The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at the Hampton City Hall for a special meeting and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members David Luhring, Jerry Huddleston, and Amanda Jensrud. Council Member John Knetter was absent. Also present was Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; and Cory Bienfang, City Engineer.
Special Meeting Called to Order - The purpose for the Special Meeting was to amend the current budget, if needed, and prepare the city budget for the year 2016. Mayor Skog called the special meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Chris Meyer, City Treasurer provided a budget worksheet highlighting necessary changes for the 2016 budget including rental fees that were biannual, CDBG grants awarded, Augustana’s conduit issuer revenue, and MnDOT Small Cities Assistance as well as an additional expense for new election equipment and a decrease in the sewage dumping. Meyer also provided detailed explanation of the sales of investments within the different funds and confirmed the City’s debt service obligations.
Council Member John Knetter arrived at 6:37 p.m. Huddleston requested an increase in the Parks Fund for improvements. Meyer suggested designating the revenue from Augustana to be applied to park improvements as that wouldn’t require an increase to the levy. Luhring stated that street repair and maintenance costs have increased. Meyer confirmed that the funding from MnDOT for Small Cities Assistance could be used for expenses in that area. Jensrud felt that as the City had budgeted for a website in the past, that this year the designated amount could be used for updating security at City Hall including re-keying and consideration of video cameras.
Adjournment - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter 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 7:01 p.m. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members John Knetter, David Luhring, Jerry Huddleston, and Amanda Jensrud.
Disclosure of Interest – None.
Approval of July 14, 2015 Public Hearing and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to approve the July 14, 2015 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 Luhring to approve the August disbursements excluding John Knetter‘s. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. Motion by Jensrud seconded by Luhring to approve John Knetter’s August disbursement. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Knetter abstained from voting.
Public Comment – Marie McNamara requested the use of the Community Room for a public meeting regarding the ziprail on September 17 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Motion by Jensrud seconded by Huddleston to allow the ziprail meeting to be held in the Community Room free of charge. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk stated that she would confirm that the Community Room was available.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - None.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer provided an update on the Main Street drainage repair and confirmed that the project was scheduled to start the next day, August 12, and last approximately two days. Bienfang confirmed that the ditch would cross the city lot and that there was an option to consider that would not be a big increase in cost that would be more appealing. Cory recommended considering having a catch basin and pipe installed from the lot over to the railroad side. Knetter confirmed that the City would not be obligated for that portion of the quote awarded and felt that it would look better to install a basin. Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to proceed with the catch basin. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. Bienfang addressed a request made by MnDOT for a public hearing regarding a maintenance project including TH50 and County Road 80 as well as County Road 81. The project would consist of an overlay and installation of turning lanes and required City approval as it was within City limits. Huddleston recommended requesting an increase of the shoulder widths and improvements in the area of the Heights of Hampton. Cory stated that he would address the issue with MnDot and work with the City Clerk on a public hearing notice. Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to hold a public hearing at the October City Council meeting regarding the Highway 50 project. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Water / Sewer Report - Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent commented on some problems that have occurred out at cell #3 due to an excess of geese and fecal matter. Jensrud offered to research what other cities have found effective for such issues. Reinardy stated that there had been two water / sewer hook-ups recently and that the area curb had to be moved to accommodate. Marlin explained that the City had one applicant regarding the Water / Sewer Operator position and would like to set up an interview with one or two Council Members and if the individual proves to be a viable candidate, be allowed to hire the applicant as he would like to have them involved in the pre-discharge process for training and experience. Jensrud and Skog volunteered to sit in on an interview with Reinardy. Jensrud confirmed that if a majority of the interview committee felt that the individual was a good fit, that he or she could be hired and proceed with training. Huddleston felt confident that Marlin along with two Council Members would be capable of making an adequate decision. Motion by Huddleston seconded by Luhring to authorize an interview committee to hire a Water / Sewer Operator. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Knetter abstained from voting. The Deputy Sherriff commented that there had been a few accidents on County Road 47 and reminded residents to lock their cars to avoid break-ins. The Deputy also recommended placing mail in the mail box before the pick-up time verses overnight to avoid mail theft. Luhring requested that the Department patrol the alley behind the Round-up as there was new construction in that area which included building supplies.
Park Report – Huddleston reported that a scope of work for the Park Plan update would be provided to the CDA by the end of the month so that quotes could be collected.
Street Report - Council agreed to advertise for quotes based on a qualifying snow event verses an hourly wage. Carpenter said that she would work on a quote submittal form.
Unfinished Business – None
New Business -
Minnesota Government Access Agreement - Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to authorize Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk to sign into the MGA agreement. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Adjournment - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter