HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.17.24 Council MinutesCity of Farmington
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 17, 2024
The City Council met in regular session on Monday, June 17, 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, Katie Bernhjelm, Nick Lien,
and Steve Wilson
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Lynn Gorski, City Administrator
Julie Flaten, Asst City Administrator/HR Director
Leah Koch, City Attorney
Deanna Kuennen, Community & Economic Development Director
Tony Wippler, Planning Manager
Kim Sommerland, Finance Director
Matt Price, Fire Chief
Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director
Gary Rutherford, Police Chief
John Powell, Public Works Director
Kari Kubicek, Regional Funding Manager
Shirley Buecksler, City Clerk
4. APPROVE AGENDA
Administrator Gorski requested to:
• Add Item 7.12, Donation of $15,000 from the Farmington Fire Relief Association
to the City of Farmington
Motion was made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember
Bernhjelm to add Item 7.12 and approve the agenda, as amended.
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2024 Page I of 3
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction of Regional Funding Manager Kari Kubicek
Administrator Gorski introduced Kari Kubicek, Regional Funding Manager with
Southeast Services Cooperative, who shared information about her position.
Council welcomed Kari to the City of Farmington.
6. CITIZENS COMMENTS / RESPONSES TO COMMENTS
• Nathan Ryan, 22390 Cambrian Way, addressed the Council regarding
potential rezoning of the golf course and school district properties and
expressed that he is not in favor of it.
• Jeff Schottler, 22420 Calico Court, addressed the Council regarding the
same topic and expressed that he is not in favor.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
7.1 Gambling Event Permit Application for Farmington Rotary Club
7.2 Minutes of the City Council Work Session dated June 3, 2024
7.3 Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting dated June 3, 2024
7.4 Minutes of the Joint Planning Commission and City Council Work Session dated
June 4, 2024
7.5 Payment of Claims
7.6 Community Service Officer Job Description and Compensation Classification
7.7 Staff Changes and Recommendations, including the appointment of:
• Torri Wolf as Senior Administrative Support Technician
• Sue Bastian as a Temporary Elections Assistant
7.8 Donation of Flowers for Downtown from the Farmington Rotary;
Resolution 2024-52
7.9 Professional Services Agreements with Advanced Engineering and
Environmental Services (AE2S) for the Farmington East and Farmington West
Serviceability Analysis
7.10 Professional Services Agreement with Alliant Engineering, Inc. for the Dushane
Parkway/Spruce Street Intersection Final Design
7.11 Purchase of a Dump Truck Cab and Chassis
7.12 Donation of $15,000 from the Farmington Fire Relief Association to the City of
Farmington
Motion was made by Councilmember Bernhjelm and seconded by Councilmember
Lien to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented.
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. AWARD OF CONTRACT
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes ol'June 17, 2024 Page 2 ot'8
10. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
10.1 Petition to Rezone Properties from MUCI (Mixed Use Commercial / Industrial to I
(Industrial); the Subject Properties are Generally Located at the Southeast
Intersection of Pilot Knob Road and 208th Street West
The applicant, R&L Carriers, submitted a petition for the rezoning of two parcels
of land. The subject parcels are: 1. PID# 14-25852-00-010 (Outlot A Farmington
Industrial Park 3rd Addition) 2. PID# 14-25852-00-020 (Outlot B Farmington
Industrial Park 3rd Addition).
Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember
Lien to pass Ordinance 2024-07 Amending Title 10 of the Farmington City Code,
the Farmington Zoning Ordinance, Rezoning the Parcels with PID Numbers 14-
25852-00-010 and 14-25852-00-020 from MUCI (Mixed Use Commercial /
Industrial) to I (Industrial).
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays
10.2 Vermillion Commons 41h Addition Preliminary Plat and Planned Unit Development
The developer proposes 68 single-family lots and 66 townhome lots on 20.3 net
acres (26 acres gross) of land with a net density of 6.6 units per acre. The
single-family lots are located on the north and west side of the development and
the townhomes units are located at the southeast side of the development.
Stormwater ponding will be located on the west side of the development, adjacent
to the Dakota County Conservation Area. The minimum lot area proposed for the
single-family lots is 4,800 square feet with an overall average lot size of 6,198
square feet in the development. The minimum lot width and depth of the single-
family lots will be 40 feet and 120 feet, respectively.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember
Bernhjelm to adopt Resolution 2024-53 Approving Preliminary Plat and Planned
Unit Development Vermillion Commons 4th Addition.
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays
11. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
12. NEW BUSINESS
12.1 Resolution 2024-51 Adopting a Final Order and Record of Decision for an
Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) for the Farmington West Industrial
Project
Minnesota Rules 4410 authorize the Responsible Unit of Government (RGU) to
use the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) process to review the
potential environmental impacts associated with anticipated development projects
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2024 Page 3 of 8
in geographically defined areas. The process and requirements for the AUAR are
specifically identified, including timelines associated with the various steps.
Farmington West Industrial encompasses 329 acres located northwest of the
intersection of County Road 50 and Pilot Knob Road. In April, an AUAR Scoping
Document was published in the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB)
Monitor for this site/project. The 30- day comment period expired, comments were
received by five (5) agencies, and the next step associated with the Farmington
West Industrial AUAR is for the RGU to determine that the AUAR is the
appropriate environmental review document and order that an AUAR be prepared.
