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. Tuesday, September 2, 2025. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Geerts. Council members present were Denner, Larsen, Porath Schwickerath, Speltz. Humpal was absent. Also in attendance were City Attorney Todd Prichard, Conrad Rosendahl, Tammy Robinson, Kyle Anderson and Bob Fenske.
1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve Regular City Council Minutes of August 18, 2025.
3. Approve City Claims of $273,174.95
4. Street Closure Request: Dak’s Tap Bag Tournament
5. Tree Board Minutes 8-28-2025
Moved by Larsen, seconded by Schwickerath; that the consent agenda be approved as presented. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent- Humpal. Motion carried.
City Clerk Karen Clemens presented the annual depository resolution which limits the total amount of funds which can be deposited into each financial institution.
LOCATION OF MAXIMUM BALANCE
DEPOSITORY NAME HOME OFFICE IN EFFECT
First Citizens 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 Denner, seconded by Speltz That Resolution No. 6754 A RESOLUTION NAMING DEPOSITORIES, be approved. Ayes – Denner, Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz. Nays – None. Absent- Humpal. Resolution approved.
Kyle Anderson recently passed his Grade I Water Distribution Certification on August 1, 2025, as well as his Grade I Water Treatment Certification on August 8, 2025 and is now allowed to take on more roles and responsibilities within the city’s water system. With Kyle passing both his Grade I Water Certifications, it is recommended that Kyle’s salary be increased to $72,800, effective as of August 11, 2025. Moved by Porath, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6755 RESOLUTION APPROVING A PAY INCREASE FOR KYLE ANDERSON EFFECTIVE AUGUST 11, 2025, be approved. Ayes – Denner, Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz. Nays – None. Absent- Humpal. Resolution approved.
The Committee as a Whole met at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers with representatives from Rembrandt Foods to discuss a water usage agreement between the City of New Hampton and Rembrandt Foods. Rembrandt representatives shared their estimated water requirements for the next several years and wants assurances they are provided the necessary amount for their plant. After discussion, Council members requested City Attorney, Todd Prichard, to amend the tentative agreement by requesting Rembrandt Foods commit $2.5 Mil towards the necessary upgrades to the existing wells and pumps. Moved by Porath, seconded by Schwickerath; To direct City Attorney Todd Prichard to amend the proposed Water Usage Agreement to include the requirement that Rembrandt Foods contribute $2.5 million towards the upgrades to the water supply system. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried. Robinson and Prichard will continue communications with the Rembrandt representatives.
City Clerk Karen Clemens received notice from LJP Waste Solutions, formerly Jendro Sanitation, with the notification of the annual CPI rate increase for garbage pickup. The CPI increase is 2.62% and will increase the garbage portion of resident’s bills. LJP is not increasing the recycling fee; however, Clemens informed the council that the Solid Waste Fund has steadily been declining as the City has been absorbing $1.33 per household per month of the recycling fees. The existing and new rates are as follows:
The new rates will be effective October 1, 2025 coinciding with the increased in fees due to LJP Waste Solutions.
Moved by Denner, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6756, A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SOLID WASTE RATE INCREASE EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025, be approved. Ayes – Denner, Larsen, Porath, Schwickerath, Speltz. Nays – None. Absent- Humpal. Resolution approved
City Clerk Karen Clemens updated the council of the following issues:
1. The siren roof repair has been completed by Imperial Solutions.
2. The boiler is installed in the community center and will be completed prior to the heating season.
3. The custodial vendor has informed the city that they are no longer cleaning the three city buildings; Clemens is advertising for a new custodial vendor.
4. Clemens has reached out to Nick and Lindsey Valentini to continue the discussion of fixing the storm water issues at Mikkelson Park. Clemens has been informed that any communication regarding the storm water issue needs to be discussed only with their attorney, Christpher O’Donohoe.
Moved by Porath, seconded by Speltz; that the meeting adjourn at 7:27 pm. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – Humpal. Motion carried.
