The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at the Hampton City Hall for a workshop and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members Jennifer Budrow, John Knetter, and Amanda Jensrud. Council Member Endres was absent. Also present were Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Steve Hamilton, Planning Commissioner; David Luhring, Planning Commissioner; Linda Holty, Deputy Clerk; and Cory Bienfang with Bolton and Menk.
City Council Workshop - Mayor Skog called the workshop in session at 6:05 p.m.
No decisions were made at the workshop, however, items discussed included requesting a variance for the old municipal well and replacing the concrete floor of the old fire hall; the quote provided for a GIS database; street maintenance including seal coating of Heights of Hampton and FESBA along with drainage issues on Main Street; lift station improvements; and the clay pipe sewer mains.
Items requested to be included on the July agenda were the MDH variance, GIS database, and radio read / new water meters.
Regular Meeting called to Order - Mayor Skog called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members John Knetter, Jennifer Budrow, and Amanda Jensrud. Council Member Endres was absent.
Disclosure of Interest – Council Member Knetter stated that he had applied for the Water and Sewer Operators position and would not be involved in any decisions made regarding the hiring of that position.
Approval of May 13, 2014 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Knetter seconded by Budrow to approve the May 13, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to approve the June disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Public Comment – Steve Hamilton spoke on behalf of the Fire Department and provided an update on Burger Fest which will be held June 21. Hamilton explained that there had been a concern with blocking off a portion of Grant and Water Streets and after talking with the residents, confirmed that their driveway would not be blocked off. Steve stated that a burn trailer would be on site for education purposes. Mayor Skog inquired to whom was providing sanitation services and Hamilton confirmed that it was Highland. Jensrud confirmed with the City Clerk that all permits and applications had been completed.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - Mayor Skog said that both Xcel and Dakota Electric requested to donate towards Hampton Community Days through the City. Skog confirmed that they had approached him, as he didn’t go out soliciting donations this year. Jensrud stated that as it was made clear last year that all activities were sponsored by a private business that all donations should be handled by that business or organization and the City should not be involved. Skog stated that he did not want any checks written to his company due to last year’s accusations. Jensrud confirmed that the City had no involvement this year. Skog commented that the City could donate as they previously had with the Breakfast with Santa sponsored by the Fire Department. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk confirmed that the City did pay one invoice for that event directly to the vendor, however, no donations were ever accepted by the City for the event and reminded the Council that the City Attorney recommended the City constantly that they should never sponsor events. Carpenter said that as the Fire Department handled their own donations and funding that organizations that hold similar events need to do the same. Skog said that he saw no issues, as the donations would come in and the City would pay out the exact amounts to pay for the entertainment. Chris Meyer, City Treasurer confirmed that the City cannot be involved in collecting and paying out funds for an event such as this and usually there is a committee in place for such an event. Skog stated the City Attorney said donations could be accepted. Meyer confirmed that a contribution could be made to the event but a donation could not be accepted. Jensrud reiterated that the City cannot accept donations on behalf of an event that they are not sponsoring. Skog suggested a donation from the City in the amount of $1,000.00 and that then the City could still accept the donations written to the City of Hampton for a computer or whatever they needed. The Treasurer confirmed that if the City was sponsoring the event it would be fine but if not, the City could not run the donations through their funds. Skog stated that according to the City Attorney it was fine to accept these donations and pay on the invoices and that the Attorney was “Totally OK with this and there‘s nothing wrong with it.” Meyer didn’t feel that the Attorney would say exactly that. Budrow commented on a “very ugly” letter from the Fire Department. Steve Hamilton inquired if he could ask for donations for a private event and the City would accept the funds and pay out the bills. Carpenter stated that private businesses need to handle their own donations as well as permit applications and pointed out that in 2008 applicable fees and permits were submitted for Hampton Community Days. Skog stated again that per the City Attorney, the City can accept donations and pay the invoices involved with these events. Knetter requested documentation from the Attorney. Joyce Beissel suggested forming a committee and opening an account in that name. David Luhring said that he appreciated Skog coming forth and offering transparency. Knetter felt that a separate account was the route to take. Skog stated that the donation checks were on their way. Jensrud commented that from an accounting point of view it is not a huge task to amend who the check is sent to as the donation itself has already been approved. Skog requested again that the City donate to the event. Jensrud inquired if the permit fees had already been paid and if not, maybe the Council could waive the fees. The City Clerk confirmed that permits were required from all organizations holding events and that Skog was usually in favor of following City procedures. Skog felt that the parade being planned was for the youth and as there were no floats, no permit was needed. David Luhring read the city ordinance on parades as they pertain to processions of any kind. Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to waive the application and permit fees for Hampton Community Days. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang with Bolton and Menk provided an update on the abandoned municipal well stating that the well had been located directly under the south building wall and recommended the City prepare a request for a variance for the next City Council meeting. Bienfang mentioned that the MPCA collected soil borings around the location of the abandoned underground storage tanks discovered as part of the 2012 Street Project and that he would continue to update the Council on findings.
Cory informed the Council that Dakota County and Barr Engineering had requested to open the Community Room to any City residents that would have historical information on the City Thursday, June 26 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. The County would be scanning any old photographs and hopefully be able to use information gathered to assist them in determining some of the contamination’s origin. Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to allow the County to use the Community Room. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Carpenter offered to hang flyers around the City notifying residents.
Bienfang provided the Council a GIS database proposal and planned to have someone from Bolton and Menk present at the July Council meeting to go over technical questions and concerns.
Water / Sewer Report - Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent said that the sewer discharge showed high over limit suspended solids due to duckweeds and an excess amount of algae. Knetter questioned if there were any reprocautions and Reinardy confirmed that the City was not over by much but that the issue will need to be addressed. Marlin updated the Council on the well that needed to get back to working level and they will proceed with repairs when the weather permits. Reinardy mentioned a shut off that he was unable to locate and one that he was not able to shut off that would have to be dug up, preferably before winter.
Park Report – Council Member Budrow stated that she had a mowing concern. Joyce Beissel mentioned high weeds and that the City should provide the weed control and that her husband donates his time to mow some of the City property by Second Street but shouldn’t have to. Beissel also had concerns with the 4-wheelers in that area and asked if there was a way to block them out with a barricade of some sort. Skog said that he would check into options. Budrow confirmed with Knetter that the leftover material from the ice rink repair was the City’s property. Marlin Reinardy stated that a new electric line from the ice rink to the brown building was planned to be installed.
Street Report - Council Member Jensrud stated that the potholes had been filled in and that plans were in place to collect quotes for the seal coating.
Unfinished Business – Water / Sewer Operator - Marlin Reinardy explained that three applicants for the Water / Sewer Operator position had been interviewed and recommended that John Knetter be hired for the lead position as he had been his back-up while he was out of town and had experience working with the contractors. Reinardy also recommended hiring Dan Hines and stated that it would be in the best interest of the City to hire someone from the City as they would be quickly available in an emergency and wouldn’t need to travel in the event of a snowstorm. Skog felt that the applicant from Cannon Falls was also a good candidate and that there was a concern after discussing the hiring of a Council Member with the City Attorney. Skog stated the Attorney said that there was no employee policy in place differentiating full-time verses part-time hours and that there was a compatibility issue. Jensrud suggested that Knetter could excuse himself from decisions, such as salary and reviews regarding the Operator’s position during the disclosure of interest. Reinardy stated that it would be a disservice to the City to go with someone that didn’t live in the city. Skog said that it couldn’t be helped as the City Attorney stated that this was “totally illegal” and suggested hiring Dan Hines at this time and continue to explore options for the other Operator. Reinardy recommended hiring both Operators at one time. Skog requested the Clerk contact the City Attorney for advice.
New Business – Community Partnership Grant - Tim Peach with Centerpoint Energy explained that they supported communities through assistance in purchasing safety equipment and presented the Fire Department a check in the amount of $2,450.00 to purchase gas monitors and breathing apparatuses.
Approval of Weekly Use of Community Room - Council Member Jensrud stated that Nikki Green had contacted her as she had an event and could not attend the meeting. Jensrud explained that Green, a resident of Hampton, had requested to use the Community Room for a Zumba class on Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings unless there was a City meeting scheduled. Skog confirmed with the Clerk that Green had used and paid for the use of the room twice and the Clerk stated that it would be a charge of $60.00 per week. Motion by Knetter seconded by Budrow to allow Nikki Green to rent the Community Room for her Zumba classes twice a week. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Gambling / Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for St. Mathias Fun Fest - Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to approve the Temporary Gambling / Liquor License for St. Mathias. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Liquor License Renewal - Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to approve liquor licenses for Frank’s Bar and the RoundUp. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
3.2% Liquor License Approval for Hampton Pump - Carpenter confirmed that necessary paperwork, background check, and investigation fees had been completed. Knetter had concerns regarding the training that may be required to avoid selling to minors and questioned if the City had any liability issues. The Clerk said that she would check on the issue and stated that all city approved requests still needed to go through the State for consideration and approval. Motion by Jensrud seconded by Skog to approve the 3.2% liquor license for the Hampton Pump. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Water Meter Radio Read - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to add the radio read to the agenda. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Knetter stated that the radio read water meters had been budgeted for and also discussed in the past and as some of the meters needed to be replaced at this time, the City should consider the transition and proceed with the purchase of necessary software and equipment. Knetter explained that reads would be entered into a handheld device and then downloaded into the current software for billing purposes and that training would be required as well as the hiring of someone to install the meters. Motion by Jensrud seconded by Budrow to proceed with the radio read and to phase the process in slowly with replacing only the broken meters at this time. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Adjournment - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Skog to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter