The Hampton City Council met on Tuesday, July 08, 2025, at Hampton City Hall for a Public Hearing and the Regularly Scheduled Meeting. Present were Mayor John Knetter and Council Members Jerry Huddleston, Anthony Verch, and Nick Russell. Absent was Council member David Luhring. Also present were Brad Fisher of Bolten & Menk, Jeanne Werner, and Alec Jarosinski
Public Hearing Called to Order – Mayor Knetter opened the public hearing and expressed a preference for having a representative from Bolton & Menk present to explain the drainage easement, noting that he believed he understood it but wanted confirmation. Councilman Huddleston provided clarification, stating that the property in question includes a 5-foot easement and a 10-foot easement located slightly further west. Councilman Verch commented that the matter appeared straightforward and asked whether any members of the public were present for the hearing.
Alec Jarosinski introduced himself as the individual interested in purchasing the .85-acre parcel. It was noted that there were no objections or concerns from neighboring property owners or other members of the public in attendance.
Adjournment - Motion by Russell, seconded by Huddleston, to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Regular Meeting Called to Order – Mayor Knetter called the regular meeting to order at 7:03pm.
Disclosure of Interest – None
Approval of June 10, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes – Motion by Huddleston, seconded by Verch, to approve the June 10, 2025 regular meeting minutes. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4-0.
Approval of Disbursements - Motion by Russell, seconded by Verch, to approve the May disbursements. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4-0.
Public Comments: None.
Petitions, Requests, and Communications:
Property Use Inquiry – Jeanne Werner
Jeanne Werner asked the council about potential future uses of the former dental office she recently purchased and renovated. She currently operates her business there but is considering relocating and would like to explore converting the space into either a long-term residential rental or a short-term rental (e.g., VRBO).
Mayor Knetter explained that the building has long operated as a mixed-use space, with business in front and residential in back, a use predating current ordinances. Werner clarified she intends to rent the entire space as residential.
Council members expressed support for both short- and long-term rental options. Councilman Verch noted a need for short-term accommodations in the area and emphasized the high quality of Werner’s renovations. It was determined that the appropriate path forward would be through a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) or Interim Use Permit (IUP) to avoid rewriting the zoning ordinance.
Brad Fisher agreed to work with the city planner, Jenni, to outline the steps required. A memo will be provided to Werner, and the matter will be revisited in the coming month or two.
Comprehensive Plan Amendment, Rezoning, and Easement Vacation – 4751 Aspen Street
Following the discussion with Werner, the council moved on to review a resolution regarding a .5-acre property at 4751 Aspen Street. Brad Fisher, summarizing on behalf of Planner Madison, outlined the details of the application. The request involves several components: a comprehensive plan amendment (changing land use designation from agricultural to low-density residential), rezoning (from agricultural to single-family residential), vacation of an existing utility easement, and an administrative subdivision to adjust the lot line.
The driving factor for the change is a shed that currently sits over the property line. The proposed lot line adjustment would bring the structure into compliance and expand the property size from .83 acres to 1.12 acres. A new 10-foot drainage and utility easement would be established along the west, north, and south property lines, in accordance with city code. The Metropolitan Council has waived the adjacent review period and indicated the comp plan amendment would likely receive administrative approval.
The Planning Commission previously reviewed and recommended approval of the proposed changes. No council members raised objections, and all expressed support for the project.
Ordinances and Resolutions: Resolution 2025-04 Approving an Amendment to the City of Hampton Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map – Motion made by Verch second by Russell to approve the Amendment to the City of Hampton Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passes 4.0
Ordinance 1132 Amending Section 152.016 of the Hampton Code of Ordinances Related to the Official Zoning Map for the City of Hampton. Motion made by Verch second by Russell 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 passes 4.0
Resolution 2025-05 Approving an Administrative Subdivision within the City of Hampton – Motion made by Huddleston second by Verch to Approve an Administrative Subdivision within the City of Hampton. All voted in Favor. None opposed. Motion passes 4.0
Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:
Engineer Report – Brad Fisher of Bolten & Menk provided an update on the water tower project. Concrete curb and driveway aprons were installed on Lincoln Street the previous week. Base course paving was scheduled for the current week but has been delayed due to trucking issues and incomplete gravel delivery. Paving may occur later this week or slide into the following week.
This paving work represents the last major task on Lincoln Street for now, aside from site restoration. The final top wear course will be placed on the frontage road but held off on Lincoln Street until the water tower is fully erected. This is to avoid damage from heavy equipment that could cause settlement. The goal is to complete this work by the end of the construction season, though it may be deferred to early next spring depending on progress.
Steel fabrication and erection work will begin soon on-site. Some scheduling adjustments are occurring due to crew reassignments following tornado damage in North Dakota. Crews may be seen coming and going as work progresses.
Lastly, Pay Application #3 for work completed through June was submitted and included in the disbursement list. Mayor Knetter thanked Brad, and no questions were raised by the council.
Water / Sewer Report – Mayor Knetter reported no issues with the water system and confirmed that sewer holding and discharge operations have been completed. He noted he had forgotten to ask for an update on the phosphorus management plan.
Brad Fisher responded that an initial draft of the phosphorus management plan has been completed and is currently under review by the project manager. Staff-level review is expected to occur within the next month.
Mayor Knetter thanked Fisher for the update.
Park Report – No major updates.
Street Report – Nothing to report.
Unfinished Business: - None.
New Business – Temporary Liquor License and Gambling Permit – Fun Fest
The council approved a temporary on-sale liquor license and gambling permit for Fun Fest.
Motion by: Councilman Verch
Second by: Councilman Russell
Vote: Passed unanimously
One-Day Raffle Permit – Non-Profit Event
Approval was granted for a one-day raffle permit for a non-profit hosting a bag tournament at City Hall.
Motion by: Councilman Russell
Second by: Councilman Verch
Vote: Passed unanimously
Old City Hall Lease Renewal
The council discussed renewing the lease for the current tenant at the old City Hall building. The tenant has maintained the property well, including interior painting. A three-year lease with automatic renewal was approved.
Motion by: Councilman Russell
Second by: Councilman Verch
Vote: Passed unanimously
Appointment of New Building Official
Due to the previously hired inspector stepping away, the city reviewed proposals from two building inspection firms: Dunn and Inspectron. After comparison and discussion, including feedback from council members and a local real estate professional, the council chose Inspectron based on their experience, online capabilities, broader client base, fee structure, and insurance coverage.
Motion to approve Inspectron as the new Building Official by: Councilman Russell
Second by: Councilman Huddleston
Vote: Passed unanimously
Building Inspection Status – Gun Club & Stallion Project
Mayor Knetter informed the council that the Gun Club is awaiting a new roof installation, pending formalities. The Stallion remodeling project had previously been working with SAFEbuilt, then referred to Goodhue, but that fell through. The project is currently in limbo. Despite the permitting gap, the city allowed work to continue to avoid delays. Councilman Verch requested documentation, such as progress photos, to ensure accountability.
Adjournment - Motion by Russell, seconded by Verch, to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor. None opposed. Motion passed 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Kelly Roan