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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.06.23 Council MinutesCOUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR March 6, 2023 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, Bernatz, Lien, Porter, Wilson Members Absent: None Also Present: Leah Koch, City Attorney; Lynn Gorski, City Administrator; Julie Flaten, Assistant City Administrator/HR Director; Chris Regis, Finance Director; Deanna Kuennen, Community Development Director; John Powell; Public Works Director; Kellee Omlid, Parks and Recreation Director; Gary Rutherford, Police Chief; Justin Elvestad, Fire Chief; Tony Wippler, Planning Manager 4. APPROVE AGENDA Councilmember Bernatz requested Consent Agenda Item 7J be moved to Item 11, Unfinished Business Motion by Wilson, second by Bernatz to approve the agenda as amended. APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS 6. CITIZEN COMMENTS 7. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Bernatz, second by Porter to approve the Consent Agenda as amended with the removal of item 7J to Item 11, Unfinished Business: a) Approve February 21, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes – Administration b) Adopt RESOLUTION R17-23 Supporting Housing and Local Decision-Making Authority – Community Development c) Approve Bills – Finance d) Approve 2022 Interfund Transfers Review – Finance e) Approve Capital Asset Policy – Finance f) Approve Use Agreement Between the Dakota County Agriculture Society and the Farmington Fire Department – Fire g) Approve Staff Changes and Recommendations – Human Resources h) Approve ARPA – Farmington Parks Wifi and Cameras – IT i) Approve Agreement Schmitz-Maki Arena Exclusive Vending Service – Parks and Recreation j) Approve Contract for Emerald Ash Borer Tree Injection Services – Public Works- MOVED TO ITEM 11. Council Minutes (Regular) March 6, 2023 Page 2 k) Adopt RESOLUTION R18-23 to Support Applying to Host GreenCorps Member – Public Works l) Approve 2023 Sidewalk Replacement – Public Works m) Approve Equipment Purchase for Maintenance of Water Utility Facilities – Public Works n) Authorize a Professional Services Agreement for the 2023 Comprehensive Water and Comprehensive Sanitary Sewer Plan Updates – Public Works APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS a) Adopt RESOLUTION R19-23 – Vacating a Portion of Second Street – Community Development Mayor Hoyt opened the public hearing at 7:03 pm. Wippler introduced the item in which Ten Nineteen Development, LLC has petitioned the city for the vacation of a portion of Second Street. The portion of Second Street is proposed to be purchased by the applicant and to be converted into private parking for the redevelopment of the 310 3rd Street site as an apartment complex. The Planning Commission held a public hearing regarding the conditional use permit for the proposed redevelopment and subsequently approved the conditional use permit with the contingency that the portion of Second Street to be conveyed to the applicant be vacated. Council discussion on excitement for project with appreciation for staff looking ahead and being proactive with regards to downtown traffic flow and parking. Gary, an owner of 320 Third Street, old Farmington Bank building, shared concerns with parking and access to their business. Current access to the property is on Second Street. Wippler explained the vacation of Second Street would not affect access to their property. He also explained which areas would turn into private parking vs. remain public parking. Brett Berg, owner of Feelys Elevator, shared concerns on semi-truck traffic current use of Second Street. Mayor Hoyt explained that as proposed truck traffic would need to find an alternate route. Moriah Blanchard inquired about whether the proposed redevelopment could be a mix of both commercial and residential. Wippler explained the developer does not build this type of property. Mayor Hoyt further explained the established zoning codes, Panning Commissions role, established criteria, and permitted uses of property and how if applicants meet those set criteria projects should be allowed to move forward. Mayor Hoyt closed the public hearing at 7:16 pm. Council Minutes (Regular) March 6, 2023 Page 3 Council discussion on availability of downtown parking and that redevelopment proposal for apartment did not require parking, but the developer built in parking plan to project. Motion by Wilson, second by Lien, to adopt RESOLUTION R19-23 Vacating a Portion of Second Street APIF, MOTION CARRIED. 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a) Approve Contract for Emerald Ash Borer Tree Injection Services – Public Works Motion by Bernatz, second by Lien to table item until March 20, 2023 council meeting. APIF, MOTION CARRIED 12. NEW BUSINESS a) Approve Hiawatha Broadband Communications Agreement – Park Fiber and Wifi – IT Gilbertson introduced the item in which asks the council to approve an agreement with Hiawatha Broadband Communications (HBC) where HBC would provide fiber internet to city parks, well houses and lift station. Free WiFi will also be provided to city parks. The City will be responsible for providing electricity and necessary poles to mount equipment at each location. The fee for WiFi will be $10/park/month and will be paid from franchise fees received through HBC’s franchise agreement with the city. Council discussion on increased speed to homes fiber will provide, ability to protect parks with security cameras, increased internet options for residents, savings achieved for ta payers, and appreciation to HBC and Gilbertson on collaboration on project. Motion by Lien, second by Bernatz to enter in an agreement with Hiawatha Broadband Communications to provide fiber internet to city parks, well houses, and lift stations as well as WiFi to city parks. APIF, MOTION CARRIED b) Approve Hiawatha Broadband Communications Lease Agreement – Westview Acres Conduit – IT Gilbertson introduced the item which asks council to approve a lease agreement with HBC for use of city owned conduit in the Westview Acres neighborhood. The city installed conduit in the Westview Acres neighborhood during 2019 road construction for potential future broadband initiatives. HBC has asked to lease this empty conduit from the city to reduce their construction costs. The lease term is 20 years HBC would have sole use of the conduit and hand holes. In exchange the city will receive a 10Gbps internet circuit to share between facilities, a 10Gbps of fiber interconnectivity between Council Minutes (Regular) March 6, 2023 Page 4 all city of Farmington buildings, and a 10Gbps dedicated transport circuit to the Minnesota Technology Center which can then be directly connected to LOGIS. Council discussion on benefits of lease agreement, setting example for other cities, if 10G is adequate for 20 year time span of lease, foresight city had to install vacant conduit in 2019 neighborhood development. Motion by Wilson second by Lien to enter into lease with Hiawatha Broadband Communications for usage of city owned conduit in Westview Acres neighborhood. APIF, MOTION CARRIED c) Authorize 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update – Recommendation – Community Development Kuennen introduced the item which asks council to enter into an agreement with HKGi to assist the city with the community vision and comprehensive plan update. The city issued a Request for Proposals in 2022 seeking consultants to update the land use and transportation components of the 2040 comprehensive plan. That process did not move forward. In January of 2023 the City Council directed staff to reach out to consultants again on the 2040 comprehensive plan update and also add a community vision process component. Four consultant firms provided proposals and two were interviewed by city staff. ARPA dollars will be used to fund the project which is estimated to be approximately $100,000. Motion by Bernatz second by Porter to approve the authorization to execute a contract with HKGi for the community vision and comprehensive plan update. APIF, MOTION CARRIED d) Approve Professional Services Agreement with HKGi to Develop an Updated Master Plan for Rambling River Park – Parks and Recreation Omlid introduced the item which asks the council to approve a professional services agreement with HKGi to update the master plan for Rambling River Park. The City Council and the Parks and Recreation Commission held a joint work session on November 30, 2022 to review HKGi’s key findings of the parks system analysis and review the Jim Bell Park and Preserve Master Plan. Outcome of the meeting was to have HKGi focus on the Rambling River Park by way of an updated master plan. City staff have also met with staff from Dakota County regarding the trails that run through Rambling River Park. Dakota County has interest in collaborating on trail design improvements, trail alignment, and the potential of Rambling River Park becoming a trailhead once the master plan is updated and may consider providing funding on trail improvements. Cost for updating the Rambling River Park master plan are not to exceed $47,000 and will be funded with Park Improvement Funds. Council discussion on South Creek Greenway starting point, Dakota County’s trail requirements and loss of trees due to trail width requirement, potential train bridge Council Minutes (Regular) March 6, 2023 Page 5 adjustments, excitement for project, funding and financing, Dakota County’s potential investment, and appreciation to Omlid for continued work and ability to be flexible. Motion by Porter, second by Lien to approve a professional services agreement with HKGi to develop an updated master plan for Rambling River park. APIF, MOTION CARRIED e) 2023/2024 City Council Priorities - Administration Gorski recapped the Strategic Planning Session that the City Council and senior staff held on February 6, 2023. During that session four council priorities/pillars were discussed. They include: Quality Business Growth and Retention, Community Engagement, Infrastructure Support and Employee Engagement/Culture/Wellness (new for 2023). Council discussion on addition of fourth pillar of Employee Engagement/Culture/Wellness. Motion by Lien second by Bernatz to approve the city council priorities for 2023-2024. APIF, MOTION CARRIED 13. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Lien: Encouraged others to listen when others need to share. Bernatz: Thank you to Gorski and business owners they met with to discuss the proposed redevelopment in the downtown. Porter: Looking forward to spring events. Wilson: No comments. Koch: Reminder to turn in City Administrator reviews by March 13, 2023. Gorski: Condolences to family of senior at Farmington High School student who was lost in recent accident. Flaten: Welcome Charissa Youngs to city staff. Kuennen: Excitement for beginning community vision and comprehensive plan update and meeting with partners in community. Powell: Winter maintenance activities, focus on safety, Akin Road improvements, bridge inspections and removal of recycle bins at Feelys Elevator. Omlid: Graffiti at Rambling River Park and looking forward to having cameras in parks. Council Minutes (Regular) March 6, 2023 Page 6 Regis: Getting ready for audit and year-end finishing 2022 year-end processes. Elvestad: Five paid-on-call firefighter cadets have all passed Firefighter I and II classes and are into final phases of academy. Rutherford: No comments. Hoyt: Snow event later in week, amount of activities happening in City, State of the City, cardboard recycling, stopping to recognize “wins” and work that goes into implementation of projects. 14. ADJOURN MOTION by Bernatz second by Porter to adjourn at 8:19 pm. Respectfully submitted, Julie Flaten Assistant City Administrator/Human Resources Director