The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at the Hampton City Hall for a special meeting and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members Cindy Flodeen, David Luhring, Anthony Verch (via Zoom) and Nick Russell. Also present was Marlin Reinardy, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Bryan Skillestad; 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 2023. Mayor Knetter called the special meeting to order at 6:34 pm.
Judy O’Brien, City Clerk, provided a budget worksheet for Council discussion and explained that the General tax levy will increase $1,130, which is a 0.49% increase. The Debt Service tax levy will decrease $3,131, which is a 3.44% decrease. Therefore, the total tax levy will decrease $2,001, which is a 0.62% decrease from 2022. O’Brien reviewed budget line item changes for 2023, which were listed in the memo provided to Council for the 2023 budget worksheet.
In the budget memo, there was a recommendation made by O’Brien to Council to amend the 2022 budget. Brad Fisher of Bolton & Menk had provided an Abstract of Bids for 2022 pavement maintenance in his monthly staff report, and the cost of the proposed maintenance needs exceeds available funding in the 2022 budget. The low bid for the mill and overlay work to be done in 2022 is $162,807, therefore the recommendation is for a budget transfer in the amount of $135,000. The budget transfer would increase the revenue line item of Sale of Investments (General) in the amount of $135,000, and increase the expense line item of Street Repairs and Maintenance (General) by same. Discussion. Councilor Luhring had obtained an estimate for pot hole repairs on Hampton Avenue, but said that would no longer be necessary as long as the City was able to have the mill and overlay work done.
Councilor Russell mentioned some park needs. He would like to have the basketball court repaved, and would like to make improvements to the hockey rink. The cost of the desired repairs is greater than the amount that is budgeted annually for such expenses, which is $25,000. He asked Council if, at the end of they year, any unused budgeted funds could be invested into a CD to carryover the funding to the next year, until enough money is available to do the repairs. Councilor Flodeen also stated that there is a need for more trees to be planted for shade.
There were no public comments.
The budget will be again be discussed, and a resolution approving the 2023 tax levy will be on the agenda, at the September City Council meeting.
Adjournment – Motion by Luhring seconded by Russell to close the special meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The public hearing closed at 7:00 p.m.
Regular Meeting called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members Cindy Flodeen, David Luhring, Anthony Verch (via Zoom), and Nick Russell.
Disclosure of Interest – None
Approval of July 12, 2022 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve the July 12, 2022 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 August disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications:
Cassia Senior Housing Project/The Rosemount and Praha Village Project – Mayor Knetter referenced the email sent to the City by Catherine Courtney of the Taft Law Firm, stating that the latest Cassia project is on hold, due to rising interest rates.
Request to award the 2022 Pavement Maintenance Project to Northwest Asphalt – Bolton & Menk – Brad Fisher of Bolton & Menk stated that, per the direction of Council at the July meeting, he solicited quotes for the 2022 Pavement Maintenance Project. The project is to be completed by October 31, 2022. Fisher mentioned that a copy of the Abstract of Bids was in his staff report, and that it is his recommendation that the project be awarded to Northwest Asphalt, based upon the price quote and their prior work experience of similar projects. Motion by Russell seconded by Flodeen to approve awarding the 2022 Pavement Maintenance Project to Northwest Asphalt. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
2021 Internal Audit – Nick Russell – Councilor Russell stated that he had participated in the 2021 Internal Audit with the Treasurer and City Clerk. He felt that he learned a lot, and that it was a good experience for him because it is good to know about the financial aspects of City business. He thanked Meyer and O’Brien for working with him through the audit.
Discussion regarding water service policy – Bryan Skillestad – Bryan Skillestad stated that the reason he wanted to be on the agenda is to discuss the City’s policy regarding how water main breaks, such as the one that happened on his property months earlier, are to be handled. He felt like he was left out of the decision-making process and that he was expected to pay for things that he wasn’t responsible for. Mayor Knetter stated that the City has not changed the application of its water policies in 20 years. He told Skillestad that the standards that have been applied to residents and business owners in the past are the same as the standards that were applied to him. He mentioned that one of those standards is that when there is a failure from the curb stop to a residence or business, the repairs are the responsibility of the property owner.
Marlin Reinardy, Water/Sewer Superintendent reminded Skillestad that it was he who contacted Reinardy to tell him about the leak, and that he asked Reinardy to take care of the repair. At that point, it was unknown whether the repair was the responsibility of the City or the property owner. Reinardy said that, until you get in there and work on the repair, you don’t know the exact location of the failure. Reinardy stated that when he and the contractor discussed whether or not to replace all of the shut-off valves, the contractor told him that he would be a fool not to have all seven replaced.
Councilor Flodeen stated that, when you are a resident or business owner in a City, you need to know the rules and regulations. Councilor Luhring added that the City had a responsibility here, but that the property owner has a responsibility as well. Sometimes instant decisions must be made to protect the property, along with the owner and residents.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Resolution 2022-09 – Approving a Donation to the City of Hampton – Mayor Knetter stated that this resolution is to formally accept his donation of a tree to the City in remembrance of his son. He and Reinardy planted the tree in 2021. Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve the donation. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Resolution 2022-10 – Approving a Donation to the City of Hampton – Mayor Knetter stated that this resolution is to formally accept Marlin Reinardy’s donation of a tree to the City. He and Reinardy planted the tree in 2021. Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve the donation. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Mayor Knetter recognized two Dakota County deputies in attendance and asked if they had anything to report. One of the deputies introduced himself as Deputy Kline. He said that they were there to ask if Council had any concerns to discuss. Councilor Luhring told the deputies that they are doing a great job controlling speeders, and that he feels just having a law enforcement presence in the City is helpful in minimizing criminal activity.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:
Engineer Report – Brad Fisher of Bolton & Menk reported on work currently being done for the Water Tower Replacement Project. He stated that a Phase I and II Architecture/History Survey was prepared. When doing research for the report, he said that three properties, including the City’s water tower, are recommended as eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and may potentially be impacted by the work. Fisher stated that the report is ready to be sent to the MN State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) for their review. SHPO will then provide direction as to what needs to be done next to move forward with the project and to access the Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) for a low-interest loan.
Mayor Knetter asked Fisher if the City really needs to go the route of the loan, or should the City just bond for the project? Fisher responded that submitting the report to SHPO does not obligate the City to proceed with the project, or to use the DWRF to fund the project. His request at this time is for approval from the Council to submit the report for their review. Motion by Luhring seconded by Russell to approve the request by Fisher to submit the report to SHPO. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Reinardy asked Fisher if he had reached out to the Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA) for potential loan or grant options, to which Fisher said he hadn’t. Chris Meyer, City Treasurer, offered that the City should get all funding options, lay them out on the table, and determine which is best for the City.
Water / Sewer Report – Marlin Reinardy, Water/Sewer Superintendent first discussed sewer topics. He brought information to the meeting about the sewer pond sludge measurer that Council approved for purchase at the July meeting. The measurer is called a Sludge Judge, and Reinardy will order it soon. The other sewer-related item is that, when the lift station pumps were inspected, the technician recommended that new adapter brackets be installed at the Water Street Lift Station. Reinardy is still waiting to receive the quote for that from Minnesota Pump Works.
As far as water issues, there was a leak on a curb stop in the Heights of Hampton. The driveway of the residence where the curb stop was located was dug up and will need to be patched.
Park Report – Councilor Russell stated there was nothing to report.
Street Report – Council Luhring stated there was nothing to report, and is happy that the City will be able to get the needed pavement maintenance done yet this year.
Old Business – None
New Business:
Vacation – Mayor Knetter stated that he put this on the agenda to reward employees for their hard work and efficiencies in their work that save the City money. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to approve the recommended vacation by Knetter. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
City Website – Mayor Knetter stated that he would work with Cory Bienfang and Brad Fisher of Bolton & Menk to get a City website up and running yet this year.
Adjournment - Motion by Russell seconded by Verch to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy O’Brien
