The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the Hampton City Hall for 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 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 7:02 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – Skog stated that he would refrain from participating in any discussion or vote regarding the website proposal.
Approval of June 14, 2016 Public Hearing and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Huddleston seconded by Luhring to approve the June 14, 2016 Public Hearing and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0. Jensrud abstained from voting as she was absent at the June meeting.
Approval of Disbursements – Skog questioned the fee for re-keying City Hall. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk explained that the Fire Department had requested that all of their building be re-keyed as well and in return would be paying for the carpet cleaning in City Hall. Motion by Jensrud seconded by Huddleston to approve the July disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Public Comment – Dale Hallcock with the Fire Department requested Council approval to keep the Fire Relief’s level of retirement benefit and interest rate the same as the previous year which was $1,300.00 per year at 1.25%. Motion by Skog seconded by Luhring to keep the benefit level the same as last year. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to meet at 6:30 p.m. before the August 10, 2016 Regular Scheduled City Council meeting to review the budget and discuss the CIP. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Ordinances and Resolutions
Resolution 2016-09 – Approving 2016 Election Judges - Motion by Jensrud seconded by Luhring to approve Resolution 2016-09 Appointing 2016 Election Judges. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer confirmed that the City had been awarded a grant for a CIP update and as some items have already been identified; additional plans will be addressed at the August meeting. Skog confirmed the amount of the grant was $10,000.00. Bienfang stated that the City was unsuccessful in receiving the DNR Trail Grant and that as we had scored highly, they had recommended that the City of Hampton apply next year and perhaps send additional information in a month before the official submittal date to better our chances. Cory explained that as he made MnDOT aware of the outcome he had requested that they either still design a portion of the trail that would fall within their right-of-way or fully pave the shoulders along Highway 50 but MnDOT was not responsive to either option. The City Engineer mentioned cost-sharing to provide the paved shoulders. Huddleston thanked Cory for his time and effort and inquired what options the City had in regards to pursuing a plan for a future trail. Bienfang felt that a need for a trail had been confirmed and documented and that the City could reapply for a grant, perhaps coinciding with a CIP street project so that some expenses could be lumped together. Cory also felt the trail could be a project singularly. Huddleston commented that the City needed to be aware of costs and benefits and suggested looking at options when addressing the CIP.
Water / Sewer Report - Marlin Reinardy, Water / Sewer Superintendent stated that most of the gate rods had been replaced at the ponds and the last one would be taken care of within a couple of weeks. Reinardy explained that the algae was looking better at ponds 2 and 3 but number 1 still needed attention. Marlin said that the lift station had lost power due to a tree falling on the cable and had to run the generator through the night but did confirm with Gene Meyer, a nearby resident, that it would not be an inconvenience. Reinardy mentioned that the banks of the ponds had been sprayed for weeds and on the water portion wanted to inform the Council that the Minnesota Department of Health had taken samples from well #2 as the EPA required the testing. Skog confirmed with Marlin that the Main Street lift station had been pulled and rocks were cleaned out. The Deputy Sheriff commented on break-ins of cars and out buildings in the Randolph and New Trier areas. Skog requested the Department to continue watching for speeders on County Road 47.
Park Report – Huddleston explained that he had a few maintenance concerns including excessive weeds in the wood chips at the parks that he would be having Anderson check on and also mentioned some drain tile that was popping up at the Heights of Hampton Park. Marlin Reinardy offered to take a look at the drain tile. Skog requested that Huddleston have the weeds in the hockey rink area be addressed as well as a tree causing visibility issues in the same area. Huddleston confirmed that the Planning Commission would be reviewing the Park Plan Update at the July 28 meeting and would be making a recommendation so that the Council could possibly approve the plan in August.
Street Report - Luhring stated that the new patching seemed to be holding up well. Skog confirmed with Marlin Reinardy that the shut off on Belmont was working fine.
Unfinished Business – None.
New Business
Quote to Purchase Rights to Domain / Website - Skog provided a quote for the Council to consider for the purchase of his website and domain that he had created and put up on the internet and felt that $1,000.00 was a fair price. Jensrud wondered why that was a fair price when it contained information that was never approved by the City. Skog said that the information provided was beneficial and provided transparency. Huddleston was concerned that this could be considered a conflict of interest as Skog was the Mayor and had checked with a web designer and was told that there may be other options available to the City. Skog explained that it shouldn’t be a conflict as it was a fair offer and that other options would probably have a yearly fee for the domain. Luhring suggested obtaining additional quotes to provide constancy and recommended looking at .Gov and what they could offer. Jensrud agreed that another proposal should be obtained to prove that Skog’s offer was in fact fair. Skog agreed to hold off one month. Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to table the item for further discussion and consideration at the August meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0. Skog abstained from voting.
Employee Personnel Policy - Skog provided a draft of a Personnel Policy that was discussed in 2007 and that as there were six employees, checks and balances needed to be in place and suggested installing a time clock. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk confirmed that this item was discussed in 2013 as well. Jensrud stated that at that time, the City Attorney told the Council that it was not necessary when there were so few employees. Skog was concerned with the hours put in by the Clerk and Water / Sewer Operator, John Knetter. Carpenter confirmed that the hours for John Knetter included a trip to Mankato to participate in training and obtain his sewer license. Wendy stated that funds were budgeted for training purposes and employees are paid for their time. Huddleston mentioned that all disbursements were public data and breakdowns of wages were voted on and approved and if the Council had questions or concerns time sheets were available to them. Skog commented that the residents of Hampton had been requesting something be put in place for accountability. Jensrud stated that a Code of Conduct and a Social Media Policy for employees and officials was just approved and personally had not heard of any residents voicing concerns and felt that she could not believe Skog’s comments. Huddleston stated that he had not heard any valid concerns to justify developing another policy at this time. Luhring confirmed that an annual audit is conducted, although not legally required. Council did not feel a policy was required at this time.
NSP Eminent Domain Proceeding - Motion by Huddleston seconded by Luhring not to seek financial compensation from NSP regarding their use of the City’s easement. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Adjournment - Motion by Luhring seconded by Skog to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter