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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.22.22 Work Session Minutes City of Farmington City Council Work Session Minutes February 22, 2022 1. Call to Order Mayor Hoyt called the work session to order at 5:00 p.m. Present: Hoyt, Lien, Wilson Absent: Bernhjelm, Porter Also Present: Lynn Gorski,Assistant City Administrator; Matt Decur,Assistant City Engineer; Josh Solinger, Liquor Operations Manager; Cynthia Muller, Administrative Assistant; Matt Blazer, Bolton & Menk; Mike Slavik, Dakota County Commissioner; Christy Sebastian, Dakota County Engineer Audience: Kara Hildreth, Reporter; Brian & Patricia Murphy 2. Approve Agenda MOTION by Wilson, second by Lien to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 3. Discussion Items a. Flagstaff Avenue and County Road 50 Discussion This item was discussed at the previous work session and was brought back for further discussion. The design proposed by the county is to change the access to CR50 from Flagstaff to a right-in/right-out and have a turn lane further west on CR50 for a U-turn to go east back to Farmington. Data supports this change based on a current traffic study. It will take a year to work on the design and receive public comment. In November 2022 a full field survey will be done. In May/June 2023 there will be a public open house and one-on-one meetings with stake holders. In July 2023 a layout of the design will be fully developed,the county will go out for bid and construction will start when school is out. So there is a one year delay to allow for changes to happen in the area. Funding will come from county dollars and state aid dollars. The county has been monitoring this area since the high school was built. Safety data shows there is not much of a pattern with crashes. From a traffic signal perspective, those locations have a bigger number of crashes and more severe. In locations with peak traffic conditions, the county looks at other alternatives. They evaluate the traffic making right/ left turns. This intersection can accommodate a right turn and a U-turn. The county will obtain more survey data on the property to the west and work with the city and school district. Council noted we started this discussion 90 days ago and have had three formal meetings, seen a formal sketch and field study. Are we willing to move the 5-8 year project up? If a right-in/right-out causes additional constraints, are we better off moving the future traffic signal project up? The county noted the November Council Work Session Minutes February 22,2022 Page 2 meeting was the third time we met on this topic and the only time it moved forward. Council asked if option B was a traffic signal. The county stated a traffic signal is not an option now. We have to look more comprehensively at the area. There is another access, 202nd Street, to the north of the high school that goes to Cedar Avenue. The longer term plan is full access with a traffic signal, but that is an expensive project. School hours are the only time there is a concern. Council asked about placing an SRO at the intersection in the morning to direct traffic. There is an officer posted on Flagstaff now to keep the speed down. The county offered to beef up education with message boards at the high school and send brochures to parents. With the Regetta development, there will be more activity. The afternoon traffic is more of a concern than the morning traffic. Council asked if we could have a school speed zone with flashing lights during specific hours to create more awareness. Council also asked if the U-turn to the west is a separate issue. The county confirmed it is a movement we are encouraging. A driver would be looking at one direction of traffic before making a U-turn. There will be signage to encourage the U-turn and education at the high school. Council would like to get creative with an interim solution, but move up the bigger project. They would like to partner with the county on a comprehensive study of Flagstaff from CR50 to 195th Street, then with Lakeville north. The county stated having a long-term plan will help to assess options. Mr. Brian Murphy, resident, would like to see a plan. The county noted one exit is directly across from the Murphy's driveway. There is a general concept to restrict crossing movement and left turns. Nothing shows the Murphy's access being cut off. This allows a conversation to happen over the next year. Ms. Pat Murphy, resident, stated in the school parking lot, there is no way to go against traffic to get to 202nd Street to Cedar Avenue. That would relieve some traffic on Flagstaff. Council asked that something be put out to the public with general information to give a timeframe,findings, etc. The county will put something on their website. b. Farmington Liquors Full Time Position Discussion Staff would like to add a fulltime liquor operations position. This would allow for growth aesthetically and in the operation. The manager would like to spend more time at the Pilot Knob store and use employees to do back end items. Staff would like to beautify the Pilot Knob store and have processes the same between both stores. Council noted there is a concern with part time turnover and asked if a full time position would help that. Staff stated it would alleviate the stress of the part time shortage, but those are two separate issues. Turnover isn't the issue. Council asked if we should spend money for a full time position or increase part time wages. Staff Council Work Session Minutes February 22,2022 Page 3 noted there needs to be a conversation about part time rates citywide, but not yet. Staff would rather focus on a full time position for consistent hours. Council liked the analytics staff provided. The revenue will outpace paying for this position. Council asked if this will be achieved through the work the manager can do or by having full time staff invested in the liquor stores. Staff noted all employees are invested. We will see sales coming through what the manager can focus on through marketing and sales training. Council asked where the$21.29 wage fits in the market. Staff noted it is a union wage so staff is considering hiring at step 1 or a couple steps up. Benefits have been taken into consideration. Council stated if we are going to do something we need to increase staff. If increasing staff will do it, that is the standard staff will be held to. Staff should keep looking at the next step. 4. Adjourn MOTION by Wilson, second by Lien to adjourn at 6:55 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia -MuCCer Cynthia Muller Administrative Assistant