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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.03.14 Council Minutes • COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR February 3, 2014 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, Fogarty(arrived 7:03 p.m.) Members Absent: Donnelly Also Present: Andrea Poehler, 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;Tim Pietsch, Fire Chief; Blair Peterson, Liquor Operations Manager; Cynthia Muller,Executive Assistant Audience: Patricia Smith, Chloe Boatman, Lauren Towley, Lizzie Cash, Addy Nakib, Cole Stansbury 4. APPROVE AGENDA Councilmember Bonar pulled item 7d) Analysis Software for Utility Accounts for • discussion. MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Bonar to approve the Agenda. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) Future Cities Presentation Ms. Patricia Smith, Gifted and Talented Specialist for Boeckman and Dodge Middle Schools brought students to the meeting who participated in the Future City competition. This competition has been in Minnesota for ten years and is sponsored by Minnesota companies and organizations. The students are mentored by engineers from these organizations as they learn engineering principles and develop cities of the future. City Engineer Schorzman was one of the mentors. This year the theme was Tomorrow's Transit. Six teams from Farmington middle schools competed. Each team created a virtual city and presented it before a panel of judges. Three of the six teams won awards. Students were present at the Council meeting to speak about their projects. b) Adopt Resolution—Accept Donations Farmington Liquor Stores/Liquor Store Update Liquor Operations Manager Peterson stated the net sales and profits are up for 2013, along with customer counts and average tickets. Liquor operations donated 14,000 lbs. of food to the local food shelf. Because of participating in that 3 Council Minutes(Regular) February 3,2014 Page 2 endeavor with the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association(MMBA) and Miller Coors,MMBA had a random drawing of participating cities and Farmington won an extra$100 which was also donated to the food shelf. There is currently a coat drive taking place at both liquor stores. Donations will stay within the community. A Wine Club Tasting will be held February 6, 2014, at Celt's Pub and Grill. By making smart purchases offered by Johnson Distributing, Farmington Liquors received a 46" flat screen TV. Liquor Operations in turn gave this TV to the Fire Department. By the community supporting Farmington Liquors and buying local, it enables Farmington Liquors to give back to the community. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Bartholomay to adopt RESOLUTION R10-14 accepting donations from Johnson Brothers and the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association to Farmington Liquor stores. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Fogarty, second by Bartholomay to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Council Minutes (1/21/14 Regular) b) Adopted RESOLUTION R11-14 Accepting Donation to the Rambling River Center—Parks and Recreation c) Adopted RESOLUTION R12-14 Ratifying the Farmington Police Sergeants Association Collective Bargaining Agreement—Human Resources d) Approved Analysis Software for Utility Accounts - Engineering e) Approved Dismissal Recommendation Planning- Administration f) Approved Bills APIF, MOTION CARRIED. d) Analysis Software for Utility Accounts -Engineering Councilmember Bonar felt this software has great merit and he wanted a better understanding of how staff will obtain better data driven decisions using this software in the future. City Engineer Schorzman stated this past year staff analyzed the long term plan for water. Part of that is matching expected expenses with anticipated revenues. Several staff members were involved in estimating the revenues and it was very time consuming. This software will allow staff to obtain very specific data based on real life usage that will help us fine tune revenue projections in the future. We also want to do this with storm water, sanitary sewer and solid waste. This software will look at each individual bill and apply a scenario. This will be a substantial savings in staff time. The software can also sort accounts into categories such as large users. Staff could communicate with these residents on ways to reduce their usage. Upfront there will not be a savings, but over time it will pay off in staff time alone. 4 Council Minutes(Regular) February 3,2014 Page 3 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) Adopt Resolution—Supporting Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Grant Application from the Farmington Area Veteran's Memorial Committee— Parks and Recreation The state's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund is requesting grant applications for constructing veteran's memorials in municipal parks. The City's contribution of $10,000 to the Veteran's Memorial Committee can be used for the local match. Mr. Leon Orr,Farmington Area Veteran's Memorial Committee, gave an update on the progress of the memorial. They have purchased and paid for the large, granite,folded flag that will be installed in the spring. A crane company will donate the installation. There are 212 granite pavers to be installed in the spring. The six bronze service seals and the wrought iron fence have arrived. The grant will be used to create the black, granite tablet that will go in front of the folded flag containing the names of those killed from the Farmington area. It will also be used for the famous quotes granite wall near the walkway. If possible, boulders will also be installed. The committee will be applying for$14,000 - $15,000. Originally,the City was going to pay for the walkway from the highway 50 bike path past the memorial to the parking lot. It was more economical for the committee to install this as part of the project. That reimbursement will be applied to the matching funds for the grant. The grant application is due March 7, 2014. MOTION by Fogarty, second by Bartholomay to adopt RESOLUTION R13-14 supporting submittal of a Heritage Fund grant application by the Farmington Area Veteran's Memorial Committee. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. b) Review of Investments -Finance Finance Director Hanson presented the annual review of the City's cash and investments portfolio. As of December 31, 2013, the City had a combined balance of$26.9 million in cash and investments. Approximately$8 million is in the checking account, and $19 million is invested in a variety of investments. The month end balance of the City's checking account has been similar the last three years. The investment balance has increased steadily over time and additional funds have been invested to increase interest income. Finance Director Hanson gave a breakdown of the City's investments. Maturities range from immediate withdrawal up to ten years and comply with the City's investment policy. Mark-to-market is the need to record in our books the adjustment that our investments may have to the marketplace. As interest rates rose in 2013, the market value declined, so we had to record a paper loss of$272,000 as of December 31, 2013. As of January 31, 2014,part of that has been recaptured. 5 Council Minutes(Regular) February 3,2014 Page 4 For the year across all funds, the City had investment income budgeted at $159,000, actual income was$202,000. This was offset by the$272,000 mark-to- market. So the amount recorded in the books is actually a net unrealized loss of $70,000. City Administrator McKnight noted the $26.9 million at the end of December is the highest amount we will have for this year. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 12. NEW BUSINESS 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember Fogarty: Thanked all those who were involved in the Community • Expo. There were 2,300 people attending. The Farmington Ambassador program is accepting applications for Miss Farmington, Junior Miss, and Little Miss Farmington. They are also accepting button design entries. Councilmember Bartholomay: Thanked the Future City competition students for their presentations tonight and also their parents for allowing them to participate. He also congratulated them on their achievements. He thanked the school district staff for working with the students, and City Engineer Schorzman for his dedication in enriching their education. These types of activities make him proud to be a Farmington resident and make our community look stronger. City Engineer Schorzman: The Future City competition was a good experience and the students learned a lot. Tonight was just one team and there were a total of six teams in the competition with their own projects. Mayor Larson: Thanked City Engineer Schorzman for taking the time to mentor the students. A Wine Tasting will be held Thursday at Celt's Pub and Grill. He thanked everyone for attending the Community Expo. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Fogarty, second by Bonar to adjourn at 7:54 p.m. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant 6