HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.19.16 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR
January 19, 2016
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,Pitcher
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Andrea Poehler, 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;Tony
Wippler,Planning Manager;Blair Peterson, Liquor Operations
Manager; Cynthia Muller,Executive Assistant
Audience: Jake Cordes,Mary Langevin
4. APPROVE AGENDA
Councilmember Bonar pulled item 7e)Approve Historic Preservation Consultant
Services, for discussion and separate vote.
MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Donnelly to approve the Agenda. APIF,
MOTION CARRIED.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a) Blair Peterson—Liquor Stores Update
Net sales at the Pilot Knob store were down$84,583,net sales downtown were up
$64,013. Customer count was down 3,100 at the Pilot Knob store and up 3,700
downtown. The weather and road construction were factors in the changes and
also competition in other cities. Liquor operations held four wine club tastings in
2015. They also held four community drives including a coat drive, animals in
need drive, support our troops drive and donated 962 pounds of food and supplies
to the Farmington Food Shelf. Blair presented a check to Ms.Mary Langevin in
the amount of$1,495.06 for the Farmington Food Shelf. Ms. Langevin noted the
food shelf gave out 96,000 pounds of food in 2015.
6. CITIZEN COMMENTS
7. CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Pitcher to approve the Consent Agenda as
follows:
a) Approved Council Minutes (1/4/2016 Regular)(1/11/2016 Special and Workshop)
-Administration
b) Approved Appointments to Boards and Commissions-Administration
c) Approved Dakota County Sentenced to Service Contract-Engineering
Council Minutes(Regular)
January 19,2016
Page 2
d) Received Fourth Quarter 2015 and Year-End New Construction Report and
Population Estimate—Community Development
f) Approved Appointment Recommendation Fire Department—Human Resources
g) Approved Appointment Recommendation Finance Department—Human
Resources
h) Approved Bills-Finance
APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
e) Adopt Resolution Approving Historic Preservation Consultant Services—
Community Development
Councilmember Bonar stated he appreciates historic architecture, however he
questions the necessity of having a consultant. This commission meets six times
annually and has had this consultant since it began. He encouraged staff to accept
the role of liaison without a consultant. This is the only commission that has a
paid consultant. He gave three options;to stay as is at half the previous rate,
eliminate the consultant services, or revise the agreement of$3600 per year and
paid quarterly at$900 per quarter. With an hourly rate of$85 per hour,perhaps
he should be invoiced for services earned, rather than paid quarterly.
Councilmember Bartholomay asked how many homes are designated as
historical. Tony stated there are 17 properties designated as landmarks, in
addition there are 11 to 13 properties determined eligible for designation. The
services are not just for these properties,but to look at historic properties
throughout the community.
Mayor Larson asked what the consultant does for us. Planning Manager Wippler
explained the consultant attends all HPC meetings and provides staff with
expertise on historic preservation. He performs permit review for any work done
on a historic property. He issues a Certificate of Appropriateness after HPC
review. He provides training to the commission and staff. The city has had an
HPC since 1992 and have used this consultant since 1993. His knowledge is
tremendous for this community.
Councilmember Donnelly stated Councilmember Bonar has good points,but if it
wasn't necessary it wouldn't be before us. He respected staffs judgement that it
is a good use of city funds.
Councilmember Pitcher asked if staff considers this more of a want or a need.
Staff considers this a need. If we were to go out for an RFP, it would be nowhere
near the current contract amount. We are getting a good value for what we are
paying. Councilmember Pitcher asked if the consultant could be paid hourly up to
that dollar amount. City Administrator McKnight stated we can ask the
consultant. Council directed staff to cut the contract amount in half which was
done with no reduction in services. This is a valuable investment in our
community.
Mayor Larson stated staff did what we asked them to do. After talking with staff
about the value this consultant has he is fine with the contract as is.
Council Minutes(Regular)
January 19,2016
Page 3
Councilmember Bartholomay suggested putting something in place where we pay
for the services we actually need rather than a set amount. City Administrator
McKnight stated staff can ask the consultant. Councilmember Donnelly
cautioned it could be more with mileage,etc.
Councilmember Bonar stated if the amount remains at$3600 and it is a matter of
billable hours subtracted from that, it does not change the amount. That is only
asking for proper accounting. In working on the 2017 budget,we will on many
occasions make the difficult decisions between essential and important.
MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Bonar to table until a future meeting and
staff will contact the consultant. APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. A WARD OF CONTRACT
10. PETITIONS,REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12. NEW BUSINESS
a) Approve Facility Rental Agreement with Farmington Youth Lacrosse for
Schmitz-Maki Arena-Administration
FYLA approached the city about purchasing a turf for lacrosse use during April
and May to be installed in the arena. FYLA will purchase, finance, install and
store the turf when not in use. Once the loan is paid off, FYLA will donate it to
the city and we will take over installation and storage. Until the loan is paid off
FYLA will receive a larger share of the proceeds. Once the loan is paid off,the
city will receive a larger share. Any proceeds received by the city will be set
aside for future maintenance of the turf. MOTION by Bartholomay, second by
Bonar to approve the facility rental agreement between the city and Farmington
Youth Lacrosse Association. APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
b) Approve 2016 Community Development Block Grant Application—
Community Development
Each year the city receives CDBG dollars distributed by the Dakota County CDA.
This year the city will receive$42,520 for the program year of July 1, 2016,
through June 30,2017. Staff recommends allocating$37,520 to the Commercial
Rehabilitation Program and$5,000 to the Senior Services Financial Support
Program. The Commercial Rehabilitation Program has been very useful to
Farmington businesses in repairing and remodeling their buildings. The Senior
Services Financial Support Program is to help underwrite and expand senior
programs. It was initiated three years ago and is nearing the end of available
funds. The program offers assistance to low to moderate income persons to allow
them to participate in senior programs. The program provides $50 maximum per
person per year. Since 2013, the program has assisted 462 people. MOTION by
Bartholomay, second by Donnelly to adopt RESOLUTION 6-16 approving the
Council Minutes(Regular)
January 19,2016
Page 4
application of Community Development Block Grant funds for fiscal year 2016.
APIF,MOTION CARRIED.
13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE
Councilmember Pitcher: He joined the Rambling River Center and the fitness area.
Nicole did a fantastic job providing a tour and a volunteer provided training on the
weights. Mayor Larson also joined the Rambling River Center.
Councilmember Bonar: The Knights of Columbus will be holding a chili bingo on
January 23, 2016. Judges will be Mayor Larson,the police chief, a school board member
and the assistant fire chief.
Community Development
Director Kienberger: A Downtown Redevelopment Plan Open House will be
held at the Community Expo on January 30, 2016.
Parks and Recreation
Director Distad: The cold weather has been very helpful for the outdoor ice rinks.
Mayor Larson: Most of the council attended the fire banquet last week. He
congratulated the entire fire department for receiving the fire fighter of the year award.
The Community Expo is January 30, 2016, from 9:00 a.m.to noon at the Farmington
High School. He thanked the Ground Round for giving him the opportunity to be a guest
bartender. They raised $1300 for the food shelf. He encouraged residents to shop local.
Money spent here stays here.
14. ADJOURN
MOTION by Bartholomay, second by Pitcher to adjourn at 7:43 p.m. APIF,MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia Muller
Executive Assistant