City Council Minutes | September 19, 2022

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
September 19, 2022 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 19, 2022. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher, Humpal and McDonald. Also in attendance were Zach Nosbisch, Casey Mai and City Attorney Todd Prichard.

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

1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve City Council Minutes of September 6, 2022
3. Finance Reports for August 2022
4. Annual Urban Renewal Report, Fiscal Year 2021-2022
5. Approve and place on file Park & Recreation Board Minutes of September 7, 2022
6. Approve and place on file Fire Department Minutes of September 12, 2022
7. Approve and place on file Airport Commission Minutes of August 8, 2022
8. Approve and place on file Airport Commission Minutes of September 12, 2022
9. Black Hills Energy ‘Clean Energy’ Announcement
10. Board of Adjustment for Doug & Stephanie Schueth, David Drewelow
11. Upper Wapsipinicon Watershed Management Authority Minutes of September 13, 2022
12. Approve City Claims of $74,895.48

FUND LAST REPORT RECEIVED DISBURSED

GENERAL $61,635.52 $219,913.61
ROAD USE TAX $36,197.63 $40,228.24
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOY BEN $13,274.95 $21,811.66
LOCAL OPTION TAX $40,765.56 $0.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $11,318.50 $8,000.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX CAP RES $3,772.84 $0.00
SPECIAL REVENUE- GRANTS $254,675.57 $0.00
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECT $13.00 $125.00
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $8,454.56 $11.43
STORMWATER CAPITAL PRJ $4,949.24 $5.72
CAPITAL PROJECTS $51,765.12 $17,665.00
WATER UTILITY $56,048.19 $31,690.93
SEWER UTILITY $108,668.40 $87,297.87
WASTEWATER PROJECT $2,631.00 $0.00
SOLID WASTE $11,271.83 $23,912.72
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $4,130.56 $5.72
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $4,134.63 $5.72
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $1,581.00 $1,630.00
TRUST & AGENCY $17.00 $0.00
TOTAL $675,305.10 $452,303.62

Public Works Director Casey Mai shared with the council the repair needed a the wastewater treatment plant. A large pump is inoperable and needs repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Mai has approved Janda Motor Services to repair the existing pump instead of a new pump purchase. Moved by ,seconded by ;To approve payment of $$18,93750 to Janda Motor Services for a wastewater treatment plant pump repair. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

LOCATION OF MAXIMUM BALANCE
DEPOSITORY NAME HOME OFFICE IN EFFECT

First Citizens National Bank Mason City, Iowa $7,000,000
Fidelity Bank and Trust Dubuque, Iowa $7,000,000
Luana Savings Bank Luana, Iowa $7,000,000
Bank Iowa West Des Moines, Iowa $7,000,000
Security State Bank Sutherland, Iowa $7,000,000

Moved by , seconded by ; That Resolution No. 6540 A RESOLUTION NAMING DEPOSITORIES, be approved.
Ayes – Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher, Humpal, McDonald. Nays – None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.

Fire Department members, , informed the council that they have an opportunity to place an order for a chassis for a Quick Attack vehicle. The manufacturer needed to have a response from the NHFD on Friday, September 16th. A fire department representative will be in attendance to discuss. Included in your packet is the existing agreement between the City of New Hampton, the New Hampton Township and the Dayton Township which includes discussion of purchasing new equipment.)

Moved by , seconded by ; That the
be approved.

Ayes – Nays – Absent – Motion

New Hampton resident, Wally Murphy, resides at 311 S. Water and requested that the City council do not remove the ash tree in the right of way in front of his residence. Mr. Murphy has been chemically treating the tree and would be willing to pay for the costs to remove if the tree dies. Murphy would also prefer to have a reasonable time frame where the property owner is responsible for the costs of removal. Move by Denner; seconded by Daly; To allow Public Works Director Casey Mai the authority to approve an agreement for residents who have made alternate plans to keep the ash trees. The resident will be responsible to pay for the costs of removal of the tree. City Attorney Prichard will assist in developing an agreement. Ayes –Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

LJP Waste Solutions (previously Jendro Sanitation) has submitted a rate increase as a result of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase. There is a line item in the agreement which allows LJP to charge this increase. After council discussion, the increase in garbage fees to LJP Waste Solutions will be absorbed by the City of New Hampton and not passed on to city residents.

Chickasaw County Emergency Management Agency is near completion of their county wide communications project. The Director of EMA, Jeff Bernatz, has given the city of New Hampton itemized lists of the radios and other communication equipment that the city will be in possession of and responsible for all future costs, including insurance. The Fire Department is in agreement with the itemized list. Moved by Fisher, seconded by Humpal; that Resolution NO. 6538 A RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE MAYOR TO SIGN THE CHICKASAW COUNTY LAND MOBILE RADIO EQUIPMENT TRANSFER AGREEMENT FOR THE NEW HAMPTON FIRE DEPARTMENT, be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays-None. Absent-None. Resolution approved.

City Clerk Karen Clemens received notification from the Iowa DOT that the newly changed signs at the intersection of West Main and Linn Avenue do not meet state signage specifications. In addition, staff and council members have received concerns that the designated times on the signs are confusing. Council decided to change the times on the sign to read: ‘No Right Hand Turn on Red” “Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 4:00 pm’. There needs to be two separate signs for this change and the IDOT need a resolution passed approving the change. Moved by Humpal; Seconded by Denner; That Resolution No. 6539 A RESOLUTION TO CHANGE THE ‘NO RIGHT HAND TURN ON RED’ SIGN AT THE WEST MAIN STREET AND LINN AVENUE INTERSECTION be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays-None. Absent-None. Resolution approved.

Public Works Director (PWD) Mai has been working with the Pauline Ovel family regarding the repairs to an area which is extending from South Maple. There have been disagreements how the project should proceed. City Attorney Todd Prichard has been assisting Casey with these discussions
Moved by Daly, 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.
Ayes – McDonald, Speltz, Daly, Denner, Fisher, Humpal. Nays-None. Absent-None. Motion approved.

The Council entered closed session at 7:46 pm.

The Council entered into open session at 8:08 pm.

Moved by Daly, seconded by Fisher; that the City Council authorizes PWD Mai to proceed with the planned rip rap project on South Maple Ave, if staff is met by opposition from the Ovel’s or their attorney, Attorney Prichard may proceed with legal action to have access to make the necessary improvements. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Fisher; that the meeting adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Robert Schwickerath, Mayor