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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.13.18 Work Session Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WORK SESSION AUGUST 13, 2018 Acting Mayor Bernhjelm called the work session to order at 6:12 p.m. Roll Call Present-Bernhjelm, Craig and Donnelly Absent-Larson and Bartholomay Also Present-Administrator McKnight, Fire Chief Elvestad, Assistant Fire Chief Albee, Finance Director Malecha, Planning Manager Wippler, Public Works Director Gehler, Community Development Director Kienberger and Parks and Recreation Director Distad Agenda Motion by Craig, second by Donnelly, to approve the agenda. APIF, motion carried. 2019 Fire Relief Contribution Assistant Fire Chief/Relief Association President Albee discussed with the city council the 2019 pension contribution. Albee requested that the pension be increased from $6,500 per year to $7,500 effective January 1, 2019. Albee also requested increases in 2020 to $8,000 and 2021 to $8,500. Albee discussed with the city council the factors the Fire Relief Board considered in making these requests including: 1. Benefit of the pension in terms of member retention 2. Staying competitive with neighboring fire departments 3. The value of the consistent community support 4. The long term sustainability of the Fire Relief Association accounts Albee discussed the long term financial health of the association with the city council. Councilmember Craig asked about the fund balance goal of the relief. Albee stated the goal of the relief is 115% and his personal goal is 130%. August 13, 2018 Work Session Minutes - 1- Craig asked about known, upcoming retirements. Albee stated that he is only aware of one in the next few years who will be eligible. Acting Mayor Bernhjelm clarified that the city provides $150,000 to the relief each year. Administrator McKnight asked how the relief accounts for the 11 new members recently brought on to the department. Albee stated their liabilities have already been included in the draft numbers included in the material. Albee stated that the relief members are very grateful for the annual contribution made by the city. The city council was in support of the request to increase the annual pension amount from $6,500 to $7,500 effective January 1, 2019. Purchasing Policy Finance Director Malecha presented the revised Purchasing Policy for discussion. The city council discussed this draft policy at the July 2018 work session. Councilmember Craig clarified that the city council can change the amounts included in the policy in the future if they desire. Administrator McKnight stated that is always up to the city council. This item will be included on the August 20, 2018 city council agenda for consideration. Accessory Dwelling Unit Discussion Planning Manager Wippler brought back the issue of accessory dwelling units for city council discussion. The city council originally talked about this issue in February 2018 and requested staff to perform additional research and provide information on how these uses are being handled both on a national and regional level. An accessory dwelling unit is an additional living quarters on a single family lot that are independent of the primary dwelling unit. Many communities do not address this issue but it is becoming a growing trend throughout the nation. Wippler reviewed how this issue is handled in the following Communities: 1. Eagan, Minnesota 2. Minneapolis, Minnesota August 13, 2018 Work Session Minutes -2 - 3. Burnsville, Minnesota 4. Eugene, Oregon S. Fresno, California Wippler stated that there is no one-size fits all approach to this issue. Councilmember Craig thanked Wippler for the detailed information and asked how old the policies from the Minnesota cities are. Wippler stated less than five years old. Councilmember Donnelly stated that this is a complicated issue and asked if there is a trigger to move this issue forward. Staff reminded the city council that this issue was initially brought forward by a resident. Craig stated that she was not sure if now was the time to move this issue forward with all of the other priorities the city council has established. The city would also need some community input if this issue moves forward. Acting Mayor Bernhjelm agreed but wanted to keep the discussion going forward but the other priorities are more important. Donnelly agreed and thought it was a good idea to let other cities work out the details on this issue. 2019 Building Maintenance Projects Administrator McKnight reminded the city council that in 2017 a building maintenance study was completed on city facilities that recommended almost $10 million in maintenance projects over the next decade. During 2017 and 2018, city staff and contractors have completed a number of projects recommended in the study. The projects completed, or still to be completed in 2018, are all from the priority one section of the study. It looks like the city will have approximately$200,000 for building maintenance projects for 2019. McKnight asked city staff to make recommendations on projects for 2019 that were reviewed with the city council. McKnight reviewed the scheduled funding for building maintenance projects for 2020-2024. Councilmember Craig asked about the sidewalks at the Rambling River Center. Parks and Recreation Director Distad stated there are some safety issues with the sidewalk in the area. August 13, 2018 Work Session Minutes -3 - Councilmember Donnelly asked about all of the exterior lighting projects. Distad stated those are recommendations from the building study and are safety related. Distad stated that staff will bid the projects as one and hope to realize savings. Acting Mayor Bernhjelm reminded staff to make decisions with the other potential construction projects in mind and bid items together whenever possible. Review 2019-2023 Capital Improvement Plan Administrator McKnight reviewed with the city council the draft 2019-2023 capital improvement plan (CIP). This draft is only the General Fund portion of the plan and it will be added to over the next few months to include water, sewer, storm water plans. The city council has reviewed this information in pieces over the past few months with the budget. Included in this draft of the plan are: 1. Park Improvement Fund 2. Equipment Replacement 3. Street Reconstruction 4. Trail Maintenance 5. Building Maintenance 6. Fire Equipment 7. Police Equipment McKnight review each of the plans with the city council. Councilmember Craig asked how new parks are worked into the park improvement plan. Parks and Recreation Director Distad shared the process the city uses to incorporate new parks into this plan. Distad also explained how park dedication and park dedication fees worked in Farmington. Acting Mayor Bernhjelm asked if the dollars coming in to the Park Improvement Fund from the liquor store in future years can be dedicated to other uses. Administrator McKnight stated that is up to the city council. Bernhjelm would like to discuss the future police department vehicle purchases to see if Tahoe's are the way we want to go. City Administrator Update August 13, 2018 Work Session Minutes -4- Team Building and Image Discussion Administrator McKnight brought up the issue of team building and the city image. Councilmembers thought some initial work by staff on this issue would be helpful and it might be best to wait until all councilmembers can participated in this process after the election. Other Items Administrator McKnight updated the city council on the following items: 1. City council candidate filings. 2. Meeting request with True Gravity Ventures. The city council directed staff that all city councilmembers wanted to be involved with a requested meeting by the developer. Adjourn Motion by Craig, second by Donnelly, to adjourn the meeting at 7:39 p.m. APIF, motion carried. Respectfully Submitted 190i`svrif47 David McKnight, City Administrator August 13, 2018 Work Session Minutes -5-