HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.21.22 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR
March 21, 2022
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Hoyt at 7:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Hoyt led the audience and Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Hoyt, Bernhjelm, Lien, Porter, Wilson
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Leah Koch, City Attorney; Lynn Gorski, Assistant City
Administrator; Chris Regis, Finance Director; Gary Rutherford,
Police Chief;Justin Elvestad, Fire Chief; Matt Price, Deputy Fire
Chief; Samantha DiMaggio, Community Development Director;
Kellee Omlid, Parks and Recreation Director; Matt Decur,
Assistant City Engineer;Tony Wippler, Planning Manager; Fire
Department Members; Cynthia Muller, Administrative Assistant
Audience: Tim Gorski, Rhonda Moen
4. APPROVE AGENDA
Councilmember Wilson pulled item 7d) adopt resolutions and approve an agreement
and permit with MnDOT related to construction of a roundabout and pedestrian trails
on Trunk Highway 3 at Vermillion River Trail from the agenda.
MOTION by Wilson, second by Bernhjelm to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
a) Oath of Office and Badge Pinning of Fire Officers
Ryan Roudabush, Tristen Zeimet and Joshua Threet were promoted to Fire
Lieutenant. They each selected someone to pin their badge and Assistant Gorski
administered the oath of office.
6. CITIZEN COMMENTS
7. CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Bernhjelm, second by Lien to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
a) Approved March 7, 2022, City Council Work Session and Meeting Minutes—
Administration
b) Approved Bills
C) Approved a Contract for Professional Engineering Services for the Akin Road
Surface Improvements Project
e) Adopted RESOLUTION R19-22 Accepting a Monetary Donation from the
Farmington Firefighters Relief Association
f) Authorized Equipment Purchase
g) Accepted Resignation Rambling River Center Advisory Board
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March 21,2022
Page 2
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a) Adopt Resolution Vacating Roadway Easement and Drainage and Utility
Easements within the Vita Attiva at South Creek Development
The petition from CC Vita Attiva is requesting the vacation of existing drainage
and utility easements that were dedicated on Lots 1 and 2, Block 1 Vita Attiva at
South Creek First Addition. These lots are being replatted with the Second
Addition and new drainage and utility easements will be dedicated as well with
that final plat. The petitioner is also requesting vacation of a roadway easement
that was given to the city for Eaton Avenue prior to the platting of the First
Addition. The right-of-way for Eaton Avenue has subsequently been platted and
dedicated to the city as part of the Vita Attiva at South Creek First Addition,
therefore rendering the need for the previously granted roadway easement
unnecessary. MOTION by Wilson, second by Porter to close the public hearing.
APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Lien, second by Bernhjelm to adopt
RESOLUTION R20-22 authorizing vacation of the roadway easement for Eaton
Avenue along with the drainage and utility easements. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
9. AWARD OF CONTRACT
10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
a) Adopt Resolution Approving Final Plat Vita Attiva at South Creek Second
Addition
The final plat consists of 16 townhome lots on 1.64 acres located at the
northwest intersection of Eaton Avenue and 216th Street W. The final plat is a
replat of Lots 1 and 2, Block 1 Vita Attiva at South Creek First Addition. The
property is zoned R-3 (medium density residential) and contains one outlot
owned by the homeowner's association. The Planning Commission reviewed the
final plat on March 8, 2022, and recommended approval. MOTION by Porter,
second by Lien to adopt RESOLUTION R21-22 approving the final plat for Vita
Attiva at South Creek Second Addition. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12. NEW BUSINESS
a) Adopt Resolution Calling for Public Hearing Proposed Tax Abatement and
Modification to Five Year Street Reconstruction Plan
As part of the process to issue General Obligation Tax Abatement Bonds, a tax
abatement must be established and a public hearing held. In addition, in order
to issue General Obligation Street Reconstruction Bonds, the city must have an
updated Five-Year Street Reconstruction Plan approved by the city council after
a public hearing is held. The purpose of this item was to set a date for the public
hearing. MOTION by Wilson, second by Porter to adopt RESOLUTION R22-22
calling for public hearings on the approval of a proposed tax abatement by the
city on certain property located within the city and a proposal to adopt a
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March 21,2022
Page 3
modification to the city's five-year street reconstruction plan for April 18, 2022.
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
b) City Administrator Appointment
City Attorney Koch explained the city council has discussed the process to fill the
city administrator vacancy. The city council has selected Lynn Gorski as City
Administrator with pay set at step 8. Upon approval, we will enter into
negotiations for an employment contract.
Councilmember Bernhjelm stated we have discussed this in work sessions and
Assistant Gorski has earned the trust and respect of council and staff and we
look forward to an exciting future. Councilmember Lien noted the entire staff
was in favor of Assistant Gorski. Mayor Hoyt stated it was clear after discussions
there was only one option. Assistant Gorski thanked council for the opportunity,
appreciated City Administrator McKnight's leadership and was excited to start
her new role with a great team in place. MOTION by Porter, second by Wilson to
appoint Assistant City Administrator Lynn Gorski as City Administrator with pay
set to step 8 and authorizing the city attorney to negotiate the employment
agreement for council approval. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE
Bernhjelm: Encouraged residents to get out and utilize the trails in this great
weather.
Lien: Thanked Fire Chief Elvestad for the invitation to the Fire Department awards
banquet on Friday. We have a great Fire Department. He thanked staff for their
comments.
Porter. Appreciated the invitation to the Fire Department banquet. She had
wonderful conversations with staff this past week and we are headed in a great
direction. Registration is open for the Muddy Bunny Fun Run. Look for Dew Days
postings on social media. She gave a shout out to the Dew Days committee.
Wilson: It was a great Fire Department banquet and fantastic to be there.
Residents joined the fire department to serve their community and found a brother and
sisterhood. The Muddy Bunny Fun Run is April 16. He is super happy to have Lynn
Gorski as City Administrator.
Koch: The court system is running smoothly and averted a strike.
Gorski: The city is accepting election judge applications and applications for a
vacant seat on the Rambling River Center Board. She wished board member Gina Smith
well in her new location.
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March 21,2022
Page 4
DiMaggio: Congratulations to Administrator Gorski. Thanked council for showing
staff how much you care. The public will be excited to meet her.
Omlid: Thank you to Gina Smith for her service on the Rambling River Center
Advisory Board and best wishes. This will be a loss for the board.
Regis: Congratulations to Administrator Gorski. Finance is working on preparing
for the audit and looking at the five-year CIP.
Rutherford: Welcome to Administrator Gorski. The Muddy Bunny is being held with
the Easter Egg Hunt on April 16. Saturday, May 21 is the Police Department Open House
and we have Dew Days in June.
Elvestad: Joshua Threet was selected as Firefighter of the Year. Caleb Bolton was
selected as Fire Captain of the Year. Congratulations to Administrator Gorski.
Wippler: Congratulations to Administrator Gorski.
Hoyt: The Fire Department Banquet was amazing on Friday. It's an honor to be
part of the group. We will miss Gina Smith and some of us are helping her move on
Friday. He is so excited for what's coming with Administrator Gorski. There is a lot of
work to be done. We will do everything we can to support you. Thanked residents for
serving on the Dew Days Committee. Support local businesses.
14. ADJOURN
MOTION by Wilson, second by Lien to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia 'Vuller
Cynthia Muller
Administrative Assistant