Hampton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes for May 13th, 2025

The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Hampton City Hall for the regularly scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter and Council Members Jerry Huddleston, David Luhring, and Nick Russell. Also present were Brad Fisher of Bolten & Menk and Chris Meyer Treasurer. Anthony Verch showed up a few minutes after the meeting had started.

Regular Meeting Called to Order – Mayor Knetter called the regular meeting to order at 7:00pm. 

Disclosure of Interest – None 

Approval of March 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring, seconded by Huddleston, to approve the April 8, 2025 regular meeting minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4-0.

Approval of Disbursements - Motion by Russell, seconded by Luhring, to approve the May disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4-0.

Public Comments: None

 

Petitions, Requests, and Communications: None

Ordinances and Resolutions: None

Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:

Engineer Report – Brad Fisher of Bolton & Menk provided an update on the water tower improvement project. The project began on April 14 and has progressed steadily. The installation of sanitary and water main utilities along Lincoln Street has been completed, and the street has been built up to a gravel section. The water main has also been extended to the new water tower site. Foundation subcontractors have delivered their equipment, with groundbreaking for the foundation scheduled for May 29. Fisher noted that he communicated with nearby property users about the upcoming work. To avoid damaging new concrete, the street paving work will pause during foundation construction, expected to take about two to three weeks. Paving and concrete work, including curb and driveway installation, is anticipated in early June. The main construction for the tower is expected to be completed by fall, with the old tower being removed around the same time, though some work may extend into next spring depending on weather and steel availability.

Fisher also provided an update on the phosphorus management plan, noting that while progress had slowed due to other priorities, efforts are resuming. A staff member assigned to lead the plan will meet with Fisher in the coming week, with a draft report expected within the next two months. Mayor Knetter requested a preliminary conference call to review and discuss options before anything is submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The initial engineering report is due in January or February 2026, with implementation to follow within one to two years. The MPCA requires that the city have the capability to manage phosphorus levels, even if treatment is not immediately necessary. Potential solutions range from simple systems such as chemical dosing units to more complex infrastructure, and the choice will depend on final phosphorus levels and funding opportunities. Fisher emphasized the importance of being prepared with a plan, as the MPCA expects readiness rather than reactive measures.

Water / Sewer Report – Mayor Knetter reported that there were no updates on the water system. He noted that recent sewer report samples look very good and that discharge is currently underway. The city is meeting phosphorus compliance levels at this time. There were no further updates for water and sewer.

Park Report – Councilman Russell reported that he has a meeting scheduled with Reese Farms to look at wood chips they are currently grinding. While not certified for playgrounds, the chips are sub-one-inch and may be suitable for park use. Pricing appears favorable, and he plans to assess the material in person.

He also addressed a sprinkler system issue at the park, where a line broke at the pump house near the ball field. A shut-off valve, which feeds the drinking fountain behind the dugout, is stuck and likely needs replacement. He authorized Marlin to contact a contractor to make the necessary repairs.

Councilman Verch thanked Adam Siebenaler for noticing and reporting water running late at night, helping to prevent further water loss. Councilman Russell added that the water had been running for approximately two and a half hours. He concluded by noting that he anticipates needing approximately 90 yards of wood chips for both parks.

Street Report – Councilman Luhring reported that street sweeping has been completed and noted that the streets are in good condition. He had no further updates.

Unfinished Business: None

New Business - Mayor Knetter informed the Council that the City’s current building official, SAFEbuilt (formerly MNSpect), has provided written notice that they will no longer be servicing the City of Hampton as of June 28, 2025. In anticipation of this, the Mayor reached out to multiple agencies, including Spectron, Goodhue County Land Use Management, and others. Of those contacted, only Goodhue County responded with a proposal and fee schedule.

Mayor Knetter shared feedback he received from area contractors and residents in nearby communities, such as Cannon Falls and Zumbrota, who described Goodhue County’s inspectors as firm but fair. Councilman Verch supported this assessment, based on his past experiences working with Goodhue on building permits, describing them as professional, responsive, and efficient. He noted that while some permit submissions previously required travel to Red Wing, the agency has improved its online application process in recent years.

The Council discussed the need to have a replacement in place prior to the June 28 deadline to ensure a smooth transition and to allow time for the new official to review city ordinances and become familiar with ongoing and upcoming projects, including inspections related to the water tower. There was general agreement on the importance of early onboarding.

