HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.15.22 Council Minutes COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR
August 15, 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: Joel Jamnik, City Attorney; Lynn Gorski, City Administrator; Julie
Flaten,Assistant City Administrator/HR Director; Chris Regis,
Finance Director; Gary Rutherford, Police Chief; Kellee Omlid,
Parks and Recreation Director; Kalley Swift, Community
Development Specialist; Cynthia Muller, Administrative Assistant
Audience: Bryce La Brun and John Merten, Dakota County
4. APPROVE AGENDA
Administrator Gorski added item 7g) Staff Changes and Recommendations. Mayor Hoyt
pulled item 12a)Agreement with 292 Design Group for Facility Master Planning for the
Rambling River Center. MOTION by Bernhjelm, second by Porter to approve the agenda
with the above changes. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
S. ANNOUNCEMENTS
6. CITIZEN COMMENTS
7. CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Bernhjelm, second by Wilson to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:
a) Approved August 1, 2022, City Council Work Session and Meeting Minutes—
Administration
b) Approved Appointment to Rambling River Center Advisory Board —
Administration
C) Approved Temporary Salary Adjustment—Administration
d) Approved Temporary On-Sale Liquor License—Farmington Liquors
e) Approved Bills—Finance
f) Approved Agreement with Design Tree Engineering & Land Surveying for
Engineering Services and Construction Management for the Boiler Replacement
Project—Parks and Recreation
g) Approved Staff Changes and Recommendations—Human Resources
APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a) Adopt Resolution Amending the Business Subsidy Policy—Community
Development
Council Minutes(Regular)
August 15,2022
Page 2
One of council's priorities is business growth and a tool to help achieve this
priority is a business subsidy. The current business subsidy policy was last
amended on April 20, 2015. A business subsidy is a local government agency
grant, contribution of personal property, real property, infrastructure, the
principal amount of a loan at rates below those commercially available to the
recipient, any reduction or deferral of any tax or any fee, any guarantee of any
payment under any loan, lease, or other obligation, or any preferential use of
government facilities given to a business as defined by the business subsidy
statute. Prior to awarding a financial subsidy to a business, a set of criteria
needs to be developed by the grantor. The amended business subsidy policy
contains the following criteria:
- Public purpose
- Increase tax base
- Wage and job creation
- Pass the "but for"test
- Other economic or redevelopment goals.
Community Development Specialist Swift outlined the process for applying for a
business subsidy. This amended policy will absorb the current business subsidy
policy from 2015, the tax abatement policy from 2016, and the TIF policy from
2016.
Council thanked Community Development Specialist Swift for her work on this.
Council asked about the dollar amounts for the grants. Staff explained if a
business creates 10 jobs, the maximum grant amount would be $250,000; for 20
jobs the maximum would be $500,000; for 40 jobs the maximum would be $1
million. MOTION by Wilson, second by Bernhjelm to close the public hearing
and adopt RESOLUTION R58-22 amending the business subsidy policy. APIF,
MOTION CARRIED.
9. AWARD OF CONTRACT
10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
a) Approve Flagstaff Meadows Park Master Plan—Parks and Recreation
At the November 15, 2021, meeting, Council approved an agreement with WSB
to develop a master plan for Flagstaff Meadows Park. This park is located south
of Farmington High School and north of Hwy 50. Council and staff have
discussed making each park in the city a destination park with unique features
and that connect to the trail system. At the open house held in January, the top
requests from residents were:
- Walking trails and loops
- Nature play area
- Picnic area
- Tree plantings
Council Minutes(Regular)
August 15,2022
Page 3
When the first draft of the master plan was presented to residents, they did not
choose a nature play area as a priority, but did support trails, open space and a
play area. Parks and Recreation Director Omlid presented a map showing the
layout of the park which includes the above items plus a shade structure and
concrete plaza, storm water ponds, benches along the trails and a dog waste
station. The CIP budget shows improvements to occur in 2022 at a cost of
$100,000. This will be updated to reflect more of the final improvements and
moved to 2023. There should be enough funds between park dedication and
park development fees to build most of the improvements. Bids will go out this
fall with construction in early spring 2023.
