The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members Cindy Flodeen, David Luhring, and Nick Russell. Also present was Marlin Reinardy, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk; Bryan Skillestad and Ed Gergen.
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 May 10, 2022 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Luhring seconded by Flodeen to approve the May 10, 2022 regular scheduled meeting minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Flodeen seconded by Russell to approve the June disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Public Comment – None.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications:
Dakota County Community Focused Sampling Program – Mayor Knetter reviewed briefly and stated that there was good information in the correspondence provided.
Delinquent Water/Sewer Accounts – Mayor Knetter mentioned that an updated list had been provided for the meeting and asked Council their opinions on how to proceed. Councilor Luhring mentioned that there are currently no hardship restrictions preventing the City from turning off the water of residents who do not pay their water/sewer bills. He mentioned that there has been no communication from the residents on the list, and that if they don’t pay in full the City should initiate action to turn off their water. All Council members agreed.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:
Engineer Report – Brad Fisher with Bolton & Menk began with an update on pavement maintenance considerations. At the May City Council meeting he was asked to further evaluate potential maintenance and/or repair needs for failing pavement on Hampton Avenue and Belmont Street. Areas of these streets have degradation beyond what can be repaired by spray patching. Fisher reviewed what would be involved with the various techniques for repair, and the cost of each. The first technique reviewed was a partial depth patch in which the top 2 inches of the 4 inches of pavement would be milled off and then patched. The second technique is a full depth patch. Fisher stated that this type of repair is similar to the repair of Main Street, south of Park Street, done in 2019. The third technique is a mill and overlay. The fourth technique is a reclamation, where the existing roadway is pulverized and then paved over. Fisher also listed the average life expectancies of each repair technique. Fisher stated that, for Hampton Avenue, he recommends focused patching and the rest of the repair be done via a mill and overlay. Mayor Knetter suggested that Council not decide on this today; that Council members should digest the information provided by Fisher and revisit the issue at the July meeting.
The second item reviewed by Fisher was the Water Street Lift Station Backup Generator Project. At the May Council meeting Fisher was asked by Council to confirm the existence of a sanitary sewer easement in the area where the backup generator will be located. He was able to confirm that there is a sanitary sewer easement over the sanitary sewer on property west of Water Street. He stated that he still needs to determine the actual amount of right-of-way available from the roadway to the property line at the southeast corner of the Water St. and Sun Valley Lane intersection. He asked Council to confirm that this is the preferred location for the backup generator and LP tank so that the project can move to the next step, which is to begin the topographic survey and design. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to approve placing the generator and LP tank at the location indicated by Fisher. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
The third item reviewed by Fisher was the Water Tower Replacement Project. He reminded Council that KLM Engineering did an investigation in 2018 and determined deficiencies in the existing water tower. In reviewing options regarding repairing or replacing the water tower, it was determined that restoration of the existing water tower would be about two-thirds of the cost of replacing with a new tower. Because of cost comparisons of repairing versus replacing, and the fact that replacing the existing tower would improve water pressure and allow for increased capacity for future growth in the City, the best option is replacement of the water tower. Fisher had contacted Chris Meyer, City Treasurer, regarding financing options. Meyer reviewed the information provided by Fisher and determined that obtaining a loan from the revolving loan fund would be the best financing option. As far as the next steps in the process, Fisher stated that first will be the completion of any necessary studies that are to be done for the project, then engineering design, then the project will be put out for bids. Motion by Luhring seconded by Flodeen to proceed with the project, as indicated by Fisher. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Water / Sewer Report – Marlin Reinardy, Water/Sewer Superintendent, first reported that the Minnesota Department of Health conducted a water monitoring project and the City’s contaminants levels were all below recommended levels with only one exception. The second water-related item to report was that the Well #1 control panel was installed and working well. Because the unit is smaller than the previous control panel, it will require additional trim to be installed. The last item reported on by Reinardy is that he has filled several swimming pools so far this year.
As far as sewer issues, Reinardy reported that the discharge is complete and all went well. As was mentioned by Reinardy at the April Council meeting, he hopes that the City can go to a maintenance mode of treating the sewer ponds versus the sludge reduction treatment that is currently being done. He provided copies of wastewater sample reports for three samples that contained volatile suspended solids to Cory Bienfang of Bolton & Menk for his review.
Reinardy asked Council if they would like for him to renew his license. Mayor Knetter stated that he would support his decision either way. In order for Reinardy to renew his license, it would require him to receive continuing education credits, that the City would have to pay for. Consensus of Council is that it is a benefit to the City for Reinardy to renew his license for back-up purposes.
Mayor Knetter acknowledged a Dakota County Sheriff’s Deputy in attendance and asked if he had anything to report – The Deputy stated that he didn’t have anything to report, but wondered if Council had any questions for him. Reinardy said he had a question about whether or not there are any restrictions regarding toy electric cars that children ride in. The Deputy asked if they are being ridden on the streets and Reinardy said he has seen them on some City streets. A couple of Councilors said they have also seen them on the streets in certain areas. The Deputy asked that their office be called to report the incident and location and an officer would report to the location, mainly in an educational capacity. Discussion about the City possibly purchasing flags to place on the toys for better visibility. Mayor Knetter thanked the Deputy for his attendance, and for his service.
Park Report – Councilor Russell stated that the only thing to report at this time is that he would be getting new wood chips for the parks.
Street Report – Councilor Luhring stated that there was nothing to report. Councilor Flodeen asked who was in charge of sidewalk repairs and mentioned locations that need maintenance.
Ordinances and Resolutions: None
Unfinished Business:
City Residents Working on Vehicles on City Streets – This is an item that was discussed at the May Council meeting. Of particular concern recently has been a resident of an apartment building on Water Street who has been working on multiple vehicles at the same time and leaving them on the street for many days. Additionally, often these vehicles are left jacked up while parked on the street, which is a major safety concern, particularly for children. Councilor Luhring stated that, in the past, letters sent to residents referencing Ordinance § 92.20, Inoperable Motor Vehicles, have been effective.
New Business:
Proposal for Professional Engineering Services – Water Tower Replacement Project—Bolton & Menk – Approval of item covered under Engineer’s Report.
Application for Separation of Platted Lots in a Tax Parcel – Bryan Skillestad – Mayor Knetter stated that this item has gone through the necessary steps for approval, with the final step being approval of the shared parking agreement by the City’s attorney. The City received that approval today. Motion by Russell seconded by Luhring to approve the application for separation of platted lots in a tax parcel for Bryan Skillestad. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Adjournment – Motion by Luhring seconded by Russell to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:38 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy O’Brien
