City Council Minutes | September 5, 2023

City Council
Council Chambers
Tuesday
September 5, 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. Tuesday, September 5, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were McDonald, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher and Humpal. Also in attendance were Tim Pederson, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, City Attorney Todd Prichard, Matt Kuhn and several NHHS students.

1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve City Council Minutes of August 21, 2023
3. Approve City Claims of $91,562.18
4. New Hampton Motorcycle Rally Parade Request, September 9th, 2023
5. American Rescue Plan Funds Summary

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

MidAmerican Energy is constructing an operations/maintenance facility in the South Industrial Park and is requesting a curb cut which is wider than is currently allowed by the City Code. Moved by Denner, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. #6588 RESOLUTION TO APPROVE AN 80’ CURB CUT FOR MIDAMERICAN ENERGY AT 2202 RUSTY KENNEDY ROAD, be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher and Humpal. Nays- None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.

City Clerk Karen Clemens presented information for the required annual resolution Naming Depositories

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 Fisher, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. #6589 RESOLUTION NAMING DEPOSITORIES, be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher and Humpal. Nays- None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.

US Department of Transportation Standard Title VI Non Discrimination Assurances Agreement is required by the United States Department of Transportation for the Hamilton Street Bridge replacement project. Moved by Fisher, seconded by Porath; That Resolution No. #6590 RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STANDARD TITLE VI NON-DISCRIMINATION ASSURANCES AGREEMENT, be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher and Humpal. Nays- None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.

Iowa Department of Transportation Standard Title VI Non Discrimination Assurances Agreement is required by the Iowa Department of Transportation for the Hamilton Street Bridge replacement project. Moved by McDonald, seconded by Denner; That Resolution No. #6591 RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STANDARD TITLE VI NON-DISCRIMINATION ASSURANCES AGREEMENT, be approved. Ayes – McDonald, Porath, Speltz, Denner, Fisher and Humpal. Nays- None. Absent – None. Resolution approved.

Councilmember McDonald discussed the Capital Improvements Plan and asked for council input on updating the plan prior to budgeting or until Spring 2024. After a lengthy discussion, Council members supported McDonald’s plan to update the current CIP and request department heads to update their projects.

The Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors is requesting a connection to the city water service line to their building, Chickasaw County Heritage Building, at 2275 South Linn Ave., which is outside the City Limits. The County is requesting the water connection to be extended beyond City limits to the Heritage building at the expense of Chickasaw County. Public Works Director Mai explained that installing the 6” water line would be advantageous to the City for possible growth to the south. City Attorney Prichard also suggested to the Council to discuss the possibility of annexation for continued growth. Mai also shared that an 8” water line might be more appropriate than a 6” line. After more discussion, it was moved by Porath, seconded by McDonald; To direct Mayor Schwickerath to gather preliminary information regarding the extension of an 6” or 8” water line south of the City Limits, including engineering concerns, annexation possibilities and report back to the Council at the September 21, 2023 Council meeting, be approved. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

City Clerk Karen Clemens informed the Council that a meeting with a Jendro Sanitation representative regarding garbage bins has been set for September 13th and the Mayor and Clemens will report back at the September 21st meeting.

Economic Development Director Tammy Robinson informed the Council that the City of New Hampton has received a USDA grant for $60,975 for LMI housing projects. The City is required to contribute $50,000 to the project. Once Robinson receives more information, she will share it with the Council.

Clemens received information from the Iowa Department of Transportation that the traffic signals at the intersection of North Linn Ave and West Prospect are no longer mandated. The DOT provided specific procedures for the elimination of the traffic signals regarding the switch to permanent signage.

City staff has received the 1st draft copy of the update to the City Code from Simmering and Cory. Several staff members are unhappy with the draft as the codification company did not implement changes which were requested by city staff. Attorney Prichard recommended withholding any payments to Simmering until our concerns have been satisfied. Prichard will contact Simmering Cory and share the City’s concerns.

Moved by Speltz, seconded by McDonald; To withhold payment to Simmering Cory in the amount of $3,000 for code codification services until the City’s expectations are met and is satisfied with the final product. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

Moved by Speltz, seconded by Porath; that the meeting adjourn at 8:21 p.m. Ayes – Six. Nays – None. Absent – None. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Robert Schwickerath, Mayor