bank & Trust Dubuque, Iowa $7,000,000
Luana Savings Bank Luana, Iowa $7,000,000
Bank Iowa West Des Moines, Iowa $7,000,000

City Attorney Kevin Kennedy shared with the Council the Board of Adjustment decisions made earlier in the evening. The building permit for Chris and Anna Havlik to build a front porch was approved. The building permit request for Erin Erdman to build an attached garage was also approved.

Moved by Kuhn, seconded by Boos; That the following be accepted and placed on file.

  1. Library Minutes of September 10, 2020
  2. Airport Minutes of August 10, 2020
  3. Committee As A Whole Minutes of September 30, 2020.
  4. Letter from LTD Broadband, September 22, 2020.

Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Perkins. Motion carried.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Diiro; That the meeting adjourn at 8:22 p.m. Ayes –Five. Nays – None. Absent – Perkins. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: KAREN CLEMENS, CMC, City Clerk

ROBERT SCHWICKERATH, Mayor