The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at the Hampton City Hall for a special meeting and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members David Luhring and Anthony Verch. Also present was Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Marlin Reinardy, and Judy O’Brien, City Clerk.
Special Meeting Called to Order – The purpose of the special meeting was to amend the current budget, if needed, and prepare the city budget for the year 2024. Mayor Knetter called the special meeting to order at 6:42 pm.
Judy O’Brien, City Clerk, provided a budget worksheet for Council discussion and explained that the General tax levy will increase $47, which is a 0.02% increase. The Debt Service tax levy will increase $2,119, which is a 2.41% increase. Therefore, the total tax levy will increase $2,166, which is a 0.67% increase from 2023. O’Brien reviewed budget line item changes for 2024, which were listed in the memo provided to Council for the 2024 budget worksheet.
There were no public comments.
The budget will be again be discussed, and a resolution approving the 2024 tax levy will be on the agenda, at the September City Council meeting.
Adjournment – Motion by Verch seconded by Luhring to close the special meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0. The public hearing closed at 6:50 p.m.
Regular Meeting called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 6:59 p.m. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members David Luhring, Anthony Verch, and Nick Russell. Also present was Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk; Emma Otto with Ottomatic Lawn Care, LLC; Martin Whetsel, Bruce and Kim Doffing, Chase Bartels, Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; and Marlin Reinardy,
Disclosure of Interest – None
Approval of July 11, 2023 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve the July 11, 2023 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Verch seconded by Luhring to approve the August disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Public Comments:
Marlin Reinardy addressed Council regarding the City Hall flag pole. He had been unable to lower the flag and it had been recently discovered that the reason for that is that the cable was frayed. This likely was caused by the weight of the two flags on the flag pole being too much for the cable. Reinardy wanted to recognize Larry Kuehn, of Kuehn’s Crane Service for his time and the use of his equipment, which he donated to the City. He also wanted to recognize Mike Wagner for the time he donated to ride up in the aerial lift and remove the flag from the pole. Mayor Knetter mentioned that there will be a resolution on the September Council meeting agenda that will formally recognize Kuehn and Wagner for their donations.
Martin Whetsel, of 4782 Aspen St., was in attendance to volunteer to handle enforcement of the City’s parking ordinances, which is a topic that has been discussed at several recent Council meetings, Mayor Knetter thanked Whetsel and told him that this is something that will require additional Council discussion, so will be on the September City Council meeting agenda.
Emma Otto, of Ottomatic Lawn Care, was in attendance to let Council know that Ottomatic is interested in extending the snow plowing contract with the City. Mayor Knetter told Otto that the approval for the snow plowing contract will be on the September City Council meeting agenda.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications:
Delinquent Water/Sewer Accounts – Mayor Knetter referred to list of two delinquent W/S accounts included with Council member packets. Brief discussion regarding how long it would be until water would be turned off. Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve shutting the water off for the accounts listed. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Ordinances and Resolutions - None
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:
Engineer Report – Brad Fisher of Bolton & Menk reported on the Frontage Road Turnback Agreement & the MnDOT TH 52 Project. All work on this project has been completed, other than the mill and overlay of the frontage road, which will be done at the end of the TH 52 construction in 2024.
The other item on Fisher’s report is the Dakota County Maintenance Facility CUP amendment. The City has requested additional information from the County that the County will not have until after its August board meeting. The City must take action on the application by September 30th, so Council will have the opportunity to consider the application and vote on whether or not to approve at its September meeting.
Water / Sewer Report – Mayor Knetter reported that the new fluoride pump was installed. Also, there are electrical issues with the Well #2 pump that are being worked on. Additionally, the sonar scan of the sewer ponds is scheduled to be done tomorrow.
Park Report – Councilor Russell stated that he and Marlin Reinardy have been doing some crack sealing at the tennis courts. Also, there is a problem with weeds in the parks about which he spoke with Emma Otto, of Ottomatic Lawn Care.
Street Report – Council Luhring stated that RCM had done some street repairs in the Heights of Hampton, which was the first round of repairs. They missed doing the alley by the Roundup, so will need to return to do that as well.
Unfinished Business:
Dakota County Fleet Maintenance Facility Property (PID 18-00800-77-017) Conditional Use Permit Amendment Request - Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to table this item until the September Council meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
New Business:
Old City Hall storage space – Mayor Knetter stated that the City received a request from the building renters to use the space that is currently being used by the City for storage. Marlin Reinardy reported that much of what is in that space is items no longer needed by the City, or belong to the Fire Department. He stated that some of the items are charitable gambling equipment belonging to the Fire Department. Mayor Knetter stated that he would contact the Fire Department this week about the equipment. Reinardy also mentioned that a dumpster would need to be rented for the clean-up.
Adjournment - Motion by Verch seconded by Luhring to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy O’Brien
