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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.18.22 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR April 18,2022 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, Wilson Members Absent: Porter Also Present: Leah Koch, City Attorney; Lynn Gorski, City Administrator; Chris Regis, Finance Director; Gary Rutherford, Police Chief;Justin Elvestad, Fire Chief; Samantha DiMaggio, Community Development Director; Kellee Omlid, Parks and Recreation Director; Matt Decur, Assistant City Engineer;Tony Wippler, Planning Manager; Missie Kohlbeck, Rambling River Center Coordinator; Cynthia Muller, Administrative Assistant; Gabrielle Grinde, HKGi Audience: David McMillen, Blanche Reichert, Pat Hennen, Ryan Bjorkstrand 4. APPROVE AGENDA MOTION by Wilson, second by Bernhjelm to approve the agenda. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. S. ANNOUNCEMENTS a) Arbor Day Proclamation This marks the 311t year for Farmington as a Tree City. Tree planting will take place at Prairie Pines Park on Arbor Day, April 28, 2022. MOTION by Lien, second by Bernhjelm to proclaim April 28, 2022, as Arbor Day in Farmington and the month of May 2022 as Arbor Month. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Bernhjelm, second by Wilson to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: a) Approved April 4, 2022, City Council Work Session and Meeting Minutes— Administration b) Adopted RESOLUTION R26-22 Approving Gambling Event Permit—Farmington High School Fishing Team —Administration C) Adopted RESOLUTION R27-22 Accepting Donation from Marlene Swantek to the Rambling River Center—Parks and Recreation d) Acknowledged First Quarter 2022 New Construction Report and Population Estimate—Community Development e) Approved Bills— Finance f) Approved Purchase Agreement—Fire Council Minutes(Regular) April 18,2022 Page 2 g) Approved Joint Powers Agreement Solid Waste and Recycling Coordinator— Administration h) Approved Appointment Recommendation Seasonal Staff—Human Resources APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS a) Adopt Resolution Approving a Tax Abatement- Finance Tax abatement is the ability to capture and use all or a portion of the property tax revenues within a defined geographic area. Staff has worked with Northland Securities to structure a bond sale to finance parking lot improvements through tax abatement. The parking lots to be improved are Fire Station #1, Feely Fields, Rambling River Park,the Ice Arena and the Police Station. MOTION by Wilson, Second by Bernhjelm to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Bernhjelm, second by Lien to adopt RESOLUTION R28-22 relating to a tax abatement; granting the abatement and authorizing the issuance of tax abatement bonds. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. b) Adopt Resolution Modifying the City's Five-Year Street Reconstruction Plan - Finance The original Five-Year Street Reconstruction Plan was adopted on February 4, 2019, with a term of March 1, 2019, to March 1, 2024. Modifications have been made to the plan where some projects have been removed and some projects have been updated or new projects added. Staff has worked with Northland Securities to structure a bond sale to finance the Spruce/ Division Street reconstruction project. Additional funding for the project will be provided by the water, sewer and storm sewer funds to cover the costs to replace the utility infrastructure. MOTION by Wilson, second by Bernhjelm to close the public hearing. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Bernhjelm, second by Lien to adopt RESOLUTION R29-22 modifying the city's Five-Year Street Reconstruction Plan and authorizing issuance of general obligation street reconstruction bonds. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS a) Adopt Resolution Approving Final Plat and Development Contract Whispering Fields 2nd Addition—Community Development D.R. Horton has submitted an application for final plat for Whispering Fields 2nd Addition. This development is located directly south of the Farmington High School off of Flagstaff Avenue. The second addition completes the Whispering Fields subdivision and consists of 56 single-family lots on 13.229 acres. The final plat also contains two outlots. Outlot A is a trail corridor and will be deeded to the city as part of this plat. Outlot B will be retained by D.R. Horton and will be used as a temporary road/turn-a-round for traffic that connects Flanders Way and 209th Street W. Flanders Way, Fleming Street and 209th Street W will be extended with the second addition. Both Flanders Way and 209th Street W will Council Minutes(Regular) April 18,2022 Page 3 be constructed to the western boundary of the plat and would be extended upon development of the adjacent land to the west. All street sections provide for a 60-foot right-of-way with a 30-foot-wide roadway face of curb to face of curb. Five-foot-wide sidewalks will be constructed on the east side of Fleming Street, south side of 209th Street W and on the south and west side of Flanders Way. An eight-foot-wide bituminous trail will be constructed along Flagstaff Avenue to the northern boundary of the second addition where the trail will then extend west through outlot B first addition and connect to the southern road on the high school property. Bituminous trails will also be constructed in between lots 1 and 2, block 1 and within outlot A. These trail sections will connect into the east/west trail on the north side of the development that extends to the high school. Trail sections will be constructed in between outlot B and lots 1 and 16, block 4 and lots 1 and 2, block 5. The Planning Commission reviewed the final plat on April 12, 2022, and recommended approval. A development contract has also been prepared. Fees to be collected include: - Surface water quality management fee $1,174 - Surface Water Management Fee $130,116 - Watermain trunk area charge $61,761 - Sanitary Sewer Trunk Area Charge $33,086 - Park Dedication cash in lieu $102,750 - Park development fee $35,195 - Sealcoating$8,810 Approval of the final plat is subject to the following: 1. Satisfaction of all engineering comments related to the construction plans for grading and utilities. 2. A development contract between the applicant and City of Farmington shall be executed and security fees and costs shall be paid. Submission of all other documents required under the Development Contract shall be required. MOTION by Wilson, second by Bernhjelm to adopt RESOLUTION R30-22 approving the final plat for Whispering Fields 2nd Addition subject to the above conditions. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Lien, second by Bernhjelm to approve the development contract and authorize its execution. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 12. NEW BUSINESS a) Jim Bell Park and Preserve Draft Concept Plan—Parks and Recreation The advisory committee has met twice since January and public comments have been received. Ms. Gabrielle Grinde from HKGi presented the proposed master plan for the eastern portion of the park. There will be another round of public engagement coming up. The first city engagement was a survey and pinpoint Council Minutes(Regular) April 18,2022 Page 4 map. The survey asked resident to rank amenities. Staff received 1600 responses and 1200 comments on the map. There was a desire by residents to keep the preserve area. Park features include aquatics, comfort amenities, ice arena, dog park, skate park, etc. Concerns from residents were increased traffic. The top four facilities residents want are paved trails, splash pad, play equipment and an aquatic center. The survey showed 70%of residents were willing to pay for these amenities. The amount they were willing to pay was broken down as follows: $16- $19 26% $12 - $15 17% $8 - $11 27% 0 30% The advisory committee has one meeting left. Ms. Grinde reviewed the SWOT developed by the committee and a draft concept plan was developed. Ms. Grinde went over the cost of the various amenities. The total base cost is $19,230,400. She also presented potential expansion area costs totaling $43,928,000. For example, a community building with one sheet of ice and aquatics would cost$25,000,000. Councilmembers discussed system upgrades within the current park system and perhaps convert Rambling River Park fields to youth baseball fields and put in a new parking lot. Councilmember Bernhjelm thanked the committee and HKGi for their work. Once the initial capital investment is made, we have to make sure we have a long-term plan. It would be a miss to not have an indoor rink. To develop the second phase is unrealistic. We should build an indoor rink now. Councilmember Wilson stated to receive 1600 responses to the survey is phenomenal. Hockey is a big component. Many residents mentioned the necessity for the second rink. Another group had a desire for aquatics. He suggested the hockey piece needs to be closer to Hwy 50/ Denmark Avenue. He liked some of the amenities. The Diamond Path/ Deerbrooke road construction cost should be discussed by council. This is a reasonable start, but he was concerned with the hockey rink and infrastructure costs. Parks and Recreation Director Omlid noted staff worked with Bolton & Menk to obtain the road construction costs. Councilmember Lien stated whether it's hockey or aquatics, it needs to draw people. There is a lot of pressure for the natural area and a trail which is low cost. Councilmember Bernhjelm stated aquatics is not a year round sustainable piece. The Mall of America is putting in a new aquatics center, so do we want to compete with them? An indoor rink is usable year round. Pools lose money. A rink has a sustainable model. Mayor Hoyt noted the difference between 2016 and 2022 is that property values have increased by 60%. Is this a park amenity or an economic development tool? We might be going too fast. Youth hockey is paying for skating hours. What is the annual maintenance cost? This proposal is north of the entire city budget. We need a lot more information before we can factor in a yes. Council Minutes(Regular) April 18,2022 Page 5 Staff gave examples of tax increases for a $25 million bond: Home Value Tax Increase $260,000 $173/year $400,000 $283/year Mayor Hoyt wanted to get into the financial side deeper. Councilmember Bernhjelm stated this is not necessarily revenue generating, but needs to have the right mix of amenities to offset cost. Mayor Hoyt asked how can the amenities be overlayed into the existing park system? Staff stated the parks and recreation commission discussed that and we can look