The Hampton City Council met on Wednesday, August 10, 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 John Knetter. Council Member Amanda Jensrud was absent. Also present was Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Kevin Whitson, Fire Chief; 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 2017 as well as discuss the Capital Improvement Plan. Mayor Skog called the special meeting to order at 6:31 p.m.
Chris Meyer, City Treasurer provided the Council with a 2017 budget worksheet with recommendations to comply with the State Auditor requirements. Meyer commented on some amendments to the budget including the revenues and expenditures in regards to the Park Plan update and CIP grants as well as the $25,000.00 fee received for participating as a conduit issuer for Shepherds Path and stated that a CD could be purchased in that amount. Chris explained that after incorporating the necessary changes, the levy was estimated to increase by 5.37% with the debt service being a factor and without that increase, in reality the levy would go up 3.7%. The Treasurer reminded the Council that a withdrawal of a CD could reduce the levy. Meyer commented on the other changes made to the budget including the rental fee which was scheduled to be collected this year and not the next, the expected antenna lease that was never finalized, CD withdrawals to maintain the streets, and funds budgeted in 2016 for new election supplies purchased. Chris also increased funds such as Treasurer, building permits, and lawn care to more accurately reflect current expenditures. The City Treasurer explained that the debt service fund expenditures were required and that the water and sewer funds had no impact on the levy, but if any excess revenue existed a CD would be purchased and set aside for improvements. Huddleston suggested lumping tree trimming expenditures with lawn care.
The City Engineer agreed to discuss the CIP during his Engineer’s Report.
Adjournment - Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to adjourn the special meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 6:43 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, and Jerry Huddleston. Council Member Amanda Jensrud was absent.
Disclosure of Interest – Skog stated that he would refrain from discussion regarding the purchase of his website.
Approval of July 12, 2016 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the July 12, 2016 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to approve the August disbursements excluding John Knetter‘s. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve John Knetter’s August disbursement. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0. Knetter abstained from voting.
Public Comment – Sam Radford explained that he had attended a previous meeting and informed the Council that he was unhappy with the discussion of condemnation of his land for a trail that was not a necessity and that the City Council had said that they would not pursue the issue as he was not in favor of the trail. Radford said that Cory Bienfang and Jerry Huddleston had since continued the conversation and that he felt maintenance on the current parks should be the focus and that the proposed trail on his land should be removed from any future park plans. John Nicolai addressed the Council regarding the land that he currently farmed south of Little Oscars and explained that he was contemplating purchasing the land, but as it was zoned industrial wanted to inquire if the Council would consider re-zoning the parcel to agricultural for the time being until an offer would be made for anything different. Skog recommended Nicolai attend a Planning Commission meeting for further research on the subject. Kandis Hanson with MnSpect introduced herself as the new Relationship Manager and commented that she would be back in September to formally look at re-newing the city contract.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - Jake Parenteau with CenterPoint Energy explained that the Community Partnership Grant was awarding the Randolph-Hampton Fire Department $2,400.00 to assist with the purchase of breathing apparatus and was happy to support local safety projects.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer stated that the Met Council was offering a $10,000.00 grant to assist small cities with their Comprehensive Plan updates and he would be submitting an application by September 5 on behalf of the City of Hampton upon Council approval. Cory mentioned the City Planner, Ben with Sambatek would be leading the plans renewal process along with his assistance on water and sewer items and estimated the cost to be around $30,000.00. Bienfang suggested the City look at budgeting sufficient funds in 2017 for the plan. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to authorize an application for Planning Assistance Grant Funds. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The City Engineer mentioned that MnDOT would be removing the existing flasher at the intersection of TH 50 and County Road 47 during the upcoming improvement of Highway 50 as the current policy doesn’t allow for its reinstallation and recent history shows few incidents related to the intersection. Cory recommended going with a standard 4-way stop. Knetter commented that the flasher did help traffic during fog. Luhring confirmed that the ADA accessibility being installed will assist in making the intersection more visible. Bienfang said that he had been in contact with the City Attorney regarding the Highway 50 MnDOT ROW acquisition and that she would be providing further information on potential appraisals for the September meeting. Cory addressed the Council on behalf of MnDOT regarding a possible expansion of the Park-n-Ride lot at the Highway 52 interchange as they had inquired if the City would be willing to contribute to any improvements. Skog felt that they could expand the lot to current limitations before the City would need to provide any assistance. Bienfang provided the Council with some financial information on the Capital Improvement Plan and that due to expense, recommended waiting until 2018 to target the poorest roads in the area between Lincoln and Main / Park Streets. Cory felt that there were options to keep costs down such as contemplating a total reclaim and still addressing the clay pipes but a time frame of 2018 would be more appropriate with perhaps a seal coating project for Water Street in 2017. Council agreed that a feasibility report should be done for a 2018 street project. Luhring suggested that a water and sewer rate increase be considered to prepare for future project expenses.
Water / Sewer Report - Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent stated that the motor on well #2 was pulled and the shaft had to be replaced. Reinardy explained that the Water Street lift station had unbalanced power on the phase failure relay due to excessive air conditioner use and was working with X-Cel to rectify the problem. Marlin mentioned that some algae was present in pond one but both two and three were good. Reinardy confirmed that the drain tile at the Heights had been addressed and that he also had worked on the weeds at both parks as well as the ditches that the State had not been maintaining. Huddleston thanked Marlin and requested that if there was any weed spray left, that he address the hockey rink area as well. Reinardy did feel that the City should look into installing a culvert along Park Street to assist in fighting the spread of cattails. Council agreed that Marlin should go out for quotes.
Park Report – Huddleston addressed Sam Radford’s public comment and provided a brief background on the subject of a trail without revisiting previous arguments but did state that he meant no disrespect and that it was obvious they disagreed. Council Member Huddleston felt that he needed to look at all options including grants and CIPs for the benefit of the whole community. The Radfords said again that they were not interested in selling their land and that the City should stop considering that option. Knetter stated that an option of paving a shoulder had been recently discussed which had nothing to with anyone’s property. Huddleston confirmed that the Park Plan had been sent back with requested changes and that the tree by the rink was still in need of trimming. Skog commented the ice rink was full of weeds. The City Clerk confirmed that the contractor needed to maintain that area per their contract. Huddleston stated that the City planned to order woodchips for both city parks and although Skog felt that trees are cut down all the time and volunteers could address the issue, Council explained that money was budgeted for park maintenance and should be used where needed. Motion by Huddleston seconded by Knetter to purchase woodchips for both parks. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Skog commented that he had requests to instill a dog park into the park plan and that it may be a way to enforce pet licenses. Marlin Reinardy mentioned that dogs are hard on the ball fields the way it was. Melissa Timm questioned how the dog licenses would be enforced by having a dog park.
Street Report - Luhring recommended addressing some potholes and other problem spots before snowplowing season.
Unfinished Business – Quote to Purchase Rights to Domain Site / Website -
Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk stated that she was waiting on further details on additional quotes and mentioned that perhaps the Council should have discussed budgeting for a website earlier in the meeting. Skog felt that funds could be taken from the general or park accounts. Knetter requested to wait until additional information was collected. Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to table the website discussion. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0. Skog abstained from voting.
New Business - Letter of Resignation of Council Member Jensrud - Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to accept Council Member Jensrud’s letter of resignation. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Adjournment - Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter