The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members Cindy Flodeen, David Luhring, Anthony Verch, and Nick Russell. Also present was Brad Fisher of Bolton & Menk and Emma Otto of Ottomatic Lawn Care.
Regular Meeting called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 6:59 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – None
Approval of the March 14, 2023 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Verch seconded by Luhring to approve the March 14, 2023 regular scheduled meeting minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Russell seconded by Luhring to approve the March disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Public Comment – None
Petitions, Requests, and Communications – None
Mayor Knetter acknowledged two Dakota County Sheriff Deputies in attendance at the meeting and asked them if they had anything to report. One of the deputies mentioned that, now that we have warmer weather, there are more recreational vehicles on city streets. He reminded Council that no dirt bikes are allowed on the roads, and the importance of wearing helmets when riding on all recreational vehicles. Knetter thanked the deputies for their report.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:
Engineer’s Report – Brad Fisher of Bolton & Menk began by reporting on the Highway 52 Project, from County Highway 86 to 140th St. It will involve two years of construction, which includes a concrete overlay, bridge work, and frontage road work. Fisher reported that the project has four stages. Stage 1 goes from May 1, 2023 to mid-July 2023. Work will be done on NB 52 from State Highway 50 to County Highway 42, with head-to-head traffic on SB 52. Stage 2 goes from mid-July 2023 to the end of October 2023. Work will be done on NB 52 from State Highway 50 to County Highway 42, with head-to-head traffic on NB 52. Stage 3 goes from late April 2024 to late June 2024. Work will be done on NB 52 from County Highway 86 to north of State Highway 50, with head-to-head traffic on SB 52. Stage 4 goes from late June 2024 to late August 2024. Work will be done on SB 52 from north of County Highway 86 to north of State Highway 50, with head-to-head traffic on NB 52. The project is to be completed by July 2025.
The second item on Fisher’s report was the Frontage Road Turnback Agreement. He reported that Hampton Township passed a resolution for the three-party agreement that the Hampton City Council approved at their February meeting. Fisher outlined the next steps required to finalize the agreement.
The final item on Fisher’s report was the Water Street Lift Station Backup Generator Project. Killmer Electric would like to begin site work and prep work on the project in late April. Fisher reported that letters will be sent to neighbors regarding the project.
Fisher also mentioned that he saw the item on the agenda regarding the survey of copper and lead water pipes that Marlin Reinardy would be speaking about. He mentioned that Bolton & Menk is available to work on that project for the City, and that they also would seek any funding available through the state, if the City requested them to do so.
Water / Sewer Report – Mayor Knetter reported that the fluoride pump went down, but is working now. The backup generator at the Main St. lift station recently failed to start. It needed antifreeze, and hadn’t been properly serviced. Josh is getting everything set up for the discharge in six weeks.
Park Report – Councilor Russell reported that the tennis courts will be put together tomorrow. The hockey rink is cleaned up. Soon there will be painting done at the hockey rink and needed striping at the basketball court.
Street Report – Councilor Luhring stated that there is a new street sweeping contract in place. The city’s alleys need repair. Streets are generally in good condition, with the exception of the Heights of Hampton. Luhring asked Brad Fisher to do an evaluation of street repairs that need to be done in the Heights.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Resolution 2023-05 Approving a Donation – Mayor Knetter stated that Ottomatic Lawn Care donated two flags to the City. Emma Otto was in attendance at the meeting, and Councilors thanked her for the donation. Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve the donation. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Unfinished Business:
Sonar scan of sewer ponds – Marlin Reinardy reported that this is something that Council had approved at its September 2022 meeting. This will be done this summer, utilizing college students who will operate the remote-control boat that is equipped with the sonar scanner. The cost is $1,200 per pond. Reinardy recommends doing pond #1 for sure, and also thinks pond #2 should be done as well.
Survey of copper and lead water pipes – Marlin Reinardy reported that he had participated in webinars on this topic in February. In performing the survey, the City needs to identify water lines between the water main and curb stop. For inventory purposes, the more documentation the City obtains, the better. The deadline to submit the digital file to the state is 10/11/24. The Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) will finance grant funding at 49% of the cost. The rest of the cost is the responsibility of the homeowner.
New Business:
Award mowing and weed control contracts – Mayor Knetter reported that contracts have been changed slightly so that they may be extended beyond the three years set in previous contracts. Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve Ottomatic Lawn Care for the City’s mowing and weed control contracts. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Skirting on the baseball field fence - Marlin Reinardy reported that the skirting on the baseball park’s outfield needs to be replaced. In the past the City has provided payment for half the cost of the skirting, and Reinardy asked if the City would do that again this year. The total cost of the skirting is $2,808, and Reinardy is asking for $1,400 from the City. Motion by Verch seconded by Russell to approve paying for half of the cost of the baseball park outfield fence skirting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Cost Share Agreement Between City of Hampton and County of Dakota for Election Electronic Poll Books Hardware, Software, and Related Services – Mayor Knetter reported that the cost of this to the City is $177.50. Motion by Verch seconded by Flodeen to approve the Cost Share Agreement with Dakota County for the Election Electronic Poll Books Hardware, Software, and Related Services. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Adjournment – Motion by Flodeen seconded by Russell to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy O’Brien
City Clerk
