Hampton City Council Special Meeting and Regular Meeting Minutes for January 12, 2021

 Hampton City Council Special Meeting and Regular Meeting Minutes for January 12, 2021

The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at the Hampton City Hall for a special meeting and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor Knetter, Council Members Anthony Verch, David Luhring, and Kati Evertz-Garcia. Flodeen was absent (arrived at 6:56 pm). Also present was Brad Fisher of Bolton and Menk.

Special Meeting Called to Order - The purpose for the special meeting was to discuss Resolution 2021-01 Setting salaries, fees, licenses and permits, charges for services, schedules, appointments and annual designations. Mayor Knetter called the special meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.

Knetter asked Luhring if he was willing to continue as Acting Mayor, to which Luhring agreed.

Luhring stated that he no longer wants the Ordinance Compliance designation, and would like Flodeen to take on that role.

Evertz-Garcia asked Verch if he wants the Parks designation, and he said he would.

Evertz-Garcia stated that she thought Knetter should be designated as Safety Coordinator being it is in his realm of expertise.

Knetter asked Verch if he wanted to continue Sewer & Water Administration. Verch stated that he hasn’t had much input in that role, but would continue and perhaps have more involvement in the future.

There were no changes in Streets & Alleys and Tree and Weed Inspector designations.

Evertz-Garcia was assigned Water Meter Maintenance designation.

Evertz-Garcia will continue her role of Media and Community Relations, and Flodeen also was assigned this designation.

Council discussed fees and salaries. Council agreed to a 0-3% increase for employees based upon performance reviews. Evertz-Garcia asked about the Treasurer salary, as it was mentioned when she was appointed that her salary would be re-evaluated after the 6-month training timeline. Knetter responded that that was also a part of this process.

There were no other changes discussed or public input.

Adjournment - Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Verch to adjourn the Special Meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The Special Meeting adjourned at 6:56 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 David Luhring, Anthony Verch, Kati Evertz-Garcia, and Cindy Flodeen.

Disclosure of Interest – Knetter stated an annual disclosure as he assisted with the water and sewer duties and was on the Fire Department as well.

Approval of December 8, 2020 Public Hearing and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Verch seconded by Evertz-Garcia to approve the December 8, 2020 Public Hearing and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.

Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve the January disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.

Public Comment – Scott Dohmen, 23480 Main Street, addressed the Council regarding the procedure/next steps that need to be taken for the city to sell the parcel on Main Street that is next to the shed. Knetter provided background information on this issue, which was discussed nearly two years ago. He stated that the City agreed to square up the lot and sell it. Knetter asked Brad Fisher for his input on the issue. Fisher stated that where things were left at the time of the Belmont Street/Main Street project is, the City would agree to sell enough of the parcel to make it a buildable lot. At that time, it was unknown how much of the lot would be sold because of the unique dimensions of the lot. Fisher continued that he believes the Planning Department at Bolton and Menk has come up with a recommendation as to which part of the parcel would be used for the sale. So, Bolton and Menk will provide the identity of the parcel section that will be the subject of the sale, and then a purchase price will need to be agreed upon by both parties.

Petitions, Requests, and Communications – None at this time. Ordinances and Resolutions

Ordinance 1131 – Adopting Schedule of Fees and Charges

Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to adopt Ordinance 1131 including the Schedule of Fees and Charges. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.

Resolution 2021-01 - Setting salaries, fees, licenses and permits, charges for services, schedules, appointments and annual designations.

Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve Resolution 2021-01 with changes discussed and agreed upon at the Special Meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.

Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees

Engineer Report – Brad Fisher discussed the Main St. lift station generator project. There has not been much progress since the last meeting. The propane tank has been dropped off but is sitting empty until the plumbing can be completed. Waiting for the generator to be delivered, which will be either in late winter or early spring.

Water / Sewer Report – Knetter commented that the ponds are doing fine. As far as water, the only thing is that there is a missing plug on Water Street, which he will replace when he has a chance to do so.

Park Report – Evertz-Garcia stated that the hockey rink is up and running and that quite a few people are using it. Knetter stated that he would like to go on record that the lights at the hockey rink were recently replaced, and that the lights were purchased and donated to the City by Brett Reinardy. Also, that the labor and equipment for the light replacement was provided at no charge to the City by Reinardy and Larry Kuehn of Kuehn’s Crane Service.

Street Report – Luhring commented that there is nothing to report and that the plowing is going well. Old Business – None.

New Business

Planning Commission Appointment – Motion by Verch seconded by Evertz-Garcia to appoint Neil Hoadley and Melissa Timm to the Planning Commission. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.

Pursue Back Rent From Northfield WIFI – Knetter stated that there is more than one thing that needs to be addressed in this matter. First, he would like Council approval to have the City attorney pursue back rent from Northfield WIFI which, at $160 per month for 5 years, amounts to $9,600. Secondly, he would like the Council to approve that he renegotiates the contract, which will then be brought back to the Council for approval. Discussion ensued.

Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to allow Knetter to work with legal counsel in pursuing back rent, and allow Knetter to renegotiate the contract with Northfield WIFI. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.

Assignment of City Contract Review Duty – Knetter commented that the City has contracts that should be reviewed every year, and volunteered to take on that duty. Knetter also feels that this duty should be added to the list of annual designations that are approved each year at the January City Council meeting. Evertz-Garcia agreed and also offered that she feels that it is a good idea that, at the time the Council does the year-end review of the financials with the Treasurer, there should also be a review of a couple of the contracts by the designated Contract Reviewer, along with another designated Councilor. Knetter asked if anyone would like to volunteer for the duty in 2021, to which Luhring agreed.

Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to designate Knetter as City Contract Reviewer for 2021, and have Luhring share that duty with him. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.

Staffing – Knetter moved to close the meeting pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13D.05 subdivision 3 to evaluate the performance of the City Clerk.

Closed session began at 7:23 pm.

Meeting reopened to the public at 8:04 pm.

Verch began by stating that after discussion in closed session meeting, Council concluded, and he would make the motion to terminate Wendy Carpenter as City Clerk. Knetter asked for a second. Luhring seconded the motion. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.

Knetter stated that a motion needed to be made to remove Wendy Carpenter from the signature page at the bank. Motion made by Knetter seconded by Luhring to remove Wendy Carpenter from the signature page at the bank. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.

Knetter stated that a motion needed to be made to add Chris Meyer to the signature page at the bank. Motion made by Knetter seconded by Evertz-Garcia to add Chris Meyer to the signature page at the bank. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.

Regarding staffing, Knetter stated that Council decided to maintain one City Clerk and a Treasurer. City Treasurer will be Chris Meyer, who currently is a City employee.

Knetter made a motion to acknowledge Judy O’Brien as City Clerk. Motion was seconded by Luhring. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.

Adjournment - Motion by Evertz-Garcia seconded by Verch to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Judy O’Brien