The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members Jennifer Budrow, John Knetter, Ron Endres, and Amanda Jensrud. Also present were Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; David Luhring, Planning Commissioner; Dan Hines, Water and Sewer Operator; Jim Heiman, Fire Chief; Steve Hamilton, Planning Commissioner; and Cory Bienfang with Bolton and Menk.
Regular Meeting called to Order - Mayor Skog called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – None
Approval of September 9, 2014 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to approve the September 9, 2014 Regular Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to approve the October disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Public Comment – Jim Heiman, Fire Chief discussed the issue of the access code to the Fire Station with the Council and recommended switching to one master code to be used instead of individuals having their own as he felt it would be more secure. Heiman also requested the use of the Community Room for Breakfast with Santa on December 7. Jim concluded stating that Joe Wagner had resigned from the Fire Department. Council Member Budrow questioned if perhaps the Fire Department would choose a Hampton resident to fill the position. Heiman confirmed that they were, in fact, looking at an individual from Hampton. Skog stated that he appreciated Wagner’s years of service. Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to approve the use of the Community Room for Breakfast with Santa and the change of access code. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Melissa Timm, Hampton Township Clerk explained that there would be a waste tire collection at the Hampton City Hall on October 25 and that Gibson Sanitation would be providing a roll-off. Skog confirmed that licenses would be checked. Timm commented that as the event was open to the City residents as well, that she would like to see some help from the City in staffing the collection. Jensrud volunteered to help where needed. Melissa mentioned that only tires were being collected as rims were not allowed and that she would forward times and additional information to the City Clerk. Heiman reminded Timm to make sure there was adequate room for the trucks to get out in the event of a fire call. Council Member Endres stated that although his name was on the ballot for the upcoming election, he would not be accepting votes or be able to serve due to some health reasons as well as some other issues.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - None
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang with Bolton and Menk provided an update on the abandoned well and stated that the Department of Health had denied the requested variance and as there is grant money available, the MDH feels that more investigation is possible and has requested that the casing pipe be looked at by removing the footing, then cutting a hole in the block wall and raise up the pipe and after, a man door could be installed. Jensrud questioned the time frame allowed as she felt spring would be a better time to start this project. Bienfang said that he will need to gather a work scope and estimates and that the City will eventually need to proceed or it would be a violation of state statute. Knetter questioned if there could possibly be another way to examine the well such as using a type of x-ray. Cory explained that the Department of Health had been very specific with their request which was to raise it above grade by going down from the top and cutting into the wall. Skog questioned the restoration of the floor and Cory confirmed that he would prefer to extend the grant received for that portion of the project. Bienfang provided the Council with quotes received for the Main Street drainage repair and felt that as it was late in the year, estimates had come in about double what was expected. Jensrud questioned if it was possible to even complete a project such as this with the weather changing. Cory did feel that it was an option. Knetter recommended that the City define a clear scope and plan for a street maintenance project for spring. Endres felt that, perhaps the ice rink could be addressed at that time as well.
Water / Sewer Report - Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent introduced Dan Hines and explained that he was training him in as his assistant and was very pleased with his work. Reinardy confirmed that the water tower had been painted and while bypassing, the fire hydrant that had been opened was shut off, perhaps after a fire dispatch. The increased pressure may have played a part in the water main break in the Heights of Hampton in conjunction with the break on County Road 47 and Highway 50 and Marlin explained that he had to shut off the water from approximately 5:00 p.m. until 10:10 p.m. Reinardy recommended the City restore the property owner’s lawn that was affected at the Heights and confirmed that the necessary permits were pulled for the repair of the break at 47 and 50. Reinardy commented on two fire hydrants that had been repaired as well as a shut off found on a property that he had been looking for due to a delinquent utility bill. Marlin also mentioned that the hydrants would be flushed October 21-23. Reinardy stated that there had been recent problems with hair binding the floats at the Main Street lift station and was checking with the salons in the area to make sure both were using screens. Marlin said that as he was in the middle of discharge, he was still working on the algae problem and at this point cell #3 seemed under control and he had noticed some improvement in cell #1. Melissa Timm mentioned that there had been a lack of communication and that she had not been notified of the water being shut off. Marlin stated that he had paid an individual to go around the Heights to let the residents know what the situation was, but did need to shut the water off when he did to prevent further damage and that he always calls the Water and Sewer Department head. Jensrud commented that she had touched base with the City Clerk to address any concerns. Steve Hamilton mentioned that the communication between officials is always a two way street. Budrow questioned who was switching out the broken water meters. Steve Hamilton said that he had switched out most of the meters that needed to be replaced and only had a few left. Budrow felt that as there were now three Water and Sewer Operators, that they shouldn’t have needed to hire someone else. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk provided previous meeting minutes and Jensrud read the minutes approving the switching out of broken meters and hiring an individual to perform the task. Budrow was concerned on the Heights of Hampton water main break and requested that the pipe be discussed as there was a large hole in the section Reinardy had brought in to the meeting. Cory Bienfang stated that the pipe could be analyzed and possibly wrapped if it is shown that the soil is corrosive.
Parks Report - Budrow requested that Jim Heiman provide an estimate on the repair of the ice rink. Heiman explained that in order to give an accurate estimate that he would have to be advised on what exactly was to be fixed as the rink was in disrepair and that most of it needed to be replaced. Budrow stated that as it was available it should be able to be used. Skog said that he would make sure it was patched up for the season. Steve Hamilton recommended checking Craig’s List as they had material listed very reasonable. Cory Bienfang advised the Council to have the rink resurfaced before the total repair took place.
Street Report - David Luhring questioned if a fall street sweeping usually took place to deal with all the leaves. Melissa Timm commented on residents pushing the leaves from their yards out into the streets and questioned if there was an ordinance against such activity as well as directing sump pumps to the streets. Endres stated that it should be common sense to rake and bag the debris from private property. Bienfang commented that typically sump pumps are allowed to empty into the streets and that it was code not to empty into the sewer.
Unfinished Business – None
New Business - CD Withdrawal - Chris Meyer, City Treasurer recommended the withdrawal of specific CD’s to cover fund expenditures. Meyer explained that the water fund needed to be replenished and items such as the #3 well repair, radio read water meters, and painting of the water tower needed to be paid. CD’s totally $48,000.00 were needed to be cashed out with only a $128.00 penalty and as enough interest had been gained, there would be no loss. Meyer also explained that the CD held in the debt service fund was restricted for debt service payments and was now needed to make the upcoming payments. Motion by Knetter seconded by Endres to approve the CD withdrawals. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Planning Commission Appointment - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to appoint Neil Hoadley to the Planning Commission. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Gambling Permit for St. Mathias – Motion by Knetter seconded by Endres to approve the Gambling Permit for Bingo Events on November 8 and December 6 for St. Mathias Church. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Adjournment - Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter