The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Knetter; Council Members Jerry Huddleston, David Luhring, and Victor Anderson. Council Member Kati Evertz-Garcia was absent. Also present was Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; and Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk.
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 8, 2018 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring seconded by Anderson to approve the May 8, 2018 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Huddleston seconded by Luhring to approve the June disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Public Comment – None.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications -
Luhring commented that at the last meeting, Council gave approval for a resident to put in a garden on city property and that he had noticed since then a sandbox, swing set, and pool were also in the city right-of-way. Knetter said that he would follow up on the issue.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk provided an update on the Highway 50 Project as turning lanes were to be implemented and mentioned that he had been trying to contact Midco representatives regarding the work being conducted within the City, but has had no luck connecting with anyone. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk offered to call her contact at the company to try to rectify the issue. Luhring confirmed with Fisher that final grading and any clean up issues at the new twin home on Doffing would be attended to the following week.
Water / Sewer Report – Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent stated that both the annual well inspection and quarterly sample tests came back fine as well as all the discharge test results. Reinardy explained that an air scrubber had been installed in the lift station on Main Street and was operational, but still in a testing phase and was looking to install a timer. Marlin had requested residents pay attention and report any improvements. Reinardy mentioned that there had been a problem with the pump, but after vacuuming the bottom of the lift station for the first time since its installation, things were better. Knetter commented that due to the excessive rainfall recently, an odor was present due to the moisture.
Park Report – Knetter stated that anyone wanting to donate trees for the parks should contact the City Hall and mentioned that some trees currently standing should be trimmed down. Luhring suggested that some trees in the area of the 47 and 50 intersection by the stop ahead signs be trimmed as well. Brad Fisher said that he would contact MnDOT as that would be their right-of-way.
Street Report – Luhring said that he had conducted a drive thru in the areas that needed attention due to potholes and that the City Clerk would be meeting with RCM to provide a map of the areas to be addressed. Luhring stated that Belmont was in really bad shape and Knetter confirmed that the area was included in the Capital Improvements Plan as the next street improvement project.
Unfinished Business –
Approval of 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update Draft – Knetter thanked the staff for their hard work and felt that all was satisfactory as the City Planner had stated. Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
New Business –
Fence Ordinance – David Claypool, 4814 Birch, thanked the City for providing a great place to live and said that the Heights of Hampton was a nice area with friendly families and children out and about, but did feel that an issue needed to be addressed. Claypool explained that recently a fence had been put along the property built with wood treated and containing chemicals that the MPCA and EPA have determined not safe to be in contact with humans. The chemicals used to protect wood from rotting used for railroad ties and utility poles such as creosote and PCP have no registered residential uses and felt that such regulations should be added to the city code. David recommended a survey be required prior to construction of a fence as well as written permission for any encroachment on adjoiner’s property and that the existing fence, although meets the city ordinance, does not follow state and federal rules. Sam Radford said that he had checked the city code before putting up the fence and was not aware that it did not meet the MPCA standards. Huddleston felt that the current fence met the city code and recommended working with the Planning Commission on amending the fence ordinance moving forward and that research should be done on permitting requirements.
City Policing – Knetter wanted to confirm that patrolling was in fact being conducted within the City and that residents should keep cars and garages locked as summer is here and thefts are up in Dakota County. Huddleston confirmed that a joint powers agreement with the County had been declined in the past as it had only pertained to local ordinances with additional costs attached. Knetter stated that Hampton has, and will continue to have policing in the area.
Liquor License Renewal– Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the liquor license renewal for the Round Up Bar. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0
Approval of Amendment to Wellhead Protection Plan, Part 1- Marlin Reinardy addressed two amendments made to the Wellhead Protection Plan which included the decreased area from where the current wells draw from due to the water consumption going down and thanked the residents for being conscience of the odd / even watering rule. The second amendment was going from a minimal to a moderate vulnerability regarding well #2 due to no record of grouting and placing it in a very remote chance of contamination. Reinardy said that he would work with the MDH on their findings but as it was still acceptable, recommended approval of the plan at this time to meet submittal guidelines and the MRWA the ability to move forward with Part 2. Motion by Huddleston seconded by Luhring to approve the amendment to the Wellhead Protection Plan, Part 1. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
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 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter