HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.04.22 Work Session Minutes City of Farmington
City Council Work Session Minutes
April 4, 2022
1. Call to Order
Mayor Hoyt called the work session to order at 5:00 p.m.
Present: Hoyt, Bernhjelm, Lien, Porter, Wilson
Also Present: Lynn Gorski, City Administrator;Chris Regis, Finance Director;Justin Elvestad,
Fire Chief;Samantha DiMaggio,Community Development Director; Kellee
Omlid, Parks and Recreation Director; Peter Gilbertson, IT Director; Matt Decur,
Assistant City Engineer; Cynthia Muller,Administrative Assistant
Audience: Kara Hildreth, Reporter
2. Approve Agenda
Administrator Gorski added an item from tonight's meeting agenda regarding a Solid
Waste and Recycling Coordinator position.
MOTION by Wilson, second by Bernhjelm to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
3. Discussion Items
a. Staff asked to discuss the city council's expectations regarding the budget process
and timeline.
Councilmembers agreed they wanted to see a full list of items needed at the
beginning of the budget process and then discuss how to reduce it. It will help
council understand what is leaving the table. Once the budget is reduced, council
also wanted to know what items were removed. Council wants to know what are
the priorities within the ask. Last year council looked at what it takes to really take
care of certain items. The asks should be measurable. Where are the voids and
keep in mind what is palatable. We can figure out mid-line items in June/July.
Council urged staff to be specific and measurable and not hold back.
Council asked where we are with funding on liquor operations projects. There is
$321,000 in the fund for community projects and $769,000 for capital projects.
Council asked that staff check things off this list.
Council agreed the fund balance should stay within the bond rating criteria. It is
frustrating for council to have unexpected expenses come up in July and makes
everyone wonder if we did not budget enough. Surprises are uncomfortable for
council. Council mentioned we have been under funding trails. They asked when
we will revisit the ARPA funding. The committee will be meeting next week to
discuss the facilities plan. Staff appreciated the council wanting to see the full ask
and to plan for the future. Council recalled there was a 5-year plan document. Staff
is working on a summary of that. Council mentioned when staff presents a 20-year
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April 4,2022
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plan for a building and this is year 20, where did this plan get lost? We are having to
play catchup a lot. Council recalled there was a facility maintenance study done and
asked where did those projects go? Council doesn't want them to come out of no
where. There needs to be a plan always in motion and reviewed every year.
Council asked if vehicles are on a replacement schedule. The 2022 final budget
included vehicle allocations. Council wants that presented in a public budget
meeting. Finance is creating a spreadsheet by department for staff to use to
determine what it's costing the department. On the meeting agenda today, there is
a request to purchase two bobcats. Those are included in the 5-year vehicle
replacement plan.
Council asked that the first couple budget work sessions be on the second Monday
of the month so that is the only item to be discussed and there are no time
constraints. Council would like to receive source budget documents—CIP,
replacement plans, etc. at least a week prior to the work session. Council should
email any questions to Administrator Gorski.
b) Fiscal Year Community Project Funding Request
Representative Angie Craig sent out a notification of a possible source of funding for
2023 community projects. Applications are due April 18, 2022. Staff and Council
suggested several projects including:
Watermains
Review previous wish lists
CR50 and Flagstaff intersection improvement
Look at underfunded projects
Rambling River Center Plaza project
Something to tie in with the 1501h anniversary and Farmington's history
Fix trails in Rambling River Park
Downtown revitalization and incorporate a guided tour with the Heritage Village
Fix up Rambling River Park as an entrance to the city
Greenway project
The downtown projects will bring customers downtown so they would receive
business support. Consider what do we have that someone else doesn't? Council
recommended staff review the Rambling River Center Plaza plan as those plans are
in place since we are on a short timeline and get letters of support.
c) Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator Position
This item is on the council meeting agenda for tonight. Dakota County has
developed a joint powers agreement between Farmington, Rosemount and Hastings
to share a solid waste and recycling coordinator position. The person would work
out of Rosemount and handle various solid waste and recycling duties. Any city may
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April 4,2022
Page 3
withdraw from this agreement with an effective date of December 31 of each year.
The estimated annual cost per city is$34,311.66.
Councilmembers had concerns and several questions about this agreement, such as,
what if we don't participate—can we look at hiring our own position—can we go in
with more cities to reduce the cost—can the cost be divided according to the size of
the city. It was decided to pull this item from the agenda, look into these questions
and bring it back to the April 18 council meeting. Council asked that staff include the
county's grant amount in the memo.
4. City Administrator Update
Mayor Hoyt noted the county will be pulling out of the Dakota Broadband committee
soon.
Council asked that staff schedule meetings for:
Intergovernmental Committee with the school district
Joint Council / Planning Commission work session
5. Adjourn
MOTION by Porter, second by Lien to adjourn at 6:42 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia wluller
Cynthia Muller
Administrative Assistant