City Council Discuss Selling Lots for Duplexes

The New London City Council met in regular session on Nov. 12, 2024 with all members present. They approved the agenda and the consent agenda with Scott Campbell absent. In open forum, they talked with a girl scout who is working on a badge. They talked to her about the workings of the NL city government and what they do.

The Mayor has talked to City Engineer Matt Walker about several projects that are on the council’s to-do list. Walker will get some estimates to the council at the next meeting. Mayor Miller cautioned the council to consider each carefully and to keep an eye on the finances so they don’t overextend.

They then took up old business with a discussion about phase three of the Pine Street subdivision. There are several houses being built and lots being considered for purchase. They will have a clearer picture next month and will take up a more in-depth discussion then.

In new business, they heard from Jack Swarm from SEI Regional Planning concerning implementing building code, rental code, and nuisance code enforcement services. The price and the notification process were discussed with an eye to what would work best in New London.

Mayor Miller thought that an informational meeting with the contractors and rental owners would be warranted. The council was in agreement.

They had several questions for Swarm. They approved a motion to change the contract language to say the yearly cost will not exceed $41,500 before it is acted on by the council.

The Council heard an explanation of ordinance #80. This is how the phase II parcel of the Pine Street Urban Renewal area will be paid for. There are two steps to collecting the debt. The first was to have the county start collecting the debt so it can be paid back. The county will use the Jan. 1, 2023 evaluation for that area and will be collected for 15 years. When that time is up there will be repayment. The amount of the debt is $898,491.25. They have been paying some of the interest, but it will soon be both principal and interest. They approved ordinance #80 unanimously and waived the second and third reading.

The second step was the approval of resolution #441- 2024 tax increment financing certification. The debt is certified and the county starts collecting the debt.

They approved the invoice from Hickey Contracting company for the sidewalks on W Madison St., N Elm St., and N Walnut St. for $18,279.01.

The applications have been looked over for a public works equipment operator and interviews will be conducted by Council members Benz and Helmerson and Public Works Superintendent Mike Phillips Jr. The Mayor made the council aware that he has bowed out of the hiring due to an application from a family member.

The last order of business was a discussion of selling lots one through four in the first addition of the Pine Street Subdivision. There is a party interested in building duplexes on these lots. Several issues need to be studied, but the council is interested in this proposition and think it is a good thing for New London.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:40 p.m. The next regular meeting of the New London City Council will be Dec. 9, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the city office.