Councilman Russell asked whether the contract would be short-term or for the full year. Mayor Knetter clarified that Goodhue County’s proposal covers services through December 31, 2025. While the Council may re-evaluate service options at year’s end, members agreed that Goodhue is the most viable option at this time. No other agencies had responded to inquiries, and previous efforts to solicit broader interest had yielded limited responses.

Motion: Councilman Verch made a motion to appoint Goodhue County Land Use Management as the City’s new building official.

Second: Councilman Russell seconded the motion.

Vote: Motion carried unanimously.

The Council noted that the transition process will begin immediately to allow for adequate preparation and continued code compliance oversight.

Mayor Knetter reported that only one website development bid was received, with a low estimate of $2,500. While it’s preferable to have multiple bids, the company was recommended by On-Site, the city’s technical advisor for computer systems and billing software.

Councilman Huddleston noted he had reviewed the proposal and found no concerns but requested the opportunity to speak with the vendor directly before moving forward. He emphasized the need for a basic, functional website with features such as agendas, permits, contact information, and reliable hosting. He also mentioned that WordPress may be an appropriate platform and expressed interest in confirming the scope of services offered.

Councilman Verch supported the need for a city website as a central point for residents to access city information. Councilmembers agreed the website should be simple, informative, and easy to navigate.

There was discussion about the potential value of search engine optimization (SEO), particularly at launch. Councilman Luhring proposed a three-month trial to increase visibility. Councilmembers discussed tracking metrics to determine effectiveness. While ongoing SEO may not be necessary, initial efforts could help establish online presence.

The council also considered the role of social media, with general agreement that platforms like Facebook could be used to direct users to the city website, rather than serve as a primary information source.

Councilman Huddleston volunteered to contact the vendor for further discussion and will report back at a future meeting.

Mayor Knetter introduced the Election Equipment Cost-Sharing Agreement with Dakota County, noting it is a standard arrangement in which the county covers a significant portion of the costs. Councilmembers briefly discussed the cost split, clarifying that the county will cover approximately 65–70%.

Councilman Huddleston made a motion to approve the agreement. The motion was seconded by Councilman Verch. Motion passed unanimously (5–0).

Adjournment - Motion by Russell, seconded by Luhring, to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,  Kelly Roan

Hampton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes for March 11th, 2025

The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at Hampton City Hall for the regularly scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter and Council Members Jerry Huddleston, Anthony Verch, and Nick Russell. Absent was David Luhring. Also present were Brad Fisher and Angie Smith of Bolten & Menk, Chris Meyer Treasurer, Melissa Timm, Luke Nicolai, and various residents. 

Regular Meeting Called to Order – Mayor Knetter called the regular meeting to order at 7:00pm. 

Disclosure of Interest – Mayor Knetter stated that he is a member of the Fire Department and will not be voting. 

Approval of February 4, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Verch, seconded by Huddleston, to approve the February 4, 2025 regular meeting minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4-0.

Approval of Disbursements - Motion by Verch, seconded by Russell, to approve the March disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4-0.

Public Comments: Melissa Timm addressed the council about a reconstruction project on Highway 47 starting at Highway 50. She suggested adding a pedestrian blinking light triggered by a pedestal to improve safety at the intersection. She requested the council's support for this upgrade, which the county showed interest in.

Luke Nicolai expressed concerns about the approval process, urging the council to thoroughly read all 420 pages of documents before making any decisions. He emphasized the importance of understanding the details and recommended a public hearing for the community to voice their opinions, rather than relying on brief, ineffective open houses. He also discussed the policy around data request fees, questioning the need for a new policy when existing procedures are available. Finally, he suggested that a lack of trust in the council is driving many data requests and urged the council to foster better transparency. The council thanked both speakers for their time.

Petitions, Requests, and Communications: Randolph-Hampton Fire Department: At the annual meeting held on February 10^th it was voted to raise their retirement by $1,000, from $2,800 to $3,800. Motion made by Verch, seconded by Russell to approve the $1,000 increase towards the pension. All voted in favor with Mayor Knetter abstaining from voting. None opposed. Motion passed 3-0. 

Chris Meyer, the Treasurer, presented the Fiscal Year Ending December 2024 financial statements to the City Council. He highlighted key financial points, including a large cash balance of $3.4 million, with $2.3 million allocated for water tower replacement and $262,000 set aside for January bond payments. The city has a zero balance in CDs and investments, though the treasurer is monitoring rates for potential future investments. The Water Fund had operating income for four consecutive years, a first in 15 years, due to lower maintenance expenses. The Sewer Fund also had a small operating income, with revenue from sewage dumping contributing to the pavement project. The city currently has four bond series outstanding, totaling $5.2 million. Meyer will submit the financial reporting form to the state auditor by March 31st and publish it in the newspaper.

Mayor Knetter thanked Meyer for his work, and Councilor Huddleston inquired about the internal audit. Meyer explained that he needs a couple of council members to assist with the annual internal audit review and will schedule it for April or May. Councilors Huddleston and Russell volunteered to participate.

Mayor Knetter addressed a growing concern at the city council meeting: the high costs the city incurs in fulfilling public data requests, particularly those involving Bolton & Menk, a contractor the city hires for engineering and planning services. Many of these requests involve data stored on Bolton & Menk’s servers, not the city’s systems, and often require searches of irrelevant or repetitive information. The city is expected to incur tens of thousands of dollars to retrieve this data, which typically involves emails and documents unrelated to official city records.

The Mayor proposed a solution: charge requesters the same hourly rate the city pays Bolton & Menk for retrieving this data. He cited an example involving a request from Kimley-Horn for city-related information, which led to the city being charged for research on emails and documents unrelated to official city matters. Since the information ultimately becomes part of the city’s public records, the Mayor argued it’s fair for the requester, not the city, to cover the costs for retrieving data from Bolton & Menk’s internal systems.

Councilman Huddleston raised concerns about handling internal data requests and suggested further discussion on the topic. The Mayor clarified that requests for city-held data, whether digital or printed, would still be charged the established rate of 25 cents per page. However, for data stored on Bolton & Menk’s servers—such as emails and documents not yet processed into city records—the Mayor argued it was inappropriate for the city to absorb the costs. Instead, the requester should cover these expenses.

Councilman Verch acknowledged the public's desire for transparency, especially regarding large projects like the data center, which may be driving many of these requests. While he understood the eagerness for quick access to information, he agreed with the Mayor’s point that the city should not bear the cost of retrieving data that hasn’t yet been made public.

The conversation also addressed the need to refine the data request process. The Mayor encouraged requesters to review available documents before submitting new requests, as many questions could be addressed at council meetings or through phone calls. He emphasized that while the city should remain transparent, it shouldn’t have to absorb the costs of redundant or excessive requests for data that hasn’t yet been processed into public records.

Throughout the discussion, Councilman Verch acknowledged the increased interest in local governance, with more citizens attending council meetings. He appreciated the public’s concerns but emphasized the need to balance transparency with the city’s limited resources. The goal is to ensure that data requests don’t overwhelm the city’s budget.

In conclusion, the Mayor reiterated that the 25-cent per page fee for data stored on city servers would remain unchanged, but any requests for data held by Bolton & Menk would be subject to the same hourly fees the city pays the contractor. This policy aims to ensure that the city isn’t burdened by unnecessary data retrieval costs while still maintaining transparency.

Councilman Russell supported charging requesters for data retrieval but proposed a compromise where the city could cover part of the costs. However, he recognized that, given the city’s reliance on external contractors, it may not be feasible for the city to absorb any portion of the fees. The Mayor clarified that the city already accounts for the costs of the clerk's time and effort in processing requests, but the real concern is the high fees paid to external contractors like Bolton & Menk for extensive data searches.

A formal motion was made to adopt the new fee schedule, charging external requesters the actual fees the city incurs from contractors like Bolton & Menk and attorneys for data retrieval. The motion was seconded by Councilman Verch and passed unanimously, ensuring that the costs of extensive data searches are borne by the requesters, not the city.

In addition to the data fee discussion, the Deputy provided updates on community issues, including warnings about fraud—particularly scams involving individuals impersonating law enforcement officers and demanding payments through gift cards or cryptocurrency. He advised residents to remain cautious and report suspicious activities. The Deputy also discussed traffic safety, reminding residents about the need to register side-by-sides and the importance of stopping for school buses with flashing red lights. He also highlighted curfew laws and the dangers of reckless driving.

Councilman Russell briefly mentioned ongoing graffiti issues in city parks, encouraging residents to report such incidents to help authorities track and address the problem. The Deputy agreed and reiterated the importance of reporting these issues promptly.

The meeting concluded with the Deputy being thanked for his updates, and the council returned to discussing the motion regarding data request fees. The unanimous approval of the new fee schedule marked a significant step in ensuring that external requesters bear the costs of extensive data searches, protecting the city’s limited resources.

Angie Smith from Bolten & Menk provided an update on the AUAR (Alternative Urban Areawide Review) process, which is now moving into Phase Three. Phase One focused on scoping, while Phase Two involved creating the draft AUAR, which included a technical analysis by Kimley Horn, along with the draft mitigation plan. The draft was then sent out for a 30-day public review, with additional public review for the scoping phase.

Phase Three is the final period, where public and agency comments from the draft AUAR were reviewed and addressed. These comments were incorporated into a table with responses, which were then added to the final AUAR document, including the final mitigation plan. Smith highlighted key concerns raised during the review, including water resources (both groundwater and surface water), air quality (particularly related to diesel backup generators), traffic impacts, and zoning. These issues were addressed in the final document and mitigation plan.

Smith then outlined the next steps: the city council is being asked to approve the final AUAR and mitigation plan tonight, which will then be sent for a 10-day agency review period. After that, the city council will revisit the plan in April for final adoption. The council will also review any objections from the agencies during that time.

The final AUAR document includes mitigation strategies for two possible development scenarios: Scenario 1 (commercial and industrial development) and Scenario 2 (a data center). For Scenario 1, mitigation focuses on potential zoning changes, water resource management (including protecting a DNR-designated trout stream), and addressing construction impacts such as dust and noise. Scenario 2, focused on the data center, includes mitigation for water use (especially for cooling needs), hazardous waste from diesel backup generators, and noise concerns from the facility’s operation.

Smith also noted that while this is the final step in the AUAR process, additional reviews and public hearings will take place as more specific development plans are submitted. The AUAR is a living document that will be updated every five years to reflect new information and ensure ongoing mitigation efforts are in place.

The city council approved the motion to move the final AUAR and mitigation plan forward, initiating the 10-day agency review period before it returns for final adoption in April. 

Ordinances and Resolutions:

Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:

Engineer Report – Brad Fisher of Bolten & Menk provided an update on the water tower project to the mayor and council. The team has finalized the color selection for the tower after evaluating swatches in various lighting conditions, with approval expected soon. Work is progressing with material procurement and structural preparations, and subcontractors may begin site work next week, depending on weather and conditions. However, no work will begin on Lincoln Street yet, with at least seven days' notice being given to nearby residents in case of limited access. Construction will start slowly, with more visible progress expected in late spring, followed by a pause as materials are prepared, and then further activity in late summer for the tower's erection. Weather conditions will determine the timeline for the removal of the old tower. Fisher emphasized that residents would be notified of the upcoming work. The council thanked Fisher for the update.

Water / Sewer Report – Nothing to report

Park Report – Nick Russell provided an update regarding the graffiti situation, mentioning that he reached out to A Brighter Image of Minnesota, the company that handled the previous case, but did not receive a response. He suggested either repainting the entire building with a few gallons of paint or contracting the job out, depending on the council's preference. Mayor Knetter left the decision to Russell, noting that he is in charge of the parks, and Russell proposed using a red color to match the Cardinals. Russell assured that the repainting could be done in one day and should only take a couple of hours. He also mentioned that once the weather stabilizes, he would open the tennis courts and fill in the cracks.

The council discussed the issue of wood chips, with Councilman Russell expressing concern about the current situation. Mayor Knetter suggested waiting until the ground is drier to handle the wood chips, similar to how it was done in the fall, as the chips that are blown in are expensive. Russell asked if the chips would be used for playgrounds, to which Knetter confirmed. Councilman Huddleston noted that playground chips are more cost-effective.

Street Report – David Luhring was absent but there was a quote for Street Sweeping at $170.00, when David gets back he can sign the contract and Kelly will get the street sweeping schedule for the spring.

Councilman Huddleston mentioned if anyone has received complaints about snowplow damage, including one instance where a plow went about a foot and a half into a yard. Mayor Knetter advised taking a picture of the damage and sending it to Kelly to address with the contractor. Huddleston agreed to follow up on this.

Unfinished Business: None

New Business: None

Adjournment - Motion by Russell, seconded by Verch, to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Kelly Roan