The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at the Hampton City Hall for the regular scheduled meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter; Council Members David Luhring and Nick Russell. Also present was Cory Bienfang with Bolton & Menk; Marlin Reinardy, and Martin Whetsel.
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 August 15, 2023 Special and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes – Motion by Russell seconded by Luhring to approve the August 15, 2023 Special and Regular Scheduled Meeting Minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0.
Approval of Disbursements – Motion by Luhring seconded by Russell to approve the September disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0.
Public Comments – None
Petitions, Requests, and Communications:
Special Meeting for Final Approval of Levy – Mayor Knetter stated that the meeting will be held on December 12th at 6:30 pm.
Parking Ordinance Enforcement – Request from 08/15/23 City Council Meeting by Martin Whetsel to Serve the City as Enforcement Officer – Mayor Knetter acknowledged that Martin Whetsel was in attendance. Knetter stated that he would need to set up a meeting with the City Attorney to discuss this. Council Member Luhring addressed Whetsel in regard to the expectations of the City in that it would be expected to be done year-round, not just during the snow season. Discussion. After further discussion Council decided to table the matter at this time.
Ordinances and Resolutions:
Resolution 2023-10 Approving the 2023 Tax Levy – Judy O’Brien, City Clerk mentioned that she just received the property and casualty insurance bill that day, and there was an increase in the insurance expense from 2022 to 2023 of about $2,400. So, there needs to be an increase in the 2024 budget for insurance expense. O’Brien mentioned two options to Council. The first was to increase the levy in the amount of $2,000; the second was to increase the levy $1,000 and decrease the allocation for snow removal costs in the amount of $1,000. She summarized the percentage change in the levy from 2022 to 2023 for each option. Consensus of Council was to increase the levy in the amount of $1,000 and decrease Snow Removal Expense in the amount of $1,000. Motion by Luhring seconded by Russell to approve the 2023 tax levy, as amended. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0.
Resolution 2023-11 – Approving a donation to the City of Hampton. Mayor Knetter stated that this was a donation from Larry Kuehn, of Kuehn’s Crane Service, and Mike Wagner for repairing the flag pole at City Hall. Motion by Luhring seconded by Russell to approve the donation. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0.
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:
Engineer’s Report – Cory Bienfang of Bolton & Menk began his report with the Dakota County Maintenance Facility CUP amendment. He said that, based upon the proceedings of the Dakota County Board meeting in August, the proposed Hampton facility is not a priority, so the County withdrew their application for the CUP amendment. Bienfang referred to the copy of the letter from Dakota County to Jenni Faulkner, City Planner, that was included in his staff report. Bienfang also mentioned that the original CUP is still in place and currently has no sunset date. He suggested that the City may want to put a sunset date of one year on the CUP. Mayor Knetter responded that he feels a sunset date of one year would be appropriate.
The second item on Bienfang’s report was the Water Tower Improvement Project. He stated that an important update on the project was that negotiations were successful with the owner of the property that the City wanted to purchase for placement of the water tower. A signed purchase agreement is in place, but to complete the acquisition a preliminary and final plat must be done. Also, the City will need to obtain a Conditional Use Permit and apply to have the parcel rezoned. The final step will be to amend the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which will need to be done through the Met Council. Bienfang continued that a second important update for the project was that Bolton & Menk received a response to their SHPO submittal. He referred to the copy of the letter from SHPO that was included in his staff report. In the letter, there is a request for additional information on how the new water tower may affect the Silver Bell Motel and the existing water tower. Bienfang recommended that the City move forward with the project by determining what to do with the old water tower, doing the additional research requested by SHPO, and detailing the specifications for the new tower. Bienfang summarized a potential timeline for the project, and when the City can anticipate having an operating water tower.
The third item on Bienfang’s report was the Citywide Water Model Update. The project was required to identify any impacts to the City’s water distribution system from the proposed Dakota County Maintenance Facility’s peak water usage. Dakota County agreed to pay for 50% of the costs of the project. Bienfang stated that this model will be useful when preparing the final design of the proposed water tower, and also for any other future development opportunities.
The final item on Bienfang’s report was the evaluation of the Belmont St. driveway condition. Bienfang recommends that mud jacking be done and has reached out to a mud jacking contractor who will review the project corridor in the next month. Bienfang anticipates having an update, including cost information, at the October Council meeting.
Water / Sewer Report – Mayor Knetter reported that he and Josh Dixon attended the MRWA Water Expo in Waconia at the end of August. Problem with the Well #2 pump that had previously been reported has been resolved. Preparations are being made for the fall discharge.
Marlin Reinardy provided an update on the sonar scan of the sewer ponds. The project has not been completed because on the day the contractor showed up to do the scan, he told Reinardy that there was too much algae. Reinardy felt that the project would need to be done either in the late fall or early spring. Mayor Knetter stated that it is important for the City to get those baseline readings.
Park Report – Councilor Russell stated that he continued to do crack filling in the tennis courts. He feels that the condition of the court surface is such that it may be time for a resurfacing to be done. Russell also reported that weeds and hornets continue to be a problem in the parks. Mayor Knetter responded to Russell’s report regarding the tennis courts. He feels that project should wait until 2024. Russell stated that he will get estimates for the project.
Street Report – Council Luhring stated that there was nothing to report.
Unfinished Business:
Dakota County Fleet Maintenance Facility Property (PID 18-00800-77-017) Conditional Use Permit Amendment Request – As was reported by Cory Bienfang in the Engineer’s Report, Dakota County sent a letter to the City Planner requesting that the application for the CUP amendment be withdrawn. Motion by Knetter seconded by Luhring to approve the withdrawal of the application. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0.
Old City Hall storage space – Marlin Reinardy reported on his discussion with Chase Bartels regarding rent. Bartels suggested an increase of $150 per month, but Reinardy felt the space was worth an additional $200 per month. Discussion. Consensus of Council is to increase the monthly rent to $1,000, effective November 1st. Reinardy also reported that there are several items in the space that belong to the Fire Department, so they need to determine what they want to keep and what can be discarded. Mayor Knetter stated that he will talk to members of the Fire Department. Reinardy stated that he will need help cleaning out the space. He suggested putting the mower out at the ponds and putting the snowblower in the ice rink warming shed.
New Business:
Councilor Cindy Flodeen resignation – Discussion by Council as to what to do to fill the seat. Consensus was to do the same as when Councilor Evertz-Garcia resigned, which was to select the individual who received the next highest number of votes in the last election. Motion by Luhring seconded by Russell to accept Councilor Flodeen’s resignation. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0
Land Purchase for Water Tower Replacement Project – This was discussed by Cory Bienfang in the Engineer’s Report. Motion by Luhring seconded by Russell to approve the land purchase for the water tower replacement project. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0
Snow Removal Service Agreement Extension Addendum – Ottomatic Lawn Care - Motion by Russell seconded by Luhring to approve the Snow Removal Service Agreement Extension Addendum. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0
Adjournment - Motion by Russell seconded by Luhring to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 3:0. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy O’Brien
