City Council Minutes | May 15, 2023

City Council
Council Chambers
Monday
May 15, 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, May 15, 2023. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Schwickerath at 7:00 p.m. Council members present were Humpal, Speltz, Porath, Denner and Fisher. McDonald was absent. Also in attendance were Tim Pederson, Casey Mai, Tammy Robinson, Rose Phillips of INRCOG, NHHS students and City Attorney Todd Prichard

Move by Fisher, seconded by Speltz; That the consent agenda, be approved. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

1. Approve meeting agenda
2. Approve City Council Minutes of May 1, 2023
3. Approve City Claims of $59,526.81
4. Dept Head Minutes of May 2, 2023
5. Liquor License: Olive or Twist LLC (Chickasaw Event Center)
6. Liquor License: Lucky Wife Wine Slushies, (Heartland Days)
7. Liquor License: Hops and Hot Rods 2 LLC, DBA Stones’s Crafts and classics (Heartland Days)
8. Accept Resignation of Nick Sylvester effective May 26, 2023
9. Request to Hire Police Officer to Replace Nick Sylvester
10. Wastewater Facility Meeting Minutes of May 9, 2023
11. Advisory Board Minutes May 11, 2023
12. Park & Rec Minutes of May 10, 2023
13. Finance Reports – April 2023

FUND RECEIVED DISBURSED

GENERAL $702,331.39 $280,469.66
ROAD USE TAX $40,934.03 $50,011.31
SPECIAL REV/EMPLOYEE BEN $77,101.22 $52,626.74
LOCAL OPTION TAX $29,267.95 $0.00
HOTEL/ MOTEL TAX $0.00 $5,000.00
TIF- INDUSTRIAL & COMM $95,695.15 $0.00
SPECIAL REVENUE- GRANTS $67.00 $0.00
DEBT SERVICE $57,461.21 $167,990.25
LIBRARY SPECIAL PROJECTS $45.00 $2,049.32
COMM CENTER RENOVATION $10,000.00 $0.00
ROADS CAPITAL PROJECTS $9,239.64 $14.44
STORMWATER CAPITAL PROJ $5,314.72 $7.23
CAPITAL PROJECTS $62,103.61 $6,959.90
WATER UTILITY $53,170.31 $37,342.46
SEWER UTILITY $59,542.91 $113,699.21
SOLID WASTE $12,579.50 $12,690.69
CAPITAL PROJECTS-WATER $4,592.71 $7.23
CAPITAL PROJECTS-SEWER $4,559.76 $7.23
CUSTOMER DEPOSITS $1,741.00 $2,234.00
TOTAL $1,225,747.11 $731,109.67

7:00 Public Hearing

Mayor Schwickerath announced now is the time and place fixed for the public hearing for the purpose of obtaining citizen comment concerning the following: A proposed application by the City of New Hampton for a Housing Preservation Grant (HPG) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA-RD). The proposed HPG application would request funds for rehabilitation of an estimated 5 to 10 homes owned and occupied by low-income and very low-income residents. Each approved homeowner would be eligible for a grant up to $20,000. Residents are encouraged to attend to provide their comments. Additional HPG funds would be requested for grant administration in an amount not to exceed 18% of the total HPG award. The City expects to enter into a contract with a qualified entity for grant administration services. If the City approves the proposed application for submittal, the City would commit local matching funds from the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) Set-Aside Fund in a ratio up to 1:1 for each dollar of HPG funds requested, and additional local funds may be committed for grant administration by a qualified entity. The total funds committed from TIF LMI Set-Aside funds and/or other local sources, including matching funds for owner-occupied rehabilitation and funds for administration, would not exceed $52,000. The Council investigated and found that the time and the place of the hearing had in accordance with the law and as directed by the City Council been published in the New Hampton Tribune on the 11th day of May 2023 in New Hampton in the County of Chickasaw.
The Mayor called for any oral objections to the grant application. There were none. The Mayor asked for written objections. There were none. Mayor Schwickerath declared the hearing closed.

Rose Phillips with INRCOG explained the grant application process. Moved by Denner, seconded by Speltz; That Resolution No. 6574 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF NEW HAMPTON, IOWA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE IOWA NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (INRCOG) FOR AN APPLICATION FOR A HOUSING PRESERVATION GRANT FOR OWNER-OCCUPIED REHABILITATION FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RURAL DEVELOPMENT (USDA-RD), be approved. Ayes – Humpal, Speltz, Porath, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Resolution approved.

Moved by Porath, seconded by Fisher; That Resolution No. 6575 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF NEW HAMPTON, IOWA APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR A HOUSING PRESERVATION GRANT FOR OWNER-OCCUPIED REHABILITATION FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RURAL DEVELOPMENT (USDA-RD);DESIGNATING THE MAYOR AS THE OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY; AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO AFFIX THEIR SIGNATURE TO SAID APPLICATION AND CERTAIN ASSURANCES IN CONJUNCTION WITH SAME, be approved. Ayes – Humpal, Speltz, Porath, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Resolution approved.

Moved by Humpal, seconded by Fisher; That Resolution No. 6576 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF NEW HAMPTON, IOWA, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE IOWA NORTHLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (INRCOG) FOR ADMINISTRATION OF A HOUSING PRESERVATION GRANT FOR OWNER-OCCUPIED REHABILITATION FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RURAL DEVELOPMENT (USDA-RD), be approved. Ayes – Humpal, Speltz, Porath, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Resolution approved.

Public Works Director Casey Mai presented a proposed updated fee schedule effective July 1, 2023. There are a few proposed changes including the addition of all police department fees. Moved by Denner, seconded by Porath; That the Ordinance for AMENDING THE CITY OF NEW HAMPTON FEE SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2023, receive its second consideration, be approved. Ayes – Humpal, Speltz, Porath, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald.

Mayor Schwickerath directed the proposed ordinance be on the next regularly scheduled council meeting on June 5, 2023 for its third and final consideration.
The TRIBE Trail received notification that they are a recipient of a $100,000 Community Attraction and Tourism Grant. A requirement of the grant is to have the City Council authorize the execution and delivery of the grant.
Moved by Denner, seconded by Humpal; That Resolution No. 6577 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF CITY OF NEW HAMPTON CAT AGREEMENT 23-CAT-015 – NEW HAMPTON TRIBE TRAIL, be approved. Ayes – Humpal, Speltz, Porath, Denner, Fisher. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Resolution approved.

City Clerk Clemens informed the council that the controller units for the stop lights at the intersections of Main & Locust, Main & Chestnut and Main & Walnut are in need of replacement, with the unit at Chestnut not working correctly. The Light Plant staff is assisting with the project and is meeting the vendor to find replacement units.

Public Works Director Mai informed the council that a manhole on Hwy 24 near Mikkelson Park is in need of repair. Mai is in discussions with the Iowa DOT about scheduling a repair for the manhole. Mai will continue to inform the council as it progresses.

City attorney Prichard shared that he is waiting for the judge’s verdict with the Precision of NH, Inc court case.

Moved by Denner, seconded by Speltz; that the meeting adjourn at 7:43 p.m. Ayes – Five. Nays – None. Absent – McDonald. Motion carried.

 

 

ATTEST: Karen Clemens, City Clerk

Robert Schwickerath, Mayor