at existing parks to add amenities. Councilmember Wilson noted this is a low set area. He asked if an investment to enhance the natural features was priced out? Staff replied no, concept two would be more focused on the natural area. Mayor Hoyt asked staff to go back to the committee with council feedback. Staff will have HKGi re- work the plan. The committee meets on May 19. The master plan will be presented in June. Councilmember Bernhjelm asked the committee to look at putting amenities in other parks. Start with one lot and break it down more. Staff stated if we move the skate park and splash pad, we could leave this park as is. Councilmember Lien noted residents want this, see if these amenities can be put somewhere else to reduce road construction costs. Mayor Hoyt asked staff to look at the master park plan across the city. Councilmember Bernhjelm stated there is no where else to put indoor ice. It has to be in this location. That requires roads and a parking lot. Council asked staff to send them financial information and bond numbers. Staff had an example that for a 20-year bond to pass, the project would have to be $8.8 million. b) Adopt Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of G.O. Bonds 2022A- Finance The city plans to sell tax abatement bonds and street reconstruction bonds to fund parking lot improvements and street improvements in 2022. The bonds will cover projects for the reconstruction of Spruce and Division Streets and several parking lot improvements. The bonds will be awarded on June 6, 2022, and the bond closing will be July 6, 2022. Once the bonds are sold, the city council will be required to levy 105%of the scheduled principal and interest due on the bonds. The initial payment will be included in the 2023 debt levy. MOTION by Wilson, second by Bernhjelm to adopt RESOLUTION R31-22 authorizing the issuance and sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022A. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. C) Acknowledge Financial Review for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2021 - Finance For 2021, budgeted general fund revenues total $13,832,464 including transfers. During the year,the city recorded general fund revenues totaling$14,532,487 or 105.06%of total budgeted revenues. The city has strengthened its fund balance and is now able to pay all of its general fund bills between the receipt of tax Council Minutes(Regular) April 18,2022 Page 6 payments from the county without borrowing from other funds. General fund expenditures are at 98.91% of budget for 2021. Liquor operations has two financial benchmarks. The first is a 25%gross profit margin, and the second standard is a 6% profit as a percent of sales. Both of these benchmarks were met in 2021. Overall sales for the operation have increased by 5.21%over the prior year with a net income after transfers of$280,106. 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Lien: Thank you to the Fire Department for the Easter Egg Hunt. Thank you to the Jim Bell Park Committee for their hard work and time. Bernhjelm: She is disappointed with the negative social media comments on the Facebook community page. This is not the way to address issues. Residents should reach out to councilmembers and city staff. She encouraged all residents to consider this. Wilson: Ran in the Muddy Bunny Race and Bethel's Rock Church did an amazing job supporting the community. He and city staff went to Riverview Elementary and asked students about the plan for Jim Bell Park. They all wanted to have a homeless shelter for people with no where to go. It was amazing that 9 and 10-year-olds would think of that. Koch: The committee on judicial selection have announced their three top candidates. Gorski: Hydrant flushing is taking place this week and the map is on the website. DiMaggio: Our newest building inspector passed his limited building inspector test. Omlid: Thanked Marlene Swantek for the $1,000 donation to the Rambling River Center. The liquor stores are doing a silent auction for the Rambling River Center. May 21 the VFW is hosting a steak fry with proceeds going to the Rambling River Center. Regis: The 2023 budget process starts tomorrow for staff. Rutherford: The Police Department Open House will be held May 21. It is part of the 1501h Anniversary of Farmington and he showed the 1501h police patch. Elvestad: Thanked Bethel's Rock Church for their partnership on Saturday. There was 330 lbs of food donated to the food shelf. There were about 500 people in attendance and it was a huge success. Decur: An Akin Road Open House will be held on Tuesday at City Hall to review drainage issues. Council Minutes(Regular) April 18,2022 Page 7 Hoyt: He ran in the Muddy Bunny 5K Saturday. Bethel's Rock Church has done two large scale fundraisers. The Easter Egg Hunt at the fairgrounds was a great event. He goes to a lot of events and the same businesses show up and write checks over and over again. He attended a ribbon cutting this morning and the business was very happy to be here. When negative comments are posted on social media that are not true, we will defend our staff. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Wilson, second by Bernhjelm to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully submitted, Cynthia .wluCCer Cynthia Muller Administrative Assistant