Hampton City Council Meeting February 14, 2023

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The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members David Luhring, Anthony Verch, and Nick Russell. Also present was Chris Meyer, City Treasurer, and Brad Fisher with Bolton & Menk.

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 the January 10, 2023 Special and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve the January 10, 2023 special and regular scheduled meeting minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.

Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Luhring seconded by Verch to approve the February disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.

Public Comment – None.

Petitions, Requests, and Communications:

2022 Treasurer Year-End Financial Summary – Chris Meyer – Chris Meyer, City Treasurer, reviewed the 2022 Year-End Financial Summary. Meyer stated that this is a required annual financial report that lists beginning balances, deposits, disbursements, and month-end balances for the year of the City’s bank accounts. Meyer stated that, if the City had funds invested in certificates of deposit, those also would be listed on this report.

2022 City of Hampton Financial Statements – Chris Meyer - Meyer stated that the 2022 City of Hampton Financial Statements must be prepared within 45 days after the close of the fiscal year. They also must be available for public review and provided to Council members within the 45 days, per State Auditor requirements. Meyer mentioned that he will present the 2022 Year-End Financial Statements at the March Council meeting, where Council will receive bound copies of the financial statements.

Letter from Dakota County regarding meeting to discuss options and alternatives for funding additional patrol deputies – Mayor Knetter stated that he would not be available to attend the meeting and asked if any Council Members would be able to attend. Discussion about the City’s ability to provide monetary support. Knetter said that he would not be in favor of the City providing monetary support for this purpose. He feels the City supports the Sheriff Department in other ways, such as providing access for deputies to Hampton City Hall for their meal breaks for all shifts. He feels that it would be a hardship to the community to extend funding for additional patrol deputies. Knetter asked the City Clerk to send a letter to Dakota County outlining Council’s position on this matter.

Letter from Randolph-Hampton Fire District inviting Council Members to their March Business meeting – Mayor Knetter noted the letter included in Council meeting packets, and mentioned that all Councilors are welcome to attend any of the monthly meetings of the Randolph-Hampton Fire District.

Randolph-Hampton Fire Department Joint Powers Agreement – Marie Jacobs, Mayor, City of Randolph – Mayor Knetter stated that he had spoken to Mayor Jacobs regarding her request to be on the agenda to discuss this matter. He feels that, after their discussion, Mayor Jacobs doesn’t really know what she is asking for and that it is her intention to do more research on the subject before requesting any additional discussions.

Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:

Engineer’s Report – Brad Fisher, of Bolton & Menk, stated that this month’s report is to update Council on the turnback of the eastern frontage road along Highway 52 from MnDOT to the City. Fisher reminded Council that this process was made more difficult in that a portion of the frontage road is located in Hampton Township. Because of that, there needs to be an annexation of the frontage road right-of-way by the City from the Township up to CR 47, which will be accomplished by a joint resolution with the Township.

Per Fisher, the next step in this process is to establish an agreement between MnDOT, the Township, and the City that lays out the roles and responsibilities of each party. Fisher referred to a copy of the resolution for the City to enter into MnDOT Agreement No. 1051434, which provides for transfer of the portion of the TH 52 frontage road that is located in Hampton Township. Fisher asked for approval of the resolution by Council in order to proceed with the process of the turnback of the frontage road to the City. As part of the turnback agreement, MnDOT will be performing a mill and overlay of the frontage road. Fisher noted that the risk of entering into the agreement is that the City would be obligated to continue moving forward, so would be in default if it doesn’t see the process through until the end, which would result in the City needing to reimburse the state for the mill and overlay of the frontage road. Motion by Verch seconded by Luhring to approve Resolution 2023-03 to enter into MnDOT Agreement No. 1051434. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.

Water / Sewer Report – Mayor Knetter informed Council that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency approved the city’s Wastewater Treatment Facility permit. Also, January samples were taken and look fine, so things are good going into the spring discharge.

Park Report – Councilor Russell stated that, because of warmer temperatures, there will be no more flooding of the hockey rink.

Street Report – Councilor Luhring stated that there is nothing to report.

Ordinances and Resolutions:

Resolution 2023-02 Approving a Donation - Motion by Luhring seconded by Russell to approve Resolution 2023-02 approving a donation from the Hampton Cardinals Baseball Team and the Hampton Area Boosters, in the amount of $1,000, for landscape improvements around the baseball field. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.

Resolution 2023-03 Entering into MnDOT Agreement No. 1051434 – Covered under Engineer’s Report.

Unfinished Business - None

New Business:

Old City Hall Lease Agreement Renewal – Discussion about how things have been going over the first year of the lease. Consensus is that things have been going well. Mayor Knetter mentioned that the roof was leaking and a temporary repair was made by the tenant. Permanent repair will be taken care of by the City. Motion by Luhring seconded by Knetter to approve the lease agreement renewal. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.

Adjournment – Motion by Verch seconded by Russell to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy O’Brien