The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at the Hampton City Hall for a special meeting and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members John Knetter, David Luhring, Jerry Huddleston, and Amanda Jensrud. Also present were Dan Hines, Water and Sewer Operator; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Cory Bienfang, City Engineer; and Jim Heiman, Fire Chief.
Special Meeting Called to Order - The purpose for the special meeting was to discuss Resolution 2015-01 Setting salaries, fees, licenses and permits, charges for services, schedules, appointments and annual designations. Mayor Skog called the special meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. Mayor Skog suggested that David Luhring head up the streets department with John Knetter assisting and Jerry Huddleston be in charge of parks. Council agreed to the appointments as well as putting Luhring in charge of ordinance compliance, Jensrud on water meter maintenance, and Cory Bienfang as official City Engineer. Skog mentioned the option of changing the official newspaper to the Hastings Star. After consideration, Council decided to stay with the Cannon Falls Beacon as they felt there was no real benefit to switching. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk stated that the IRS reimbursement rate for mileage had been changed to .575. Knetter requested the Deputy Clerk receive an increase in wage to match the previous Deputy Clerk’s pay which was $14.50. Skog suggested an increase to Dan Hines, Water and Sewer Operator to differentiate between the two operators. Jensrud said that she under the impression that as both Knetter and Hines still reported to Marlin Reinardy that they would stay at the current wage of $15.00 an hour until they became licensed. Huddleston confirmed that there was a performance review in place. Carpenter stated that she had completed an evaluation for the Deputy Clerk for her one year employment anniversary. Knetter recommended an increase for the Treasurer as he taken on additional duties. After discussion, Council agreed on an increase of three percent to the City Treasurer, City Clerk, and Water Meter Reader.
Adjournment - Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to adjourn the special meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The special meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Regular Meeting called to Order - Mayor Skog called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members John Knetter, David Luhring, Jerry Huddleston, and Amanda Jensrud.
Disclosure of Interest – Knetter stated at this first meeting of the year that he would refrain from voting on any subjects regarding water and sewer.
Approval of December 9, 2014 Public Hearing and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to approve the December 9, 2014 Public Hearing and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to approve the January disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. Motion by Jensrud seconded by Huddleston to approve Knetter’s January disbursement. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Knetter abstained from voting.
Public Comment – None
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to add the Randolph / Hampton Fire Department contract to the agenda. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Ordinances and Resolutions
Resolution 2015-01 - Setting salaries, fees, licenses and permits, charges for services, schedules, appointments and annual designations. Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to approve Resolution 2015-01 with amendments to salaries and appointments. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer confirmed that the GIS application had been completed with training conducted last month and that now the City has the option to edit and add points of interest to the application. Skog questioned if all shut-offs were entered. Bienfang stated that most were put into the system and some will need to be added as they are located. Cory explained that the project had been completed as directed but upgrades were available with Council approval and new developments and projects are updated with application support at no fee as long as they are the City’s Engineer. Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to approve the payment request from the CDA to Bolton and Menk for the GIS application project. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Water / Sewer Report - Dan Hines, Water / Sewer Operator stated that the bottom elbows, rails, and a float had been replaced at the Main Street lift station and that a check valve was loose and would be addressed at a later time. Hines explained that the new panels were ready and would be installed in spring. Dan stated that the annual report on water usage to the DNR confirmed that there was approximately 100,000 gallons less than the 2013 usage for a total usage of 16.4 million gallons in 2014. Hines wanted to extend thanks on the City’s behalf to Andy Nicolai for replacing the burnt out bulbs in the star on the water tower.
Park Report – Skog commented that the ice rinks have been flooded and seemed to have been shoveled off.
Street Report - Knetter stated that seal coating quotes would be gathered and prepared for the Heights of Hampton and FESBA developments by March. Knetter also mentioned that the sidewalk on Water and Main has been plowed in and that he would be checking with the snowplowing contractor to perhaps have it moved out as well as clearing out the fire hydrant in that area. Council agreed that a sign stating that snow piles were restricted may be beneficial.
The Deputy Sherriff asked if there were any concerns and recommended that property owners keep their areas lit and locked.
Unfinished Business – Right-of-Way Permits - Skog questioned how permits would be enforced. Jensrud confirmed that the ROW permits would need to be approved as any other permits the City requires. Council Member Luhring requested the Clerk notify him when a permit was pulled so that he could verify requirements be met as he was in charge of ordinance compliance and would prefer to be kept up on projects and permits pulled and check to see that procedures are being followed. Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to proceed with a public hearing on ROW permits at 6:30 p.m. on February 10, 2015 before the regular scheduled meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
New Business - Fire Relief Association Benefit Level - Reed Kosir spoke on behalf of the Fire Relief and requested City approval to raise the benefit level from $1,000.00 to $1,100.00. Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the benefit level increase. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0. Knetter and Jensrud abstained from voting. Jim Heiman, Fire Chief presented the 2015 fire and rescue contract and stated that there was no change from 2014 and wanted to thank the City for their support. Heiman also mentioned that the Fire Department’s March meeting and meal was open to all and the Red Cross blood drive would take place in May. Jim extended his appreciation to the City for assisting in the Breakfast with Santa as 478 people were served and wanted to let the City know that this would be his last year as Chief. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to approve the Randolph / Hampton Fire Department contract. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Planning Commission Resignation - Jensrud thanked Jerry Huddleston for serving on the Planning Commission. Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to approve Jerry Huddleston’s resignation from the Planning Commission. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Huddleston refrained from voting.
League of Minnesota Training - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to approve training for David Luhring through the League of Minnesota Cities. 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 7:33 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter