The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 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 were Scott Qualle, City Building Inspector; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; and Cory Bienfang, City Engineer.
Special Meeting Called to Order - The purpose for the special meeting was to discuss Resolution 2016-01 Setting salaries, fees, licenses and permits, charges for services, schedules, appointments and annual designations. Mayor Skog called the special meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Skog recommended appointing Paul Steinbruckner to head of Civil Defense as he had been providing backup previously. Huddleston confirmed the reason for the new appointment was due to the former Head of Defense moving out of city limits. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk said that she would check in with other members of the Fire Department to see if anyone would be interested in assisting with backup of Civil Defense. Council agreed to formally appoint the position at the February meeting. Jensrud requested the Council consider a wage increase for City Staff. Huddleston suggested a 3% increase for the City Clerk, Deputy Clerk, and City Treasurer. Skog was not in favor as there had been no city growth. Huddleston felt that compensating staff for their performance was not based on city growth. Carpenter requested the Council consider an increase for the cleaning staff as well.
Adjournment -Motion by Jensrud seconded by Huddleston to adjourn the Special Meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The Special Meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
Regular Meeting called to Order - Mayor Skog called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members David Luhring, Jerry Huddleston, and Amanda Jensrud. Council Member John Knetter was absent.
Disclosure of Interest – None
Approval of December 8, 2015 Public Hearing and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Jensrud seconded by Luhring to approve the December 8, 2015 Public Hearing and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Luhring seconded by Jensrud to approve the general January disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Disbursements of City Council annual pay were approved 3:0, each Council Member abstaining from voting on their own disbursement. Skog confirmed that the disbursement to Supreme Landscaping was correct, and that notification letters would be sent out with the landscape escrow payments approved. Skog also questioned what the disbursement to PITS was for. Carpenter stated that it was for the program that took place in the park during 2015.
Public Comment – The Deputy Sheriff reminded residents to take all valuables out of their vehicles and to lock them as well as leave some lights on when possible. Luhring asked if they had noticed any reduced speed in traffic since the electronic speed signs were up, even though they were not operational yet. The Deputy said that there may have been a slight reduction. Janet Otte questioned if there was any way to stop individuals from placing old furniture, etc. in the dumpster by their apartments on Main Street. The Deputy said that there had been problems with that in the past. Janet mentioned installing a security camera.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - Skog inquired if there was going to be a Planning Commission meeting in January. Jensrud confirmed that there would be and reminded the public that meeting minutes were not available until approved.
Ordinances and Resolutions
Resolution 2016-01 - Setting salaries, fees, licenses and permits, charges for services, schedules, appointments and annual designations. Motion by Luhring seconded by Jensrud to approve Resolution 2016-01 including a 3% wage increase for the City Clerk, Deputy Clerk, City Treasurer, and Cleaning Staff. Luhring, Huddleston, and Jensrud voted in favor. Skog opposed. Motion passed 3:1. Luhring requested that the Clerk update the spreadsheet to include the Cleaning Staff to the list of employees. Hampton City Council Special Meeting and Regular Meeting Minutes for January 12, 2016
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – None
Water / Sewer Report - Skog questioned if the City was in compliance operating without Marlin Reinardy in town as he was the only licensed operator. Cory Bienfang, City Engineer said that it was recommended that a licensed individual be present two hours per month, however it was not a requirement. Bienfang explained that as there was a biannual discharge conducted and that as winter provided a freeze over the ponds and minimal maintenance was required, Bolton and Menk were not concerned at this time of year. Bienfang confirmed that two operators were present and lift station inspections were still being performed. Carpenter stated that John Knetter was scheduled to take his water license test next month so it shouldn’t be a concern for much longer.
Park Report – Huddleston explained that Laura Chamberlain, City Planner was working on the Park Plan Update and is planning to meet with the Planning Commission as well as organize an open house to gather public interest. Huddleston confirmed that the ice rink was operational and would be checking into repairing the gate. Also mentioned were other grant opportunities that would be available after the Park Plan Update was complete.
Street Report - Luhring stated that he would track snowplowing events and would discuss any other issues that arise with the Contractor. Luhring also mentioned that the electronic speed signs should be fully operational by the end of the month. Skog confirmed that the frontage road was in fact included in the snowplowing contract and would be cleared as necessary.
Unfinished Business – None
New Business -
Request to Work with Different Building Inspector- Janet Otte addressed the Council and explained that three weeks after submitting an application for work to be done at her property at 23250/23260 Main Street, MnSpect had requested blueprints even though no bearing walls were being affected by the remodel. Scott Qualle, City Building Inspector stated that architectural drawings were required per state code whenever a use and occupancy classification changes. Otte stated again that no bearing walls were being changed. Qualle reminded Otte and the Council that the walls had nothing to do with the professional drawing requirement and that it was needed because there was a change of use planned for the buildings. Skog suggested Qualle and Otte meet and go over the project. Qualle agreed that they should set up a time to go over the scope of work and review the plans. Huddleston felt that Otte should work with Qualle as the City had hired him to keep it in compliance.
Dakota County Sheriff’s Department JPA - Joe Leko, Chief Deputy asked if the Council had any questions regarding entering into a JPA to allow the Sheriff’s Department to enforce any local ordinances. Jensrud questioned if Hampton ever had one in place previously. Leko said that Hampton hadn’t had one and although some ordinances may have been upheld in the past, a JPA is now required. Jensrud explained that the City had considered it previously but decided against it due to the cost that could be incurred. The Deputy said that in the past eight years, they only charged for their services once and that investigations only take place at the City’s discretion. Jensrud noticed that the JPA stated that the Deputy had sole discretion and commented that the Council had just received the information in front of them. Luhring confirmed that State Statutes were currently being upheld and that if the City decided to proceed, they would specify which local ordinances would be upheld. Skog felt the JPA would be a benefit and help with safety concerns. Motion by Jensrud seconded by Luhring to table the issue and allow the Council to research the JPA further. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Dakota County Collaboration of Comprehensive Plan Update - Jensrud stated that the City received notification that Dakota County was planning a Comprehensive Plan collaboration amongst some of the smaller municipalities, mostly ones that had participated in the previous update. Jensrud explained that it would consist of a basic plan that all entities would follow and the cost was anticipated to be between three and five thousand per municipality. Huddleston said that Hampton has their own plan in place and felt that the City wouldn’t want to follow just one basic plan designed for all surrounding municipalities. Jensrud felt that only one plan would be put in place but said that she could confirm that process. Motion by Jensrud seconded by Luhring to table the item and make a decision at the February meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Hampton City Council Special Meeting and Regular Meeting Minutes for January 12, 2016
Addition of the Pledge of Allegiance to City Council Agenda - Skog suggested permanently adding the Pledge of Allegiance to the City Council Regular Meeting agenda. Huddleston questioned the benefit to the City and felt that as it was not necessary, the Council should discuss the issue because it could provide an opportunity to open the City up to litigation. Huddleston explained that there are certain organizations such as Freedom from Religion that have been known to argue that the pledge is a violation of the first amendment. Skog argued the point saying that any group that would fight the pledge is Anti-American. Jensrud requested that it be recorded that Skog’s comment was his own opinion and in no way the Hampton City Council’s. Motion by Skog to add the pledge to the City Council agenda. There was no second. Jensrud wanted to state for the record that she was not for or against the pledge but disagreed with the statement made by Skog toward any organization being Anti-American.
Hampton Helpers - Skog explained that he was president of an organization called Hampton Helpers and he would be abstaining from any vote in regards to the issue. Skog said that as the vice-president was unable to attend the meeting that he would like to request on their behalf the use of the Community Room free of charge to hold events such as family movies and babysitting and CPR classes as well as other programs to benefit the community. Jensrud stated that as Skog was president, he would need to state his disclosure of interest at any meeting that had this item listed on the agenda and requested that information on subjects such as this be included in the City Council packets. Motion by Jensrud seconded by Luhring to allow the Hampton Helpers use of the Community Room free of charge as long as the dates requested did not conflict with previously scheduled events. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0. Skog abstained from voting.
Adjournment - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Luhring to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter