The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, May 9, 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; Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; and Tracy Reimann, City Rental Inspector.
Regular Meeting Called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – None.
Approval of April 11, 2017 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Huddleston to approve the April 11, 2017 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the May disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Knetter abstained from voting.
Public Comment – None.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications -
Knetter commented on a tree that seemed dead off of Water Street that was located in the boulevard and that the City and adjacent homeowner would each be responsible for up to 50% of the removal expense. Luhring said that he would work with the property owner if necessary.
Ordinances and Resolutions – Resolution 2017-06 – Calling for a Public Hearing on the Issuance of Revenue Notes to Finance a Project by Ebenezer Ridges Care Center
Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk stated that the Resolution was no longer required as the facility had decided to go a different route for financing.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer explained that the Highway 50 Water Main Project was expected to exceed $100,000.00 in cost and the City would be required to go through a competitive bidding process. Bienfang confirmed that permitting requirements were being met and that the Council would be able to award the project at the June meeting after a three week advertisement. Cory said that a project completion date was requested to be on or before November 3.
Luhring confirmed that the seal coating was set to take place. Bienfang said that May 15 was the soonest that they could proceed.
Water / Sewer Report – Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent stated that discharging had begun and the hydrants were flushed with no problems.
Reinardy planned to work with Bienfang on a service line for the new Dohmen home but decided to hold off as there was a possibility of an additional new home in that area. Marlin felt a dual service that would need to extend approximately 70 feet was needed and that Dohmen would be responsible for the WAC fee.
Reinardy also mentioned that the ditch along Park Street needed to be cleaned as the culverts were plugged and that water was not draining properly.
Park Report – Evertz-Garcia confirmed that the netting on the fence by the ball field had been replaced and that lime rock was needed for that area as well as some drain tile repair.
Street Report - Luhring stated that all spray patching was completed and the street signs had been replaced along Doffing.
The Deputy Sheriff explained that a suspect had evaded the police during a burglary on 250th Street but also confirmed items from another burglary had been recovered. The Deputy reminded residents to lock up all trailers that were parked. Reinardy inquired on a white van that was said to have been in areas that had been burglarized. The Deputy said that it had been seen in the areas of events and any suspicious looking white van should be called in.
Unfinished Business – On-Line Utility Payments - Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk stated that she was considering three different options for on-line payments to the City. Chris Meyer, City Treasurer offered to put together some information for the June Council meeting.
Knetter mentioned that he had a resident show interest in heading a committee in regards to a fall City Festival. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to add the item to the agenda. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. Motion by Knetter seconded by Evertz-Garcia to appoint Angie Carlson as Chair of the Festival Committee. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
New Business -
Chainbreaker Charity Event - Tara Sowka, Operations Manager of Chainbreaker addressed the Council and explained that a bike ride charity event for cancer research was planned to start in Eagan and conduct a 25 mile finish in Hampton. Sowka provided background on the organization as well as plans for the event. Tara said that a celebration in the park as well as breakfast and entertainment was scheduled for August 12 and would be contacting Dakota County for road closures and requested volunteers from Hampton. Sowka explained that the route would start in Eagan and proceed through Hampton, Welch, Northfield, and ultimately finish in Excelsior. Tare recommended meeting with City staff at the end of May for a site evaluation.
Comprehensive Plan Update Discussion - Knetter said that he had spoke with Luhring on the Comprehensive Plan’s update and as an Engineer’s expertise would be needed for some areas, that there was an option of hiring a past Planning Commission Member to assist in the remaining areas. Huddleston commented that an update was all that was required at this time and felt that Amanda Jensrud was competent and experienced in this area and that it would help to keep costs down. Luhring said that he would meet with Jensrud to go over the scope of work and set a limit on hours and cost. Motion by Knetter seconded by Evertz-Garcia to hire Amanda Jensrud to assist in the Comprehensive Plan update and to request Sambatek’s service as needed. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Rental Ordinance - Pete Schaffer questioned the validity of the Rental Ordinance. Huddleston stated that the City Attorney had confirmed that the ordinance was valid and enforceable. Knetter said that a hold was put on any enforcement of the ordinance until the Attorney could provide documentation on the validity and supplied Schaffer with a copy of that letter. Schaffer questioned what would happen if he refused to comply or disagreed with the inspection reports. Knetter asked if Pete had rentals in any other city that had a Rental Ordinance and Schaffer responded that Hastings might have one in place. Evertz-Garcia confirmed that Hastings did and asked if Pete had his CDA inspection information. Schaffer said that he couldn’t find that documentation but mentioned that Ohio had found the rental inspections a violation of the Constitution and Minnesota had cases in the courts at this time. Knetter confirmed that any violations would be legally handled by the City Attorney and that most of the rental businesses in Hampton have complied with the ordinance. Huddleston stated that the Council had been sworn to uphold the ordinances and were willing to listen to complaints but ultimately needed to fall back on the law and Attorney’s advice. Luhring felt that 90% of the rentals were in compliance and that he didn’t understand why some were now arguing the process when the current Council was just trying to enforce the City Code. Evertz-Garcia mentioned that if Schaffer would have paid his license fee and provided the CDA inspection report as discussed, it may have been reviewed. Knetter confirmed that the Council had provided the information requested at the last meeting and was now requiring compliance and inquired if Schaffer complied with Hastings’s ordinances. Pete confirmed that he did pay the fees and allowed the inspections in Hastings. Knetter felt that Hampton’s ordinance was in place for a reason as well and said that it should be upheld. Council agreed. Schaffer had no further comment.
Adjournment - Motion by Huddleston seconded by Luhring to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter