The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Hampton City Hall for the Regularly Scheduled Meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter and Council Members David Luhring Erica O’Connor. Council Members Jerry Huddleston and Nick Russell were absent. Also present were Chris Meyer, Treasurer, Brad Fisher, Madison Richard and Greenlee Dahle of Bolton & Menk, and various Residents.
Regular Meeting Called to Order – Mayor Knetter called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – None
Approval of August 18, 2026 Special Hearing and Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring, seconded by O’Connor, to approve the August 18, 2026 special hearing and regular meeting minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3-0.
Approval of Disbursements - Motion by Luhring, seconded by O’Connor, to approve the disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3-0.
The Deputy provided several public safety updates. He reminded residents that under the updated school bus stop-arm law, drivers must stop when the bus’s red lights are activated, regardless of whether the stop arm is fully extended. He also warned residents about ongoing scams in which callers claim that a family member is in jail and request money. Residents were advised not to provide payment, as the Sheriff’s Office does not call to request money. The Deputy also reported continued theft of copper wire from irrigation systems, particularly at night, and encouraged residents to report suspicious vehicles or activity near farms. Construction at the roundabout at Highway 3 and Highway 86 is expected to be completed by the end of the month. Although traffic is currently able to pass through the area, residents were asked not to drive through until construction is complete. The Deputy also reported that two new employees will begin mid-month and will complete a two-week orientation before starting regular duties.
Neil Hoadley raised concerns about children, some reportedly age ten or younger, operating e-bikes on city streets and engaging in unsafe behavior, including racing vehicles, crossing Highway 50, and disregarding traffic. He noted that the situation has caused concern among residents in his neighborhood and asked what could be done to address it.
The Deputy advised residents to report unsafe e-bike activity when it is occurring so officers can respond and enforce applicable laws. He emphasized that e-bike-related crashes can result in serious or fatal injuries and stated that the Sheriff’s Office will respond when violations are reported. Residents were instructed to call 911 when the unsafe activity is occurring so law enforcement can respond promptly.
Mayor Knetter thanked the Deputy for his service and time.
Public Comments: Mayor Knetter opened the public comment period for matters not listed on the agenda. Maria Doffing began to raise concerns regarding the proposed marijuana farm and the licensing requirements, noting that the town’s current standard requires a cultivator license while the applicant has been issued a state microbusiness license. City Planner Madison Richard and Mayor Knetter indicated that discussion of the matter would be more appropriate during the related agenda item, and speakers were advised that they would have an opportunity to comment when that item was considered.
Mike Thurmes addressed the Council regarding street signage. He reported that several speed limit signs and street-name signs, including those for Main Street and Water Street, are difficult to read or have deteriorated. Thurmes asked the Council to consider repairing or replacing the signs so they can be clearly read by residents, the fire department, and security personnel. Melissa Timm indicated that she would also wait to speak until the related agenda item was addressed.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications: Chuck Clanton addressed the Council regarding the possibility of bringing back Hampton Days in 2027, noting that the event was previously held in 2019 and again in 2021 before being discontinued. He reported renewed community interest and asked whether the Council would support forming a planning committee, allowing the committee to use City Hall for meetings, and helping identify a local resident to coordinate the event. Clanton offered to assist with the initial planning and provide notes and communications from previous events. Mayor Knetter expressed support for reviving Hampton Days and offered the use of City Hall for planning meetings, with scheduling coordinated through the City Clerk. The Council discussed seeking volunteers through the newspaper and City website and noted that the previous event was primarily funded through business sponsorships and donations, with the City providing assistance such as waiving park fees. Clanton agreed to work with the City Clerk on a notice seeking committee members and emphasized the importance of finding a local person to lead the effort.
The Council then discussed scheduling the December meeting and the special meeting for final levy approval. Due to Mayor Knetter’s unavailability during the originally scheduled week, the Council agreed to move the December meeting to December 15. The special levy meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on December 15, followed immediately by the regular Council meeting.
Chris Meyer reported on the annual internal clerk-treasurer audit conducted with Erica O’Connor. He explained that the City conducts the internal audit annually with Council participation to maintain transparency and provide Council members, particularly new members, with an opportunity to review financial procedures and ask questions. O’Connor reported that all items on the audit checklist were reviewed, including randomly selected dates and months, and that the records and calculations checked out satisfactorily. She described the process as a useful opportunity to better understand the City’s budget and financial operations.
Ordinances and Resolutions: The Council considered Resolution 2026-06, approving the 2026 Tax Levy. Meyer confirmed there were no changes to the proposed levy. Following discussion, Luhring made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-06, which was seconded by O’Connor. The motion passed unanimously.
The Council considered several related land-use applications for the proposed Pure Jade cannabis cultivation operation, including amendments to the comprehensive plan and zoning designation, changes to the cannabis zoning ordinance, and a conditional use permit. Staff explained that the proposal would change the property from rural residential to agricultural use, allow cultivation under a state microbusiness license rather than the City’s current cultivator-license requirement, permit an agricultural parcel smaller than 40 acres through the conditional use process, and establish additional standards for outdoor cultivation structures. The proposed operation would initially include up to one-half acre of outdoor cultivation, with a later phase involving greenhouse structures, parking, landscaping, stormwater improvements, fencing, and security measures.
The Council heard public comments both supporting and opposing the proposed changes. Supporters, including Planning Commission Chair Melissa Timm speaking as a resident and the property owner, stated that the property is already used for agriculture and that the proposal should be evaluated as a land-use matter rather than based on opinions about cannabis. They noted that concerns regarding the operation could be addressed through the conditional use and building permit processes. Opponents raised concerns about changing the City’s existing licensing standards, converting residential-designated land to agricultural use, potential odors, lighting, traffic, future residential development, and the compatibility of the proposed operation with the surrounding neighborhood. Residents also presented a petition with approximately 45–47 signatures opposing the proposal.
Planning staff reviewed the applications and noted that the proposal and site plans had undergone multiple revisions. Staff identified outstanding concerns regarding the number and design of accessory structures, setbacks, landscaping, parking, lighting, signage, odor mitigation, and other site-plan details. Staff stated that some concerns could potentially be addressed through conditions on a conditional use permit but recommended that the Council not make a final determination at this meeting. Staff suggested providing direction to the applicant and allowing additional time to review revised plans and obtain further engineering input before bringing the matter back to the Council.
Representatives of Pure Jade, Keith Renfroe and Shane Krahn, responded to questions and explained that the site plans had been revised in response to concerns raised by residents and the Planning Commission. They stated that the company intended to limit visibility through building placement, trees, and privacy fencing; minimize lighting and signage for security purposes; and use odor mitigation measures. They described the business as a small, locally based operation and stated that the proposal could create approximately 25 to 50 higher-paying jobs. They also stated that the company would use natural growing methods, would not conduct solvent-based extraction or manufacturing at the site, and would compost appropriate plant material on-site.
Planning Commission members and Council members also provided comments. Marlin Reinardy and Neil Hoadley stated that the Planning Commission had recommended against the proposal and expressed concerns regarding community opposition, the City’s comprehensive plan, the number of ordinance changes required, and the continuing revisions to the applicant’s plans. Council members discussed the potential for economic growth as well as the challenges of changing multiple land-use regulations and addressing concerns about impacts such as lighting and odor. Erica O’Connor stated that she remained neutral but expressed concern that some potential impacts could not be guaranteed until the operation was actually in place.
Mayor Knetter stated that, although he was prepared to make a decision, the Council was missing two members and he believed it would be fair to allow the full Council to participate in the decision. Luhring made a motion to table the matter until the following month, with O’Connor seconding the motion. The motion passed unanimously, and the applications were tabled until the next meeting when a full Council could consider the matter.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:
Engineer Report – Brad Fisher provided updates on three projects. He reported that the City completed the annual lead service line inventory required by the Minnesota Department of Health and notified property owners with galvanized or unknown service lines. The inventory identified two galvanized services and 56 services that remain unknown on either the public or private side. Required notification letters were mailed, and the City submitted certification confirming compliance. Fisher stated that the City is currently awaiting further guidance while monitoring potential funding opportunities to address known non-lead services and investigate unknown services. He also reported that significant progress has been made on the water tower improvement project, with approximately two punch-list items remaining. One item involves vegetation at the new water tower site, which will be addressed when conditions are appropriate. Project closeout paperwork and the final pay application are anticipated later this fall or during the winter, after which the project will enter the warranty period. Finally, Fisher provided an update on the MnDOT Highway 50 project, noting changes to the traffic-control plan that will result in two project segments being closed simultaneously while maintaining local and business access. The change is intended to help MnDOT meet its substantial completion deadline this fall.
Water / Sewer Report – Mayor Knetter reported that there were no additional water or sewer issues to report but noted that the City recently experienced an extended power outage lasting approximately 20 hours. The backup generators at the sewer lift stations operated successfully throughout the outage, allowing the system to continue operating without interruption. Knetter noted that the City does not currently have a backup generator connection for the well pump but has received a grant to install a transfer switch and plans to apply for a fully funded grant next spring to cover the installation of a generator for the water tower. The outage demonstrated the importance of the backup systems, and the City did not run out of water due to its available capacity. Knetter also explained that each lift station requires backup power to pump sewage to the treatment ponds and that grants have been secured to fund backup generators for the lift stations, replacing the former practice of manually transporting and monitoring generators during power outages.
Park Report – Councilman Russell was absent.
Street Report – Councilman Luhring reported that the City approved a quote for more than 27 tons of material to repair potholes and other road issues throughout the City. The contractor will be scheduled to complete the work.
Social Media/Website – Councilman Huddleston was absent.
Unfinished Business – Anna Yunker reported that she will prepare two options for an email data policy based on feedback from the League of Minnesota Cities and present them to the Council for consideration at the next meeting.
Neil Hoadley addressed the Council regarding a request for reimbursement for a water heater that failed following the water main break. Hoadley stated that he was present and assisting at the water main break and that his water heater failed shortly afterward. The Council discussed information obtained from the League of Minnesota Cities and an engineering review by Bolton & Menk. Engineer Brad Fisher reported that the water tower was being brought online, resulting in a gradual increase in normal system pressure, while the water main break was attributed to deterioration of the pipe from acidic soils. Fisher stated that there was no indication the system operated outside normal pressure conditions or that the water main break caused the water heater failure. Hoadley disagreed and expressed concerns that pressure changes associated with the break and subsequent valve operations may have contributed to the failure. The Council discussed the increase in system pressure from approximately 40 to 58–60 pounds as part of the water tower project and noted that the City has experienced numerous water main breaks over the years with few reported water heater failures. No further action on Hoadley’s reimbursement request was identified at the meeting.
New Business – The Council considered the purchase of a new office printer, which required Council approval because the cost exceeds $250. After reviewing the options and noting that the higher-priced printer offers lower-cost ink and includes an estimated three-year supply of ink, the Council approved the purchase of the higher-priced printer. The motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment - Motion by Luhring, seconded by O’Connor, to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Kelly Roan