Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.17.21 Council Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING MAY 17, 2021 1. Call to Order Mayor Hoyt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Hoyt led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Roll Call Present-Hoyt, Bernhjelm, Pearson, Porter and Wilson Absent-None Staff Present-Administrator McKnight, Finance Director Malecha, Police Chief Rutherford, Planning Manager Wippler, Public Works Director Gehler and Attorney Koch. 4. Agenda Motion by Porter, second by Wilson, to approve the agenda as presented. APIF, motion carried. S. Announcement/Commendations a) American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Month Kim Lomas and Vicky Haggen from the Farmington American Legion Auxiliary shared the history of Poppy Month and the events that are being planned this year with the American Legion. b) Proclaim May 2021 as Mental Health Awareness Month Mayor Hoyt read a proclamation declaring May 2021 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Farmington. Motion by Wilson, second by Porter, declaring May 2021 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Farmington. APIF, motion carried. May 17, 2021 Minutes 6. Citizen Comments None. 7. Consent Agenda Motion by Bernhjelm, second by Porter, to approve the consent agenda: a) Approve Minutes of the May 3, 2021 City Council Meeting-Administration b) Approve Minutes of the May 3, 2021 City Council Work Session-Administration c) Approve 2022 Apple Valley/Lakeville/Farmington Ambulance Budget-Administration d) Adopt Resolution R22-2021 Accepting Donation of Audio/Visual Equipment form the League of Minnesota Cities-IT e) Adopt Resolution R23-2021 Approving Participation in All Hazard Mitigation Planning Process-Police f) Approve Stormwater Management Maintenance Agreement and Easement Agreement for ABW Holdings LLC (Hobo Inc.)-Public Works g) Approve Seasonal Hiring-Human Resources h) Acknowledge Financial Review for the Quarter Ending March 31, 2021-Finance i) Approve Bills-Finance 8. Public Hearing None 9. Award of Contract None 10. Petitions, Requests and Communications a) 2020 Management and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Finance Director Malecha introduced the 2020 annual audit report and findings. The annual audit was conducted by Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich &Co. P.A. (MMKR). Based upon their audit, they concluded there was a reasonable basis for rendering an unmodified opinion that the City of Farmington's financial statements for fiscal year 2020 are fairly presented in conformity with GAAP. An unmodified opinion is issued with the independent auditor believes that the company's financial statements are sound;that is,the statements are free from material misstatement. As part of the auditors review of the city's internal control processes and compliance testing,they identified two patters to communicate with the city council. There is a lack of segregation of duties in May 17, 2021 Minutes the payroll area. This issue was shared with the city council in previous years. It was also noted that there were$58,018 charged to the CARES Act spent by the city that did not meet the standard for allowable costs. These included wages for personnel that were not considered substantially different in accordance with the federal guidelines. Bill Lauer of MMKR presented the findings of the 2020 audit. Some of the items reviewed included the auditors role,the audit summary, results of the federal single audit, recommendations from the auditors,fund balance levels, budget to actual results,enterprise funds and more. Councilmember Bernhjelm asked about the material weakness comment as it relates to the CARES Act expenditures. Lauer shared the difficulties cities encountered with the late in the game decision making of the federal government. Bernhjelm asked if there is a chance to correct this issue. Lauer stated that once the information was submitted by the city,there is no opportunity to change it. Councilmember Pearson asked for clarification on the material weakness. Lauer stated it was not the nature of the expense but rather the audit trail. Pearson asked about the segregation of duties comment and if there is an opportunity to implement additional controls. Lauer stated that they would evaluate our actions each year to see if it is possible to reduce the audit concerns. Councilmember Wilson thanked finance staff for all of their work with audit. Mayor Hoyt shared his thanks to staff for all of the work involved in the audit. Administrator McKnight shared that he witnessed firsthand how the work of all city staff changed during the pandemic in 2020. He does not agree with the findings and shared that the city was being as transparent as possible with the expenditures that were submitted using very vague guidelines from the federal government. Motion by Bernhjelm,second by Pearson,to accept the auditors reports on the 2020 audit. APIF, motion carried. b) Dakota Meadows Schematic PUD Plan and Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Rezoning Planning Manger Wippler reviewed the schematic plan PUD for the proposed Dakota Meadows development. The property is located east of Denmark Avenue and south of St. Michaels Church and Dakota Electric Association. The property currently consists of three parcels,totaling approximately 41 acres owned by the Adelmann Family Beanfield Limited Partnership. The existing use of the property consist of cultivated farmland with approximately six acres of wetland being present on the south side of the property. May 17, 2021 Minutes The property is currently zoned R-3 (medium density)and is guided for medium density residential and park/open space within the city's 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The proposed plan shows the development of 110 single-family lots spread over the 41 acres with a net density of 3.6 units per acre. The property is currently zoned medium density residential and comp plan guided medium density residential and park/open space. Applications for rezoning and comprehensive plan amendment have been received and are requesting rezoning of the property to R-2 (low/medium density residential)and amending the 2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan from medium density residential and park/open space to low medium density residential. Access to the development is proposed from Denmark Avenue. A secondary emergency access is shown towards the southern end of the development near the wetland area. The secondary access would consist of an enhanced trail section that would provide emergency access in and out of the site from Denmark Avenue to the internal cul-de-sac. The plan shows three proposed road stubs to provide future access to the north. The Planning Commission reviewed the schematic plan as well as held a public hearing for the proposed comp plan amendment and rezoning at its meeting on May 11, 2021. The commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the schematic plan and comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning to the city council. Councilmember Wilson asked about lot widths in the R-2 zone being reduced from the traditional 60 feet. Wippler stated that since this is being done under a PUD it is allowable and does not set a precedence. Mayor Hoyt asked staff to keep in mind that this location is in proximity to Boeckman Middle School and those involved should be aware of the walking zone issues that new homes will create. Motion by Porter,second by Wilson,to schematic PUD plan for Dakota Meadows contingent upon agreement from Dakota County on the proposed access for the development. APIF, motion carried. Motion by Pearson,second by Porter,to adopt Resolution R24-2021 approving the comprehensive plan amendment for Dakota Meadows changing the land use guidance from medium density residential and park/open space to low medium density residential. APIF, motion carried. Motion by Wilson,second by Pearson,to adopt Ordinance 2021-757 approving the rezoning of the Dakota Meadows development from R-3 (medium density residential)to R-2 (low medium density residential) planned unit development. APIF, motion carried. c) Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Rezoning-Rivers Edge Development Planning Manger Wippler reviewed the application made by Hunter Homes, LLC for a comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for the proposed development known as Rivers Edge. The city council May 17, 2021 Minutes reviewed the schematic plan for the development at the April 19, 2021 city council meeting. The plan provides for 281 attached townhome units spread over the 68-acre parcel. The property currently consists of three zoning districts and comp plan guidance areas. The applicant is requesting a rezoning and comprehensive plan amendment to rezone and guide the eastern 26 acres from R05 (high density residential)to R-3 (medium density residential) and high density residential to medium density residential, respectively. The comp plan amendment is also to change the anticipated development staging in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan for the entire 68-acre parcel from post 2040 to 2020-2030. The Planning Commission reviewed this issued and held a public hearing on the two issues at the May 11,2021 meeting. The commission voted 5-2 to recommend the rezoning and comp plan amendment. Councilmember Bernhjelm asked for clarification on the second access. Wippler pointed out the two access points to the development. Mayor Hoyt asked about the 2201h Street access eventually becoming a restricted access. Wippler stated that is likely once development occurs to the west of this development. Councilmember Wilson thanked Wippler and the developer for what looks like a very nice development. Hoyt reminded staff of the proximity of this development to a school and the issues that are associated with the proximity. Motion by Wilson,second by Bernhjelm,to adopt Resolution R25-2021 amending the 2040 Comprehensive Plan to change the land use guidance for the eastern 26 acres of the development known as Rivers Edge from high density residential to medium density residential and change the development staging for the entire 68 acre Rivers Edge parcel from post 2040 to 2020-2030. APIF, motion carried. Motion by Wilson,second by Porter,to adopt Ordinance 2021-758 rezoning the eastern 26 acres of the development known as Rivers Edge from R-5 (high density residential)to R-3 (medium density residential). APIF, motion carried. d) Final Plat and Development Contract-Fairhill Estate at North Creek 4th Addition Planning Manger Wippler reviewed M/I Homes proposal for 20 single-family lots with Fairhill Estates at North Creek 4th Addition. The 20 lots are part of the 244 overall single-family lots that were proposed with the preliminary play for this project. This proposed fourth addition corresponds with the preliminary plat that was approved by the Planning Commission on April 9, 2019 and the City Council on April 15, 2019. With the fourth addition plat, all of the right of way within the development will be platted. All roadways with the exception of the Clearwater loop will be built with the fourth addition. The May 17, 2021 Minutes Engineering Department has reviewed the plat and recommend approval upon satisfaction of all engineering comments related to the construction plans for grading and utilities as well as the applicant entering into a development contract with the city and all security fees and costs paid. The Planning Commission reviewed the plat at the May 11, 2021 meeting and recommended approval 5- 0 contingent upon- 1) The satisfaction of all engineering comments related to the construction plans for grading and utilities. 2) A development contract between the applicant and the City of Farmington shall be executed and security fees and costs shall be paid. Submission of all other documents required under the development contract shall be required. Councilmember Bernhjelm asked about any communications with neighbors on 194th Street. Staff shared that this will go out tomorrow. Councilmember Wilson asked staff if the phased development approach works better. Wippler stated it is more work but there are reasons for doing it this way. Councilmember Porter asked for clarification on where the gate on 194th Street would be located. Wippler pointed out the location of the gate. Mayor Hoyt stated that this is a great addition to the community. Motion by Porter,second by Bernhjelm,to adopt Resolution R26-2021 approving the final plat for Fairhill Estates at North Creek 4th Addition subject to the following contingencies: 1) The satisfaction of all engineering comments related to the construction plans for grading and utilities. 2) A development contract between the applicant and the City of Farmington shall be executed and security fees and costs shall be paid. Submission of all other documents required under the development contract shall be required. APIF, motion carried. Motion by Porter,second by Wilson,to adopt the development contract and authorize its execution upon final edits by city staff and legal review. APIF, motion carried. 11. Unfinished Business None 12. New Business May 17, 2021 Minutes a) 2020 Public Works Annual Report Public Works Director Gehler presented the 2020 Public Works Annual Report. Topics reviewed included department divisions, street review, snow events, sanitary sewer,water use,water tower rehabilitation,solid waste collection,storm water permitting, natural resources, pavement management, Highway 3 improvements, planned roundabout, 202nd Street extension and more. Councilmember Wilson thanked Gehlerfor the department work and forthe report. Mayor Hoyt stated that this was great information. 13. City Council Roundtable Pearson-Shared she thought the strength of leadership in staff was very visible tonight. Bernhjelm-Thought the development that is occurring in the community is great. Porter-Thanked Mayor Hoyt for the mental health awareness proclamation,thanked Jim Constantineau and Peter Gilbertson for the equipment acquisition and thanked the police department for the open house last weekend. Wilson-Thanked finance staff for all of their work with the audit. McKnight-Shared that with the recent information shared by the federal and state government, masks are now optional in city facilities. Koch-Shared that courts are slowly starting open up. Malecha-Shared how proud she was of the work staff did with the audit. Rutherford-Thanked Sergeant Siem and the open house committee for all of the work put into the event last weekend. Hoyt-Talked about a number of recent city events including the police department open house, discussed the mental health awareness issue and how it has affected everyone the past year, development is good to see and asked residents to support Farmington. 13. Adjourn Motion by Porter,second by Bernhjelm,to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. APIF, motion carried. May 17, 2021 Minutes Respectfully Submitted Down P. I$&K v lv-r David McKnight, City Administrator May 17, 2021 Minutes