HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.05.24 Work Session MinutesWork Session Minutes of February 5, 2024 Page 1 of 3
City of Farmington
City Council Work Session Minutes
Monday, February 5, 2024
The City Council met in a Work Session on Monday, February 5, 2024, at Farmington City
Hall, 430 3rd Street, Farmington, Minnesota.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hoyt called the Work Session to order at 5 p.m.
Members Present: Mayor Joshua Hoyt
Councilmembers Holly Bernatz, Nick Lien, Katie Porter,
and Steve Wilson
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Julie Flaten, Asst City Administrator/HR Director
Kim Sommerland, Finance Director
Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director
Gary Rutherford, Police Chief
John Powell, Public Works Director
Shirley Buecksler, City Clerk
2. APPROVE AGENDA
Motion was made by Councilmember Porter and seconded by Councilmember Wilson
to approve the agenda, as presented.
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.1 Speed Limit Background
Director Powell presented. At the December 4, 2023 City Council Work Session, we
had a very brief discussion about speed limits, the City's ability to set speed limits,
and the process for changing speed limits. Background information was provided
on recent legislative changes and research pertaining to speed limits.
Provisions allowing Cities to set speed limits are specifically stated under
Minnesota Statute Section 169.14, subd. 5h. Per the statute, "A City that
establishes speed limits pursuant to this section must implement speed limit
changes in a consistent and understandable manner" and "must develop
procedures to set speed limits based on the City's safety, engineering, and traffic
analysis. At a minimum, the safety, engineering, and traffic analysis must
consider national urban speed limit guidance and studies , local traffic crashes,
and methods to effectively communicate the change to the public".
Work Session Minutes of February 5, 2024 Page 2 of 3
In 2023, the Minnesota Local Road Research Board (LRRB), developed a
Technical Report titled the Guidelines for Determining Speed Limits on Municipal
Roadways. As described in this LRRB research document, this includes the
following:
1. Document Existing Conditions
2. Survey Residents and Elected Officials
3. Analyze your Data
4. Partnering with Law Enforcement
5. Evaluate Alternative Approaches/Make a Decision
6. Prepare a Policy Statement
7. Develop a Plan to Implement
8. Conduct a Follow-Up Assessment
Staff would be able to develop procedures to determine speed limits for the city
of Farmington that incorporate the LRRB best practices and provide
transparency for the public.
Council asked questions and received answers. Direction from Council was to
proceed and develop this into a process. Bring forward next steps (high level)
and weave in other planning documents.
3.2 Municipal Primary Election
Clerk Buecksler presented that a question had been raised on why the City of
Farmington does not hold a Municipal Primary Election. Minnesota Statute
205.065 allows for a municipality to establish a Municipal Primary Election by
resolution or ordinance. Currently, the City of Farmington is not eligible fo r a
Municipal Primary.
Following discussion, Council felt this would be an unnecessary change at this
time. Mayor Hoyt suggested revisiting this item in the second quarter of 2027
which would allow more time to discuss prior to the 2028 election cycle.
4. COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATE
Councilmember Wilson:
ALF (Apple Valley, Lakeville, Farmington Ambulance) met and discussed that our
response time compared to neighboring cities is a little higher. Standard is changing
to one paramedic and one EMT, which will help staffing and response time. Good
changes.
Mayor Hoyt:
EFPAC (Empire/Farmington Planning Advisory Committee) met and held an
informational meeting regarding shared jurisdiction for maintenance and aligning
policies and procedures. No future meetings are scheduled now that Empire is a
city.
Work Session Minutes of February 5, 2024 Page 3 of 3
5. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember Lien
to adjourn the meeting at 5:57 p.m.
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays.
Respectfully submitted,
Shirley R Buecksler
City Clerk