HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.05.23 Special Work Session Minutes City of Farmington
City Council Special Work Session Minutes
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
The City Council met in a Special Work Session on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at
Farmington City Hall, 430 3rd Street, Farmington, Minnesota.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hoyt called the Special Work Session to order at 5:00 p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Joshua Hoyt
Councilmembers Holly Bernatz, Nick Lien, and Steve Wilson
Members Absent: Councilmember Katie Porter (excused)
Staff Present: Lynn Gorski, City Administrator
Julie Flaten, Asst City Administrator/HR Director
Deanna Kuennen, Community Development Director
Chris Regis, Finance Director
Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director
Jeremy Pire, Parks & Facilities Supervisor
Gary Rutherford, Police Chief
John Powell, Public Works Director
Shirley Buecksler, City Clerk
Others Present: Tim Kittila, Kraus-Anderson
2. APPROVE AGENDA
Motion was made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Lien
to approve the agenda, as presented.
Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays.
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.1 Facility Condition Assessments Presentation
Director Omlid and Tim Kittila of Kraus-Anderson presented the preliminary
findings and cost estimates of the Facility Condition Assessments on eight (8)
City facilities including City Hall, Fire Station 1, Fire Station 2, Central
Maintenance Facility, First Street Garage, Police Station, Schmitz-Maki Arena,
and Rambling River Center.
All facilities were identified in fair condition. Identified $17 million in anticipated
deferred maintenance needs over the next ten years. The City has made good
investments that show these buildings have been well maintained.
City Council Work Session Minutes of September 5,2023. Page I of 3
City Council Special Work Session Minutes
August 21,2023
Page 2 of 3
First Street Garage: Built in 2009, 5,190 square feet, and in good condition.
Overall, no major concerns. Maintenance needs: roof replacement possible and
control joints replacement.
City Hall: Built in 2009 and 44,000 square feet. Maintenance needs: roof
replacement in 2029, exterior enclosure replacements in 2029, HVAC
replacements, plans for interior renovations.
Fire Station #1: Built in 1985 and 10,000 square feet. Maintenance needs: roof
replacement necessary, exterior enclosure maintenance and replacements,
HVAC replacements.
Fire Station #2: Built in 2006 and 10,650 square feet. Maintenance needs: roof
replacement in 2026, exterior enclosure maintenance, HVAC replacements,
monitoring one panel foundation — caused some shifting of panel (minor).
Police Station: Built in 2002 and 14,990 square feet. Maintenance needs: roof
replacement necessary, sitework, exterior enclosure work, HVAC replacements.
Central Maintenance Facility: Built in 2002 and 43,330 square feet. Maintenance
needs: roof replacement, HVAC replacements, exterior enclosure, sitework.
Senior Center: Built in 1968 and 12,670 square feet. Maintenance needs: roof
replacement, interior renovations, exterior enclosure, HVAC, electrical.
Schmitz-Maki Arena: Built in 1974 and 35,470 square feet. Maintenance needs:
roof approaching 50 years old, revision of locker rooms 5/6, HVAC in
mechanical room (safety).
Conclusion: The City has made strategic investments to keep properties well
maintained and overall updated. Biggest concerns are arena maintenance for
roofs/exterior enclosure (safety items), and the roof for the senior center.
Buildings are in fair overall condition. $17 million anticipated in deferred
maintenance needs over the next ten years. Strategizing funding for the various
deferred maintenance needs will be key in ensuring the facilities' health in the
coming years.
Discussion:
• This assessment is very thorough and exactly what we needed to see.
• Council may need a half-day strategic planning meeting. Set up internal
controls and standard practices and figure out what the next ten years may
look like. We need to create a plan for these maintenance items and
expenses.
City Council Special Work Session Minutes
August 21, 2023
Page 3 of 3
3.2 2024 Tax Levy and Utility Rate Study Update
At the conclusion of the last Utility Rate Study presentation, Council directed
Staff to increase the Water Fund rates by 3% and to change the funding for a
new water tower from 50% cash and 50% bonding to all cash. These changes
were incorporated into the Utility Rate Study. Director Regis provided Council
with an update on the preliminary budget adjustments.
Discussion:
• Prefer to keep Ehlers' recommendations versus 3%; fine with 1%.
• Ehlers' rationale was to keep water down since sewer rates increased more
due to Met Council's increases.
• As long as we have some level of predictability and keep it consistent over
time, it's more palatable to our residents and keep up with inflation.
• The Water Fund is continually building.
• The Ehlers presentation was created with Staff collaboration.
• We had all the information to Ehlers in July, same as we have today.
• We should evaluate and update this every year.
Council direction: 1% on Water.
4. COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATE
• The Liquor Operations Committee met on how the stores are performing. Sales
are up; would like to promote THC products. Josh Solinger, Store Manager, is
very proud to show his sales numbers and is very passionate about what he
does.
• Dakota Broadband Board was officially dissolved on August 31, 2023. Final
reconciliation of accounts should be complete by the end of the month.
5. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
No update.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember
Wilson to adjourn the meeting at 6:27 p.m.
Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays.
R pectfully submitted,
S ey R /JksWler
City Clerk