Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.17.23 Council MinutesCity of Farmington Regular Council Meeting Minutes Monday, April 17, 2023 The Farmington City Council met in regular session on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 430 3rd Street, Farmington, Minnesota. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hoyt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mayor Joshua Hoyt Councilmembers Holly Bernatz, Nick Lien, Katie Porter, and Steve Wilson Also Present: Lynn Gorski, City Administrator Leah Koch, City Attorney Julie Flaten, Asst 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 Jared Johnson, Planning Coordinator Missie Kohlbeck, Recreation Supervisor Jeremy Pire, Parks and Facilities Supervisor Shirley Buecksler, City Clerk 4. APPROVE AGENDA City Administrator Gorski requested that Item 9.11, Financial Review for the Quarter Ending December 31, 2022, be moved to New Business as Item 12.2. Motion was made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Porter to approve the agenda, as amended. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays. Regular City Council Minutes April 17, 2023 Page 2 of 7 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS /COMMENDATIONS 5.1 Fair Housing Month Proclamation Mayor Hoyt presented a proclamation declaring the month of April as Fair Housing Month. 5.2 Arbor Day Proclamation Mayor Hoyt presented a proclamation declaring April 26, 2023, as Arbor Day in Farmington. 6. CITIZENS COMMENTS / RESPONSES TO COMMENTS None. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no public hearings. 8. AWARD OF CONTRACT T = 9. CONSENT AGENDA 9.1 City Council Meeting Minutes of April 3, 2023 9.2 City Council Work Session Minutes of April 3, 2023 9.3 Resolution No. R27-23 Approving a Minnesota Lawful Gambling Event Permit Application for Farmington Youth Hockey Association 9.4 Resolution No. R25-23 Concurring with the Issuance of a Minnesota Lawful Gambling Exemption Permit to Conduct Gambling by the Farmington Rotary Club, June 23, 2023 9.5 Resolution No. R26-23 Cost Share Agreement Between the City of Farmington and County of Dakota for Election Electronic Pollbooks, Hardware, Software and Related Services 9.6 Appointment to the Rambling River Center Advisory Board 9.7 Resolution No. R24-23 Approving the Amended Memorandum of Agreement Between the State of Minnesota and Local Governments and Authorizing Participation in National Opioid Settlements 9.8 Performance Summary and Employment Agreement for the City Administrator 9.9 First Quarter 2023 New Construction Report and Population Estimate 9.10 Staff Changes and Recommendations 9.11 --_Moved to New Business, Item 12.2 9.12 Claims List 9.13 Fireworks Agreement 9.14 Resolution No. R28-23 Accepting Donation of Visiting Bunnies from Thistle Creek Farms to the Parks and Recreation Department 9.15 Extension to Agreement with Youth Sports Plus for Video Services at Schmitz - Maki Arena 9.16 Contract for Emerald Ash Borer Tree Injection Services Regular City Council Minutes April 17, 2023 Page 3 of 7 Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember Lien to approve the Consent Agenda, as amended. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays. 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMINICATIORS 10.1 Request for a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to Re -Guide PID 14-82500-00- 040 from Park/Open Space to Low Density Residential Planning Director Jared Johnson presented. The subject parcel is 3.24 acres and is heavily wooded with steep slopes. It borders Vermillion Grove Park to the west and 19927 Akin Road to the east. It was platted as "Outlot D" in the Vermillion Grove subdivision in 2001 and was obtained by the property owner of 19927 Akin Road. There is a drainage and utility easement over the entire parcel. The subject parcel is currently zoned Low Density Residential but is guided for Park/Open Space in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. 19927 Akin Road is currently zoned Low Density Residential and is guided for Low Density Residential in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Given the subject parcel is now privately owned by the adjacent property (19927 Akin Road) and not a part of the wetland/open space area in Vermillion Grove Park, Staff supports the requested Comprehensive Plan Amendment, The amendment will align the subject parcel with 19927 Akin Road, in terms of zoning and its future land use designation, even if the Applicant decides not to move forward with the subdivision process. Council asked questions about the adjacent trail, which is to the north, and how far the wetland buffer is set back (75 feet). If the wetland buffer is not currently posted or staked, concern that it will be marked. Planning Director Johnson said we can add this in as a conditional approval. Motion was made by Councilmember Porter and seconded by Councilmember Wilson to approve the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and adopt Resolution No. R29-23 Amending the 2040 Comprehensive Plan to Change the Land Use Guidance for 3.24 Acres of Property Identified as PID: 14-82500-00-040 and Legally Described as "Outlot D, Vermillion Grove" from Park/Open Space to Low Density Residential. IM� 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. Regular City Council Minutes April 17,2023 Page 4 of 7 12. NEW BUSINESS 12.1 Parks and Recreation Department's 2022 Annual Report Parks & Recreation Director Kellee Omlid, Recreation Supervisor Missie Kohlbeck, and Parks & Facilities Supervisor Jeremy Pire presented the Parks and Recreation Department's 2022 Annual Report. Council gave positive feedback and thanked everyone for all their work. Mayor Hoyt added that our Parks and Recreation Department is one of the primary reasons people call Farmington home. 12.2 Financial Review for the Quarter Ending December 31, 2022 Finance Director Chris Regis provided a review for Council of the financial performance of the General Fund and several other funds. Council said this review gives them a better understanding and they appreciate the work Chris Regis has done. Regis said he has a great support staff. 