City Council Minutes | September 18, 2023

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
September 18, 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, September 18, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Speltz, Denner, Fisher and McDonald. Porath and Humpal were absent. Also in attendance were Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, City Attorney Todd Prichard, Matt Kuhn, Tony Trower, Rose Reicherts, Isaiah Eike and several NHHS students.

1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve City Council Minutes of September 5, 2023
3. Approve City Claims of $69,688.11
4. Floyd Mitchell Chickasaw Landfill Report
5. Library Minutes of September 6, 2023
6. Little Light of Mine Street Closure Request
7. Park & Rec Minutes of September 5, 2023
8. Fire Department Minutes of September 11, 2023
9. Department Head Minutes of September 12, 2023
10. Iowa League of Cities Budget Workshop Registration
11. Street Closure Request: Chamber of Commerce & NHCSD Homecoming Parade
12. Finance Reports

FUND LAST REPORT RECEIVED DISBURSED

GENERAL $47,458.05 $233,006.70
ROAD USE TAX $39,973.76 $77,934.67
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $16,047.91 $25,933.37
SELF INSURANCE FUND $12,653.51 $22,630.61
LOCAL OPTION TAX $62,271.95 $0.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $8,936.02 $0.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES $2,978.68 $0.00
SPECIAL REVENUE- GRANTS $26.00 $32,965.00
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $10,411.57 $155.77
COMM CENTER RENOVATION $0.00 $699.66
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $9,784.12 $14.67
STORM WATER CAPITAL PROJECTS $5,595.87 $7.32
CAPITAL PROJECTS $23,113.84 $36,218.05
WATER UTILITY $95,546.51 $28,658.33
SEWER UTILITY $161,823.75 $112,921.94
SOLID WASTE $13,410.70 $12,547.45
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $4,849.02 $9.85
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $4,830.99 $9.86
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $2,476.00 $1,509.00
TOTAL $522,188.25 $585,222.25

Moved by McDonald, seconded by Speltz; that the Consent Agenda be approved as presented; Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Porath, Humpal. Motion carried.

Bids for the sale of the police departments 2014 Dodge Charger were due by 5:00 pm September 18, 2023. Bids were received as follows:
Bidder Amount
Kurt Volker $2,260.00
Isaiah Eike $4,276.21
Nick Tank $2,676.00
Gabrielle Eagen $3,005.00
Ringwood Motors $1,888.00
Emergency Remarking $1,729.18

Moved by Denner, seconded by Fisher; That Resolution No 6592 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE BID OF ISAIAH EIKE IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,276.21 FOR THE 2014 DODGE CHARGER, be approved. Ayes: Speltz, Denner, Fisher, McDonald. Nays – None. Absent – Porath, Humpal. Resolution approved.

Councilmember McDonald shared the document titled 2023 Official Project Prioritization Questionnaire with the council which can be distributed to all city departments to update the Capital Improvements Plan. Moved by Denner, seconded by Speltz; To approve the Capital Improvement Project Questionnaire and request city department heads to update their CIP plans. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Porath, Humpal. Motion carried.

Moved by McDonald, seconded by Denner; To table the discussion regarding the water main extension to the Chickasaw County Heritage Building and set a Committee As A Whole meeting to discuss annexation. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Porath, Humpal. Motion Carried.

Jendro Sanitation has notified the City that the monthly garbage rates will increase by 8.4% effective October 1, 2023. The increase is a result of the Consumer Price Index increase of 5.9% and a tipping fee increase at the FMC Landfill of 2.5%. The Solid Waste Fund has a June 30, 2023 ending cash fund balance of $93,918.57 which can be used to absorb the monthly cost increase. Moved by Fisher, seconded by McDonald; To allow that the increase in monthly fees effective October 1, 2023 of 8.4%, which is $.73 per resident, per month, be absorbed the City’s existing Solid Waste Fund cash balance and not to pass the increase to residents bills, be approved. Ayes – Four. Nays – None. Absent – Porath, Humpal. Motion carried.

The Council was notified by the Iowa Department of Transportation that the traffic signals located at the intersection of North Linn Ave and West Prospect can be removed if approved by the council. Resident Tony Trower shared his concerns with the Council that the signal is effective and it allows safe pedestrian traffic, despite the heavy vehicle traffic on North Linn Ave. Mayor Schwickerath will contact Jay Jurrens with the New Hampton Community School District to learn if the school district has concerns about the intersection and will report back to the Council at the next council meeting.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Fisher; That the council go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)c, which provides: To discuss strategy with Council in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation, be approved. Ayes – Speltz, Denner, Fisher, McDonald. Nays – None. Absent – Porath, Humpal. Motion carried.

Entered Closed Session at 7:35 pm.

Resumed Open Session at 8:11 pm.

There was no action taken from closed session.

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

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Robert Schwickerath, Mayor