The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at the Hampton City Hall for a public hearing and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Knetter; Council Members Kati Evertz-Garcia, Jerry Huddleston, and David Luhring. Victor Anderson was absent. Also present were Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; and Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk.
Public Hearing Called to Order - The purpose for the Public Hearing was to discuss amending the ordinance pertaining to alcoholic beverages on city property. Mayor Knetter opened the Public Hearing at 7:02 p.m. Knetter confirmed that the City was not contemplating dispensing alcohol but simply discussing the allowance of alcohol on city property and recommended that glass containers be prohibited. Evertz-Garcia agreed that glass could prove to be a safety concern. Knetter stated that both the City Attorney and Hampton’s Insurance Agent had agreed that the current coverage held was adequate and no additional insurance or action would be required to allow residents the option to bring alcoholic beverages to the city parks. There was no public comment on the issue.
Adjournment - Motion by Huddleston seconded by Luhring to close the Public Hearing. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The Public Hearing closed at 7:03 p.m.
Regular Meeting Called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present were Mayor Knetter; Council Members Katie Evertz-Garcia, Jerry Huddleston, and David Luhring. Council Member Victor Anderson was absent.
Disclosure of Interest – None.
Approval of August 8, 2017 Special and Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Luhring to approve the August 8, 2017 Special and Regular Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Luhring seconded by Evvertz-Garcia to approve the September disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Public Comment – None.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications - Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to hold a public hearing on December 12, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss and collect input on the final approval of the levy. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Ordinances and Resolutions -
Ordinance 1120 – Amending Code Concerning Alcoholic Beverages
Huddleston questioned if two different sections of the City Code were necessary and pointed out that one was for alcohol and one for 3.2 malt liquor. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk confirmed that both sections were included in the current code and Melissa Timm mentioned that it did follow state statute in doing so. Huddleston preferred the language used in the Summary Ordinance specifically speaking on allowing alcohol on city property such as the Community Room and city parking lots verses private lots. Council discussed public schools and private institutions and agreed that alcohol should not be allowed in any public school buildings. Luhring felt that private schools were a bit different as they are not publicly funded. Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Huddleston to adopt Ordinance 1120 Amending Chapter 111 of the City Code Concerning Alcoholic Beverages with the language change to mirror the summary and to add the prohibition of glass containers as well as waive the reading of the ordinance at this time. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Summary of Ordinance 1120- Concerning Alcoholic Beverages
Motion by Knetter seconded by Evertz-Garcia to approve the publishing of Summary of Ordinance 1120. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Resolution 2017-08 – Approving the 2017 Tax Levy
Chris Meyer, City Treasurer stated that with the changes discussed at the last meeting and including the CD withdrawals and transfers that will be approved at this meeting, the levy would have an increase of 2.6%. Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve Resolution 2017-08 Setting the 2017 Tax Levy in the amount of $278,871.00. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Resolution 2017-09 – Amending Round Up Bar Liquor License
Carpenter explained that the Round Up had wanted to participate in the event that there would be a City Festival. Knetter said that he hadn’t heard anything recently from the Fire Department in regards to their participation, but was still hoping to have something for the Community if possible and build off of it for next year. Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Huddleston to approve Resolution 2017-09 Amending Round Up Liquor License. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees -
Engineers Report – Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk confirmed that the Highway 50 Water Main Project had been finished with only a few minor punch list items remaining. Knetter requested Fisher to follow up on a few issues including the pedestrian ramp on Water and 50, the final layer of asphalt to match the existing surface, and the final seeding of the resident’s yard that had been impacted. Brad felt that some of the issues may be on the agenda to finish with the MnDOT Highway 50 Project next year and would verify with the City Engineer.
Water / Sewer – John Knetter stated that the City was preparing for discharge next month and said that both Marlin Reinardy and he had attended training the past couple of weeks.
Park Report – Evertz-Garcia confirmed that the tennis court had been repaired and thanked Ray Hill for his participation in additional improvements. Carpenter mentioned that Jed O’Conner had also assisted in the upgrades. Knetter extended his appreciation to everyone that helped with the cleaning and power washing of the court.
Street Report – Luhring suggested crack sealing some problem areas yet this fall and requested the Clerk to work with RCM on scheduling the item as well as the street sweeping for the season.
Unfinished Business - None.
New Business
CD Withdrawal and Sewer Fund Transfer to Water Fund
The City Treasurer requested approval to withdraw two CDs in the amount of $32,000.00 from the Water Fund and four CDs totaling $85,500.00 from the Sewer Fund and authorize the transfers necessary to fund the Highway 50 Water Main Project. Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the withdrawals and transfers. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Knetter thanked Meyer for his dedication and also Marlin Reinardy for helping to keep costs within the water and sewer departments as low as possible.
Award Snow Removal Contract
Evertz-Garcia requested the year listed on the contract for future work be updated and Knetter confirmed that the quote received after advertising for the service was in fact a cost per event which has seemed to be more cost efficient in the past. Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to award the snow plowing contract to Supreme Landscaping. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Award Hockey Rink Project
Knetter confirmed that the City had received a matching grant for $16,000.00 for the improvement of the hockey rink. The City Clerk provided one complete quote for the work and stated that she had given a deadline of the Council meeting to one additional contractor, but did not receive any information on the rink repair itself, only the asphalt work. Luhring wanted to make sure asphalt would be adequately provided. Knetter mentioned the option of working with the City’s crack sealing contractor for any upgrades. Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Luhring to move forward with the project and award the job to Jim Heiman Construction in the amount of $31,025.00. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Asses Overdue Water / Sewer Bill
Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to assess the overdue water and sewer bill discussed at 23450 Emery Ave. after giving an additional two weeks to pay the amount due in full. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Adjournment - Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter