The Hampton City Council met on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at the Hampton City Hall for a special meeting and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Knetter; Council Members Victor Anderson, David Luhring, and Kati Evertz-Garcia. Council Member Jerry Huddleston was absent. Also present was Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Kevin Whitson, Fire Chief; Robyn Hoerr with Minnesota Rural Water Association; and Cory Bienfang, City Engineer.
Special Meeting Called to Order - The purpose for the Special Meeting was to amend the current budget, if needed, and prepare the city budget for the year 2019. Mayor Knetter called the special meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Chris Meyer, City Treasurer provided a budget worksheet for Council discussion and explained that the 2018 budget had been amended to reflect transfers previously approved, grants received, and the increase of bulk sewer charges based on past history. Meyer also incorporated changes in the 2019 budget to show revenue due to the antenna lease, pointed out a significant levy decrease in the debt service due to the 2013 bond series being paid off, and an increase to wages with the cost of living adjustment. Chris confirmed that the difference between the revenue and expenditures of the water and sewer funds would be invested and set aside for future projects. Marlin Reinardy mentioned that the diffusers are due to be replaced and confirmed that money was available in the sewer fund. Cory Bienfang suggested using funds still available in streets to pave the alley behind the new bar at the same time the establishment completes their parking lot to save move in costs and provide good drainage across the area. Also discussed were further improvements to the hockey rink and water tower. Knetter thanked Meyer for his professional and detailed report.
Adjournment - Motion by Luhring seconded by Knetter to adjourn the special meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Regular Meeting Called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present were Mayor Knetter; Council Members Victor Anderson, David Luhring, and Kati Evertz-Garcia. Council Member Jerry Huddleston was absent.
Disclosure of Interest – None.
Approval of July 10, 2018 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring seconded by Anderson to approve the July 10, 2018 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Luhring to approve the August disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Public Comment – Robyn Hoerr with the Minnesota Rural Water Association provided information on the amendments to the Wellhead Protection Plan and explained that the first was the drinking water supply area where water comes from when the wells pump and the second was a change to a moderate vulnerability of infiltration into the aquifer. Robyn said that the hydrologist had looked at any chance of infiltration and found Hampton to have pretty good coverage but as extra hydrogen was shown to be present, it was a marker that water had recharged since 1950. Hoerr asked for any public comment or questions on the findings and stated that there was a meeting planned for the following Monday to work on the second part of the plan along with a representative present from the Minnesota Department of Health to address any concerns. Marlin Reinardy confirmed that Well #2 had in fact been grouted as required.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications –
Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk mentioned that the MPCA had requested the City update its SSTS Ordinance regarding individual septic as Dakota County had amended theirs. Carpenter explained that Hampton needed to be as strict, if not more so, than the County and that the MPCA suggested adopting Dakota County’s by reference to keep in compliance through future changes. The Council agreed to address the ordinance at next month’s meeting. Mayor Knetter requested the Council and Staff reach out to friends and neighbors to find if there was any interest in putting on a community festival. Knetter said that he had already found some area residents willing to form a committee and would like to see something planned for next year. Carpenter said that she would add the item to September’s agenda for discussion.
Ordinances and Resolutions –
Resolution 2018-07 Approving Outdoor Liquor License – The City Clerk explained that Eric and Michele Johnson, previous owners of the Naughty Pine, were applying for the renewal of liquor licenses under Merics, LLC. Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to approve Resolution 2018-07 Merics Outdoor Liquor License. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Anderson to approve Resolution 2018-08 Merics Gambling License. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Luhring to approve Merics On Sale / Sunday Liquor License. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer reported the 2018 Maintenance Project was complete with striping being verified as well as the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update’s Transportation Plan. Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to approve the Transportation Plan to complete the update and send the required information out to adjacent communities. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Bienfang stated that he had received eight quotes for the 2018 Belmont Sanitary Extension Project. The project will consist of the extension of sanitary and water services to the new home on Belmont Street and provide permanent water service connection to the home recently built on Main Street. Cory explained that WAC and SAC fees will be used to fund the project and as this work would have been part of the 2019 Street Project, any sewer funds used could be reimbursed by the bond that will be acquired next year. Motion by Luhring seconded by Anderson to award the project to Aslakson’s as they had the lowest quote of $49,884.82. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The City Engineer proposed Bolton and Menk work with the MRWA on the Wellhead Protection Plan moving forward. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to have Bolton and Menk assist with maps and information as necessary. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Bienfang mentioned that MnDOT was planning an extension of the Park and Ride for 2019 and that they had inquired if the City had any ideas on a site that could temporarily hold 50 cars. Knetter suggested the Black Stallion parking lot if MnDOT would allow access off of Highway 52. Cory said that additional details would be available as it was still in the planning stage. The City Engineer commented on the latest water tower inspection report and felt that replacement options should be considered. Council agreed to move forward and research ideas on funding. Bienfang also said that he would be willing to work with City Staff on the DNR water supply plan as needed. Knetter requested that Cory take a look at a hole by the culvert on the corner of Belmont and Main. Luhring reminded Bienfang of the trees that needed to be trimmed in the area at the intersection of 47 and 50. The Engineer provided options on the paving of the alley by the new bar that was previously discussed. Knetter said that he would be in favor of paving that area to assist in drainage issues. Luhring agreed as the new establishment would be paving their lot and it would be beneficial to continue the surface to the alley to avoid drainage problems. Evertz-Garcia recommended paving from the end of the parking lot to the dead end but requested Cory question the quote as the square foot cost did not seem to be compared apples to apples. Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Luhring to have Pine Bend pave the City alley from Grant Street to the east dead end. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Bienfang inquired as to the Council’s thoughts on the next CIP project. The City Council agreed to move forward with a feasibility report on the next scheduled project that included Belmont Street and perhaps, part of Main and Park Streets. Luhring felt that 2019 would be a good time as one bond would be dropping off. Chris Meyer, City Treasurer offered to provide a report on cash availability and suggested having Shannon Sweeny attend the October meeting.
Water / Sewer Report - Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent said that a piece of white PVC was found in the lift station and felt that it was a residential problem verses a city issue. Reinardy requested approval of the replacement of the diffusers at a cost of $6,500.00. Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Anderson to replace the diffusers. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. Reinardy mentioned that he and John Knetter would be attending the MRWA Annual Equipment Expo to acquire continuing credits and that in the past; the expo has introduced the City to new technology and products that have shown to be very beneficial. Marlin also said that with the Highway 50 project taking place, he would plan to start chlorinating next week.
Park Report – Evertz-Garcia said that the hockey rink would hopefully be completed by the end of the month. Knetter confirmed that new chips were placed at both city parks.
Street Report - Luhring stated that the street patching was finished and felt they had done a good job. Evertz-Garcia requested that the City Clerk address the white car with a flat tire that had been sitting on Main Street for quite some time.
Unfinished Business – None.
New Business –
Approval of Necessary Licenses for Merics, LLC
(See Ordinances and Resolutions)
Adjournment - Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Luhring to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter