HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.09.18 Work Session Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
WORK SESSION
APRIL 9, 2018
Mayor Larson called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Present-Larson, Bernhjelm, Craig and Donnelly
Absent-Bartholomay
Also Present-Administrator McKnight, Community Development Director Kienberger, Public
Works Director Gehler, Planning Manger Wippler, Parks and Facilities Supervisor Pire and
Human Resources Director Wendlandt.
Agenda
Motion by Bernhjelm, second by Donnelly,to approve the agenda. APIF, motion carried.
Schmitz-Maki Arena Improvements
Parks and Facilities Supervisor Pire reviewed three potential arena improvement projects with
the city council. The projects include:
1. Move the resurfacer room to the other end of the facility due to safety concerns.
2. Construct two dedicated locker rooms for the boys and girls high school hockey
teams on the east side of arena.
3. Relocate the concession stand to space where the resurfacer is currently located.
City staff also created a draft ten-year capital improvement plan for the arena. City staff has
met with representatives from the Farmington Youth Hockey Association and the Farmington
Tigers Booster Club to share information on these potential projects.
City staff is looking for authorization to obtain quotes to hire an architectural firm to complete
preliminary design of the projects so a cost of each project can be determined. There is
currently$70,660 in the arena capital improvement fund that can pay for this work.
Councilmember Bernhjelm asked about estimated costs for this work. Administrator McKnight
estimated the work to be about$10,000.
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Councilmember Donnelly asked if we needed to obtain quotes for this work or is it a
professional service. McKnight answered that we would obtain a few quotes even though it is a
professional service.
Councilmembers asked about triggering ADA issues if we perform work on the building. City
staff will investigate that issue with the city attorney.
The city council gave consensus to move forward on obtaining quotes for these potential
project.
Tuition Reimbursement Policy
Human Resources Director Wendlandt reviewed proposed changes to the Tuition
Reimbursement Policy. This program was in place in the city until 2009 when it was
discontinued due to budget issues.
Councilmembers supported the program but wanted to see this issue brought back with a full
benefits and compensation program that city staff has discussed with the city council. More
detail on the program was requested as well.
City staff will bring this back in the future.
2040 Comprehensive Plan Update
Planning Manager Wippler, Community Development Director Kienberger, Public Works
Director Gehler and Consultant Jeff Miller of HKGI reviewed the draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan
and associated technical plans with the city council.
Miller reviewed the plan purpose and vision, land use plan and housing chapters. Gehler
reviewed the sanitary sewer, water supply and distribution plan, surface water management
plan and transportation plans.
Wippler reviewed the parks and recreation chapter.
Miller reviewed the sustainability and economic development chapters.
Councilmember Bernhjelm thanked the staff members and consultant for all of the work
involved in putting this draft plan together.
Planning Commission Chair Rotty liked the plan as well. He wished some of the development
occurred faster but knows it will come. There are many things that have to occur with
development that many people just assume is taken care of.
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Bernhjelm asked if summary sheets for the chapters could be developed so there is more
likelihood that they will be read. Wippler stated that there will be an executive summary of the
plan.
Councilmember Donnelly asked if sending out the plan for review by our neighboring
jurisdictions results in significant changes. Wippler stated that the review usually results in
tweaks to the plans.
Municipal State Aid Street Designation
Public Works Director Gehler reviewed proposed changes to the city municipal state aid (MSA)
street designations. Gehler reviewed how the MSA program works and where the funding
comes from.
Staff has completed a comprehensive review of the designated streets given the available MSA
mileage. Potential MSA routes must begin and end at other city MSA routes, CSAHs, or trunk
highways and should support movement of traffic between the local street system and these
higher classified routes. Considering the current methodology of calculating needs, rules of
designation and future fund use staff is recommending the following revisions:
Deletions:
Pilot Knob from 220th Street to Spruce Street
Pilot Knob is unimproved in this segment and is classified as a future County arterial roadway.
220th Street from Pilot Knob to Denmark Ave. (CSAH 31)
220th Street is a gravel road providing access to several homes in Farmington and Eureka
Township. 220th Street is classified as a future County arterial roadway.
Pilot Knob from 220th Street to Spruce Street: 0.50 miles
220th Street from Pilot Knob to CSAH 31: 1.00 miles
Total: 1.50 miles
Additions:
Spruce Street from First Street to 12th Street
Spruce Street is classified as a major collector and is an east-west corridor between 12th Street
and Denmark Avenue (CSAH 31). Spruce Street connects schools, recreational facilities,
downtown businesses, and residential neighborhoods to TH-3 arterial State Highway.
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First Street from 220th Street (CSAH 74) to Walnut Street
First Street is classified as a minor collector and serves as a north/south corridor between Elm
Street(CSAH 50) and 220th Street (CSAH 74). First Street connects schools and residences west
of the Union Pacific Railroad tracks to crossings on Spruce Street and CSAH 74.
Flagstaff Avenue from 212th Street(CSAH 50)to 208th Street
Flagstaff is classified as a major collector and connects the Farmington High School and future
residential development to arterial routes on CSAH 50.
Spruce Street from First Street to 12th Street: 0.90 miles
First Street from CSAH 74 to Walnut Street: 0.42 miles
Flagstaff Avenue from CSAH 50 to 208th Street: 0.44 miles
Total: 1.76 miles
As mentioned,the city currently has 0.80 miles available for designation and with the above-
mentioned revisions,this leave 0.54 miles available for future designation. To request the
system revisions, the city must approve a resolution of support and submit it to MnDOT.
Councilmembers thanked Gehler for the information and agreed with the proposed changes.
This issue will be included on the April 16, 2018 city council agenda for consideration.
City Administrator Update
Mayor and City Council Compensation Review
Administrator McKnight reviewed information related to the compensation received by the
mayor and city council. The history of the compensation since 200 was reviewed including the
changes that took place in 2001 and 2009.
A survey of the compensation of mayor and city council positions in Dakota County was
reviewed along with information that the City of Lakeville has recently put together when
reviewing this topic.
The average compensation for mayors in Dakota County is $10,391 per year and $7,792 for city
councilmembers. Current compensation in Farmington is$8,040 for mayor and $7,020 for city
council. It was noted that any changes in compensation, if made, do not go into effect until
after the next election.
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Councilmember Bernhjelm felt that some adjustment was needed due to the work involved in
the position and the time since the last adjustment.
Councilmember Craig felt the compensation of the mayor may need more adjustment than the
city council.
Councilmembers discussed this issue, discussed a possible 1%per year adjustment since the
last change and the need for this issue to fit into the 2019 budget.
The city council directed McKnight to look at this issue as a part of the entire 2019 budget to
see if it is feasible. Further discussion on this issue will take place as a part of the 2019 budget
process.
Other Updates
Administrator McKnight presented updates on the following items:
1. A work session will be scheduled for Monday, March 7, 2018 on the logo project.
2. Updated the city council on a presentation that Fire Chief Elvestad will make next week
on the purchase of a new engine in 2019.
3. Reminded the city council of a police department weapons camera hearing that will take
place next week.
4. Shared that the quarterly city newsletter will be in mailboxes this weekend.
5. Shared that the Dakota County Tribune had six stories about Farmington in the latest
edition, most coming from our press releases.
Councilmember Bernhjelm asked that a Liquor Operations Committee be scheduled.
Councilmember Craig asked that an Intergovernmental Committee meeting be scheduled.
Councilmembers asked to see the two chiefs more often at city council meetings.
Adjourn
Motion by Bernhjelm, second by Donnelly,to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 p.m. APIF, motion
carried.
Respectfully Submitted
Did m& ht
David McKnight, City Administrator
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