HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.01.14 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR
December 1, 2014
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Larson at 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OFALLEGIANCE
Mayor Larson led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Larson, Bartholomay, Bonar,Donnelly
Members Absent: Fogarty
Also Present: Joel Jamnik, City Attorney;David McKnight,City Administrator;
Robin Hanson, Finance Director; Brian Lindquist,Police Chief;
Adam Kienberger,Community Development Director;Randy
Distad,Parks and Recreation Director;Kevin Schorzman, City
Engineer;Todd Reiten,Municipal Services Director;Brenda
Wendlandt, Human Resources Director;Cynthia Muller,Executive
Assistant
Audience:
4. APPROVE AGENDA
Councilmember Bonar requested a discussion on item 7h)2015 Strategic Plan Update.
City Administrator McKnight moved item 12a)Dakota County Electronic Crimes Task
Force Joint Powers Agreement to after the Consent Agenda.
MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Bonar to approve the Agenda. APIF,MOTION
CARRIED.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a) Dakota County Commissioner Mike Slavik
Dakota County Commissioner Mike Slavik gave an update on several county
activities. The remodeled Farmington Library is now open. The county is
proposing a 1%levy increase for 2015. There is some increased county staff due
to growth in the county. Another reason for the increase is projections for
MNSure have come in three times higher for the case load on public assistance.
The county will have a Volunteer Coordinator position in 2015 to coordinate
volunteer activity. Next year will be year three of their three year aggressive debt
reduction plan. They have saved$40 million over three years by reducing the
debt by over two thirds. This will allow them to re-assign$5.5 million to
property tax reduction and other services. The 195th Street project will start in
early spring. The county has opened its first regional park in 30 years, Whitetail
Woods Regional Park in Empire Township.
6. CITIZEN COMMENTS
Council Minutes(Regular)
December 1,2014
Page 2
7. CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Bonar to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
a) Approved Council Minutes (12/1/14 Regular)
b) Approved Dakota County Drug Task Force Joint Powers Agreement
c) Adopted ORDINANCE 014-672 Amending Section 10-5-15 to Permit Light
Manufacturing Facilities in the B-3 (Heavy Business)Zoning District
d) Approved Updated Verizon Lease Amendment Daisy Knoll Tower
e) Approved Licenses and Permit Renewals for 2015
f) Acknowledged Retirement Fire Department
g) Acknowledged Resignation Police Department
i) Adopted RESOLUTION R64-14 Accepting Donations to the Rambling River
Center
j) Approved Bills
APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
h) 2015 Strategic Plan Update
Council approved this plan in the summer of 2014. City Administrator McKnight
highlighted the following projects:
- A study on service delivery options for maintenance issues between Parks and
Recreation and Municipal Services is completed and being reviewed.
- Work is underway with the fire chief recruitment.
- An update from the county commissioner occurs two or three times a year.
- Successful transition of a new Community Development Director.
- Working with land owners on the hotel project.
- A consolidated financial plan will be presented at the February work session.
- Work has been done to bring all funds to a positive balance including the
general fund staying above zero all year.
- Efforts are underway to increase the bond rating.
- Council chambers presentation equipment has been upgraded.
Another half day work session will take place in 2015 to update the plan.
12. NEW BUSINESS
a) Approve Dakota County Electronic Crimes Task Force Joint Powers
Agreement
Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie gave a presentation on cyber crime and how
technology is used to solve crimes. The Joint Powers Agreement is with Dakota
County and other cities to work together to solve cyber crimes. Farmington's
annual cost is$15,000. MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Bonar to approve
the Dakota County Electronic Crimes Task Force Joint Powers Agreement.
APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
Council Minutes(Regular)
December 1,2014
Page 3
S. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a) Approve 2015 License Renewals
Yearly renewals for on-sale liquor,wine and massage licenses were presented.
MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Donnelly to close the public hearing.
APIF,MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Donnelly
to approve On-Sale Liquor,On-Sale Sunday Liquor,On-Sale Intoxicating Malt
Liquor and On-Sale Wine, Club and Therapeutic Massage licenses for 2015.
APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
9. AWARD OF CONTRACT
10. PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
a) Adopt Resolutions—Final Recommended 2015 Operating Budgets and Tax
Levy
Finance Director Hanson presented the final 2015 tax levy and budget. One
resident provided comments prior to the meeting regarding market value, a
tightening of expenditures,the snow plow policy and the fire department.
There were three guidelines used to establish the budget for the general fund:
- The city will continue to provide core general fund services—police, fire,
streets, parks and recreation and administration.
- The budget will continue to fund the long-term financial planning strategies.
- The budget will support the 2014 strategic plan.
Highlights of expenditures included in the 2015 budget are:
- Human resource costs are based on union contracts,the wage study, increased
retirement contributions, estimates for health insurance benefits and
anticipated worker's compensation premium increases.
- There is an increase in the city's investment in technology to enhance
customer service and to delay increasing staffing.
- The budget creates a dedicated capital equipment fund and provides for its
initial funding.
- It recognizes the city's recent experience in the permanent reduction of the tax
levy based on tax levy adjustments from county valuation appeals.
- Local government aid is spent on one-time expenditures.
- Continues the long term funding of the fire capital improvement plan,the
Farmington Fire Relief Association, seal coating,trail maintenance and
building maintenance.
The police and fire departments will have 45%of expenditures,one third of the
budget will be spent equally between municipal services,parks and recreation and
engineering. The remainder will be spent in administration, fmance,risk
management and human resources.
The recommended 2015 general fund budget is 4.67%higher than the 2014
budget. The net tax levy is 4.96%higher than last year. This percentage is higher
Council Minutes(Regular)
December 1,2014
Page 4
than the increase proposed in the general fund budget due to the increase in the
city's levy attributable to debt repayment. The levy increase will cover human
resource costs,principal and interest payments on the city's debt, reduction in
investment income, reduction of the previous year's levy due to county evaluation
appeals, costs of increased utilities, property and casualty insurance, supplies and
materials.
The fund balance is highest in June and December when property taxes are
received. In May 2014 the city's general fund balance was positive and staff
expects the November fund balance to also be above zero for the first time in
seven years.
In 2015 the estimated market value of an average residential home in Farmington
is expected to be$197,416 which is a 10.08%increase from 2014. The impact of
the proposed tax levy will be an increase of$50.02. Commercial properties will
see a decrease of between 3.3%to 5.8%.
Councilmember Donnelly felt it is a good budget, achieves financial stability,
reduces the debt and provides services. Councilmember Bonar supports the debt
management principals and operating budget investments. He has a continued
growing concern with economic development which he considers an integral part
of this budget and our success as a community. We have great potential and have
planned,but progress is yet to come. He will not support the levy amount,but
does support the process. Councilmember Bartholomay understood residents are
apprehensive with increasing taxes. We have strong plans in place about how to
grow smartly and how to get out of debt. We are elected to put the city in the best
position going forward. Since 2010, sheriff sales have gone down 162%. Having
a positive general fund shows good fiscal management. He appreciated the hard
work of staff. We have put a strategic plan together so nothing is missed.
MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Donnelly to adopt RESOLUTION R65-
14 adopting the tax levy for the year 2015 collection and RESOLUTION R66-14
adopting the 2015 operating budgets. Voting for: Larson,Bartholomay,
Donnelly. Voting against: Bonar. MOTION CARRIED.
11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE
Councilmember Donnelly: Asked drivers to slow down on Flagstaff.
Councilmember Bartholomay: He asked the police chief about Toys for Town.
Police Chief Lindquist stated Toys for Town has started. Boxes are out at the same
businesses as in the past and information is on the city's website, facebook and the
newspaper. Wrapping is December 20,2014. They expect 220 children and 190 families
in need.
Council Minutes(Regular)
December 1,2014
Page 5
Councilmember Bartholomay noted today the federal government stated there will be
$200 million in grants for police body cameras. Police Chief Lindquist stated they will
look into it,but generally grants are targeted towards the areas that are most affected.
City Administrator McKnight: The City News and Recreation Guide arrived in the
mail last week. It includes holiday garbage schedules, holiday events and information on
the recreation programs. Online registration for recreation programs started today.
Mayor Larson: Thanked everyone who shopped in Farmington for small business
Saturday; it was a huge success. The Secret Holiday Shop is December 6,2014,at the
Rambling River Center. He encouraged residents to join the city's Facebook,twitter or
nixie accounts to learn about activities, garbage pickup,etc. He reminded residents to
shop local.
14. ADJOURN
MOTION by Bonar, second by Donnelly to adjourn at 8:01 p.m. APIF,MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Muller
Executive Assistant