City Council eyes a ‘new’ fire truck

The New London City Council met in regular session on Monday, March 13, 2023. All members were present with January Benjamin and Travis Benz joining by phone. They approved the agenda. A public hearing was then held concerning the Division Street paving and storm sewer project. Receiving no public questions or comments, they approved the project, including drawings, specifications, form of project, and estimated cost.

The Council approved the consent agenda, and no one addressed the Council in open forum.

In old business, the Council again discussed sanitation services. They opened proposals from Waste Management and WEMIGA. The Council directed Kasi to email the proposals back to them for review. They also discussed buying a truck and having the city workers do sanitation collection. They will revisit this issue at a special meeting on March 27.

The city revisited Monica and Josh Malott’s request to adjust their sewer/utility charge due to a water leak. Although they have adjusted a sewer bill due to a computer billing issue, they have never adjusted a bill due to a water leak. They took no action on the Malott’s request.

In new business, they took the following actions:

•Approved pay estimate #2 to Jones Contracting for Pine Street Subdivision-Phase 2 for $125,827.50.

•Approved Resolution #396 for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.

•Approved the purchase of three new Glock handguns with accessories from Kata Firearms LLC for $5,588.94.

•Approved Ewon firewall purchase for WWTP blowers from Electric Pump for $3,307.07.

•Approved donations of $100 each to the annual Easter egg hunt at NL Specialty Care and the Post Prom Committee.

•Approved the purchase of a 2020 Rosenbauer demonstrator pumper truck from Heiman for $520,000 pending approval from the Baltimore Township Trustees. Councilman Brad Helmerson abstained.

•The council is currently paying $4,762.48 for membership in the SE Iowa Safety Group. There is a push to up the membership to $5,000 that would cost the City and Utility Board together $10,000. After some discussion, if the new minimum is approved, the City and Utility will drop from the group and find training elsewhere.

Several topics were then discussed. They included hiring a building inspector once the city adopts a building code. They also discussed the development of a commercial TIF district. They have a business looking to build a new development but are worried about water drainage. A different location in the TIF district could be an option that might interest them.

The Council discussed the purchase of new streetlight banners. They would like to share the cost with NLMU and would like input in picking a design.

For the second addition to the S Pine St. Subdivision, they would like to change the proposed covenant, requiring the pitch of a structure’s roof go from 5/12 to 4/12. The Council also discussed selling multiple lots to an interested developer at a discounted price of $2,500 less for each lot. Kasi will check with the city attorney to see if they are allowed to do this before the special meeting.

The council finished up the meeting with a review of the FY end audit for 2022.

The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. The special meeting of the NL City Council will be March 27 at 6 p.m. at the City Office. The next regular meeting of the NL City Council will be April 10 at 6 p.m. at the City Office.