The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members Jerry Huddleston, David Luhring, Anthony Verch, and Nick Russell. Also present was Brad Fisher with Bolton & Menk; Chris Meyer, City Treasurer; and Marlin Reinardy.
Regular Meeting called to Order - Mayor Knetter called the Regular Scheduled Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Disclosure of Interest – None
Approval of April 9, 2024 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Verch seconded by Luhring to approve the April 9, 2024 Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Russell seconded by Verch to approve the May disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Public Comments – A couple that lives on Lewiston Blvd. in Hampton Township was in attendance to question a potential development of property near the city’s industrial park area. Mayor Knetter explained the steps required to be done, including public hearings and open comment sessions that the couple would be able to attend, that are a part of the process of property development. He stated that he knows what property that they are talking about and that it currently is owned by Ryan Finnegan. He suggested that the couple contact Finnegan for more information.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications:
2023 Internal Audit – Jerry Huddleston – Councilor Huddleston reported that he participated in the annual internal audit with the Treasurer and Clerk. He summarized the documents that were reviewed and stated that all looked good, the numbers tied out, and all questions were answered.
2023 Vermillion River Watershed JPO Annual Report (informational – no action required) – Mayor Knetter referred to the report that was included in meeting packets.
Correction to March 12, 2024 City Council meeting minutes – Mayor Knetter stated that this is in regard to the Randolph/Hampton Fire Department Pension Contribution. City Clerk, Judy O’Brien, stated that the presenter at the meeting misspoke when he referred to the dollar amount of the pension payment. What was stated was that the request is for the payment to be increased from $2,350 to $2,800. What should have been stated was that the request is for the payment to be increased from $2,250 to $2,800. Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to approve the correction to the March 12, 2024 City Council meeting minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Ordinance review and clarification:
o Ordinance § 152.004(B) – Zoning/General Provisions/Definitions/Lot Lines
o Ordinance § 152.032 – Accessory Building and/or Structures
Mayor Knetter suggested that this be tabled and reviewed at the next City Council meeting.
Ball park improvements – Marlin Reinardy – Marlin Reinardy summarized the work to be done at both the baseball and softball fields. He would like edging to be done on the infield where the grass is overgrown onto the infield dirt area. He received a bid of over $2,500, but told the bidder he wouldn’t pay more than $2,500 for the service. Reinardy is requesting that the city pay to have the work done. Motion by Knetter seconded by Verch to approve having the edging done, with the city having money in the budget to pay for the service. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Reinardy also stated that fencing is needed in front of the dugout at the baseball field, but said the cost of that will be $1,000 or less, so donation money will be used to pay for that.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:
Engineer’s Report – Brad Fisher, of Bolton & Menk, mentioned that he doesn’t have any specific updates on the water tower replacement project at this time, but will have follow-up information at the June Council meeting.
Fisher continued with updates on the 2024 pavement maintenance project. Minnesota Paving & Materials wanted to begin with the mill and overlay part of the project, so on Monday, May 6th completed casting and valve box work in preparation for the mill and overlay in the Heights of Hampton. On Thursday, May 9th, Minnesota Paving & Materials’ subcontractor, Allied Blacktop Company, began crack sealing work on various streets throughout the city. Letters were sent to nearby residents, informing them of the work to be done and parking restrictions. The plan is for MPM to return on May 20th to complete milling, base pavement patching, and paving, with the work expected to be completed by the end of that week. Letters were also sent to residents in the Heights of Hampton, summarizing the work to be done, timeline of activities, and parking restrictions. Councilor Luhring commented that the company did a great job with signage for the project.
Water / Sewer Report – Mayor Knetter reported that the spring discharge was completed on Monday morning. He also mentioned that he and Josh Dixon attended the 2024 Pond Stabilization Seminar training. He feels that the training will be useful with regard to the Phosphorus Management Plan that is currently being worked on.
In water issues, Knetter applied for and received a grant in the amount of $10,000 from the Minnesota Department of Health. Funding will be used to purchase and install a transfer switch in preparation for the acquisition of a back-up generator for Well #2.
Park Report – Councilor Russell referred to an email in Council packets regarding a request from the Randolph Rockets youth baseball team to use the city’s softball field. He said he gave them permission to use the field. When he went to check on the condition of the field, he saw that some clean-up work needed to be done. He thanked Ottomatic for their quick response to get the job done.
Russell next mentioned the estimates from Strese’s Tree Service, included in Council packets. Mayor Knetter stated that he thought the prices were a little high at $1,000 per tree for a 4” tree. Russell said that they were in the ballpark with prices quoted by other companies. Councilor Huddleston stated that he had purchased a tree about a year or so ago that was about the size of the trees listed on Estimate 328, and he paid $800 for his tree, however he also had to pick up the tree himself, and that price did not include planting. Discussion. Knetter said he hadn’t realized that tree prices are as high as they are currently. Russell said that he could get the trees at a cost of $900 each if he ordered 17 instead of the 13 listed on the estimate. Motion by Knetter seconded by Verch to approve the purchase of 17 trees at a cost of $900 per tree. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. Russell mentioned that the city has $25,000 in the budget for park improvements that will be used for purchasing the trees. He also stated that he will have the trees planted by alternating the species.
Street Report – Councilor Luhring stated that he had nothing to report.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Resolution 2024 - ___ (08) Approving a donation - Motion by Luhring seconded by Huddleston to accept the donation by Banks Outdoors of the bollard post slip covers for the Randolph-Hampton Fire Department. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0.
Unfinished Business:
City computer support services – Mayor Knetter stated that the companies he contacted weren’t aware of the security issues that are needed by the city for its computer support services.
New Business:
Earned Sick and Safe Time – Mayor Knetter referred to the memo in Council packets summarizing the requirements by employers of the new Earned Sick and Safe Time state law. Discussion. There was no motion to provide any benefits to employees, other than the minimum required by law, so payroll accruals will reflect minimum requirements of the law.
Ordinance violation email received by the city on 04/23, and forwarded to Council Members, from resident regarding violations of 24-hour parking ordinance – Councilor Huddleston requested that this be added to the agenda for discussion, to which Mayor Knetter agreed. Huddleston stated that his opinion is that Council needs to work together to handle enforcement of clear ordinance violations, such as a vehicle parked on the street with an expired registration, large trailers parked on the streets, and long-term parking. Councilor Luhring agreed, saying that Councilors need to be better stewards for the city, rather than having the burden placed on one person.
Adjournment - Motion by Huddleston seconded by Knetter to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 5:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy O’Brien
