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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07.21.14 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR July 21, 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 Members Absent: Donnelly, Fogarty Also Present: Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; David McKnight, City Administrator; Robin Hanson,Finance Director;Adam Kienberger, Community Development Director;Randy Distad,Parks and Recreation Director;Kevin Schorzman, City Engineer;Brenda Wendlandt, Human Resources Director; Cynthia Muller,Executive Assistant Audience: David Hartnett,Tom and Patricia Rothe,Randy and Nancy Schmitz 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Bonar to approve the Agenda. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) Recognize Donation from Louis Schmitz Foundation Randy Schmitz presented the city with a check for$1,000 from the Louis Schmitz Foundation. Mr. Schmitz gave a history of forming the non-profit foundation to give children the opportunity to participate in sports activities if they are financially unable to do so. In addition to this,the foundation also provides two scholarships to Farmington High School students planning to attend a post- secondary college, and provide financial assistance to community projects. 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mr.Richard Graelisch, 3330 213th Street W, mentioned there are several large potholes in the street going to the Dairy Queen. Mr. Dan Olson,4045 250th Street E,Hampton, stated his concern is that Farmington may not have enough environmental programs. He was concerned whether Farmington is really focusing on environmental waste. He wanted to make sure the City stays as clean as possible. He noted the sidewalks by Highway 3 are covered in weeds. Mr.Dave Hartnett,Dunn Bros Coffee,20700 Chippendale Avenue W, stated National Night Out will be held August 5, 2014. To obtain information about the event,residents Council Minutes(Regular) July 21,2014 Page 2 can go on the city's website, or see the City News and Recreation Guide. It is a good opportunity to get to know your neighbors. Tamarack Ridge Center will be hosting a block party and a fundraiser for the police dog, Bosco. Residents can also request the police or fire departments to stop at their block parties. Mr. Steven Endres, 18040 180t Court W, stated he is coordinating a National Night Out event on their cul-de-sac. Last year they had 125 people attend and ran into an issue with garbage. Four families were taking care of the garbage so they would not incur any overage fees. He asked if the city would allow them to put out the extra garbage and not incur any extra fees. They are expecting 200 people. Tom and Patricia Rothe, owners of Farmington Outlet on Highway 3, stated they have many upgrades coming to their lot. They offer a variety of discounted products, some brand new. Items vary week to week. They were selling the items wholesale, but have now opened a retail store. 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Bonar to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved Council Minutes (7/7/14 Regular)(7/14/14 Workshop) b) Received Information Second Quarter 2014 New Construction and Population Estimate—Building Inspections c) Adopted RESOLUTION R41-14 Approving Gambling Event Permit Farmington Youth Hockey Association-Administration d) Adopted Joint RESOLUTION R42-14 Amending Existing Maintenance Agreement for 225th Street—Planning e) Accepted Aquatic Feasibility Study Final Report—Parks and Recreation 1) Adopted RESOLUTION R43-14 Accepting Donation to the 2014 Dew Run— Parks and Recreation g) Approved Agreement Rambling River Center Garage Driveway Project—Parks and Recreation h) Approved Bills APIF,MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) Approve Settlement Agreement and Franchise Extension—Charter Cable Partners,LLC—Human Resources An audit of franchise and PEG fees was performed for 2009—2011. After the audit the city determined that Charter had underpaid fees for the extended audit period. Charter disputed the audit and arrived at a different conclusion and has agreed to pay the city$4,905.02 to settle claims on the fees. Part of the agreement includes extending the franchise until December 31,2014. The proceeds will be submitted to the Cable Commission to help offset the costs of the Council Minutes(Regular) July 21,2014 Page 3 audit. MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Bonar to approve the Settlement and Release Agreement between Charter Cable Partners,LLC and the City of Farmington. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. b) Adopt Resolution Allowing Charter to Modify and Relocate Community Programming Channels Charter Communications is requesting to relocate community programming channels. They are transitioning to an all-digital platform for the delivery of video channels and programming on approximately August 1,2014. Charter has requested to provide the government channels over less than six MHz each and to relocate those channels. The city has agreed,provided these channels continue to be offered on the basic tier service,that Charter notify subscribers of the changes, and that Charter provide no less than one government channel be provided as a high definition channel. MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Bonar to adopt RESOLUTION R44-14 allowing Charter to modify and relocate the local community programming channels. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. c) City News Update City Administrator McKnight provided updates on several projects. Construction Permit Revenue—Growth is returning. Through July 4,2014,the city has issued 56 new residential building permits and revenue is over$229,000 which is 73%of the budget. Foreclosure Update—Notice of Pendency Filings and sheriff sales have decreased the last couple years. There were 70 sheriff sales in 2013 compared to 206 sheriff sales in 2010. This is a sign of economic recovery. Liquor Store Operations—Increased sales are continuing in 2014. The month end cash balance has improved each month. Council set a goal of having$375,000 in hand so the liquor operations fund can pay the bills as we go. We have far surpassed that line. Hotel Project—Staff is working with the developer and the land owners on this issue. Construction should start this fall with opening in the spring or summer of 2015. The city has discussed assessments on the property with both parties and Council will discuss the issue at a future meeting. The city is very willing partners and this project is moving forward. The site is in Vermillion River Crossings,just south of the medical clinic. General Fund Balance—Most government costs are paid out of this fund. In past years in April,May and October,the fund balance has gone below zero and the city has had to borrow from other funds to pay the bills. In May 2014 the fund balance stayed above zero. All the work in setting policies is starting to pay off. At the end of June 2014,we have$3.8 million in the general fund balance. This is not extra cash, but money we need to pay the bills the rest of the year. We have Council Minutes(Regular) July 21,2014 Page 4 collected a significant amount of delinquent taxes. Increased building in the city means more revenue in terms of permits. Council has put solid budgets in place and staff is doing a better job of cash management. The city receives most of its funds in June and December, so departments have held off on large expenditures until we have cash in hand. Mayor Larson noted this is due to the plan that City Administrator McKnight and staff brought to the Council and the work of all employees by recognizing we had a problem that needs correcting. Debt Service Fund Balance—This fund is used to pay the debt the city issues. We are$789,000 below zero. In 2011 we were$2.6 million below zero. The fund is improving, but we have a long way to go. CIP Implementation—The CIP was adopted in August 2013. In the first years it focuses on street projects and in 2020 adds city equipment. The first project, Akin Park Estates, is underway. In 2015 we have the 195th Street project from Flagstaff Avenue to Diamond Path with intersection control changes. In 2015,we also have the Henderson Addition project. Strategic Plan—Council and staff developed a Strategic Plan early in 2014. This plan will shape the community for the next five to ten years. It will be brought to Council for formal adoption in August 2014. Financial Management Plan—this will take all of the work Council and staff have done with the strategic plan and the CIP and put it in one document so residents and staff know what was done to improve the financial situation and set the course for the future. Councilmember Bartholomay appreciated the work all of staff has done. Councilmember Bonar felt it is important we do this on a regular basis. Mayor Larson stated everyone is going in the same direction,we are setting goals and making progress. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 12. NEW BUSINESS 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE City Administrator McKnight: The city and school district will be holding a public office information session for anyone interested in running for City Council or School Board. Candidate filing for two Council seats is July 29—August 12, 2014, at City Hall. Council Minutes(Regular) July 21,2014 Page 5 Finance Director Hanson: Notices have been included in utility bills and on the city's website regarding delinquent utility bills as of August 31, 2014, notifying residents that staff will be starting the certification process to property taxes. City Engineer Schorzman: Akin Park Estates project has started. All road, curb and gutter has been removed. The contractor will begin installing new curb. One minor change is rather than removing three to five feet of driveways,the contractor has proposed to leave the concrete driveways and pour up to them. It will be a better end product and will save money in the end. This change order will be brought to Council in the future. Mayor Larson: Thrivent Financial will hold a shred-it event this week at their office in Tamarack Retail Center. This is a free document disposal event for residents. He reminded everyone to shop local as money spent in the community stays in the community. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Bonar, second by Bartholomay to adjourn at 7:47 p.m. APIF,MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia Muller Executive Assistant