The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at the Hampton City Hall for a public hearing and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Knetter; Council Members Anthony Verch, Victor Anderson, and Kati Evertz-Garcia. Council Member Luhring was absent. Also present were Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; and Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk.
Public Hearing Called to Order - The purpose for the Public Hearing was to review and certify the 2020 budget and adopt the final levy. Mayor Knetter opened the Public Hearing at 6:33 p.m.
There were no changes from the preliminary budget and levy approved at the September meeting and no public comment was made.
Adjournment – Motion by Verch seconded by Evertz-Garcia to close the public hearing. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The public hearing closed at 6:34 p.m.
Regular Meeting Called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Knetter; Council Members Victor Anderson, David Luhring, Anthony Verch, and Kati Evertz-Garcia.
Disclosure of Interest – None.
Approval of November 12, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes - Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve the November 12, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Anderson to approve the December disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Public Comment –None.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications – Council agreed to meet at 6:30 p.m. on January 14, 2020 to discuss Resolution 2020-01 Setting Salaries / Fees.
Ordinances and Resolutions –
Resolution 2019-16 – Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve Resolution 2019-16 Adopting the Final 2019 Tax Levy of $311,473.00. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Resolution 2019-17- Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Anderson to approve Resolution 2019-17 Increasing the Water Usage Rate to $45.93 minimum for the first 10,000 gallons per quarter effective January 1, 2020. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Resolution 2019-18 – Knetter thanked the Planning Commission and Bolton and Menk on all of their efforts to compile and provide the information on the Comprehensive Plan to the Met Council for approval. Motion by Luhring seconded by Evertz-Garcia to Adopt the City of Hampton 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees -
Engineers Report – Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk said that any of the outstanding items related to the 2019 Street Project would be addressed in the spring. Fisher explained that he had been working with the City Clerk on a Minnesota Department of Health grant opportunity as they were offering a deferred payment option that the City may qualify for. Brad felt that a portion of the sewer replacement of the 2019 Street Project would be eligible as it was within 200 feet of a municipal well and will be keeping the Council informed.
Hampton City Council Public Hearing and Regular Meeting Minutes for December 10, 2019
Water / Sewer – None.
Park Report – Evertz-Garcia said that she had received a quote of $750.00 to trim all the trees in the park. Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to accept the quote and move forward on the tree trimming. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Street Report – Luhring requested that the City Clerk order some cold patch so that he could fix the large pothole on Main Street. Luhring commented that the snowplowing was going very well and the contractor had suggested to salt when needed for $250.00 per event in addition to the fee to pick up the salt, instead of charging the City the full fee of an event. Motion by Verch seconded by Anderson to amend the contract and to accept the new fee for salting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Council agreed to begin tagging and towing vehicles in order to enforce the winter parking ordinance and that Luhring, Knetter, and Verch would be recording and taking photos of any violations.
Unfinished Business – None.
New Business
Approve Final 2020 Budget – Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Luhring to Approve the Final 2020 Budget. Motion passed 5:0.
CD Purchase Update – All voted in favor. None opposed.
Chris Meyer, City Treasurer provided the Council with current CD rates and recommended not purchasing any at this time as the City is receiving better rates in their savings account. Meyer said that he would continue to monitor the rates and let the Council know if they become more favorable.
Debt Service Transfers – Chris Meyer requested approval of the following budgeted annual transfers to the debt service fund needed to make the bond payments:
Bond Series 2012A-$3,569.93 from the general fund and $7,500.00 from both the water and sewer funds.
Bond Series 2015A-$105,749.00 from the general fund.
Bond Series 2019A-$41,225.95 from the capital projects fund to make the first interest payment for the latest street project. Motion by Verch seconded by Luhring to approve the required transfers. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Sewer Fund Transfer to Water Fund – Chris Meyer requested approval of a sewer fund transfer to the water fund in the amount of $26,660.00 as the water fund had been operating with a negative balance and the sewer fund would be able to assist in paying the costs of the previous water main breaks and bond payments due to the dumping fees collected. Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Luhring to approve the transfer. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
The Deputy reminded residents to be cautious with package deliveries and recommended having them sent to their place of employment. Evertz-Garcia said that she had noticed some suspicious activity at the Main Street dead end and the Deputy agreed to keep an eye on the area. Luhring confirmed that he would contact the Department with any car towing that may occur.
MnSPECT Building Inspections Contract Renewal - Scott Qualle, Building Inspector stated that he had been the Building Official for Hampton since 2010 and provided the new contract explaining that the rates were all the same and that the process of recording complaints would be a bit more detailed. Council discussed the length of the contract and suggested that instead of the standard three year term, they would go to a two year with a yearly auto renewal unless termination was requested. Qualle felt that 30 days notice of termination would be fair. Motion by Verch seconded by Luhring to approve the contract with the new term conditions. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Pay Equity Report – Wendy Carpenter, City Clerk stated that the report was required every three years to prove that the City does not discriminate against women. Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve and submit the report. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Adjournment - Motion by Verch seconded by Luhring to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Wendy Carpenter