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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.14.19 Work Session Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WORK SESSION OCTOBER 14, 2019 Mayor Larson called the work session to order at 5:00 p.m. Roll Call Present-Larson, Craig, Donnelly and Hoyt Absent-Bernhjelm Also Present-Administrator McKnight, Public Works Director Gehler, Community Development Director Kienberger, Police Chief Rutherford, Fire Chief Elvestad, Finance Director Malecha and Parks and Recreation Director Distad Agenda Motion by Craig, second by Hoyt,to approve the agenda. APIF, motion carried. Recycling Center Tour The city council and a few staff members toured the Recycling Center at 8812 215th Street West in Lakeville. Solid Waste Update Public Works Director Gehler updated the city council on solid waste and recycling issues the city has been working on the past few years. Gehler shared that processing space will soon be available in Red Wing and we will be required to take our waste there. Disposal costs per ton are projected to go from $70 per ton in 2019 to $130 per ton in 2020. Gehler reviewed the draft financial plan for solid waste including anticipated rates for 2020 and beyond. The proposed increase for 2020 for solid waste is 17%. Councilmember Hoyt asked if there is a critical mass point for the city to decide whether we should be in the business. Gehler stated these costs increases will impact our waste whether the city is in the business or not. October 14,2019 Work Session Minutes - 1- Councilmember Craig stated we should do some preventative work on recycling and solid waste to educate residents. Gehler stated that staff is already working on some videos on these topics. Councilmember Donnelly wants the city to be competitive in terms of costs. We must also share this message with residents. 2020 Draft Fee Schedule Finance Director Malecha presented the draft 2020 fee schedule for city council review. Department heads were asked to review the 2019 fee schedule to see if there were any fees that they wanted to recommend for adjustment in 2020.The draft fee schedule reflects the changes that are proposed for 2020. A summary of the areas recommended for change in the city's 2020 fee schedule includes: • Charge for staff time - It is recommended to reduce the charge for staff time from a 2.7 multiplier to 1.5 to more accurately account for the cost of salary and benefits. • Police Services (Fingerprinting for Non-Resident) -The city's police department is one of the few departments that allow walk-in fingerprinting 5 days a week. Many departments limit it to appointment only within a certain time frame.The process takes a patrol officer off of the street for roughly 30 minutes. We currently charge non-profit organizations$100 per hour for event coverage. Staff recommends increasing the rate to $50 which is the equivalent of what the city would charge for 30 minutes of event coverage for one officer. • Parks and Recreation (Rambling River Center Rental Rates) -There have been some issues with damage at the RRC and the facility not cleaned after a rental. Staff recommends increasing the Damage Deposit Banquet Room rate to$500 to encourage renters to leave the facility in the same condition as when they arrived. • Parks and Recreation (Schmitz-Maki Arena Rates) -Staff is recommending combining the June and July Summer Ice with August Ice to create one rental rate for summer. An increase of$5 in ice rental rates is recommended to help cover operational and maintenance costs. An increase to the cost of skate rental to $4 per pair is proposed by staff.The arena offers turf rental, but it was not previously included in the fee schedule. Staff is proposing to continue the rate of$80 per hour and add the item to the 2020 fee schedule. • Permits- Building (General) - An increase to $140 is proposed for the Retaining Wall permit fee to cover staff costs for inspections. The current rate of$70 does not cover the amount of time that it takes staff. • Utility Service Connection Permits-The city SAC and WAC fees are proposed to increase based on an estimated 3 percent construction cost index increase.The Water Treatment Plan fee is a residential unit charge that was typically applied at the time of platting.This October 14,2019 Work Session Minutes -2- fee is proposed to be rolled into the WAC fee that is charged at the time of issuance of a building permit. • Permits-Subdivision (Application Fees)-The wetland alteration permit fees have been updated to more clearly reflect Wetland Conservation Act permits and the associated work. A surety is proposed being added to ensure mitigation work associated with any permit wetland alteration is completed. • Platting Fees, Escrows, &Sureties (Area charges to support development) -The Sanitary Sewer Trunk, Sealcoating, Water Trunk, and Park Development fees are proposed to increase based on an estimated 3 percent construction cost index increase. • Permits-Special -An increase to the Urban Chicken Permit Renewal and addition of the Dock Permit are proposed at$40 each to cover staff time. • Water Tower Communication Devices (Base Lease Rate and Additional Antenna and Space Rental Lease) -These fees are proposed to increase 5 percent annually to align with the 5 percent annual increase included in our existing leases.The Lease Administration Fee was updated to include language that allows the city to collect a surety to cover time spent to review antenna modification permits as well as the associated inspection. • Miscellaneous-An increase to the Code Enforcement Cost Recovery rate is to $40 to cover the cost of staff time is recommended. • Counter Sales - It is recommended to remove the 2' Contour Map (Special Order) and Zoning/Comprehensive Plan Maps.The items are not applicable any longer as most items are provided digitally. • Utility Charges and Fees-The CIP and financial model of the utility enterprise funds were reviewed at the August 12th work session.These funds support the ongoing operations as well as capital replacement projects of the three major utilities. o Water-An increases of 4 percent is proposed to the water base charge and volume charge. o Sanitary Sewer-The fund is in a position to be supported by the 2019 rates. No increase is being proposed for the sanitary sewer rates. o Storm Water-An increase of 4 percent is proposed to the storm water fee. • Penalties- Removing the charge for the first offense of violating the Water Use Restrictions and changing it to a warning is proposed. It is recommended to keep the same rate for the second, third, and subsequent offenses. • Solid Waste Charges and Fees (also Schedule C) -The Solid Waste fees will be discussed in detail at the October 14th work session.The rate increase for 2020 that was projected in the last financial analysis has been incorporated into the 2020 fee schedule. • Schedule C (Solid Waste User Fees) - It is recommended to remove schedule C and incorporate it within the main fee schedule by after the utility rates. • Schedule E (GIS Fees) - It is recommended to remove Schedule E from the fee schedule. It is no longer applicable as many items are available digitally. October 14, 2019 Work Session Minutes -3- Schedule G (Rambling River Center Room Rental Rates) -A$20 increase to the Banquet Room rental rate and $5 for each additional hour increase is proposed to cover increased operational and maintenance costs. Councilmember Donnelly asked about the reduction in the multiplier from 2.7%to 1.5%for staff time. Administrator McKnight stated the adjusted costs are more accurate. Councilmember Craig asked how often fingerprinting services are used at the police department. Chief Rutherford stated it is a very common occurrence. Mayor Larson asked about the increase in ice rental rates. Parks and Recreation Director Distad stated this is our annual rate increase review that is proposed to go into effect on July 1, 2020. Larson asked that this be communicated to the youth hockey groups. Donnelly asked about the 3% increase on area charges. Gehler stated these dollars are collected to help pay for our capital projects and must keep up with inflation. We are in the middle of the pack in terms of south metro cities in this area. Donnelly wanted to make sure our fees were in line with other cities. A discussion occurred on the issue of storm water fees and how they are implemented in Farmington. A public hearing on the 2020 fee schedule will be held on November 18, 2019. City Administrator Update Administrator McKnight reminded the city council about the importance of accuracy on social media. City councilmembers are free to check with staff on issues before they make any comments on social media pages. McKnight updated the city council on the Fletcher Building issue the Planning Commission is working on. A special meeting will be held on October 22, 2019 on this issue. Adjourn Motion by Hoyt, second by Craig, to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 p.m. APIF, motion carried. Respectfully Submitted 0 O1G1��;►,*J4e' October 14,2019 Work Session Minutes -4- David McKnight, City Administrator October 14,2019 Work Session Minutes -5-