HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.02.23 Work Session Packet
AGENDA
Work Session Meeting
5:00 PM - Monday, October 2, 2023
Farmington City Hall, Conf Rm 170
Page
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVE AGENDA
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.1. Fire Relief Pension and Vesting Request (20 Minutes)
Listen to and discuss the proposed adjustments from the Fire Relief
Association.
Agenda Item: Fire Relief Pension and Vesting Request (20 Minutes) -
Pdf
3 - 4
3.2. Review of MN Statutes, Chapter 429 as a Tool to Finance Fire
Suppression Systems (10 minutes)
No action requested. Staff and legal counsel will be available to answer
any questions.
Agenda Item: Review of MN Statutes, Chapter 429 as a Tool to Finance
Fire Suppression Systems (10 minutes) - Pdf
5
3.3. Pavement Condition Index (PCI) for Trails Update (40 Minutes)
Listen to the presentation and ask any questions you have. This item is
for discussion only.
Agenda Item: Pavement Condition Index (PCI) for Trails Update (40
Minutes) - Pdf
6 - 8
3.4. Cannabis Update (15 mins)
Provide direction to staff on potential next steps, if any.
Agenda Item: Cannabis Update (15 mins) - Pdf
9
4. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATE
5. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
6. ADJOURN
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WORK SESSION AGENDA MEMO
To: Mayor, Councilmembers and City Administrator
From: Justin Elvestad, Fire Chief
Department: Fire
Subject: Fire Relief Pension and Vesting Request (20 Minutes)
Meeting: Work Session - Oct 02 2023
INTRODUCTION:
The Farmington Fire Relief Board will discuss their request to revise the Fire Relief benefit level, and
to lower the full vesting requirement effective January 1, 2024. This request is based on a thorough
analysis conducted by the Fire Relief Board and has been approved by their Board of Trustees during
their meeting on August 24, 2023.
DISCUSSION:
Fire Relief Benefit Level Adjustment:
Currently, the Fire Relief benefit level stands at $8,500 per year of service after reaching full vesting.
The Fire Relief Board is proposing an increase to $9,500 per year for full vested members. This
adjustment has been carefully considered by the board , taking into account various factors, including
the maximum allowable benefit level and fiscal projections.
The rationale behind this adjustment is to ensure that the dedicated Firefighters are provided with a
fair and competitive pension amount that reflects the challenges and demands of their profession.
The proposed increase will not only enhance the financial security of our Firefighters but also make
Farmington a more attractive place for Firefighters to serve and build their careers.
Full Vesting Requirement Change:
In addition to the benefit level adjustment, the Fire Relief Board is requesting a change in the full
vesting requirement from 20 years to 15. This change aligns with evolving industry standards and
recognizes the contributions of our Firefighters who may choose to retire after 15 years of dedicated
service.
The Fire Relief Board believes that these proposed changes are both financially viable and
strategically sound for Farmington. They have undertaken a diligent assessment to ensure t he
sustainability of these modifications over the long term.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Not applicable
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ACTION REQUESTED:
Listen to and discuss the proposed adjustments from the Fire Relief Association.
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WORK SESSION AGENDA MEMO
To: Mayor, Councilmembers and City Administrator
From: Deanna Kuennen, Community Dev Director
Department: Community Development
Subject: Review of MN Statutes, Chapter 429 as a Tool to Finance Fire Suppression
Systems (10 minutes)
Meeting: Work Session - Oct 02 2023
INTRODUCTION:
Chapter 429 of the Minnesota State Statutes outlines the City Council's powers and steps to use the
special assessment process to make local improvements and special assess the cost s of the
improvement onto the property. The City of Farmington has (along with most other municipalities)
used Chapter 429 to finance and assess eligible expenses. One such eligible use of Chapter 429 is,
(15) To construct, alter, extend, operate, maintain, and promote fire protection systems in existing
buildings...
DISCUSSION:
Life/safety of existing buildings and the occupants within those buildings is important to the City. As
buildings change use and occupancy, there often is a code requirement to upgrade or install a fire
suppression system, which can be costly. State Statutes, Chapter 429 allows the City Council to
special assess the costs of fire protection systems upon petition. Furthermore, the availability of this
tool is promoted on the City's website: Business Licenses and Permits - City of Farmington
(farmingtonmn.gov)
To date, this use of Chapter 429 has not been used for this specific allowable purpose, although the
information has been shared with various property owners. Recently a property owner has inquired
about utilizing this tool. Since this would be the first application of Chapter 429 for fire protection,
Staff wanted to make sure that the City Council was aware of the process.
BUDGET IMPACT:
No budget impact at this time. If a petition was received - the process involves the City financing the
improvement and specially assessing the cost, plus interest, onto the property over a predetermined
period of time. To minimize any tax levy impacts, it would be recommended that, when this tool is
used for this specific purpose, a capital project fund could serve as the funding source and, as the
special assessment is paid, the payments would be deposited into the same fund.
ACTION REQUESTED:
No action requested. Staff and legal counsel will be available to answer any questions.
Page 5 of 9
WORK SESSION AGENDA MEMO
To: Mayor, Councilmembers and City Administrator
From: Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director
Department: Parks & Recreation
Subject: Pavement Condition Index (PCI) for Trails Update (40 Minutes)
Meeting: Work Session - Oct 02 2023
INTRODUCTION:
City Council, at its December 19, 2023 meeting, approved a proposal from GoodPointe Technology
to complete a detailed Pavement Condition Index (PCI) on roadway and trail pavements within the
city. The roadway conditions were presented at the July 24, 2023 City Council Work Session.
Attached is the draft map of the trail pavement conditions completed by GoodPointe Technology.
DISCUSSION:
The bituminous pavement conditions for trails are rated and presented on the map the same as the
roadways. Each segment of trail is assigned a numerical value from 0 to 100 with 0 pavement being
in extremely poor condition and 100 representing new trail. The map identifies the trails in the worst
condition in red, orange, and light pink, and trails in the best condition and/or new trails in dark green.
The Feature Count is the number of trail segments that fall in that rating group.
Parks and Recreation Staff reviewed the draft map for missing segments, consistency, and the
condition ratings compared to how the trail represents in the field. To maintain current and relevant
data, the trail pavement conditions will be rerated every two years. New trail s egments will be added
to the data and map during the rerating process.
At the work session, Staff will review the draft map, what trail conditions were found in the field, and
how the data will be incorporated into financial planning, maintenance program ming, and the Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) for Trail Improvements.
BUDGET IMPACT:
At the end of 2023, the balance in the trail maintenance fund will approximately be $300,331. The
transfer into the Trail Maintenance Fund in 2024 is $170,000. The upcom ing trail projects will be
identified and incorporated into the Long-Term-Financial Plan.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Listen to the presentation and ask any questions you have. This item is for discussion only.
ATTACHMENTS:
Farmington Trails PCI DRAFT
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Page 8 of 9
WORK SESSION AGENDA MEMO
To: Mayor, Councilmembers and City Administrator
From: Julie Flaten, Asst City Admin/HR Director
Department: Administration
Subject: Cannabis Update (15 mins)
Meeting: Work Session - Oct 02 2023
INTRODUCTION:
Staff will provide updates on cannabis.
DISCUSSION:
Staff will provide updates on what is being done in other cities with regards to moratoriums and public
space ordinances.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Not applicable
ACTION REQUESTED:
Provide direction to staff on potential next steps, if any.
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