Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at the Hampton City Hall for a special meeting and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members Cindy Flodeen, Anthony Verch (arrived at 6:52), and Nick Russell. Also present was Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk; and Chris Meyer, City Treasurer.
Public Hearing Called to Order – The purpose of the public hearing was to do a final review of the city budget for the year 2023 and the final 2022 tax levy, collectible in 2023. Mayor Knetter called the public hearing to order at 6:34 pm. There we no members of the public in attendance.
Adjournment – Motion by Flodeen seconded by Russell to close the public hearing. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The public hearing closed at 6:54 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, Anthony Verch, and Nick Russell.
Disclosure of Interest – None
Approval of November 15, 2022 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Russell seconded by Flodeen to approve the November 15, 2022 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Russell seconded by Flodeen to approve the December disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Mayor Knetter acknowledged a Dakota County Deputy in attendance at the meeting and asked if he had anything to report. The deputy stated that he didn’t have a specific report and wondered if Council had any concerns. Council members responded that they had nothing at this time. The Deputy mentioned that law enforcement was in the City frequently, and to call as issues arise. Mayor Knetter responded that he feels the law enforcement presence is a benefit to the City, and thanked the Deputy for his service.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications:
Set Time for Special Meeting in January to Discuss Resolution 2023-01 Setting Salaries/Fees – Mayor Knetter asked Council members if they felt that 30 minutes would be a sufficient amount of time for the discussion. All agreed that 30 minutes should be enough. The Special Meeting is scheduled for January 10, 2023 at 6:30 pm.
Message from Catherine Courtney of Taft Law Firm and Kathy Youngquist of Cassia regarding Praha Village Project (informational only) – Mayor Knetter referred to emails from Courtney and Youngquist thanking the Council for their support of the project.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Resolution 2022-16 – Adopting the Final 2022 Tax Levy, Collectible in 2023 – Motion by Flodeen seconded by Verch to adopt the final 2022 tax levy, collectible in 2023, in the amount of $321,791. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Resolution 2022-17 – Designating the Official Polling Place for 2023 Elections in the City of Hampton - Motion by Verch seconded by Flodeen to approve designating Hampton City Hall as the official polling place for 2023 elections in the City of Hampton. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:
Engineer Report – Brad Fisher of Bolton & Menk updated Council on the Water Street lift station back-up generator project. The deadline for contractors to submit quotes for the project is on Thursday of this week. Quotes will be brought to the January City Council meeting for review. The timeline for the remainder of the project is that the generator will be ordered, and confirmation of the order will be provided to the City by March 1, 2023; site improvements will be substantially completed by December 31, 2023; and final completion of the project, including delivery, installation, turf restoration, and final cleanup, will be done by July 1, 2024.
Water / Sewer Report – Mayor Knetter reported that there were problems with the #2 well pump. The pump wasn’t starting—called to have it repaired, and it was repaired the next day. There was nothing to report regarding sewer issues.
Park Report – Councilor Russell said he is hoping to have ice on the rink on the 20th. Maintenance of the ice will be done by himself and Tim Quast.
Street Report – Mayor Knetter stated that he feels that water is running well off the streets after street improvements were done earlier this fall. He asked Brad Fisher his opinion, and Fisher agreed.
Old Business – None
New Business:
Approve Final 2023 Budget – Motion was made by Russell second by Verch to approve the final 2023 budget. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
CD Purchase Update – Chris Meyer – Meyer provided an annual update on City investments. The City does not currently have any investments in CD’s in its portfolio. Rather, excess funds are invested in a Diamond Money Market account, which is an insured cash sweep account. While CD rates are beginning to rise, in order to receive a rate of return that is greater than what the City is currently receiving on its Diamond Money Market account, funds would need to be invested for longer periods of time, taking away the liquidity the City has with its current investments. Meyer’s recommendation is to continue investing funds into the Diamond Money Market ICS account.
Debt Service Transfers – Chris Meyer – Meyer referred to the memo included in Council meeting packets detailing the transfers that need to be made in December in order for the city to make bond payments that are due February 1, 2023. He stated that he didn’t think it was necessary to go through each individual transfer, but would be happy to answer any questions Council had. Motion by Knetter seconded by Verch to approve the transfers as indicated in Meyers’ memo. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Adjournment - Motion by Flodeen seconded by Verch to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy O’Brien
