The New London City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Aug. 14, 2023 with Travis Benz joining by phone and Januuary Benjamin absent. They approved the agenda and then heard reports:

•Police — Assistant Chief Sines updated the Council on Officer Swanson’s testing for the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy that starts August 28.

•Public Works — Mike Phillips Jr. told the Council about a 6’x30’ strip of concrete that is breaking up at the intersection of E. McKinley and E. Cleveland. He has a quote from Hickey for $6,350 to replace the concrete that includes a two-inch expansion joint.

No one addressed the Council in open forum, and they approved the consent agenda.

In old business, they approved the engagement agreement with Ahlers & Cooney to negotiate the commercial development east of the baseball diamond.

The Council then turned to new business. They took the following actions:

•Approved pay estimate #2 to Hickey Contracting for the North Division St. project for $126,546.97.

•Approved advertising for a full-time equipment operator position in the Public Works Dept. They will advertise in several area papers and on Facebook. Applications will be due on September 22.

•Approved Ryan Wilka’s request to be paid for 55.75 hours of unused vacation time he has accrued in the amount of $1,805.19.

•They discussed Robert and Cynde Lemley’s request for a sewer services refund that was generated by grass watering as they worked on getting a yard started at their 500 S. Pine St. property. After much discussion, both pro and con, the Council took no action on this agenda item.

The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. The next regular meeting of the New London City Council is Sept. 11, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the City Office.