The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at the Hampton City Hall for a public hearing and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Knetter; Council Members David Luhring and Anthony Verch. Council Members Victor Anderson and Kati Evertz-Garcia were absent. Also present was Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Korine Land, City Attorney; Cory Bienfang, City Engineer; and Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk.
Public Hearing Called to Order - Mayor Knetter opened the Public Hearing at 6:04 p.m.
The first item up for discussion was the proposed assessments in conjunction with the 2019 Street Project.
Cory Bienfang, City Engineer provided maps of the 2019 Street Project showing the four block area of improvement which had been included in the current Capital Improvement Plan and explained that the formal process had begun last year with a Feasibility Report, Open House, and a Public Hearing. Bienfang said that the project was complete other than a few punch list items and the final layer of bituminous that will be put down next spring. Cory stated the City’s assessment policy had been followed, where benefited properties were assessed with amounts dependent on the improvements received and whether they included water main, sanitary sewer, and or street and storm sewer. The City Engineer confirmed that payment in full could be made to the City Clerk within 30 days of the approved final assessment roll provided this evening interest free or the amount due would be certified to the County by November 30 to be put on the property taxes for 20 years at 5% annual interest.
Knetter confirmed that the City had maintained the same assessment policy with previous CIP projects including Water Street, Main Street, and 2012 Street Improvement projects. The Mayor said that he was happy with the project so far and felt that waiting for that final layer to be put down after the winter and first frost was a benefit. Council Member Evertz-Garcia arrived at 6:15 p.m.
Lois Nokleby, residing at 23420 Main Street, commented on how friendly the contractors were but felt that more advanced notice of construction details and assessments would have been nice.
Mary Haro spoke on behalf of her mother, Betty Eilen of 23391 Belmont, saying that 5% interest seemed high. Bienfang explained that the City Financial Advisor had recommended that rate as it was set for a 20 year span. Korine Land, City Attorney mentioned that per city policy, the interest rate was set 2% above the acquired bond interest rate. Chris Meyer, City Treasurer confirmed the bond interest was set at 3.2%. Land also commented that any applications for deferred assessments needed to be submitted within 90 days.
There were no other public comments.
The second item scheduled for the public hearing was the approval of the Wellhead Protection Plan, Part II.
Robyn Hoerr with Minnesota Rural Water Association provided the Council with maps showing the hydrologist’s findings on the water coming from the designated areas for the wells within the city and pointed out that the aquifer was somewhat vulnerable to contamination due to the ground underneath having some tendency for leakiness. Hoerr said that the plan update is required and that all went well as Hampton has done a great job sealing old wells and tanks. Robyn stated that the City had good water and the goals and objectives set to maintain safe drinking water included providing education and information to residents. Hoerr also went over comments received from the County that were incorporated in the plan update, which included monitoring the area around the abandoned well under the old city hall. Robyn said that the plan could be sent on to the Minnesota Department of Health for approval in early November. John Knetter and Marlin Reinardy both extended their appreciation to Hoerr for all of her efforts and expertise.
There was no public comment.
Adjournment - Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to close the Public Hearing. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The Public Hearing closed at 6:32 p.m.
Regular Meeting Called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present were Mayor Knetter; Council Members David Luhring, Anthony Verch, and Kati Evertz-Garcia. Council Member Victor Anderson was absent.
Disclosure of Interest – None.
Approval of September 10, 2019 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Verch seconded by Evertz-Garcia to approve the September 10, 2019 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 October disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Public Comment – None.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications – Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk thanked Council Members Anderson and Evertz-Garcia for their time and volunteering to conduct the 2018 Internal Audit. Evertz-Garcia confirmed that all was in order.
Ordinances and Resolutions –
Resolution 2019-12 Approving a Donation to the City – Chuck Clanton, President of the Hampton Boosters said that due to great community sponsorship towards the City Festival on September 14, the Boosters were able to donate $500.00 to the Randolph / Hampton Fire Department and $1,000.00 to the City’s Park and Recreation fund. Clanton explained that both donations were to be used to better the Community and was hoping to have a successful year in 2020 as well. Knetter thanked the community and sponsors and all that had helped to make this year’s festival possible. Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve the donation from the Boosters to the City. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Resolution 2019-13 Approving Wellhead Protection Plan, Part ll – Motion by Verch seconded by Luhring to approve the Wellhead Protection Plan, Part II. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees
Engineer Report – Cory Bienfang, City Engineer commented that the 2019 Street Project was basically complete with a few miscellaneous items left and that the Public Hearing for final assessments had been held before tonight’s meeting. Bienfang stated that the City received three written appeals that would be on record and that the individuals would need to follow the required process to continue the appeals. Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to adopt the final assessment roll as prepared. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Cory said that he was still working with MnDOT in regards to the frontage road turn back and any required hearings.
Water / Sewer Report - Marlin Reinardy, Water and Sewer Superintendent said that the quarterly water test came back good and that the hydrants would be flushed the week of October 21 . Reinardy mentioned that he and John Knetter had attended the MRWA Expo and found out that it was possible to measure sediment levels in the ponds. Robyn with MRWA will be working on the issue and the cost would be much less than drudging which was estimated to be $350,000.00 Marlin mentioned that he had purchased a hydrant diffuser along with a monitor device which would assist in diverting water away from yards and boulevards while flushing. The Water and Sewer Superintendent said that the lift station pumps were replaced and working great and that the cost was less than expected. Reinardy also mentioned that the new alarm systems for both the lift stations and pump house had been ordered as required by the end of the year due to a needed upgrade.
Park Report – Evertz-Garcia commented on the parks still being full of weeds but felt that no further spraying was needed this time of the season. Kati also mentioned that she would continue working on necessary tree trimming.
Street Report – Luhring said that street sweeping would take place after the majority of leaves fall.
Unfinished Business – None.
New Business – None.
Adjournment - Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to adjourn the meeting.
opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter