HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.03.22 Work Session Minutes City of Farmington
City Council Work Session Minutes
January 3,2022
1. Call to Order
Mayor Hoyt called the work session to order at 5:00 p.m.
Present: Hoyt, Bernhjelm, Porter, Wilson
Also Present: David McKnight,City Administrator;Joel Jamnik,City Attorney;Samantha
DiMaggio,Community Development Director; Kellee Omlid, Parks and
Recreation Director; Cynthia Muller,Administrative Assistant
2. Approve Agenda
MOTION by Bernhjelm, second by Porter to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
3. Discussion Items
a. Finalize Process for City Council Candidate Interviews
There is a vacant seat on the City Council with a term ending December 31, 2022.
The City Council had decided to accept applications to fill the vacant seat. Eight
applications were received and all candidates will be interviewed on January 10,
2022. Councilmembers agreed to do 30-minute interviews and decided on a list of
questions to ask. They asked that Assistant City Administrator Gorski sit in on the
interviews as an observer and note taker and provide comments after the
interviews; she will not be asking any questions. It was agreed the City Council
would pick a first choice and second choice after the interviews to have a backup. A
background check will be done on the top candidate. The finalist will be appointed
and sworn-in at the January 18, 2022, City Council meeting.
b. Annual Organizational Matters
This item is on the regular meeting agenda for tonight. Councilmembers discussed
who would like to serve on the various committees.
c. Federal Vaccine/Testing Policy Mandate Update
In November 2021, OSHA announced an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS)
mandating that employers with 100 or more employees require employees to be
vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear face coverings.
Since Minnesota has an OSHA program, the adopted standards will cover state and
local government employers with 100 or more employees including cities. The ETS
has been in litigation in the courts. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on
January 7, 2022, but they may not release a decision until the following week or
later. OSHA has stated it will exercise its discretion in enforcing the ETS and will not
cite employers for violations of the ETS prior to January 10, 2022. It will also not cite
employers for violations of the testing requirements prior to February 9, 2022. Both
of these enforcement extensions only apply if the employer is "exercising
reasonable, good faith efforts"to comply with the ETS. Prior to January 10, 2022,
cities should:
City Council Work Session Minutes
January 3,2022
Page 2
- Establish a policy on vaccination/testing for employees
- Determine the vaccination status of each employee, obtain proof of vaccination
from vaccinated employees and establish a record keeping system for
vaccination status
- Provide notice and information to employees about the ETS
Beginning on January 10, 2022, cities must ensure that employees who are not fully
vaccinated wear face coverings indoors and when sharing a vehicle with another
person for work purposes.
City Administrator McKnight reviewed the city's policy on vaccination/testing for
employees which covers the good faith effort requirement. Attorney Jamnik
recommended waiting for the Supreme Court decision before implementing
requirements further.
d. City Council/Work Session Meeting Schedule
Currently the city council holds a work session at 5 pm on the first Monday of the
month prior to the regular 7 pm council meeting. The EDA meeting is held at 6:15
pm on the third Monday of the month prior to the regular 7 pm council meeting.
Councilmember Wilson would like to have a standing work session on the second
Monday of the month and eliminate the work session on the first Monday if needed.
He asked if other councilmembers would at least be open to this when necessary.
Council discussed the current schedule was set to keep council discussion at a high
level and provide direction. It was decided City Administrator McKnight will notify
councilmembers if a separate work session is needed for indepth topics in addition
to the first Monday work session. It was also decided EDA meetings would start at 6
pm on the third Monday of the month.
4. City Administrator Update
At the February work session, Assistant City Administrator Gorski will provide the first
update on the development process she has been working on.
A drawing for a new alignment at CR50 and Flagstaff Avenue has been received from the
county. City staff and council will keep pushing the county for a true road improvement
and traffic control at CR50 and Flagstaff Avenue.
S. Adjourn
MOTION by Bernhjelm, second by Wilson to adjourn at 6:30 p.m. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia JAIACer
Cynthia Muller
Administrative Assistant