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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.13.17 Work Session Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WORK SESSION MARCH 13,2017 Mayor Larson called the work session to order at 5:15 p.m. Roll Call Present-Larson, Bartholomay and Craig Staff Present-Administrator McKnight, Police Chief Lindquist, Community Development Director Kienberger, Public Works Director Gehler, Natural Resource Specialist Dullum, Parks and Recreation Director Distad and Police Officer Van Dorn. Agenda Motion by Bartholomay,second by Craig,to approve the agenda. APIF, motion carried. Safety Training Police Officer Van Dorn led the city council and school board through safety training issues. Both groups thanked Officer Van Dorn for his work on this issue. Rambling River Park Bank and Habitat Restoration Project Parks and Recreation Director Distad shared that the city partnered with the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization to apply for a Metro Conservation Partners Legacy Grant for the Rambling River Park Bank and Habitat Restoration Project in Rambling River Park. The grant application was driven due to the need to address the erosion that has been occurring along the Vermillion River bank causing the river channel to move closer to the existing trail in the park behind Schmitz-Maki Arena. This project was awarded a grant for the project that will take place this summer. The trail within the project area,approximately 230 feet long,will need to be closed for up to two months in July and August. The trail reconstruction costs are not included as a part of the grant costs. The DNR is also going to construct a platform adjacent to the river in order to make it accessible for people with disabilities to fish the river. The consensus of the city council was to move forward with the project. The estimated $29,388 trail reconstruction costs will be paid for out of remaining 2016 dollars from the General Fund budget. March 13,2017 Work Session Minutes -1- Emerald Ash Borer Update and Plan Public Works Director Gehler and Natural Resources Specialist Dullum provided an update on the status of emerald ash borer in the area. The city council has discussed this issue at previous work sessions. A complete inventory of trees has been completed by city staff. The city has 3,374 ash trees in the right of way throughout the city. After much discussion city staff proposed the following next steps: 1. Bring the draft Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan to a city council meeting for discussion and approval. 2. Develop an outreach program for homeowners. 3. Begin removal of all poor quality ash trees outside of the flight season (May 1- September 30). 4. Prepare an RFP for treatment of good and fair quality trees over 15" DBH. 5. Discuss city project ash removal policy. City staff and the city council noted that this will continue to be a budget issue as we prepare for and deal with this issue. Heritage Preservation Commission City Code Discussion Community Development Director Kienberger discussed the issue of references to the Heritage Preservation Commission in the city code. The city council eliminated funding for the HPC in the 2017 budget. The consensus of the city council was to remove all language references to the Heritage Preservation Commission in the city code. Downtown Update Administrator McKnight brought up the issue of the appearance of downtown. City councilmembers continue to receive complaints about the appearance of downtown, specifically in regards to the number and location of used vehicles for sale. After much discuss it was decided that city staff will talk to the property/owner manager about this issue. Dakota County Shop Administrator McKnight and Community Development Director Kienberger discussed the current and future status of the Dakota County maintenance shop located on County Road 50. County representatives have been in touch with city staff about this issue for a number of reasons. March 13,2017 Work Session Minutes -2- With future commercial and residential development likely to start in the near future in the area around the county shop the city council agreed with city staff's assessment that the current location of the shop is not the best location for the city and county long term. City staff will communicate this message to the county. McKnight shared that the city currently obtains salt and diesel fuel from this county shop and the city will need to look at other avenues for obtaining these commodities once/if the county shop location is not available in Farmington. Recent City Ordinance Updates Administrator McKnight and Police Chief Lindquist discussed with the city council the recent updates that local cities have been passing in regards to where level three sex offenders can live within their cities. While the city council expressed some concerns on this issue there was consensus to not take any action at this time but to continue to monitor this issue and bring back any relevant updates as they impact Farmington. Sunday Liquor Sales Administrator McKnight reviewed the issue of Sunday liquor sales in Farmington. The newly passed law will allow liquor stores to be open on Sunday's starting July 1, 2017. Liquor Operations Manager Peterson and McKnight have discussed this issue and propose having both our stores open from 11:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m.to start out. Staff will evaluate options once some time has passed to see if any changes need to be made. Peterson has been working with the managers from Apple Valley and Lakeville to coordinate hours of operation. The city council was in agreement on the approach taken by city staff and requested an update on this issue later this year. Adjourn Motion by Bartholomay, second by Craig,to adjourn the meeting at 7:29 p.m. Respectfully Submitted David McKnight, City Administrator March 13,2017 Work Session Minutes -3-