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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.20.13 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR May 20, 2013 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Larson at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Larson led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Larson, Bartholomay, Bonar, Donnelly, Fogarty Members Absent: None Also Present: Joel Jamnik, City Attorney;David McKnight, City Administrator; Robin Hanson, Finance Director;Randy Distad, Parks and Recreation Director;Kevin Schorzman, City Engineer;Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Cynthia Muller, Executive Assistant Audience: Robert and Randy Schmitz, LeeAnn Lehto, Ron&Bev Ersfeld, Annette Kuyper, Christine Deering 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Fogarty, second by Donnelly to approve the Agenda. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) 2013 Heritage Preservation Award -Planning Ms. LeeAnn Lehto,Heritage Preservation Commission, presented the 2013 Heritage Preservation Award to Ms. Christine Deering. The Deering family received this award for the restoration of their home at 521 Oak Street. b) Louis Schmitz Foundation Mr. Robert Schmitz announced their family has started the Louis Schmitz Foundation in honor and memory of their father, Louis Schmitz. Mr. Schmitz was an advocate for Farmington youth sports and activities. The foundation is a non-profit organization created by many Farmington alumni. This year the foundation will provide a scholarship to a female and a male Farmington High School graduate who plan to pursue a post-secondary education and volunteer in their community. The foundation has also set up a community project fund and a youth scholarship assistance program to provide limited fmancial assistance to young people who cannot afford the participation fees. The foundation has entered into an agreement with the City of Farmington Parks and Recreation to provide$500 annually to support scholarships for local youth to take part in various sports and activities provided by the Parks and Recreation Department. Funds are raised through donations at a golf tournament to be held this summer. A formal agreement will be brought to the June 3, 2013, Council meeting for approval. 4 Council Minutes(Regular) May 20,2013 Page 2 c) Patriotic Day Presentation Ms. Annette Kuyper reviewed the 2012 Patriotic Day. Last year was the fourth annual Patriotic Day to ask Farmington residents to come together to showcase our patriotism. An estimated 1400 people have attended. The committee is made up of various organizations, and the City, School Board,Lion's Club,Rotary, etc. are also represented. There is a meal for all those attending with a program following. The program features speeches, special presentations, high school band, and choirs. The 2013 Patriotic Day will be held Thursday,November 7, 2013. 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS Ms. Annette Kuyper, Farmington Yellow Ribbon Network,thanked St.Michael's Church and those who attended the Military Mother/Grandmother luncheon. It was a huge success and was the fifth annual luncheon to honor mothers and grandmothers who have currently serving service members. There were 110 mothers and grandmothers attending. Monthly veteran dinners have ended for the summer and will begin again in September. Ms. Kuyper acknowledged the hosts for this year, Trinity Care Center, St. Michael's Church, Farmington VFW, Bible Baptist Church, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, and Dakota Electric. Friday, December 6, 2013,will be the fifth anniversary of being the first Yellow Ribbon community in Minnesota. An event will be held at the high school. 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Bonar to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Council Minutes (5/6/13 Regular)(5/13/13 Workshop) b) Approved Temporary On-Sale Liquor License Farmington Liquors- Administration c) Received Information Water Restriction Enforcement Worker-Engineering Councilmember Bonar reminded residents we have year around watering restrictions and of their responsibility to be efficient with water use. d) Approved Farmington Royalty Use of City Vehicle -Administration e) Approved Job Evaluation/Wage Study Contract—Human Resources Councilmember Bonar noted the program began in March and today we are formally approving the agreement. He asked if there are any updates between March and now to give us an understanding of the progress. Human Resources Director Wendlandt stated employees and supervisors have reviewed their job descriptions. They have also gone through the department head review, and been reviewed by Human Resources and City Administrator McKnight. They are now in the hands of Fox Lawson. Staff is hoping to have them back the first part of July or a little later. Councilmember Bonar asked if this study will cover our needs for nearly a decade. Human Resources Director Wendlandt noted job descriptions should be reviewed every three to four years to make sure they are still up to date and serving their purpose. As far as the total compensation structure,that should be reviewed in six to seven years, maybe ten years. f) Adopted RESOLUTION R27-13 Accepting Donations Rambling River Center— Parks and Recreation g) Approved Bills APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 5 Council Minutes(Regular) May 20,2013 Page 3 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report-Finance Finance Director Hanson stated the 2012 audit is complete. The fmancial statements have been audited by Smith Schaffer. This week the City received the Certificate of Excellence for the 2011 budget. She reviewed highlights of the report. The assets of the City exceeded liabilities by$112 million. Of this amount, $29.2 million is unrestricted and may be used to meet ongoing obligations of the community. The City's total net position increased by$5.6 million last year. The City's bonded debt decreased by$3.1 million or 8%of the outstanding balance during the last fiscal year, which included fully retiring the series 2001C bonds. The City's government funds reported a combined ending fund balance of$14.7 million,this was an increase of$3.8 million from 2011. Approximately 76%of this amount, or$11.2 million is available for use within the City's policies. During the year the City transferred$685,000 into the EDA, Recreation Operation and Area funds, and eliminated the negative fund balances that had accumulated over time in those accounts. With the exception of the interfund loan to purchase a new fire truck, all remaining interfund receivables and payables were eliminated. At the end of the current fiscal year the unassigned fund balance for the general fund was$2.1 million or 23%of the general fund expenditures. While the immediate impact of eliminating the negative fund balances and cleaning up the interfund receivables and payables has dropped us below the minimum 25% target, in the long run those will serve to strengthen the general fund balance. The City began to address deferred maintenance needs by providing funding for seal coating,trail maintenance, and building maintenance. Mr. Jason Miller, Smith Schaffer, provided comments on the 2012 audit. He stated the audit went very well and staff was very forthcoming with answers. He noted the CAFR is a huge project and Finance Director Hanson did an excellent job on it. They issued an unqualified opinion on the fmancial statements which is the highest rating. Finance Director Hanson noted the responsibility of the accuracy of the fmancial statements rests with the City. She thanked the Finance staff for doing an outstanding job with maintaining the City's fmancial records. She also recognized the diligence of every staff member in what they do to contribute to the accuracy of the financial records. Staff takes it very seriously and asks questions to determine answers. She thanked Council and the steps they have taken to strengthen the City's financial situation in long term planning. Finance Director Hanson also thanked the auditors for their patience and they have been very timely. Mayor Larson thanked staff for working so hard on the budget and all year long to make Farmington stronger. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6 Council Minutes(Regular) May 20,2013 Page 4 12. NEW BUSINESS 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember Fogarty: Realized she has a conflict with the June 10, 2013,budget workshop and asked if it could be rescheduled. It was determined to hold the budget workshop on either June 3 or 17,2013, at 5:00 p.m. Councilmember Bonar: Regarding workshops, we want to begin the budget, but asked if Council has considered some of the workshops we would like to have during the summer and fall. The Planning Commission has asked to meet with Council, and also Parks and Recreation. He would like to hear an update from the Water Board. City Administrator McKnight noted there will be a workshop with the Fire Department in July. Councilmember Bonar asked if these could be scheduled over the next several months. He would also like to meet with the School Board. City Administrator McKnight: The Planning Commission wants to have a workshop with Council to discuss the draft housing maintenance ordinance. He will work on scheduling that soon. City Engineer Schorzman: This is National Public Works Week. When things work well, people take things for granted. He asked residents to remember the top three things for civilized living are clean water, sewer system that works, and a transportation system that works. We have a fantastic group here and throughout the county and state that take care of those things. Parks and Recreation Director Distad: Starting tomorrow,the Park Maintenance and Municipal Services staff along with the Farmington VFW will be installing flag pole brackets on the light poles along Elm, Third, and Oak Streets. The VFW will be putting flags up on Friday to be flown over holidays. Mayor Larson: Reminded everyone to shop local. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Fogarty, second by Bartholomay to adjourn at 7:56 p.m. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant 7