The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at the Hampton City Hall for a public hearing and the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members Jerry Huddleston, Anthony Verch, and Nick Russell. Also present was Brad Fisher with Bolton and Menk; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; Ed Gergen, Dale Radman, and Jeremy Swenson with Midco.
Public Hearing Called to Order – The purpose of the public hearing was to consider an Application for a Variance for a 1,200 square-foot garage for Dale Radman of 23445 Hampton Boulevard. Mayor Knetter called the public hearing to order at 6:58 pm. There we no members of the public in attendance having an interest in this matter, other than Mr. Radman.
Adjournment – Motion by Verch seconded by Russell to close the public hearing. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0. The public hearing closed at 6:59 p.m.
Mayor Knetter acknowledged a Dakota County Deputy in attendance at the meeting and asked him if he had anything to report. The Deputy introduced himself as Josh. He stated that there continues to be a problem with thefts from vehicles and reminded everyone to lock their vehicles and to keep valuables out of sight. Additionally, there has been an increase in crisis calls.
Regular Meeting called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members Jerry Huddleston, Anthony Verch, and Nick Russell.
Disclosure of Interest – Mayor Knetter mentioned that he is a member of the Randolph/Hampton Fire Department and that Fire Department business will be discussed today.
Approval of February 13, 2024 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Verch seconded by Russell to approve the February 13, 2024 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Verch seconded by Russell to approve the March disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Public Comment – None
Petitions, Requests, and Communications:
2023 City of Hampton Financial Statements – Chris Meyer - Meyer stated that the 2023 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. He mentioned that the Office of the State Auditor requires that financial statements be filed with them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year. 2023 financial highlights include:
• A year-end cash balance of $1,142,839. The large cash balance is mainly due to:
o January bond payments
o Tax payments from Dakota County and local government aid from the State of Minnesota received in December, including a new aid payment, Public Safety Aid, in the amount of $32,426.
o Funding needed for the 2024 Pavement Maintenance Project.
• Water Fund had an operating income of $16,364, mainly due to:
o An increase in water rates
o Lower costs for water main breaks
• Sewer Fund had operating income of $12,400, mainly due to bulk sewage dumping reve-nue.
• Total outstanding debt for 3 bond series is $2,912,000:
o Series 2012A (Main-Lincoln) = $205,000; matures 02/01/2028
o Series 2015A (City Hall-238th) = $1,035,000; matures 02/01/2038
o Series 2019A (Belmont-Park-Main) = $1,672.000; matures 02/01/2040
2023 Internal Audit – Chris Meyer – Meyer provided an overview of the internal audit process. Mayor Knetter stated that he feels this is a very worthwhile thing for Councilors to participate in, as it provides a lot of insight into what the Treasurer and Clerk do regarding City financial matters. He asked for a volun-teer for the 2023 internal audit. Jerry Huddleston said he would participate in the audit this year.
Jane Kansier, AICP, City Senior Planner and Jenni Faulkner, City Senior Planner – Memorandum regarding Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Rezoning, and Preliminary/Final Plat Applications for Future Water Tower Site (Lincoln Street and Caneff Road) – Brad Fisher, of Bolton & Menk was present to summarize the information included in the memo and to answer any questions He stated that this is regarding the property acquisition piece of the Water Tower Replacement Project, which requires an amendment to the Comp Plan re-designating the property from Agricultural to Commercial, an amendment to the City of Hampton Zoning Map rezoning the property from Agricultural to Arterial Commercial, and a preliminary and final plat to be known as the Hampton Water Tower Site, creating one lot for the future water tower.
Midco plan to provide internet service to rural areas near Hampton – Jeremy Swenson with Midco – Swenson distributed marketing information to Council Members and summarized how Midco is making improvements to its towers to increase internet speed and coverage area for rural areas.
City computer support services – Mayor Knetter – Knetter stated that he should be receiving quotes in the next 2 to 3 weeks and will bring to the April Council meeting.
Randolph-Hampton Fire Department Pension Contribution – Greg Endres, Randolph-Hampton Fire Department member was in attendance to present the request regarding the pension change. Endres stated that the request is for the pension payment for firefighters be increased from $2,350 to $2,800 per year of service. Mayor Knetter asked Councilors if they had any questions. Councilor Russell said he needed further clarification. Knetter stated that funding levels for volunteer fire departments are set by state statutes, whereby the Relief Associations are to set funding at levels that will pay for 100% of future spending needs. When there is a projected shortfall in funding, pension contributions need to increase. Motion by Verch seconded by Huddleston to approve the change in the allocation per year of service. All voted in favor, with Mayor Knetter abstaining from voting. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0.
