The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, June 13, 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 7:03 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – None.
Approval of May 9, 2017 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the May 9, 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 June disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Knetter abstained from voting.
Public Comment – None.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - Luhring stated that he had met with Amanda Heather and she had hoped to complete the Comprehensive Plan update for under $5,000.00 but requested a cost not to exceed $9,600.00 in the event revisions by the Met Council are required. Knetter confirmed that Bolton and Menk would assist in the water supply plans and components. Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve Amanda Heather’s proposal. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Reed Kosir with the Randolph / Hampton Fire Department addressed the Council and requested approval to raise the Annual Retirement Pension Benefit level from $1,300.00 to $1,450.00 per year and explained that all was fully funded and nothing additional would be required from the City. Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Huddleston to approve the benefit increase. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Knetter abstained from voting.
The Deputy Sheriff commented on the Naughty Pine burning and concern with people digging around for remnants and liquor bottles. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk confirmed that the clean up process would commence after a 30 day cooling period. Knetter mentioned that the Fire Department had hoses stolen from the site. The Deputy recommended they file a report.
Ordinances and Resolutions – Resolution 2017-06 – Terminating / Revoking Rental License
Anderson confirmed with the City Clerk that the appropriate notice had been sent out to Jerome and Joyce Beissel. Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to terminate Beissel’s rental license due to non-compliance. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer stated that they had received six bids on the Highway 50 Water Main Project and that RAW came in the lowest at $123,672.05 and recommended the City approve that bid. Bienfang said that they could begin work in August and a pre-construction meeting would be planned after the 4th of July Holiday. Cory confirmed that permits have been approved by the Minnesota Department of Health and the County and that the City was still waiting for the permit from MnDOT. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to award the Highway 50 Water Main Project to RAW per the City Engineer’s recommendation. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The City Engineer commented on a site grading review of the new twin home on Doffing Way. Luhring abstained from any discussion. Bienfang explained that it was fine for the most part but the west side had an extremely steep yard and due to the curb cuts that were put in during the development of Doffing Way, a swale would need to be maintained to keep sufficient drainage on the street and proposed a storm sewer culvert. Cory commented that the Contractor could provide the fill as he still needed to finish the grading but was wondering if the City would consider cost participation for the pipe and aprons required in the amount of approximately $1,000.00. Huddleston questioned what was different about a curb cut. Knetter explained that it was not as pronounced as a normal curb and that the City had no additional drainage put in at the time of Doffing Way. Bienfang suggested a pipe opening and culvert through the curb cut that would assist in the drainage. Knetter voiced concern on setting a precedence and who would provide maintenance and stated to be fair, nothing had been done on the other side. Huddleston felt that the City had a responsibility for the infrastructure but this situation was a private residence. Anderson commented that something like this should be a builder or homeowner responsibility and maintenance. Council agreed. Bienfang confirmed that all crack sealing had been completed on June 5 and as the cost was as low as one dollar a foot, he had requested the City Hall parking lot be included. Cory introduced Brad Fischer as his assistant and said that he would be helping out with being present on-site as he and his family was moving to St. Peter.
Water / Sewer Report – Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent stated that the discharge had gone well and that Farmer’s Mill would be spraying the ponds. Reinardy confirmed that sewer cleaning was planned in the alley between Lincoln, County Road 47, and Park Street where the clay main was located. Marlin explained that every 3 years testing was required for copper and lead and would take place including ten different locations and also that curb stops would be installed at the Dohmen home off of Belmont.
Park Report – Evertz-Garcia stated that the City had been awarded a grant to re-build the hockey rink. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk confirmed that the Outdoor Recreation Grant was a matching grant for $16,000.00 and she would keep the Council informed of all progress. Evertz-Garcia also commented on the thistles in the park that needed attention. Carpenter said that she would contact the Mowing / Weed Control Contractor. Huddleston requested that a new picnic table be installed at the Winter / FESBA Park. Evertz-Garcia said that she would look into it and commented on a proposal the City Clerk had received on the tennis court repair and that the estimate was approximately $1,200.00 with pickle ball markings included. The Council was concerned with what the pickle ball markings added to the repair cost and approved Evertz-Garcia to make the decision based on cost and public input.
Street Report - Luhring requested that additional sweeping be done after the sealing and mentioned that a resident had a concern with tree roots protruding in the boulevard along Water Street and Hampton Avenue which was making the maintenance of the area difficult.
Unfinished Business – On-Line Utility Payments - Chris Meyer, City Treasurer provided a summary of options available to the City to provide on-line payments for utility bills. Meyer explained that Merchants Bank had a direct debit option and that GovPayNet provided a service that the residents would incur all fees and other organizations would be available when the City would have an operating website, but at this time his recommendation would be to utilize the City’s current billing software. Chris stated information would be maintained through Banyon and receipts would post automatically but there would be a minimum file fee of $12.00 per 50 payments and a one time fee of $795.00 for the software module. Huddleston mentioned that this option would utilize what the City already has and liked the idea of the City holding the records. Evertz-Garcia felt that it could save on labor expenses in the long run. Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to move forward with implementing direct debit through Banyon. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
New Business - Rental Inspection - Pete Schaffer addressed the Council and stated that his application and fee was submitted as requested and inquired if the CDA inspection report would suffice the City. Knetter stated that a copy would need to be submitted to the City. Luhring proposed coordinating the CDA inspection along with the City Inspection to alleviate any inconvenience on the tenant. Schaffer questioned which Inspector would supersede. Knetter felt that any discrepancies could be dealt with at that time. Evertz-Garcia inquired on Schaffer’s last CDA inspection and requested a certificate providing compliance. Council felt that moving forward Schaffer could coordinate both City and CDA inspections. Carpenter confirmed that Rental Licenses issued during this cycle expire on November 1, 2018.
Liquor License Renewal - Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the Round-Up Bar’s Liquor License. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Adjournment - Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter