HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.04.20 Council Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 4, 2020
1. Call to Order
Mayor Larson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
This meeting was a virtual meeting conducted on Zoom due to the COVID pandemic.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Larson shared that the pledge would not be conducted during virtual meetings due to
issues with broadcast delays.
3. Roll Call
Present-Larson, Bernhjelm, Craig and Hoyt
Absent-Donnelly
Staff Present-Administrator McKnight, Public Works Director Gehler, Communications Specialist
Siebenaler, Public Works Director Gehler, Police Chief Rutherford, Fire Chief Elvestad,
Community Development Director Kienberger, Parks and Recreation Director Distad, Finance
Director Malecha and Attorney Jamnik.
4. Agenda
Motion by Hoyt, second by Bernhjelm, to approve the agenda as presented. APIF, motion
carried.
5. Announcements/Commendations
a) Dakota County Commissioner Mike Slavik
Dakota County Commissioner Mike Slavik presented an update on county activities. Topics
reviewed included current number of COVID cases in the county, what county facilities are
open/closed, upcoming street projects and an update on an upcoming drilling and export of
water moratorium.
Councilmember Craig asked about a resident who had questions on their tax payment. Slavik
stated that he would reach out to discuss after the meeting.
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b) Proclaim May as Mental Health Month in Farmington
Mayor Larson proclaimed May 2020 as Mental Health Month in Farmington.
6. Citizen Comments
None
7. Consent Agenda
Motion by Bernhjelm, second by Craig,to approve the consent agenda as printed:
a) Approve Minutes of the April 13, 2020 City Council Meeting-Administration
b) Approve Agreement Schmitz-Maki Arena Exclusive Vending Service-Parks
c) Approve Rambling River Center Advisory Board Bylaws-Parks
d) Approve Recommendation for Hire Police Department-Human Resources
e) Approve One-Year Extension of Clear Company Contract-Human Resources
f) Acknowledge Financial Review for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2020-Finance
g) Approve Bills-Finance
8. Public Hearings
None
9. Award of Contract
None
10. Petitions, Requests and Communications
None
11. Unfinished Business
None
12. New Business
a) Fiber Optic Indefeasible Right to Use Agreement by and between the City of
Farmington and the Dakota Broadband Board
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Administrator McKnight presented the Fiber Optic Indefeasible Right to Use Agreement by and
between the City of Farmington and the Dakota Broadband Board (DBB) for city council
consideration.
This agreement grants the DBB the right to use, manage and maintain fiber and fiber facilities
within certain fiber optic cable segments on the terms established in the agreement. The city
has built a fiber network that is shown on the map that was included in packet.
The execution of the agreement was defined in the joint powers agreement signed by all DBB
members in 2017. This document is a technical document that allows the operations and
maintenance contractor(LOGIS)to ensure member assets are property maintained and
supported. When the cityjoined the DBB, it was always our assumption that we would be fully
committed to the organization and that our fiber infrastructure would continue to grow.
The DBB Board did approve this agreement, but it was not a unanimous vote.
Councilmember Hoyt detailed the issue of two members of the DCC Board voting against the
agreement.
Motion by Hoyt, second by Bernhjelm,to approve the Fiber Optic Indefeasible Right to Use
Agreement by and between the City of Farmington and the Dakota Broadband Board. APIF,
motion carried.
b) COVID-19 City Response Update
Administrator McKnight provided an update on the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
McKnight shared the actions that have occurred to date.
✓ City facilities continue to be closed as a part of Governor Walz Stay at Home order that
now runs through May 17, 2020.
✓ Almost our entire future schedule depends on the next order of the Governor.
✓ Continue to provide city services using new methods to protect the health of city staff
members.
✓ Preparing city staff for the eventual return to working from city facilities and the
opening of these facilities.
✓ Police and fire departments have adjusted to schedules to both provide services to the
public and protect staff members as much as possible.
✓ City waived late fees on March utility bills and refunded liquor license fees for April.
Staff will bring this issue forward for city council consideration for April 2020 at the next
meeting.
✓ City council participated in a meeting with members of the FBA last week to see how we
can work together to support local business.
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✓ Pilot Knob liquor store days/hours continue to expand and the downtown store will
reopen next week starting with a few days a week.
✓ Continue to move forward with traditional work including starting the 2021/2022
budget process.
✓ Completing special projects in city facilities with the available time at city hall, arena and
Rambling River Center.
✓ Boards and commissions are starting to meeting again in full force in May.
✓ Continue to work with the federal, state and county government on information sharing
and coordinated response.
✓ Meeting weekly with Dakota County city administrators to share information and future
plans on reopening plans.
✓ Important to note most of the work of city staff members never stopped, we changed
either the service delivery method or the location of where work is completed.
✓ Continue to communicate with the city council and city staff on issues related to the
pandemic, city functions and plans for the future.
✓ Asked department heads to provide an update of their department activities during city
council roundtable.
13. City Council Roundtable
Bern hjelm-Thanked city staff and residents for their continued work and patience on the COVID
issue.
Craig-Thanked city staff for their willingness to adapt service delivery approach.
Hoyt-Thanked city staff for their willingness to adapt service delivery approach.
McKnight-Reminded the city council that a Zoom work session will be held on May 11, 2020.
Kienberger-Updated the city council on department activities including a new utility bill grant
program for businesses.
Distad-Updated the city council on department activities including an updated approach on
holding or cancelling programs.
Rutherford-Updated the city council on department activities including the success of the work
from home program for some department staff.
Elvestad-Updated the city council on department activities including a recent mask collection
event.
Gabbard-Updated the city council on department activities including new wellness initiatives.
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Gehler-Updated the city council on department activities including upcoming projects that will
continue as scheduled.
Larson-Encouraged residents to support local businesses and thanked the FBA for their
invitation to discuss ways to support each other last week.
14. Adjourn
Motion by Hoyt, second by Bernhjelm,to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. APIF, motion
carried.
Respectfully Submitted
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David McKnight, City Administrator
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