Request to discuss turning rental property into units available for sale – Ed Gergen – Gergen stated that he owns the apartment building on Main St. that is called Hampton 7. He mentioned that he had purchased the building from Bryan Skillestad a few years ago, and other facts about his acquisition of the property. He had been asked by at least one of his tenants if they could purchase their apartment, rather than renting, so he decided to discuss with the City whether or not he could sell the apartments to interested parties, and what would need to be done to make that happen. Discussion. Mayor Knetter stated that he wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of the apartments being sold, but that more information would be needed in order to go forward with the request.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:
Engineer Report – Brad Fisher, of Bolton & Menk, summarized recent updates in regard to the Water Tower Replacement Project. He stated that, in March of 2023, an application was submitted to place the project on the Public Facilities Authority (PFA) Drinking Water Revolving Fund’s (DWRF) Intended Use Plan (IUP). In order to keep the project eligible for PFA low-interest funding, the City Council needs to pass a resolution of application to the PFA DWRF for the estimated amount of the loan. Fisher reminded Council that this does not lock the City in to the loan at this time. It just keeps the option of the loan open. Mayor Knetter stated that Chris Meyer, City Treasurer, recently learned that, if the City does obtain a loan from the PFA DWRF, an annual external audit would be required to be done by a third-party accounting firm. After learning that, both Knetter and Meyer had requested cost information from other cities and townships that are required to have an annual external audit. It was found that the interest savings on the PFA DWRF would be exceeded by the cost of the external audits. Additionally, the external audits would require a great deal of extra work to be done by the City’s Clerk and Treasurer. So, it was recommended by Knetter to deny moving forward with pursuing the PFA DWRF loan funding. Motion by Knetter seconded by Huddleston to deny moving forward with pursuing the PFA DWRF loan funding. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Jenni Faulkner, City Planner and TJ Hofer, City Planner II, memorandum regarding Variance Application for 23445 Hampton Boulevard – Brad Fisher – Fisher summarized the information contained in the Variance Application memorandum, included in meeting packets. He stated that the lot located at 23445 Hampton Blvd. is a double frontage lot—just under 18,000 square feet. Per City Ordinance, the maximum square footage allowed for accessory structures is 1,000 square feet. So, the proposed structure does not comply with standards for accessory structure size, but does meet all other Zoning Ordinance requirements. It is the recommendation of the Planner to look at amending the City Ordinance to allow square footage for accessory structures based on lot size (i.e. greater of 1,000 square feet or a percentage of lot size). Mayor Knetter stated that he is in favor of reviewing and amending the ordinance, but he would like a decision to be made on the Variance Application at this evening’s meeting. He continued that this is a unique property because of its location and shape of the lot. Additionally, he stated that Council has made concessions in the past regarding the size of accessory buildings in other parts of the City. Discussion continued regarding how the Ordinance should be changed.
Water / Sewer Report – Mayor Knetter reported that the City may need to purchase a new meter for fluoride testing. He has been working on calibrations, but the meter still is off a little bit. Also, he is still working on the new Wastewater Treatment Facility permit and the Phosphorus Management Plan that is a requirement of the permit.
Park Report – Councilor Russell said he has no updates.
Street Report – Mayor Knetter stated that things are on schedule for the 2024 Pavement Maintenance Project.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Resolution 2024-04 – Approving an amendment to the City of Hampton Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map – Motion by Huddleston seconded by Verch to approve the amendment to the City of Hampton Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Ordinance 1133 – Amending Section 152.016 of the Hampton Code of Ordinances related to the Official Zoning Map for the City of Hampton - Motion by Verch seconded by Huddleston to amend Section 152.016 of the Hampton Code of Ordinances related to the Official Zoning Map for the City of Hampton. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Resolution 2024-05 – Approving the preliminary and final plat to be known as Hampton Water Tower Site - Motion by Huddleston seconded by Russell to approve the preliminary and final plat to be known as Hampton Water Tower site. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4:0.
Resolution 2024-06 – Approving application to the Public Facility Authority (PFA) Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) – This was covered under the Engineer’s Report. The resolution was denied.
Unfinished Business:
Building cleaning service – No updates. Will be on the April City Council meeting agenda.
New Business:
Application for variance to build a new garage next to an existing garage on the property – Dale Radman, 23445 Hampton Blvd. (Planning Commission recommended that Council approve this request.) – Additional discussion about the lot size and unique shape, that approving the variance will not be detrimental to the neighborhood, and that several other residents have been allowed to exceed the maximum square footage of accessory buildings in the past. No formal resolution was included in meeting packets, but a resolution is needed to approve the variance application. Jenni Faulkner, City Planner, will be preparing the formal resolution to be approved. Motion by Verch seconded by Huddleston to approve a resolution (which will be Resolution 2024-07) approving the application for variance to build a new garage next to an existing garage on the property for Dale Radman, 23445 Hampton Blvd. 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 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy O’Brien
