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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.12.20 Work Session Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 12,2020 Call to Order Mayo Larson called the work session to order at 5:05 p.m. Roll Call Present-Larson, Bernhjelm and Hoyt Absent-Craig and Donnelly Also Present-Administrator McKnight, Finance Director Malecha, Community Development Director Kienberger, Fire Chief Elvestad,Assistant Fire Chief D, Police Chief Rutherford and Public Works Director Gehler Agenda Motion by Bernhjelm, second by Hoyt,to approve the agenda as presented.APIF, motion carried. Dakota County Solid Waste Ordinance 110 and Solid Waste Update Commissioner Slavik provided the city council with an update on the Dakota County Solid Waste Ordinance 110. The state is requiring localities to get to a 75% recycling goal by 2030. Dakota County Waste Reduction Coordinator Dave Magnuson shared that the new requirements include recycling with all trash containers,following label guidelines, educating employees on recycling requirements and reporting of results. The city must update its ordinance by January 1, 2021 to be consistent with county ordinance. Weekly recycling will be required by 2022. Mayor Larson asked a number of questions as to why these requirements were being put in place and how much it would cost. Magnuson shared that the county is implementing the requirements of the state with the cities. The cost of the changes would be determined based upon a number of factors. Councilmember Hoyt asked how much conversation has been held with haulers. Magnuson share that there has been extensive conversations over the past three years. They were supportive of this change. Councilmember Bernhjelm shared that what is missing now is the green impact piece as to the why this is happening. That will need to occur over the next two years. Slavik stated that Farmington and Hastings are unique when it comes to garbage. The County Board asked all of the same questions when this issue was originally shared with them. The city council will consider an update to our ordinance at the December 7, 2020 city council meeting. Slavik also updated the city council on work he has been doing with the County Board on the issue of solid waste. With Farmington and Hastings taking their waste to the Red Wing facility and taking up all of their capacity, it allows the other cities in the county to take their waste to the landfills in Dakota County. This creates revenue for local government in the county. Dakota County will include as a part of their 2021 budget the contribution of$25 per ton of garbage to Farmington and Hastings to continue this approach. This would mean an estimated $195,000 to Farmington in 2021. The city council thanked Slavik for his work on this issue and will discuss how to incorporate this revenue to benefit solid waste customers once the county budget is approved. Final Review 2021 Budgets Finance Director Malecha provided one final review of the draft 2021 budgets and preliminary tax levy for the city council to review. No changes have been made to the General Fund budget since it was approved by the city council in September 2020. Malecha reviewed the draft Special Revenue Funds, Capital Projects Funds and the Enterprise Funds with the city council. Councilmember Hoyt shared that all of the budgets have been reviewed thoroughly by the city council and the work is now complete. Councilmember Bernhjelm asked about the projected fund balance at the end of 2020. Malecha shared that she included the 2020 budget results through September in the November 16, 2020 city council meeting to provide insight on this question. Administrator McKnight shared that it looks like the General Fund will finish in a strong position. Staff will likely be in front of the city council in early 2021 with some potential uses for dollars over the city council fund balance goal. The city council will consider the final 2021 budget and tax levy at the December 7, 2020 city council meeting. Fire Training Shifts and Duty Crew Fire Chief Elvestad and Assistant Chief Fischer reviewed the status of the fire training crews and duty crews the department has implemented during the pandemic. The department is looking to expand the duty crews to Friday and Saturday in 2021 to help ensure timely response by the department. The chiefs shared the benefits of what this approach has produced in 2020. The issue that is outstanding is the potential increase in budget due to fire call volumes being unknown. Mayor Larson asked if duty crews are at both stations. Elvestad shared that the crews operate out of one station. Councilmember Bernhjelm asked about the potential budget impact. Administrator McKnight stated he supported the request. Our approach with the budget for paid on-call firefighters was always a year behind due to potential fluctuation with call volumes. The fire budgets over the years have come in at or below budget for the most part. Councilmember Hoyt thanked the chiefs for this approach and type of thinking. The consensus of the city council was to support this approach for 2021. Assistant Chief Fischer provided an update on the status of Ladder 1. It is now scheduled to be fully built in February 2021. Charitable Gambling Contribution Fire Chief Elvestad and Assistant Chief Fischer reviewed a state statute requiring charitable gambling organizations to contribute 10%of their net profits from lawful gambling to the city for public safety purposes. Fischer reviewed the status of pull-tab locations and sales that the Farmington Fire Relief Association has in Farmington. Administrator McKnight asked if part of the reason they are looking in to this is because they have lost pull-tab locations in the city. Elvestad said it was. Councilmember Bernhjelm stated she supported this approach. Councilmember Hoyt was curious about the net impact on the other groups in Farmington this would affect. He would like to additional information if possible. Additional information will be gathered and brought back for further discussion. Draft Ordinance Discussion-Neighborhood Picketing Administrator McKnight reviewed a draft ordinance that the City of Hugo recently passed relating to targeted picketing in residential neighborhoods to see if there was an interest in this type of ordinance in Farmington. Police Chief Rutherford shared that your home should be a safe space. This issue is a significant inconvenience to a neighborhood. This type of ordinance would give the department another tool to help manage this type of situation. Rutherford shared the different approaches to this type of incident. The consensus of the city council was in support of this type or ordinance. The issue will be brought back to a future city council meeting for consideration. Downtown Liquor Store Discussion Administrator McKnight updated the city council on the status of the downtown liquor store. The pandemic and the closing of the grocery store have had a negative impact on the sales with the store having a net loss of approximately$90,000 through September 2020. The current lease on the property expires at the end of July 2021. Councilmember Hoyt shared that the issue needs to be reviewed. Pulling out of downtown sends a bad message. Mayor Larson shared that the downtown store did not get a fair shake with the shutdown, emphasis on getting Pilot Knob open and the reduced hours. The current location is not a good spot for our store. Councilmember Bernhjelm shared that a different location is probably better in addition to a better lease rate. After some discussion,the city council directed McKnight to approach the current property owner about a significant lease rate reduction for 2021 before any decisions are made. City Administrator Update Administrator McKnight updated the city council on the following items- ✓ DT Liquor store hours are expanding next week. ✓ The city has received a request to take over a private street and is looking for some direction on this issue. This issue will be discussed with potential impacts citywide considered. ✓ The city has received a complaint about kids using a hill in one of our parks for sledding that is upsetting one neighbor. This was shared as an FYI. ✓ With the Water Board question failing as a part of the election,the city council directed staff to attempt to recruit interested residents as a part of the annual board and commission recruitment. ✓ Shared that the 208th Street project extending into Farmington from Lakeville was still a possibility. The city council was in support of the project and expending the estimated $150,000 dollars for the city share in 2021. Staff will inquire with Lakeville about some type of support for the project since it will benefit residents of their city as well. Adjourn Motion by Hoyt, second by Bernhjelm,to adjourn the meeting at 6:30 p.m.APIF, motion carried.