13.CITY COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember Bernatz Farmington Currents is now available at City Hall and in residents' mailboxes. There are so many unique and fun things going on, and she encourages everyone to get involved and participate in community events. One of those events is Dew Days, which starts in 66 days. Look for more information on the Farmington Dew Days Facebook page. Follow that to the website for new events coming up. Specific to this weekend, the spring musical is starting. Farmington High School Theater is performing Little Shop of Horrors on April 21-23 and April 28-29 at Robert Boeckman Middle School. On April 28th , Police and Fire Department Staff will receive discounted tickets. I had a really good time at Celt's for their tasting event. Josh Solinger and his Staff, along with the Celt's Staff did a great job putting on that event. Councilmember Lien Thank you to Watt Munisotaram for the invitation to their New Year Festival, There was a lot of art and culture to experience, and it was really fun. Thank you to Mr. Solinger for the tasting event at Celt's. It was a good night. On the Consent Agenda we had a Memorandum of Agreement on the Opioid Settlement. Discussion with others on the best use of that money may be public service announcements (PSA's) being the most effective forms of awareness to the drug markets. The Biden Administration declared an emerging threat called Xylazine. My PSA is don't get involved with this one. This is one that causes Regular City Council Minutes April 17, 2023 Page 5 of 7 permanent damage. There is nothing good about it. If you know if its existence, please help the people you know who are involved, where you can. Don't be afraid to alert the authorities to this stuff, this is not something we want in Farmington. Councilmember Porter The Celt's tasting event was very fun. W 14 91 TIM, TIONA "T A ROTA My compliments to those at the tasting event last week. I had ten times more fun than I expected. I'm still smiling at what a great time it was. JIM coln'-14=11 !f, T; a T 117jor technology that we approved. We have now passed winter parking rules, so you can park in front of your residence again without fear of being ticketed, except in scenarios where there may be road conditions prohibiting parking in the street. Life can change in the blink of an eye for anyone. Our Police and Fire teams are so community -minded that it would be almost impossible to miss them. When you meet Military personnel, City Police Officers or City Firefighters, please express your appreciation for their service and their families, They go through a lot, and that extra thank you goes a long way. City Attorney Koch Current Assistant County Attorney Tori Stewart has been appointed to the bench in Goodhue County in Red Wing. Congratulations to future Judge Tori Stewart. City Administrator Gorski Thank you to Josh, Wendy and Cindy for putting on a great tasting event at Celts. It was great meeting some residents and enjoyed good conversation with them. The State of the City Address is April 27th at 8:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers. If you are interested in attending, you can go to the Dakota County Chamber website and sign up, Everyone is welcome, and I hope to see you there. Assistant City Administrator/HR Director Flaten Welcome to Shirley Buecksler, our new City Clerk. Regular City Council Minutes April 17, 2023 Page 6 of 7 Public Works Director Powell The Arbor Day Event will be April 26th at Evergreen Knoll Park from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. This is a public event for anyone who would like to join. From the significant snow we had, there was damage to a lot of trees. Our Public Works Staff, along with the contractor, have touched about 250 trees, 8 of which had to be removed for safety concerns from branches broken and trees split from the weight of the snow. Also, 4:30 p.m. tomorrow for the Farmington Fix, this is the last opportunity to report any tree damage you have in the public right-of-way. Hydrant flushing started today. This is about an 8- or 9-day process, Updates will be posted via the website. The Akin Road bid opening is this week, and we also have a Spruce Street reconstruction meeting happening this week. We will have a much better understanding of the contractor's schedule after that meeting. Parks & Recreation Director Omlid The public engagement phase for the Rambling River Park Master Plan started last week. On the City's webpage under Current News is a link to the survey about the park and also a social pinpoint map, so I would encourage residents and visitors alike to visit it, and fill out your comments by April 30th at www.farmingtonmn,gov, We will be having an Open House in the park, tentatively scheduled for May 31st. We will confirm that date as we get closer to the event. Welcome to Anthony Berra, our newest Arena and Parks Maintenance Worker. Finance Director Regis We have kicked off the 2024 budget process today. We also have the Capital Improvement process ongoing. Fire Chief Elvestad Thanks to everyone for a successful Easter Egg Hunt. Even though there was a foot of snow on the ground, people continued to come, and it was a very good event. We partnership with the Dakota County Fairgrounds. They allow us to use the fairgrounds for free. The Farmington Ambassadors, volunteers from the school, our relief association, the auxiliary, and our Firefighters, and more made it a good event with hundreds of kids enjoying the event. About 650-700 pounds of food went to the food shelf. Police Chief Rutherford We are just over one month from the Police Department's Police Week Open House on May 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and we will also be collecting food Regular City Council Minutes April 17, 2023 Page 7 of 7 for the food shelf with Stuff the Squad again. It's always a super fun event with bounce houses, the helicopter, SWAT trucks, K9 demonstrations, and more. We would love to see everyone come out. Mayer HoVt Hiawatha Broadband will be mobilizing across the community to provide fiber access to 100% of homes (their goal) and free Wi-Fi access in our parks. They will be around for the next two years, so you will see utility markings, their presence in front yards and roadways. There is a lot of fiber to put in around the community but, in the end, we will have more competition in town and free Wi-Fi in our parks. Dew Days is fast approaching on June 22-25, so mark your calendars. The Committee has worked hard to improve on last year's event. We had a huge draw at last year's event, and we are looking forward to even more attendance this year. The Relay for Life event will be held July 20-21 at Robert Boeckman Middle School. This year's event hits a little closer to home for the City of Farmington team. Anyone across the community, as well as outside the city of Farmington, is more than welcome to join. You're welcome to register your own team and set your own fundraising goal. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society, and 78% of every dollar is donated back to either family support or research. 1, personally, will be walking for 24 hours this year. My goal is to go over 50 miles. We currently have about 13 teams and 50 participants registered. You can find more information on Farmington Relay for Life on Facebook, Instagram, and other sources. It will be a great event for an unbelievable cause. 14.ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Councilmember Porter and seconded by Councilmember Wilson to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays. Respectfully submitted,1 Ak 0 a