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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.07.21 Council Minutes CITY OF FARMINGTON CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 7, 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, and Wilson Absent-None Staff Present-Administrator McKnight, Assistant Administrator Gorski, Parks and Recreation Director Omlid, Police Chief Rutherford, Fire Chief Elvestad, Finance Director Regis, Liquor Operations Manager Solinger and Attorney Koch. 4) Agenda Motion by Wilson, second by Bernhjelm, to approve the agenda as presented. APIF, motion carried. 5) Announcement/Commendations a) Introduction of New Staff Administrator McKnight introduced Finance Director Regis and Liquor Operations Manager Solinger. Both recently started work with the city. The city council welcomed both new members to the team and looks forward to what they will do for the city. 6) Citizen Comments a) Eric Jezierski, 18297 Dunbury Avenue-Shared his thoughts with the city council on the possible change of structure on the EDA to be made up of all city councilmembers. He thought split decision making was a good thing and offered his thoughts on other options the city council should consider. September 7,2021 Minutes 7) Consent Agenda Motion by Porter, second by Bernhjelm, to approve the consent agenda: a) Approve Minutes of the August 16, 2021 City Council Meeting-Administration b) Approve Appointment to Parks and Recreation Commission-City Council c) Approve Out of State Training-Police d) Approve Adoption of Summary Ordinance 2021-761 Zoning Code Update- Community Development-Community Development e) Approve Request for Early Termination of Metropolitan Agriculture Preserve Program-JMA Devney Family LLP-Community Development f) Approve Promotion to Captain Fire-Human Resources g) Approve Promotion to Lieutenant Fire-Human Resources h) Approve Agreement with Northern Natural Gas for Use of Their Pipeline Easement- Public Works i) Approve Out of State Training for Dakota County Special Operations Team-Fire j) Approve Bills-Finance 8) Public Hearing a) Economic Development Authority Composition Revision Administrative Assistant Muller shared that the Economic Development Authority (EDA) is currently comprised of two city councilmembers and five residents. The city council discussed the makeup at a recent work session and requested that the makeup of the EDA be changed to the five sitting city councilmembers. The terms would coincide with the city councilmembers terms. Councilmember Pearson shared some of the discussion that got the city council to this point tonight. She clarified that there has been no quorum for two of the past three EDA meetings. Councilmember Bernhjelm stated this has been an issue throughout 2021. Councilmember Bernhjelm shared that she has served on the EDA for a number of years. The EDA is grossly underfunded and it limits their decision-making authority. The full city council will be more involved and that will benefit the entire city. Councilmember Pearson asked if the current EDA members had shared their thoughts. It was shared that two of the current members had emailed comments to two city councilmembers. September 7, 2021 Minutes Councilmember Wilson stated that since 2004 the city has had a number of different makeups of the EDA. Feels that the city councilmember makeup makes the most sense. Feels there has been tension between the city council and the EDA. Feels that previous city council's have not been as assertive as they could have been and this change is in line with the priorities established by the city council. Councilmember Bernhjelm felt this change will bring more visibility to what the EDA does on a monthly basis. Mayor Hoyt shared that the EDA has met four times in eight months. When this issue was brought up by staff, he looked at the pros and cons of different set ups and more. BR and E visits is the only 2021 achieved. Changing to the city council is the best decision at this point. Councilmember Pearson was disappointed to current EDA members were in attendance. She is not a fan of group thinking but is disappointed she has not seen more communication from members. Mayor Hoyt asked for any additional comments from those in attendance. There were no additional comments from the public. Motion by Wilson, second by Porter, to close the public hearing. APIF, motion carried. Motion by Wilson, second by Bernhjelm, to amend the enabling resolution R44-2021 and adopt Ordinance 2021-763 revising the composition of the Economic Development Authority to the five sitting city councilmembers effective September 7, 2021. APIF, motion carried. 9) Award of Contract None 10) Petitions, Requests and Communications None 11) Unfinished Business None 12) New Business None September 7,2021 Minutes 13) City Council Roundtable Bern hjelm-Encouraged Farmington Business nominations for the upcoming chamber Business Excellence Awards that she is chairing. Pearson-School is back in session so please watch out the kids. Encouraged everyone to attend Dew Days on September 18tH Wilson-Congratulated two of our fire department staff for their promotions approved tonight. McKnight-Updated the city council on the downtown sidewalk project and planned maintenance on all three railroad crossings next week. Omlid-Welcomed Katie Putt to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Shared information on an upcoming celebration in recognition of National Senior Center Week. Encouraged everyone to donate to the Kiss the Pig contest. Gorski-Welcome Josh Solinger to the team and looks forward to what he will do for our liquor stores. Regis-Shared that he is excited to be here in Farmington. Koch-Shared that Judge Meserich will be retiring soon and that the courts backlog is estimated to be cleared up by spring 2023. Rutherford-School is in session and asked everyone to look out for the busses and kids. Elvestad-Shared that the new group of candidates started their academy training tonight and apparatus testing continues in the department. Hoyt-School is in session so please watch out for the kids. 13. Closed Session Motion by Wilson,second by Porter,to go into closed session as allowed under M.S. 13D to conduct the annual performance review of City Administrator McKnight. APIF, motion passed. Present in the closed session were all five city councilmembers,the city attorney and the city administrator. The closed session began at 7:42 p.m. September 7, 2021 Minutes 14. Adjourn Motion by Wilson,second by Bernhjelm,to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. APIF, motion carried. Respectfully Submitted David McKnight, City Administrator September 7, 2021 Minutes