The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 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 Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Cory Bienfang and Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk; and Jim Robinson with Sambatek.
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 June 12, 2018 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the June 12, 2018 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to approve the July disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Public Comment – Lisa Hanni, 4814 Birch Street, provided a map of the area that was being considered for re-zoning later in the meeting and felt that if approved, the junkyard planned would be an eyesore and not benefit the community. Hanni was concerned with the environmental impact and increased truck traffic and requested that the Council deny the re-zoning request. Knetter thanked Lisa for her effort in putting the information together.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications -
Motion by Luhring seconded by Anderson to move the August Regular Meeting to Wednesday, August 15 due to the Primary Election and meet at 6:30 p.m. to review the city budget. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. Knetter wanted to clarify that the City was on schedule for the planned street maintenance and due to the late spring, Allied just recently completed the seal coating which will allow the potholes to be addressed next.
Ordinances and Resolutions -
Appointing 2018 Election Judges -
Motion by Huddleston seconded by Luhring to approve Resolution 2018-03 Appointing 2018 Election Judges. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Doffing Variance –
Jim Robinson with Sambatek gave a summary background on a setback and garage area variance request from Bruce and Kim Doffing for an attached garage at their property and explained that as there were three front yards due to the location at Water Street, Hampton Avenue, and Doffing Way it was indeed a unique situation. Robinson said that after a public hearing was held; the Planning Commission had recommended approval of a 20 foot side yard setback variance from Hampton Avenue and a 9.5 foot rear yard setback variance from Doffing Way; and denial of the requested 16 foot rear yard setback variance and the 200 square foot garage area variance. Luhring was concerned with the lack of visibility at the corners of the property. Huddleston felt that the Planning Commission had proposed a reasonable compromise and agreed that a 1,200 square foot garage would be too large for that area. Knetter agreed with the Planning Commission and City Planner’s recommendation as this was a smaller lot. The Doffing’s approached the Council and explained that currently, the stairs from the basement come up to the kitchen and they would like to move that space out into the garage and that was the reasoning behind an additional 200 square feet. Bruce asked the Council for leniency due to the age of the house and how it was originally placed on an alley. Kim felt that the size would be consistent with other garages in the area. Anderson mentioned that as the stairs in the house would be moved to the outside, this was an extension of the house. Knetter commented that he appreciated the Doffing’s work in cleaning up the property but felt that the Planning Commission had done their due diligence and wouldn’t feel comfortable swaying from it in this case. Bruce Doffing said that the bigger garage would be beneficial when looking at resale. Evertz-Garcia felt that a 1,000 square foot garage was still quite large. Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Huddleston to approve both Resolutions 2018-04 Denying variances for garage area and rear yard setback; and Resolution 2018-05 approving a 20 foot side yard setback variance and reduced 9.5 foot rear yard setback variance. Luhring, Knetter, Huddleston, and Evertz-Garcia voted in favor. Anderson opposed. Motion passed 4:1
Finnegan Zoning Amendments –
Jim Robinson, City Planner confirmed that the Planning Commission had held a public hearing on June 28 for input on the request by Ryan Finnegan for a Comprehensive Plan amendment, re-zoning, and text amendment to add a conditional use for inoperable vehicles. Robinson explained that Copart was looking to build a facility on the Finnegan property at the northeast corner of State Highways 52 & 50 which would consist of on-site storage and an on-line auction of damaged and inoperable vehicles and as the property was currently split zoning and part of which was located in the Township, it would require a change from Commercial to Industrial zoning and in addition allow a CUP as junkyards and inoperable vehicles are not allowed within the city at this time. Jim suggested that the Council should only re-zone if it would be a benefit to the community and pointed out that there were some things to consider as the large utility poles recently installed in the area limits some commercial building and Copart would bring a boost to the economy with an increased tax base. Robinson also mentioned that there were downfalls to consider as well including an environmental impact, low number of employees when looking at the amount of land involved, and the appearance of a junkyard which was why the Planning Commission recommended denial of the re-zoning requests. Cory Bienfang, City Engineer provided comments on the project including the MPCA requiring permits for site drainage, city water and sewer connections, and plans for the frontage road being extended as development progressed which MnDOT was not in favor of access off of Highway 50. Bienfang said that he saw no infeasibility but just items that would need to be worked through, such as the natural wetlands in the area that would need to be considered. Ryan Finnegan addressed the Council and said that it wasn’t really fair to consider Copart as a junkyard since they do not dismantle cars, sell parts, or crush vehicles. Finnegan mentioned that he would work with the Planning Commission to make things look a little more pleasant and stated that he had checked with Dakota County and found a projected tax base of $296,939.12 and felt that it would bring opportunities to Hampton and was surprised that he wasn’t getting a better reception to the idea. Evertz-Garcia inquired how the area property values would be affected. Ryan felt that with the extension of city water, sewer, and roads it would be a great start to an industrial park. Knetter challenged the amount of tax base gained as some of the dues would be a gain to the Township and as it was a small building with a large parking lot, there would not be that big of tax revenue. Anderson was concerned with the fluid drainage. Finnegan confirmed that Copart followed EPA standards and cared for the environment. Huddleston agreed that the 150 foot easement required around the poles did make it challenging for other businesses but also felt that the changes to ordinances and the Comprehensive Plan were extensive. Evertz-Garcia was concerned with the environmental impact. Knetter stated that the City does want to work with a party to develop the industrial park but would prefer to stay within the vision of the City and to change the zoning to accommodate one business was a lot to request. The Mayor thanked the Planning Commission and City Planner for their great job on analyzing the situation. Luhring commented that the land had been sitting vacant for awhile with no development. Knetter confirmed that the property was in Ag Preserve until just recently sold. Marlin Reinardy didn’t feel that any easement regulations regarding the utility poles would be an issue for commercial development as the streets could be closer to them rather than buildings. Knetter commented that the City would support growth in that area but felt that this project would change the vision immensely. Motion by Knetter seconded by Evertz-Garcia to approve Resolution 2018-06 denying the zoning amendments requested by Ryan Finnegan. Anderson, Knetter, Huddleston, and Evertz-Garcia voted in favor. Luhring opposed. Motion passed 4:1.
The Deputy Sheriff stated that thefts have gone down since an investigation had taken place. Knetter requested that the Department patrol the area of Highway 50. Luhring inquired on any change of occurrences since the 4-way flasher had been removed, but as the area is under construction, there was no specific report.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer confirmed that seal coating was about finished and that they needed to just finish painting the markings. Bienfang mentioned that Midco had pulled the ROW permits required and completed the work satisfactory. Cory said that options were available for 4-way stops at the intersection of County Road 47 and Highway 50 after construction is completed and that he was also working with the County on tree trimming issues.
Water / Sewer Report – Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent commented that KLM had performed an inspection on the water tower and felt that as the roof was starting to weaken, the City should seriously consider a new tower and secure a property. Reinardy explained that the new bar, Merics, has been hooked up to city water and sewer using existing tie-ins from their previous building. Marlin stated that the air scrubber at the lift station is now on a timer to prolong its life and seems to be working well and confirmed that the ponds had been sprayed for weeds.
Park Report – Evertz-Garcia said that fresh chips would be delivered to the parks next week and that the trees should be trimmed down but certain types would need to wait until cooler weather. Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk mentioned that anyone interested in the annual Nite to Unite on August 7 should inquire at City Hall.
Street Report - Luhring confirmed that RCM was scheduled to address the pothole repair by the end of the month.
Unfinished Business – None.
New Business –
Transfers for 2017 TH 50 Water Main Project –
Chris Meyer, City Treasurer stated that the Highway 50 Water Main Project totaled $167,059.46 and was all city funded with most amounts needed being borrowed from sewer to replenish the water fund. Meyer requested the transfers needed to reimburse the funds as follows: from the general fund to the water fund - $85,351.11 and from the water fund to the sewer fund - $105,500.00. Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Huddleston to approve the necessary transfers. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Letter of Resignation of Planning Commissioner Peter Belland –
Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to except Peter Bellands’s letter of resignation. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Gambling / Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for St. Mathias Fun Fest –
Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Luhring to approve the one day licenses for St. Mathias Fun Fest on August 26. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Adjournment – Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter