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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.06.24 Council MinutesCity of Farmington Regular Council Meeting Minutes Monday, May 6, 2024 The City Council met in regular session on Monday, May 6, 2024, at Farmington City Hall, 430 3rd Street, Farmington, Minnesota. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Hoyt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Hoyt led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mayor Joshua Hoyt Councilmembers Holly Bernatz, Nick Lien, Katie Porter, and Steve Wilson Members Absent: None Staff Present: Lynn Gorski, City Administrator Julie Flaten, Asst City Administrator/HR Director Leah Koch, City Attorney Kim Sommerland, Finance Director Matt Price, Interim Fire Chief Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Gary Rutherford, Police Chief John Powell, Public Works Director Shirley Buecksler, City Clerk Bradley Altermatt, Liquor Store Clerk Melissa Geis, Building Permit Technician Sean Majewski, Building Inspector Isaac Schubel, Public Works Worker 4. APPROVE AGENDA Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember Wilson to approve the agenda, as presented. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMENDATIONS 5.1 Update from County Commissioner Slavik Commissioner Slavik provided an update from Dakota County and answered questions from Council. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2024 Page I of 9 5.2 New Employee Introductions The following new employees were introduced for Council: • Bradley Altermatt, Liquor Store • Melissa Geis, Building Permit Technician • Sean Majewski, Building Inspector • Isaac Scherbel, Public Works Worker 5.3 Recognition of Katie Porter's Contributions as City Councilmember Administrator Gorski presented Katie Porter with a plaque for her service and contributions to the City of Farmington as City Councilmember from January 1, 2021 through May 6, 2024. 5.4 National Public Works Week Proclamation Mayor Hoyt and Councilmembers read a proclamation declaring May 19 to 25, 2024 as National Public Works Week in Farmington. 5.5 Proclaim May 15, 2024 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12-18 as Police Week Mayor Hoyt and Councilmembers read a proclamation declaring May 15, 2024 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12 to 18, 2024 as Police Week. 5.6 Proclamation for Farmington Dew Days June 20-23, 2024 Mayor Hoyt and Councilmembers read a proclamation declaring June 20 to 23, 2024 as Farmington Dew Days and granting an exception for the specified period of time to accommodate a public, civic, or municipal activity, community -wide, such as a celebration or festival, as per City Code 3-11-5. 6. CITIZENS COMMENTS / RESPONSES TO COMMENTS • David Pritzlaff, 20255 Akin Road, addressed the Council to thank Katie Porter for her service and to express concerns in reference to the Akin Road construction project. 7. CONSENT AGENDA 7.1 Application from VFW Post 7662 to Conduct Off -Site Gambling June 19 through November 30, 2024; Resolution 2024-35 7.2 Minutes of the April 15, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting 7.3 Minutes of the April 29, 2024 Special Work Session 7.4 Summary of City Administrator's Closed Session Performance Review 7.5 Agreement with Entertainment Plus for DJ Services for the Dew Run 7.6 Agreement with Wayzata Results for Race Result Timing Services Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2024 Page 2 of 9 7.7 Application from Farmington Youth Hockey Association to Conduct Off -Site Gambling June 20-23, 2024; Resolution 2024-36 7.8 Request to Waive Fees for 2024 Dew Days Celebration 7.9 Resolution 2024-34 Accepting Donations to the Dew Run 7.10 Temporary On -Sale Liquor License for Farmington Municipal Liquors, June 20, 2024 7.11 Temporary On -Sale Liquor License for The Rotary Club of Farmington, June 20-22, 2024 7.12 Financial Review for the Quarter Ending December 31, 2024 7.13 Payment of Claims 7.14 Joint Powers Agreement with Dakota County for Use of Statement Health Improvement Funds (SHIP) 7.15 Staff Changes and Recommendations, including the appointment(s) of: • Matthew Brown as full-time Fire Marshal • Steve Arndt as Public Works Worker • Sawyer Hoffman as Seasonal Public Works Worker • Bobby Cammack as Seasonal Recreation Assistant • Laura Fleming as Seasonal Recreation Assistant • Naomi Heggemeier as Seasonal Recreation Assistant • Title change of Public Works position 7.16 Agreement with JLG Architects for Schematic Design Through Construction Phase for the Rambling River Center 7.17 First Amendment to Joint Powers Agreement with Dakota County for Pilot Knob Trail Preliminary Design 7.18 Joint Powers Agreement with Dakota County Regarding Opioid Settlement Funds 7.19 Professional Services Agreement with Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services (AE2S) for the Water Service Line Inventory Project Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember Lien to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS None 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT None 10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS None 11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2024 Page 3 of 9 12. NEW BUSINESS 12.1 Establish Public Hearing Date to Consider Proposed Tax Amendment and Five -Year Street Reconstruction Plan Motion was made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Bernatz to adopt Resolution 2024-37 Calling for Public Hearings on the Approval of a Proposed Tax Abatement by the City on Certain Property Located Within the City and a Proposal to Adopt the City's Five -Year Street Reconstruction Plan and Issue Bonds Therefor. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays 12.2 Receive Bids and Award a Contract for the 2024 Street Improvement Project Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember Porter to accept the bids and award a contract for construction of the 2024 Street Improvement Project to Heselton Construction, LLC of Faribault in the amount of their bid $1,908,486.25 and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the same. This includes approval of a change order contingency of $190,000 (about 10% of the contract) to be established as an aggregate of all change order increases with a maximum amount of $50,000 allowed for any single change order increase without prior City Council approval. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays 12.3 Councilmember Resignation and Vacancy Motion was made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Bernatz to adopt Resolution 2024-38 Accepting a City Councilmember's Resignation and Declaring a Vacancy on the City Council. Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays — Councilmember Porter abstained 12.4 Selection of Acting Mayor for Remainder of 2024 Motion was made by Councilmember Porter and seconded by Councilmember Lien to suspend the by-laws as they relate to the prerequisites of the Acting Mayor as described in City Council By -Laws Section 1, subdivision 3, through December 31, 2024. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays Motion was made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Lien to appoint Councilmember Holly Bernatz as the new temporary Acting Mayor. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2024 Page 4 of 9 13.CITY COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Attorney Koch: Councilmember Porter, thank you so much for your passion that you brought to this job. It was great seeing you in this season, and it takes a lot of bravery to revisit those priorities and focus on your family and your education. No list of priorities is right or wrong, but it takes guts to reanalyze that stuff, so thank you for that. Also, I got news that there is another calf in the bison herd, so they're 15 now. Councilmember Lien: Thank you, Katie, for all your years of service. And thank you to all Staff for all your tireless hard work, it is very much appreciated. Councilmember Bernatz: Katie, I deeply appreciate being able to serve alongside you for as long as we've been able to do that. I look forward to all the magnificent things that you're going to do in all the other spaces. Take care of your babies, as we know they grow very quickly. In the Consent Agenda, there were a lot of things that were happening as it relates to different departments and individuals that have been working tirelessly to do our community celebration of Dew Days. My recommendation is for the community of Farmington — if you have never been, go spend a day there, spend half a day there, or go for a couple hours. Bring your kids, you're going to have a great time. And when you see someone in one of their volunteer shirts, say thank you. Because I promise you that they have been working behind the scenes for hours and hours to plan this for you. It's like a party for 7,000 or 10,000 of your best friends. It's a great opportunity to come out and show community support. And a huge shout out for Farmington High School Theater. They put on a fantastic run of'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,' and we are recognized at a state level for that. They swept what is considered the spotlight in education awards with 11 out of 11 possible awards being presented, on an outstanding level, for every aspect of the show. For everyone who came out and stepped outside their comfort zone to support 'the theater program that could,' and as a parent of one of one of those theater kids, I just say thank you. Councilmember Porter: look out at the crowd and I'm thinking, what a diverse group of people. And I love it. We have new hires, we have Department Heads, we have people that continue to show up, even if they're not going to speak, and even if they have things to say that we don't want to hear. But you continue to show up and speak and advocate for yourself and your community. Mike, your position is not an enviable one, either. Anytime you're in the spotlight, you are responsible. And I didn't take that lightly. I don't take resignation lightly. It's been an absolute honor to serve and, of course, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2024 Page 5 of 9 would be remiss not to mention my good friends that have been here to support me through what was a really hard decision and encourage me. I really appreciate you guys. Speaking of friends, I want to give my son's friend, Bobby, who is one of our new hires, a shout out. And, again, I want to thank my colleagues, Department Heads, everybody. What a pleasure to live in this community and to serve in this capacity. Thank you. Councilmember Wilson: On Saturday, I went to the Art Fair. Thank you to Kellee, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the seniors for coordinating this neat event. I went to 'Joseph,' and then I had to go a second time. It just left me with a "wow," and it's still a "wow." Kudos to your daughter, Holly, and all the talented folks with the theater program. There is so much incredible talent with our arts, theater, and music programs at Farmington. We see it all the time from fifth grade band all the way up to the high school student's choir. It just blew me away. I want to thank the teachers at Boeckman Middle School for allowing me to come in and be Shark Tank for three 15-minute rounds. It was a good time. The roundabouts, especially the one at 195th and Pilot Knob Road, I worry about every day during the spring, summer, and fall because there are runners, like me, and a lot of other people, bikers, and traffic cruising through roundabouts at what I think is higher speeds than they should be. So pay attention because it only takes a split second for something to happen. We could all spend an hour talking about amazing people in this community. But there is one person I want to highlight and that's Laura Pierce. Previously, she was the Administrator at Boeckman Middle School. She is now Assistant Principal at Farmington High School. She qualified for Boston Marathon and has now done that twice. For the average person, that would be a fun adventure, then come back home and get on with life. But six days later, she traveled to London to run the London Marathon, which she ran at the same time. She also does a lot of work for Can Do Canines, a program that benefits developmentally disabled children. Some students from Farmington have benefited from that program. There are a lot of people like Laura in our community, and I am inspired by the work she does. If you have a passion and you're wondering how you can participate in the Farmington community, there are many different ways to volunteer, such as in the schools, for the City, or for your favorite non-profit that benefits the community. There are so many amazing people that do great things in our community. Kudos to you, Laura, for all that you do. Again, Katie, you're really just an amazing human being. You've got a heart of gold. There were many nights where you would explain what's going on with the family and all the stuff that we've talked about, and you found a way to be here and be a positive contributor. I know it's hard being away from young kids, and it's hard when Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2024 Page 6 of 9 your spouse is away and you're balancing all that stuff that you do, but you lead with grace and your decision -making was sound. And I'm going to miss you. Administrator Gorski: Welcome to the new Staff — it's great to have you here. As we know, it's not mandatory to show up, but we really do appreciate you coming so we can see you in person, and for Council to know who you are. So when they see you next time, they'll recognize you and know you. We know this is time out of your busy night and we appreciate that. Thank you. Katie, thank you for your time, your talent, and your sacrifices. I would also like to thank your family for their sacrifices. Because, as we all know, when we sign up for a role as elected official, it's the whole family that has sacrifices and gives in to helping the community. We have built so many building blocks and foundations for Farmington within the last two years. Please never forget that you've always been part of that. Thank you for being so supportive. You will be greatly missed, but I know you won't be a stranger. Thank you. Clerk Buecksler: I am thankful to have worked with you for the past year, Katie, and I wish you the best. Director Flaten: Katie, thank you. I know you and I have had some very meaningful conversations about shared priorities we have outside of the City realm, and I found that to be really valuable to me. I really appreciate your service. Thank you. Director Powell: Thank you, Councilmember Porter, for all your support. We've undergone a lot of changes in Public Works and we're doing a lot of things differently, so I really appreciate the support you've shown me and our Staff as we've gone through those changes. Director Omlid: Katie, thank you for your support. But, more, thank you for being a Parks and Recreation teammate. You have gone south to pick up bunnies for us for Breakfast with the Bunnies, you have started a grandparent writing campaign at the Rambling River Center, you have adopted a park, you have had your daughter text me on a Saturday when someone was breaking into the bathhouse, you've shown up to coffee with the seniors, worked on the community gardens, and you painted the chairs at the Depot Way Arts Park. These are just some of the things that you've done for the Parks and Recreation Department, and I know that I'm going to continue to see you because you'll be involved. I know I'll see you at Music in the Park because, obviously, you attend regularly, and I appreciate that. So thank you for all the support you've given Parks and Recreation. All the things you've done for Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2024 Page 7 of 9 us and helped us with, we really appreciate it and couldn't do it without you. We'll see you at the next event. Thank you. Director Sommerland: Katie, I've only been here six months, so we really haven't had a chance to get to know each other but I have enjoyed that time and I wish you the best of luck in the future. Chief Price: Thank you for all your support. You stick behind the Fire Department, and I know your kids enjoy coming down to the Fire Hall. It's always open for them when we have our open houses, so don't be a stranger. Swing on down and we can have coffee. And bring the kids, we can get them dressed up in the fire uniforms, we can do the little obstacle course for them again, and they'll have a fun time. Chief Rutherford: Katie, I think the one thing that I want to point out the most, to everybody in the room and everybody watching at home, is I want to congratulate you for having the courage to show everyone that it's okay to choose family over profession or ambition or, in your case, your elected position. It's an important thing in today's world that people should recognize — that families have to come first, and you're making a heck of an example here. So thanks for that. Mayor Hoyt: I want to make sure I mention Mental Health Awareness Month. It should not just be talked about during the month of May. It should be talked about every day, every week, in every scenario, in every circle, between everybody. Please have the conversations this month, have them tomorrow, have them at your place of employment — utilize the resources. Have them with your circle, have them with your Pastor, have the conversations. Because mental health and physical health are two in the same. We are quick to tell kids to put on a helmet before they get on their bike. We're quick to tell kids to look both ways before they cross the street. But we're slow to tell them to express their feelings and talk about the things that are going on inside their head. Until we normalize those conversations and reduce the stigma that is associated with mental health, and the tie to self -harm, self-abuse, drug abuse, all the things, until we can reduce that stigma and have the open and honest conversations, we're going to continue to have a problem. So I encourage everyone to go out of their way and make an intentional effort to engage in some level of conversation with someone that you trust. It's okay to not be okay and have those conversations. But, again, not just in the month of May, only every day and as much as possible, I would beg you to do that. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2024 Page 8 of 9 14.ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Councilmember Porter and seconded by Mayor Hoyt to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays Respectfully submitted, Sh' ey u cksler City Clerk Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2024 Page 9 of 9 CITY OF FARMINGTON PROCLAMATION NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK: MAY 19-25, 2024 WHEREAS, public works professionals focus on infrastructure, facilities and services that are of vital importance to sustainable and resilient communities and to the public health, high quality of life and well-being of the people of Farmington; and WHEREAS, these infrastructure, facilities and services could not be provided without the dedicated efforts of public works professionals, who include maintenance workers, engineers, managers, and employees at all levels of government, who are responsible for building, improving, protecting, and operating our nation's transportation corridors, water supply, wastewater systems, storm drainage systems, fleet, and other facilities essential for our citizens; and WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for the citizens, civic leaders and children in Farmington to gain knowledge of and to maintain an ongoing interest and understanding of the importance of public works and public works programs in their respective communities; and WHEREAS, the year 2024 marks the 64th annual National Public Works Week sponsored by the American Public Works Association/Canadian Public Works Association. NOW THEREFORE, I, Joshua Hoyt, Mayor, on behalf of the Farmington City Council, do hereby designate the week May 19-25, 2024 as National Public Works Week; and urge all citizens to join with representatives of the American Public Works Association and government agencies in activities, events, and ceremonies designed to pay tribute to our public works professionals, maintenance workers, engineers, managers, and employees and to recognize the substantial contributions they make to protecting our national health, safety, and quality of life. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Farmington, Mi esota, to be affixed on this 6th day of May 2024. J shua Hoyt, ayor CITY OF - FARMINGTON PROCLAMATION PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY, MAY 159 2024 POLICE WEEK, MAY 12 -18, 2024 WHEREAS, in 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week it falls in as Police Week; and WHEREAS, there are more than 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers honorably serving in communities across the United States of America, including the dedicated men and women of the Farmington Police Department; and WHEREAS, the Farmington Police Department is a modem law enforcement agency providing a vital public service through our mission of SERVICE IN THE INTEREST OF PEACE AND JUSTICE; and WHEREAS, since 1786, over 24,000 law enforcement officers in the United States have made the ultimate sacrifice and died in the line of duty; and WHEREAS, in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week, the City of Farmington invites members of the public to honor the Farmington Police Department at their Police Week Open House on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. NOW THEREFORE, I, Joshua Hoyt, Mayor, on behalf of the Farmington City Council, do hereby proclaim May 15th, 2024, as PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY and also proclaim the week of May 12-18, 2024, as POLICE WEEK IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Farmington, Minnesota, to be affixed on this 61h day of May 2024. J . ua Hoyt, Ma or - CITY OF FARMINGTON PROCLAMATION FARMINGTON DEW DAYS WHEREAS, in 1979, Pepsi Cola announced that the citizens of Farmington drink more Mountain Dew per capita than any other city; and WHEREAS, a city festival was planned to celebrate, and the citizens of Farmington have continued to support this festival since 1979; and WHEREAS, Farmington City Code Section 3-11-5 allows the City Council to grant an exception to ordinance Section 3-11-4 Prohibition, which states that it is unlawful for any person to drink or to display in an open container any intoxicating liquor or non -intoxicating malt liquor upon any public street, alley, sidewalk, walkway, or thoroughfare within the city limits of Farmington; and WHEREAS, an exception to the ordinance will be made by proclamation for a specified period of time to accommodate a public, civic, or municipal activity, community -wide, such as a celebration or festival, where the public may enjoy local and regional music and arts, activities, history, and culture; and WHEREAS, the festival may have changed its name, location, and activities over the years, but the one thing that has not changed is the citizens of Farmington who love to celebrate each summer. NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Joshua Hoyt, on behalf of the City Council of the City of Farmington, do hereby proclaim an exception to City Code Section 3-11-4 for Dew Days from Thursday, June 20, through Sunday, June 23, and ask that the citizens of Farmington join me in celebrating: DEW DAYS - JUNE 20 THROUGH JUNE 239 2024 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the City of Farmington, Minnesota, to be affixed on this 61h day of May 2024.