The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Knetter; Council Members David Luhring, Jerry Huddleston, Victor Anderson, and Kati Evertz-Garcia. Also present was Cory Bienfang, City Engineer; and Chris Meyer, City Treasurer.
Regular Meeting Called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – None.
Approval of January 10, 2017 Special and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Huddleston seconded by Evertz-Garcia to approve the January 10, 2017 Special and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to approve the February disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Public Comment – Tom Fliegel asked why the police had been called to his new home construction site on Doffing Way. Knetter mentioned that he had heard some of the equipment may have been blocking the road access, but confirmed with the City Clerk that no calls from the police had been reported to City Hall. Jeff Werner stated his concern with the rental ordinance and wanted to know if it had been put in place for safety reasons or to just make the City money. Luhring confirmed it was geared to provide safety for the residents that rented within the City. Werner felt that perhaps all residents should be required to have their homes inspected and that the reminder letters being sent out were unprofessional and he was still waiting on minutes requested from City Hall explaining why the ordinance was adopted. Knetter explained that as he remembered, it was put in place at the time the buildings were going up on Main Street by the salon to ensure all requirements were being met and properties were kept up to code. Janet Otte questioned why it was necessary to have this completed bi-annually when things such as fire extinguishers and batteries in smoke alarms are good for much longer than two years. Knetter mentioned that fire extinguishers are inspected annually and Luhring said that smoke alarms were recommended to be changed out annually as well. Evertz-Garcia confirmed that periodic checks in rentals are usually required and access should be provided. The Deputy Sheriff reported some juveniles had been entering and taking items from cars that are left unlocked. Luhring confirmed with the Deputy that he had no reports of issues at the construction site on Doffing Way.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - Chris Meyer, City Treasurer provided the 2016 Year End Financial Summary of cash and investments and explained that the Financial Statements would be put out the 15th of February and would present a final draft at the March meeting to address any questions or concerns. Meyer supplied an analysis of fund current balances and available cash for projects and pointed out that the majority of this was in the sewer fund. Chris felt that the City would be able to contribute $236,934.00 to a CIP at this time. Luhring explained that the Planning Commission was looking into the Comprehensive Plan update requirements and stated that Sambatek would be heading the project and confirmed that the City did receive a grant in the amount of $10,000.00 to be used for costs incurred. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk said that she would be forwarding the proposal from Sambatek to the Council. Knetter invited the Council to the annual Fire District business meeting March 2.
Ordinances and Resolutions -
Ordinance 1119 – Interim Ordinance Prohibiting Multiple Family Dwellings - Luhring commented on the update of the Comprehensive Plan and that while statistics were being reviewed; felt that the City should put a hold on any multiple housing. Huddleston agreed that while reviewing the City’s water and wastewater capacity, multiple housing should be prohibited. Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve Ordinance 1119 Temporarily Prohibiting Multiple Family Dwellings. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Resolution 2017-02 - Motion by Huddleston seconded by Evertz-Garcia to Adopt the Dakota County All Hazard Mitigation Plan. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Resolution 2017-03 - Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to renew the JPA with the State of Minnesota and City Attorney. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Resolution 2017-04 - Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to Approve an Application for an Outdoor Recreation Grant. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk said that she would proceed with the matching grant application to reconstruct the hockey rink and would keep the Council informed on any developments.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer spoke on MnDOT’s Highway 50 project and that the relocating of the hydrant previously discussed was no longer necessary as it was located in the County right-of-way and cost sharing expenses was not an option. Bienfang stated that the leaking valve and four inch water main would still need to be addressed and wondered if Council would consider moving forward with the repair and upgrade. Knetter mentioned that as construction starts, the City could see issues caused by vibrations and weight on an already failing main. Bienfang estimated a cost of $150,000.00 and could prepare a request for competitive bids. Knetter questioned if the City would wait until the street project starts, if Hampton would be required to restore the street as the surface would be in line of reconstruction at that time. Cory felt that the City really shouldn’t wait that long for the needed repair. Huddleston confirmed that funds were available and taxes would not need to be raised for the repair. Council agreed to look at proposals for the project.
Water / Sewer Report – Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk congratulated the Water / Sewer Staff on being awarded the 2016 Wastewater Treatment Facility Operational Award and thanked them for keeping Hampton in compliance and providing outstanding maintenance and management.
Park Report – Evertz-Garcia stated that the ice rink was done for the season due to the warm weather.
Street Report - Luhring said that he planned to move forward with crack sealing on Water / Grant / Hampton Boulevard as scheduled on the CIP to keep on track with the maintenance of the City streets.
Unfinished Business –
City of Hampton Logo - Carpenter confirmed that one idea had been submitted to the City. Council felt that the logo could be used with some amendments and would continue looking at possibilities.
Utility Payments On Line - Chris Meyer, City Treasurer provided information on options available for on line payments and pointed out that the City could maintain account information on quarterly amounts due and transfer files to the bank for direct debit or Banyon could send files including current amounts due. Huddleston felt that using the water / sewer accounting software would be fairly easy as it was a relational data base. Meyer agreed that it would be the recommended avenue and said that he would work with the Clerks and Banyon to test files and verify compatibility.
New Business - MnSPECT Introduction - Kandis with MnSPECT introduced herself to the newly elected officials and said that she would be providing yearly reports on permits and values and explained the services that MnSPECT provided.
Office Equipment needed in 2017 - Council agreed that the City Clerk should look into options of a new copier and laptop for the office at City Hall.
Water / Sewer Rate Increase - Luhring stated to defer costs of upcoming street projects that an increase should be considered. Meyer mentioned that the City’s financial advisor had recommended small increases yearly which the City has not done. Huddleston reminded the Council that some residents were sensitive to increased bills but it was necessary to build the water fund. Huddleston was in favor of a 15% increase. Evertz-Garcia felt that a 10% increase now and another 10% increase at the beginning of 2018 may be an easy way to build the funds. Knetter said that he agreed with a 10% increase now but 5% more later. Luhring stated that it would be beneficial to stay ahead of the curve and build funds for projects. Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to increase the water and sewer rates by 10% effective April 1, 2017 and an additional 10% effective January 1, 2018. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Conduit Issuer for Ebenezer Senior Housing - Meyer confirmed that it was an opportunity for the City if it was to agree on allowing the senior housing to use Hampton’s bank qualified loan maximum for the year 2017 in exchange for a user’s fee as there was no obligation or affect on the City’s credit. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to move forward with the conduit issuer requirements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Adjournment - Motion by Huddleston seconded by Evertz-Garcia to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter