The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at the Hampton City Hall for a public hearing and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members John Knetter, Amanda Jensrud, David Luhring, and Jerry Huddleston. Also present were Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Cory Bienfang, City Engineer; and Jim Heiman, Fire Chief.
Public Hearing Called to Order - The purpose for the Public Hearing was to review and certify the 2016 budget and adopt the final levy. Mayor Skog opened the Public Hearing at 6:32 p.m. Chris Meyer, City Treasurer provided the City of Hampton Budget and explained updates from the previous budget meeting including information on the upgrade of the accounting software and account numbers as well as the classification of the 2015 Refunding Bonds being moved to the general tax levy. Meyer confirmed that there would be no change in the tax levy and that there was a 0% increase from 2015 and the amount collectible would remain $249,822.00
No other public comments were made.
Adjournment - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to close the Public Hearing. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The Public Hearing closed at 6:35 p.m.
Regular Meeting Called to Order - Mayor Skog called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 pm. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members John Knetter, David Luhring, Jerry Huddleston, and Amanda Jensrud.
Disclosure of Interest – None.
Approval of November 10, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to approve the November 10, 2015 Regular Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Jensrud seconded by Luhring to approve the December 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 December disbursement. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Knetter abstained from voting.
Public Comment – Jim Heiman, Fire Chief submitted a letter of gratitude for all the past support and patience as he was retiring after 35 years of service.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to set the Special Meeting to discuss Resolution 2016-01 Setting Salaries / Fees for 6:30 p.m. on January 12, 2016 before the regular scheduled meeting.
Ordinances and Resolutions -
Resolution 2015-10 - Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to approve the Final 2015 Tax Levy Collectible in 2016 in the amount of $249,822.00. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees -
Engineers Report - Cory Bienfang, City Engineer stated that the Main Street Drainage Project had been completed and the final payment was approved along with the December disbursements. Bienfang provided an update on the abandoned well project and explained that the Dakota County Grant expires at the end of 2015 and he was preparing a request of a reimbursement of $13,500.00 which would cover the floor restoration and City Staff hours and that at this point the City had incurred no expense. Cory recommended the project be put on hold until the next Department of Health grant funding becomes available in spring of 2016. Bienfang confirmed that MnDOT has sent information regarding the City’s inquiry into an improved pedestrian friendly connection from the Heights of Hampton to the downtown area and park and stated that they had felt that a trail would be a more realistic solution as there were concerns with drainage issues when widening the shoulders to ten feet and feel that six foot shoulders would not be much of an improvement. Cory confirmed that a right of way would need to be acquired and requested direction and any ideas from the Council. Huddleston stated that a trail was addressed in the Park Plan being reviewed at this time and would be very beneficial and felt even a six foot shoulder would be an improvement from what is currently available. Luhring questioned on the stripping of the road and commented that at times it was a matter of one side being widened or both. Jensrud said that if a choice had to be made, she would be more in favor of a trail to provide a safer commute off of the highway. Bienfang commented on this being the time to research different options with the MnDOT project being planned. Marlin Reinardy suggested looking into extending the storm sewer as well. Council agreed that the City Engineer should research available options regarding trails and the widening of shoulders in the Heights of Hampton area.
Water / Sewer – Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent stated that the smartlites had been activated on both lift stations and the well house and that the training of Josh Dixon on the sewer end was going well. Reinardy reminded the Council that a sink hole emergency plan was part of a permit requirement and that he had attended a meeting regarding a local water supply plan that would be a necessary part of the Comprehensive Plan update. Marlin thought that the City may have a plan currently in place and would check further on the issue. Jensrud mentioned that she had received numerous complaints on the dumping and questioned if there was an option of going to the ponds or a different lift station. Reinardy felt that the dumping should go through a grinder and not directly into the ponds and that the lift station currently being used was less populated than the other. Jensrud requested that the restrictions be tightened and that there would be no more dumping at the dinner hour or weekends. Reinardy agreed that the City needed to accommodate the residents and that it had been a busier time the last month due to a turnaround at X-Cel. Huddleston requested clarification on the benefit of the service the City is providing. Marlin confirmed that all revenue goes to providing maintenance and upgrades to our infrastructure and takes a large burden off of the City. Reinardy stated that all lights had been replaced at the ice rink, although a couple were not working correctly and he would be checking on those.
Park Report - Huddleston stated that the Park Plan was being reviewed and an open house would be planned in the near future.
Street Report - Knetter commented on the snow removal contractor’s request on the review of seven manhole covers that were causing some issues and that he had received a quote of two or three thousand dollars for a temporary fix and perhaps grinding out around the areas could be an option. Luhring suggested marking the areas so that they could be aware of problem spots may be an alternative to spending money for something temporary this time of year.
Unfinished Business - None.
New Business
Approve Final 2016 Budget - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to Approve the Final 2016 Budget. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
CD Purchase / Withdrawal - Chris Meyer, City Treasurer stated that to maximize the interest income potential, he was recommending a purchase of a CD from the Water Fund and Sewer Fund of $12,000.00 each. Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to approve the purchase of the CDs and to amend the December disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to approve the withdrawal of the designated CD for seal coating to replenish the cash balance of the General Fund. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Debt Service Transfers - Meyer explained that in order to make all bond payments due that a transfer between funds was required. The Treasurer stated that the tax deposits were normally deposited into the General Fund and that budgeted amounts, including amounts from the Water and Sewer Funds, needed to be transferred to accommodate the debt service payments. Motion by Knetter seconded by Jensrud to approve the debt service transfers. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Planning Commission Appointments - Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk confirmed that no applications were received for the two Planning Commission seats whose terms were up at the end of the year. Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to appoint Amanda Jensrud and Marlin Reinardy to the Planning Commission for an additional term or until a qualified candidate was appointed. All voted in favor. None apposed. Motion passed 4:0. Jensrud abstained from voting.
City Hall Holiday Schedule - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Knetter to close the City Hall on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. Skog thanked the Fire Department for a successful Breakfast with Santa event.
Adjournment - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Luhring to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter