The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter (via Zoom); Council Members Jerry Huddleston, David Luhring, Anthony Verch, and Nick Russell. Also present was Brad Fisher with Bolton & Menk and Chris Meyer, City Treasurer.
Regular Meeting called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – None
Approval of January 9, 2024 Special and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the January 9, 2024 Special and 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 February disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Public Comments – None
Councilor Luhring mentioned to Mayor Knetter that a member of law enforcement was in attendance at the meeting. Knetter asked the Deputy if he had anything to report. The Deputy introduced himself as Bobby Lambert. He stated that there recently has been a problem with theft from vehicles and that people need to be reminded to lock their vehicles. Also, an important deterrent to vehicle theft is for people to not leave things in their vehicles that are visible from windows.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications:
2023 Treasurer Year-End Financial Summary – Chris Meyer – Chris Meyer, City Treasurer, reviewed the 2023 Year-End Financial Summary. He explained that this is a required annual financial report that lists beginning balances, deposits, disbursements, and month-end balances for the year for the City’s bank accounts. Meyer stated that, if the City had funds invested in certificates of deposit, those would also be listed on this report.
2023 City of Hampton Financial Statements – Chris Meyer – Meyer outlined the timeframe for preparation of the City’s Financial Statements. He stated that he would be emailing the draft financial statements to Council the next day, as draft financial statements need to be made available for public review and provided to Council members within 45 days after the close of the fiscal year, per State Auditor requirements. Meyer explained that draft financial statements are prepared on a cash basis. In March, year-end accruals will be done and depreciation will be posted prior to preparation of the City’s final Financial Statements.
Northfield Blvd. resurfacing project – Dakota County Transportation Department – Mayor Knetter referred to the correspondence included in Council meeting packets which stated that a planned 2024 resurfacing project on Northfield Blvd. has been rescheduled to the summer of 2025. (Informational – no action necessary.)
Randolph/Hampton Fire District March Business Meeting Invitation – Mayor Knetter stated that this is an annual invitation from the Fire Department to Council, asking Councilors to attend their March Business Meeting.
Mayor Knetter stated that he wants an item on the March City Council agenda, allowing him to explore other options for the City’s Information Technology support, mainly due to recent inaction from the City’s current service provider on a requested service.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:
Engineer’s Report – Brad Fisher, of Bolton & Menk, updated Council on the 2024 Pavement Maintenance Project. Bolton & Menk advertised for bids and received six. Included with Fisher’s report is a summary of bid information. The low bid came from MN Paving & Materials, and it is the recommendation of Bolton & Menk that Council award the project to them based upon their competitive bid price and their prior work experience on similar projects. Fisher asked Council to approve a resolution accepting the bids as presented and awarding the contract for the 2024 Pavement Maintenance Project to MN Paving & Materials. Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve Resolution 2024-03, accepting bids received as presented and award the contract to the low bidder, MN Paving Materials. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Water / Sewer Report – Mayor Knetter reported that he has been in contact with the MPCA regarding the City’s permit requirements in reference to the Phosphorus Management Plan.
Park Report – Councilor Russell stated that the weather only allowed for a one-week ice season. The tree removal in the park is complete and the job was done well. Mayor Knetter mentioned that he would like to donate a tree and asked for Council opinion regarding options for tree species to replace trees that were removed. Russell mentioned that he has a contact with the DNR that he can talk to about that.
Street Report – Councilor Luhring stated that the Doffing Way/Hampton Ave. sign was ordered and is here at City Hall, ready to be installed.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Resolution 2024-02 – Approving a Donation – Mayor Knetter stated that this is a $1,000 donation from the Hampton Cardinals Baseball Team and the Hampton Area Boosters to purchase protective screens to be placed in front of the baseball field dugouts. Knetter also mentioned that the cost will be more than $1,000, so the City will be asked for additional funds for the purchase. Motion by Russell seconded by Luhring to accept the donation from the Hampton Cardinals and Hampton boosters for the purchase of the protective screens. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Resolution 2024-03 – Accepting bids and awarding contract – 2024 Pavement Maintenance Contract. (This was discussed and approved under the Engineer’s Report.)
Unfinished Business - None
New Business:
Building Cleaner position – Discussion regarding hiring an employee versus a cleaning service company. Consensus of Council is to find a cleaning service company to do the work.
Adjournment - Motion by Verch seconded by Russell to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy O’Brien
