The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members John Knetter, David Luhring, Jerry Huddleston, and Amanda Jensrud. Also present were Cory Bienfang, City Engineer; Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; and Chris Meyer, City Treasurer.
Regular Meeting Called to Order - Mayor Skog called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – None.
Approval of April 12, 2016 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to approve the April 12, 2016 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Luhring seconded by Knetter to approve the May disbursements excluding John Knetter‘s. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. Motion by Huddleston seconded by Luhring to approve John Knetter’s May disbursement. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Knetter abstained from voting.
Public Comment – Lori Endres spoke on behalf of Colleen Marshall stating that Colleen was disappointed with the City Officials as no one had contacted her on the proposed trail from the Heights of Hampton to downtown and was concerned that the business Jed O’Oconner operated would suffer as well as there would be safety issues with a bike trail along Highway 50. Endres also relayed suggestions of using the railroad bed for a trail as well as putting the City’s infrastructure needs first. Endres confirmed that Marshall was not in favor of a trail, nor willing to work with the City on the project.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - None.
Ordinances and Resolutions
Ordinance 1117 - Enforcing City of Hampton Code of Conduct - Skog suggested adding verbiage relating to the City’s Facebook page. Huddleston felt that may be considered as a separate policy. Motion by Huddleston seconded by Knetter to approve Ordinance 1117 Enforcing the City of Hampton Code of Conduct excluding any additional verbiage in regards to Facebook. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Skog abstained from voting.
Summary of Ordinance 1117 - Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to Approve Publishing of Summary of Ordinance 1117. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Skog abstained from voting.
Resolution 2016-05 - Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to approve Resolution 2016-05 Calling for a Public Hearing on the Issuance of Refunding Notes to Refinance Project by Shepherds Path Senior Housing. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer stated that Hampton was not selected for the MDH spring grant for continuing work on the abandoned well and that they had recommended the City apply again in the fall.
Bienfang explained that he had been working with Luhring on street repairs and had researched the spray patching verses the hot mix method for filling potholes. Cory felt the new technology of spraying was a better adhesive and suggested using that method as it was cost competitive with quotes received for last year’s maintenance project. Bienfang said that he had checked with the City of Hastings to inquire on perhaps borrowing their equipment but due to insurance concerns, he had been directed to contact RCM Specialties to provide a quote for the project. Cory received a proposal from RCM for spray injection patching for areas on Main and Belmont Streets and some distressed areas marked on Water for $8,568.75. Marlin Reinardy mentioned additionally marking manhole areas that had been problematic with snowplowing. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to hire RCM Specialties to fill potholes and allow them some flexibility in repairing other areas as marked. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The City Engineer confirmed with the Council that a discussion on the CIP update should take place at the June meeting and that the City’s Financial Advisor, Shannon Sweeny should be present. Bienfang addressed the Highway 50 Street Project and thanked Endres for speaking on the idea of a bike trail and confirmed that MnDOT had offered some assistance financially and in the design of a trail and that there was a discussion on a possible trail as well as an application submitted for a grant, but nothing had ever been set for sure and didn’t want anyone to feel that their opinions didn’t matter. Cory explained there was no discussion of running any trail through the business located at the 4-way stop, but did feel that it would be the safest place to cross as it was the only controlled point. Huddleston confirmed that MnDOT had also planned to improve that intersection by adding a ramp for handicapped accessibility. Cory stated that any staking that had been seen in Hampton was MnDOT’s doing and not the City’s. Sam Radford felt that property owners that would be affected should have been consulted at the very beginning before any money was spent on feasibility reports. Skog agreed. Bienfang said that cooperation in fairly acquiring land was discussed and never just taking any property. Radfords argued that it was discussed. Jensrud confirmed that it was never the intention of the Council to condemn any land. Sandy Hadler stated the she had submitted the article that was published in the Cannon Falls Beacon and confirmed that the City never contemplated taking anyone’s land. Radfords stated that they were in no way interested in selling any land for a trail project. Steve Hamilton commented that he understood how important land is to individuals but also felt neighbors should work together to improve the community. Chris Meyer mentioned that if the trail was not considered, the park at the Heights needed to be expanded to the full three acres and be maintained including a ball field as originally planned as there was nothing for the children to do in the development and no safe way to travel to the parks in the downtown area. Knetter confirmed that the trail had been planned for years and that the Highway 50 project provided that opportunity. Jensrud felt that there was no point of further discussion if community members that would be impacted were not willing to work with the City. Luhring said that the proposed trail was part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and that connectivity would continue to be discussed. Bienfang commented that there would never be an opportunity to create the trail as inexpensively as what is being offered to the City at this time. Steve Hamilton said that discussion and ideas are always brought to the Planning Commission and City Council and asked that anyone with ideas on how to communicate them before the residents get the feeling that they are not being consulted, to please let the City know. Marlin Reinardy wanted to state for the record that when MnDOT discussed the Highway 50 project with the City, Hampton’s request was to widen the shoulders and that MnDOT suggested a trail along their right-of-way for safety reasons. The Deputy Sheriff asked if anyone present had any concerns.
Water / Sewer Report - Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent reported that the hydrants were flushed without any issues but that there was a problem with the backflow on pump 2 and a certified inspector would need to be hired to address that issue. Reinardy stated that they were approximately two-thirds done with the discharging and he was trying to stay pro-active on the algae problem. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk congratulated Reinardy and his staff on being awarded a certificate of commendation on the waste water treatment facility and thanked him for his dedication.
Park Report – Huddleston stated that an Open House was planned for May 26 from 6pm - 7pm to collect ideas and suggestions on how to improve Hampton’s parks.
Street Report - Luhring mentioned that a couple of residents were using Second Street for their own personal use and as that was City property, items needed to be removed and requested Carpenter to have the mowing contractor maintain that area.
Unfinished Business –
May 21st - Hampton Clean Up Day - Luhring questioned how the fees would be collected as the specifics provided stated most items were in fact collected at an additional charge. Skog said that he would be watching the dumpster all day but would see if Highland would want to head that project up and collect the fees themselves. Carpenter mentioned that it may be better if Highland collected any fees from the residents directly.
New Business -
Ordinance Violation Penalties / Setting Administrative Citations - Luhring confirmed that the current City Code had a section which allowed the City to set fines if ordinances were violated and issues were not brought into compliance and that if fees were not paid, residents could be charged with a misdemeanor. Knetter confirmed with Carpenter that the procedure currently started with a letter being sent to the resident when any ordinance violation occurs within the City and that any costs incurred due to the violation are billed to the property owners. Council felt that if additional fees need to be set at some point, a draft of specifics could be brought to the Council for further discussion and approval.
Gambling / Temporary On Sale Liquor License for St. Mathias Fun Fest - Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to approve a temporary gambling and liquor license to St. Mathias for their annual Fun Fest. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Adjournment - Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter