The City Council closes out 2025

The New London City Council met in regular session on Dec. 8, 2025 with all members in attendance. They approved the agenda, the consent agenda, and then heard from Becky Wilson, a Republican candidate for Henry County attorney. Speaking in open forum, she laid out her reasons for running. Becky stated she intends to work with the local law enforcement agencies and not against them. She opined that Henry County’s reputation has been hurt by the recent events going on in the County Attorney’s Office and they have some repairs to do to restore it.

In reports, the City clerk has submitted an application for Enhance Henry County Community Foundation asking for a grant of $25,000 for new playground equipment at the city park. She presented the Council with a design for a playground fundraising banner.

The City clerk signed an agreement with Pathfinders, a grant writing service, to write the City’s application for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) for repaving and installing new sanitary sewer on S. Pine St. The cost of the service is $3,000.00 and they will work with the City’s engineer, French Reneker, to apply.

In old business, they took the following actions:

· Approved an amendment to the lease agreement with Q3 Contracting. The lease runs through Jan. 31, 2026 for $500 per month.

· Approved installing a new glass door for the city office for $3,041.21.

· Approved the 28E agreement for supplemental law enforcement services with the HC Sheriff. Even after increasing the officers to three, they are still unable to provide 24/7 coverage. The Henry County Sheriff will continue to receive $2,000 monthly for their services.

In new business, the Council took the following actions:

· Approved pay estimate #6 to Hickey Contracting for the Pine St. subdivision — phase 3 in the amount of $1,888.13.

· Approved the lowering of the retainage for the Pine St. subdivision — phase 3 from $22,288.31 to $5,000 as the project is substantially completed.

· Approved Arlo Walljasper to the NL Municipal Utility Board of Trustees for a term ending Nov. 30, 2031.

· Approved resolution #481 naming Kirk Miller as a candidate to the SE Iowa Regional Planning Commission’s Board of Directors.

· Approved resolution #482 authorizing the bid process and setting a public hearing for proposed sale of Henry County parcel N0. 440092630200. Bids will be accepted on the parcel though Jan. 22, 2026 with a minimum bid of $900.00.

· Approved the quote from K & M Automotive to remove and replace the water pump, front axle, disc rotter and front brakes for $1,575.18.

· Approved the Mayor & Council appointments for 2026. They include the following: Mayor Pro-Tem-Dan Berner; Police Chief-Ryan Wilka; Deputy Clerk-Patsy Dillion; Des Moines County Solid Waste-Pail Lorber; Official newspaper-NL Journal; Official Depositories-Danville State Savings Bank; and SE Regional Planning commission-Kirk Miller.

The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. The next regular meeting of the New London City Council will be Jan. 12, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the City Office.