Council was pleased with the design of the park and liked that staff was trying to
incorporate new elements. It was suggested that as parks develop,to solicit
neighbors to adopt a park. It was noticed there is no parking lot and no nature
play area. Staff explained the nature play area is a new concept and many do
not know what it is. Staff will try for that feature in the future. A dog park is
requested a lot. Staff is looking at it, but it needs a parking lot. High on the list
of amenities is pickleball courts, which also need a parking lot. Council noted the
green space provides options to expand and gives kids room to play. Staff has no
concerns with equipment being delayed and are hoping for delivery in early
spring 2023. MOTION by Porter, second by Bernhjelm to approve the final
master plan for Flagstaff Meadows Park. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12. NEW BUSINESS
b) Approve Construction Activity on Farmington-Controlled Property for the
North Creek Regional Greenway Trail—Parks and Recreation
Dakota County applied for a grant in 2019 to finish the North Creek Greenway
trail. The county received this grant and is paying the required match, so there is
no cost to the city. Mr. Bryce LaBrun and Mr.John Merten, from Dakota County,
were in attendance to explain the project. Mr. LaBrun explained the trail will
extend from downtown Farmington north through Lakeville, to Apple Valley and
the MN Zoo. It will go through natural areas, have tunnels and bridges over busy
roads and wetlands. The portion that needs to be completed is from 173rd Street
in Lakeville to 189th Street in Farmington. The plan includes two bridges and
benches along the trail. The county hopes to finalize plans in the fall/winter
2022,go out for bids in early 2023 and construction would take place in spring/
summer 2023. An open house will be held on September 12, 2022, from 3 pm to
7 pm at East Lake Community Park, Lakeville.
Council was thrilled for this trail expansion. They asked about the design choice
for the handrails on the bridges. The county explained those are for safety and
structural reasons. Council enjoyed seeing the exhibit for this trail at the Dakota
County Fair. Council noted the county does a really good job prioritizing parks
and appreciated the high quality work and community collaboration. MOTION
Council Minutes(Regular)
August 15,2022
Page 4
by Bernhjelm, second by Wilson to approve construction of the North Creek
Regional Greenway Trail on Farmington-controlled property. APIF, MOTION
CARRIED.
13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE
Bernhjelm: There have been lots of social media posts about the Fair and lots of
newcomers attending and the hospitality was great from the Fair staff.
Lien: He went to the Fair twice. The 9/11 memorial was very cool.
Porter: Her family went to the Fair every day and it was great to see the turnout.
Fall sports is starting and encouraged residents to support our local teams.
Jamnik: Evaluation forms for the City Administrator are due this Friday. The
review will be following the first meeting in September.
Flaten: The city will have job postings for a community development director,
public works director and a police officer.
Gorski. Thank you to staff and election judges for their work on the State Primary
Election. We have two council seats open and filing ends tomorrow. The Spruce Street
project will start August 22.
Omlid. Safety camp enrollment is open.
Regis: Staff received some disappointing news on LGA numbers, but we are
working through it.
Swift: In an effort to promote local businesses, there is a Farmington bingo card on the
city's website and in the latest edition of Farmington Currents.
Hoyt: We had a good week for the Fair and it was great to see the 9/11
memorial. CR66 and TH3 work is getting done. Blacktop is down at the Feely Fields
parking lot. He hoped the weather will continue to cooperate for the Spruce Street
project. School will start soon and urged residents to drive carefully. Shop local.
14. ADJOURN
MOTION by Porter, second by Wilson to adjourn at 7:57 p.m. APIF, MOTION CARRIED.
Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia wluCCer
Cynthia Muller
Administrative Assistant