The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Knetter; Council Members Jerry Huddleston, David Luhring, and Kati Evertz-Garcia. Council Member Victor Anderson was absent. Also present was Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; and Cory Bienfang, City Engineer.
Regular Meeting Called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – None.
Approval of March 13, 2018 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Luhring to approve the March 13, 2018 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the April disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Public Comment – Kerry Quam thanked the City Staff for all of their exceptional work and stated that the Silver Bell Motel was an eyesore with inoperable vehicles, mattresses, and consistently putting garbage and placing their dumpster in the city street. Quam requested the City take action on maintenance requirements as the issue was having an impact on his family and community. Jerry Beissel explained that the sewage dumping created a smell when the wind came from the right direction and inquired why it couldn’t take place directly at the treatment ponds. Marlin Reinardy confirmed that the dumping needs to go through the grinder at the lift station. Fran Arendt wanted to issue his complaint as a gas smell lingers around his home and suggested putting in a lift station at another location. Charles Smith said that when certain winds pick up, the smell is similar to a gas leak and actually called the Fire Department in one instance. Joyce Beissel explained that she remembers when the Council first discussed the dumping and that they decided to start the process and would see how things went. Joyce said there are obviously some complaints and that the money being brought in should not be more important than the residents. Steve Hamilton stated that he used to live in the neighborhood being discussed before any dumping and that there was always a slight odor due to the lift station itself. Hamilton reminded residents that any revenue from the dumping does go towards the infrastructure maintenance and improvements.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications -
Luhring stated that the Planning Commission would be holding an open house to gather public input on the Comprehensive Plan Update on April 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer explained that the final disbursement was approved tonight to restore the wall at the old city hall in conjunction with the Abandoned Well Project and the MDH variance had been approved. Bienfang provided a schedule of road closures due to the Highway 50 Mill and Overlay Project from Farmington to Highway 52 which also included the replacement culverts and improvements to intersections at both CASH 80 and 81. Cory explained that MnDOT would be removing the flasher at the TH 50 and CASH 47 intersection due to the project and would not cost participate in a replacement. The City Engineer provided costs on alternative options and recommended LED stop signs which would cost approximately $10,000.00. The Council felt that costs could be kept down if the City would handle the installation of the signs as well as research different avenues when purchasing the signs. Bienfang mentioned that further enhancements could always be added for additional safety such as stop ahead signs and pavement markings. Cory said that he had relayed road construction details with the Chainbreaker Charity Bike Ride event scheduled for August 11 and that they had requested that the City Hall parking lot be available for a rest stop. Bienfang confirmed with the Council that the City would like to follow the Capital Improvement Plan and would prepare estimates for seal coating and maintaining 238th Street and Main Street.
Water / Sewer Report – Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent said that he noticed a problem developing over at cell #3 as the hose was pulled out and air was not going through the diffuser. Marlin would be looking into the issue closer as the ice goes out.
Reinardy provided a quote in the amount of $2,500.00 submitted by KLM to clean and inspect the water tower and explained that draining would not be necessary to video tape inside the tank. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to proceed with the cleaning of the water tower. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Marlin confirmed that the Wellhead Protection Plan was required to be finished in 2018 and as some information has been completed, an engineering firm would be needed to finish the project. Reinardy said that any free service was no longer available as the city’s population was now over 500 and he had received an estimate of $12,000.00 for assistance from the MRWA. Cory Bienfang said that he would look into what Bolton and Menk’s cost would be.
Park Report – Evertz-Garcia confirmed that a new picnic table was purchased and just needed to be assembled.
Street Report – Luhring stated that spring clean up was being planned when the weather allows.
Unfinished Business – None.
New Business – Hampton Pump Property
Garlan Dubbels said that he planned to open the gas station along Highway 52 and that it would be managed by Woody’s in Randolph in a similar fashion consisting of a coffee bar, breakfast and food items, and fresh pizzas as well as the opening of the gas pumps. Marlin Reinardy thanked Dubbels for investing in the community and requested that the citizens of Hampton support and appreciate the business.
Adjournment - Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter