The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Skog; Council Members David Luhring, Jerry Huddleston, and John Knetter. Also present was Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; and Cory Bienfang, City Engineer.
Regular Meeting Called to Order - Mayor Skog called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – Skog stated that he would refrain from discussion regarding the purchase of his website.
Approval of August 10, 2016 Special Meeting and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to approve the August 10, 2016 Special Meeting and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to approve the September 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 September disbursement. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0. Knetter abstained from voting.
Public Comment – Marlin Reinardy wanted to clarify the Mayor’s Desk article in the Hampton News as he had someone ask him if it was correct that John Knetter couldn’t run for Mayor as he was working with the City’s water and sewer part time. Reinardy said that a state statute was provided and that the Mayor was very familiar with the statute as he spent $2,369.00 of City money in legal fees to obtain authorization. Marlin stated that John Knetter can legally serve as Mayor and continue working part time for the City just as it was the case when he was a Council Member and just as it is the case in the City of Dennison where the Mayor serves as the Water and Sewer Operator. Jerry Beissel said that he was concerned with the garage being built on the Dixon property and what drainage issues it could create. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk confirmed that all code requirements had been met and that the Building Inspector had issued a permit. Beissel requested that the City Engineer look at the construction site. Lori Endres spoke on the bike trail proposal and wanted to know why plans were being discussed when the affected property owners were not in favor of it and suggested that such a project could be placed on the ballot with costs involved at the next election.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - Council agreed to meet at 6:30 p.m. before the December 13, 2016 regular scheduled meeting to discuss and approve the final levy.
Ordinances and Resolutions -
Resolution 2016-11 - Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to approve the 2016 Levy, Collectible in 2017 in the amount of $273,238.00. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Resolution 2016-12 - Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to Declare a Vacancy on the Hampton City Council. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer stated that the City had received a grant award for $6,430.00 from the Department of Health to address the abandoned well located at the old city hall. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to accept the grant and move forward with the well project. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Bienfang said that he had performed a site evaluation regarding the ball field’s drainage concerns and explained that the new home being built on Main Street would offer topsoil to cover any storm sewer installed. Cory felt that 300 feet of pipe would be sufficient and estimated a cost of four thousand dollars with an additional cost for a retaining wall to maintain the improvement. Huddleston confirmed that funds were available in the budget for park improvements. Skog said that the landscaping portion of the project such as a retaining wall could wait. Knetter felt that a retaining wall would protect from water erosion. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to collect quotes to address the culvert and storm sewer for maintenance and repairs needed. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Water / Sewer Report - Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent confirmed that the algae problem was under control in most of the ponds and discharging would be performed in the month of October. Reinardy stated that due to a power outage, the generators had been pulled out. Marlin said that he had attended the Minnesota Rural Water Association conference and that he had tried a vent pipe scrubber for the lift station. Reinardy stated that well pump #2 had been repaired and that he had met with the State Wellhead Protection Representative on the Wellhead Plan that required an update. Marlin explained that as the City’s population was over 500, there was no free assistance available and there could be a potential cost of $8,000.00 to $10,000.00 involved.
Park Report – Huddleston confirmed that the Park Plan Update had been sent back for revisions and after the Planning Commission reviewed it in September, the plan would be up for the City Council’s approval in October. Huddleston thanked Marlin Reinardy for addressing the weeds and said that fresh woodchips were ordered for both city parks.
Street Report - Luhring stated that RCM had agreed to return to address some problematic areas before the snowplowing season. Luhring said that areas on Main Street, Hampton Avenue between Water and Doffing, and Belmont would be patched to prepare for winter.
Unfinished Business – Quote to Purchase Rights to Domain Site / Website -
After consideration of Skog’s offer to sell a website to the City, Luhring felt that it would be a conflict of interest and said that it was deplorable for a public servant to purchase a specific domain and would want to take money and profit from the City. Skog said that he was just getting back the amount that he had put into it. Council felt that it was not in the City’s best interest. Skog stated that the domain would just sit out there.
New Business -
Ordinance Regarding Chickens -
Joe Heiman addressed the Council stating that he had five chickens for two years and that there were no complaints and as they were considered domestic animals and they were fenced in and none of his neighbors had any problems with them, was requesting that he be allowed to keep them. Huddleston inquired what changes to the ordinance was being requested. Heiman said that he was not looking for any specific changes, just that he would be allowed to keep the chickens and that they were considered almost pets by his children. Cindy Flodeen explained she had two chickens and was looking to provide her children with the opportunity to experience raising and taking care of them. Knetter said that he had done some research and found that St. Paul has a permit fee of $15.00 and requires 75% of neighbor approval but also commented that no roosters were allowed. Huddleston suggested comparing some of the ordinances in surrounding areas. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to hold a public hearing on the issue October 11, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. before the regular scheduled City Council meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Building Inspector Contract Renewal -
Huddleston pointed out that it was hard to compare the two proposals collected as the fee structure was set differently and felt that the City had a good working relationship with the current Building Inspector. Knetter requested more time to review the options. Motion by Luhring seconded by Knetter to table the item. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Scott Qualle, City Building Inspector confirmed with the City Clerk that the proposal submitted by Benny Svien did not include rental inspections.
Water / Sewer Rate Increase -
Luhring suggested increasing the water / sewer rates to help offset the street project planned for 2018 and recommended smaller increments verses a large increase before the project. Skog suggested a public hearing be held. Knetter felt a 5% increase be planned yearly to fund the street project. Motion by Luhring seconded by Knetter to table the issue until further projected costs of the planned street project could be provided. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
MnDOT ROW Acquisition -
Huddleston stated that he had reviewed the proposal and the City Attorney’s information and explained that the City was looking at accepting a small amount of money to allow MnDOT to acquire .05 acres to straighten a boundary line on the east side of Highway 50. Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to approve MnDOT’s Quitclaim. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
City Council Appointment -
Kristina Waltman submitted an interest form in regards to serving on the Council. Skog said that he had some concerns appointing a Council Member with the election coming up in two months. Huddleston confirmed that it was legal to approve a vacancy on the Council and then appoint a Council Member at the same meeting and felt that Waltman would be a benefit to the City as she had Council experience. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to appoint Kristina Waltman to the City Council. Skog did not vote. Motion passed 3:0.
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 7:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter