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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.11.19 Work Session Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WORK SESSION MARCH 11, 2019 Acting Mayor Donnelly called the work session to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll Call Present-Donnelly, Bernhjelm Craig and Hoyt Absent-Larson Also Present-Administrator McKnight, Public Works Director Gehler, Community Development Director Kienberger, Police Chief Rutherford, Parks and Recreation Director Distad, Fire Chief Elvestad, Planning Manager Wippler and Finance Director Malecha. Agenda Motion by Craig, second by Bernhjelm,to approve the agenda. APIF, motion carried. Schmitz-Maki Arena Preliminary Design and Construction Cost Estimate Results Parks and Recreation Director Distad reminded the city council of the study that was completed by Wold Architects and Engineers to prepare a preliminary design and construction cost estimate for improvements at the arena. The study looked at relocating the ice resurfacer to improve building safety and circulation, relocate the concession stand from the mezzanine level to the vacated existing ice resurfacer room on the main floor,construction of high school dedicated locker rooms on the east side of the arena and to determine construction cost estimates for these improvements. John McNamara of Wold Architects reviewed the projects and estimated costs. Existing Building Improvements $360,000 Option 1A-Renovate Locker Rooms $1,375,000 Option 1B-Renovate/Add Locker Rooms $1,650,000 Option 2-New Locker Rooms/Lobby $2,340,000 Councilmember Bernhjelm asked if the discussion of adding a second sheet of ice was included as part of this review. McNamara stated that these designs accommodate a second sheet but it was not a part of the review. March 11,2019 Work Session Minutes -1- Bernhjelm asked what the second floor space would transition to if the concession stand was moved. McNamara stated likely dryland training. Councilmember Hoyt asked about the amount of space available east of the arena and the possibility of a third sheet of ice,what issues will we encounter with a second sheet and any potential rework on a second sheet of locker rooms are added now. McNamara stated the current existing wall remains in place and the relocation of the Zamboni would work with the second sheet. Parks and Recreation Director Distad reminded everyone that the study was not intended to look at a second sheet of ice. Councilmember Donnelly asked where else the concession stand could go. McNamara stated it could replace the new lobby area. A Farmington Youth Hockey Association representative stated they buy 700-800 hours of ice a year in Farmington and another 800 hours in other arenas. They appreciate the city looking at an upgrade to the current facility but assistance from their organization would likely be in support of an additional sheet of ice. Bernhjelm stated that this all needs to be reviewed as a part of the larger financial picture of the city. Administrator McKnight stated there are many demands in the financial plan over the next ten years. Bernhjelm stated that if we are going to do this we need to look at the entire project. The Girls Hockey Booster Club President stated that new dedicated locker rooms are important as well to the high school programs and Farmington is one of the few arenas in the area that does not have dedicated locker rooms. The city council took this information under advisement. Encroachments Discussion Part Two Public Works Director Gehler and Community Development Director Kienberger reminded the city council of the discussion they had at the February 11, 2019 work session on encroachments that have occurred on current and potentially future city property. The consensus of the city council was that the city needs to acquire the properties for storm water related issues. March 11,2019 Work Session Minutes -2- City Attorney Jamnik stated in regards to the encroachment issues that on one or two properties the court system may lean in the city's favor,the more properties involved the more legally complex from the courts perspective. City Attorney Kendall stated that property owners may band together to fight enforcement of city ordinances. The need for maintenance on city property, liability issues, property ownership issues and more are sound basis for enforcement. Councilmember Bernhjelm asked how do we not set a precedent. Kendall stated you may look at grandfathering properties due to this unique issue. Jamnik stated we may want to take an incremental approach based on sound city reasons for enforcing our ordinances in all parts of the city. Bernhjelm stated she wants to be consistent and explain why we are doing this. Councilmember Hoyt is concerned about precedent and escalating this issue. He also notes that there are residents who purchased property on this storm water pond who do not want to see these encroachments. Bernhjelm stated she leans towards enforcement on this issue. Councilmember Donnelly asked how we would implement the nothing new from here on out approach once we acquire the properties. Jamnik stated that while the details need to be worked out, it is an option. Councilmember Hoyt asked if individual councilmembers could discuss this issue with property owners. Jamnik recommended the city council decide on a direction first. Hoyt also expressed liability concerns the city will have once it acquires the properties. After additional discussion, the direction of the city council was to acquire the properties and city staff will bring back options to approach this subject based on the discussion of the last two work sessions. The city will also look to the neighbors in this area for possible solutions to this issue as well. The city council also expressed their desire to see these issues addressed city wide. Golf Carts on City Streets Police Chief Rutherford addressed the city council on the issue of allowing golf carts on city streets. This issue was recently raised by a resident wishing to drive their golf cart from their March 11,2019 Work Session Minutes -3- home to the Southern Hills Golf Course. State law does not allow the operation of motorized golf carts on roadways. State law does allow cities to adopt a local ordinance that would allow it with a city issued permit. It would also carry a number of other restrictions as well such as insurance lighting and more. The police department has not encountered many residents operating golf carts on city streets over the past several years. The chief thought that because of this,establishing a permitting system would be an unnecessary monetary cost and staff time burden considering the low impact of this issue. The chief also noted that the only two ways for our residents to access the area courses would be by traveling on a state highway or a county road and the city does not have jurisdiction to authorize golf carts on these roads. The consensus of the city council was to not change the city code on this issue. Sapphire Lake Update Public Works Director Gehler provided the city council with an update on the Sapphire Lake development. In regards to the donation of park land to the city,there are approximately $40,000 in water and sewer fees that are due on the parcel. The developer does not have an interest in paying the fees if the land is going to be donated to the city. Councilmember Bernhjelm asked what if we do not go through with the donation. Parks and Recreation Director Distad stated the land will likely sit undeveloped. The city council discussed options on the land donation,fees that are due and the development in general. The city council directed staff to continue discussions with the developer on the land donation and the fees for access road issue. 2019 City Council Priorities Administrator McKnight reviewed the priorities discussed for 2019 that came out of the February 2019 goal setting work session. The city council discussed a variety of issues and items as potential priorities. The city council decided to keep the same priorities as last year including: 1. Continue Sound Financial Practices 2. Development for a Successful Future 3. Build on Established Partnerships 4. Delivery of High Quality Services March 11,2019 Work Session Minutes -4- 5. Completion of Special Projects The following items were placed under each priority for potential completion in 2019: 1. Continue Sound Financial Practices ✓ Bond Rating Upgrade to AA+ by 2022 ✓ Implementation of 2030 Financial Plan with the 2020 budget ✓ Take financial plan into consideration with all priorities and plans 2. Development for a Successful Future ✓ Support city staff recommendation as they bring forward the Fairhill final plat in April ✓ Work with the developer on Sapphire Lake final plat in March ✓ Continue to support and communicate with the businesses who have purchased property in the VRC ✓ Expand commercial/industrial opportunities of all sizes 3. Build on Established Partnerships ✓ Continue to develop our relationship at all levels with our primary partner-ISD 192 ✓ Fully support the work of our business partners at the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Farmington Business Association ✓ Continue to participate with Dakota County on regional issues ✓ Work with Empire, Castle Rock and Eureka Townships as great neighbors 4. Delivery of High Quality Services ✓ Review options for solid waste delivery ✓ Update city codes to align with the 2040 Comp Plan ✓ Review communications efforts emphasizing three different methods including seeing, reading and doing 5. Completion of Special Projects ✓ Place youth athletic information on city website ✓ Determine future projects ✓ Hold joint meetings with our boards and commissions ✓ Meet with the Intergovernmental Committee and Liquor Operations Committee ✓ Development of public information officer(s) ✓ Discuss extension of Flagstaff Avenue snow fence ✓ Develop "coffees"or other types of communication events with city councilmembers ✓ Develop three or four-point ready answer for questions or what is going on in Farmington March 11,2019 Work Session Minutes -5- The city council was in support of the priorities summary and asked that this item be brought forward for approval at the next city council meeting. City Administrator Update Liquor Store Donations Administrator McKnight reminded the city council that they discussed liquor store donations at the work session in July 2018. Besides some small donations at that time, the city council wanted to wait to see the results of the arena and plaza studies before they decided how to use liquor store profits in 2018. Since that time the stores have continued to produce profits and as of today it appears that stores have an estimated $330,000 that can go back into the community. Of that amount, approximately $50,000 has already been committed to projects. Councilmember Craig stated she thought we should ask the residents how they would like to spend the money. Councilmember Bernhjelm stated this is a good sum of money. If we identify the larger projects we would like to do we can start to address the big projects. Discussions on the use of these dollars will continue. Adjourn Motion by Hoyt, second by Craig,to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 p.m. APIF, motion carried. Respectfully Submitted 000441 David McKnight, City Administrator March 11,2019 Work Session Minutes -6-