An AUAR is a planning tool to understand how different development scenarios
will affect the environment before the development occurs. Minnesota Rule 4410
specifically identifies when a review is required, who manages the process, what
topics are covered in the review, and what happens following adoption of an
AUAR. An AUAR is being developed for an area encompassing approximately
329 acres, including six (6) parcels, located northwest of the intersection of
County Road 50 and Pilot Knob Road in Farmington. The area is being studied to
understand the potential impacts associated with developing the existing farmland
into a technology park or industrial uses and to identify mitigation measures to
compensate for those impacts.
An AUAR Scoping Document was prepared for this site for the two development
scenarios, was reviewed and distributed to required state and federal agencies,
and a notice of availability of the AUAR Scoping Document was published in the
EQB Monitor for the required 30-day comment period which ended on May 16,
2024. During this time comments were received by five (5) agencies - which were
included in the document in the Council's packet. The purpose of the comment
period is for agencies to suggest additional development scenarios and relevant
issues to be analyzed in the review. The next step is for the RGU to make a finding
on the adequacy of the Scoping Document and adopt the Final Order. These
actions will determine that the AUAR is the appropriate environmental review and
order that the AUAR and mitigation plan be prepared as identified. Once the RGU
adopts the order to prepare the AUAR, the next steps include:
1. The AUAR is developed.
2. RGU reviews and distributes Draft AUAR and Mitigation Plan for public and
agency review for the mandatory 30-day review period.
3. RGU revises Draft AUAR and Mitigation Plan based on comments from
public and agencies.
4. RGI distributes Final AUAR and Mitigation Plan to agencies and Met -
Council for final 10-day review period.
5. If no objections, RGU Adopts Final AUAR and Mitigation Plan.
6. RGU updates the AUAR every 5-years until development build -out is
complete.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2024 Page 4 of 8
Motion was made by Councilmember Bernhjelm and seconded by
Councilmember Lien to adopt Resolution 2024-51 Adopting Final Order for
Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) for West Industrial Project.
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays
13.CITY COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE
Attorney Koch:
Welcome to Kari. Also Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.
Councilmember Lien:
Please be safe this week with all the activities.
Councilmember Bernatz:
It's Dew Days week. Events start tomorrow. Visit FarmingtonDewDaysMN.com is
where you can find all the information. Rain or shine, most everything will be
happening. This is something that a volunteer committee, made up of a whole
bunch of residents who care very deeply for the Farmington community, has worked
tirelessly on for about the last nine months to bring you a great festival. Please
come out, even if it's just for a couple of hours, the whole week, or the entire
weekend. It will be a great time.
Councilmember Bernhjelm:
Having been back for the last couple weeks, I'm reminded of how amazing the Staff
here is at City Hall and how helpful you all have been re-onboarding me with
everything that's going on. I am continuously impressed by all of your hard work
and the dedication you put into prepping for every one of these meetings. I
appreciate all of you — keep it up.
Councilmember Wilson:
Happy Harry's has a program where they allow customers to point out that they
want ten percent of the profits donated back to the Rambling River Center. My Mom
desperately needed a lift chair for her residence, so we purchased a chair at Happy
Harry's and was happy to donate to the program, the chair got delivered beautifully,
and the old chair was hauled out. I'm really appreciative of businesses like this in
our community that support the senior center and support so many other great
things that we have going on. Thank you.
Clerk Buecksler:
It's time to start talking about absentee voting again. For the State Primary in
August, absentee voting starts a week from Friday, on June 281h. Any residents
living within the Farmington city limits can vote by absentee at Farmington City Hall,
or any Dakota County office, or if they wish to apply online, they can go to
mnvotes.org. Residents who have a Farmington address but live in Lakeville vote
in Lakeville. Residents who live in a township vote at either the township or the
County office, depending on where that voting is done. Residents can find their
polling location by visiting mnvotes.org.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2024 Page 5 of 8
Director Kuennen:
A reminder that on July 161h at 8 am here at City Hall, we will be hosting our first
Small Business Resource Fair. Invitations will be going out to the list of small
businesses that we have, but definitely spread the word. The purpose behind this
resource fair is to make sure our existing small businesses understand the variety
of resources and agencies that are available to help them with their own business
growth or development goals. Having that information in one place at one time in a
no pressure setting is our hope that people find value in it and walk away with some
ideas or some contact information for people who can help them achieve whatever
it is they're looking to do.
Director Powell:
McKenna Rodine started as our Water Resources Specialist a week ago today and
hit the ground running. Given her background with the MPCA and storm water
permits, she is deep into reviewing every aspect of our draft MS4 permit, and we
are really happy to have her on board.
Director Omlid:
Unfortunately, there will be no Open Door food pop-up at the Rambling River Center
tomorrow due to the predicted forecast of rain, so it has been cancelled, but they
will be here in July.
Dew Days is this weekend. Parks and Recreation does a number of programs,
starting with the Dew Run on Saturday morning. You can still register online today
or in person on Saturday. First race starts at 8 am.
The bike auction is Saturday under the big tent. Viewing at 11 am, live bidding with
an auctioneer starts at 11:30 am.
Police Chief Rutherford is a Kiss the Pig contest candidate. Still time to vote with
your bills, dollars, or credit card. He's one of five candidates, so we'd love to see
him kiss Betty on Saturday at 4 pm under the big tent.
Please come out and support Parks and Recreation programs and all the other
awesome events this weekend.
Director Sommerland:
I am happy to report that we are finalizing the audit of our 2023 financials. So MMKR
should be here at the next meeting to present that information to Council. And we
are beginning our internal budget discussions starting tomorrow.
Chief Price:
We took ownership of our tender. We have done a week's worth of training and
we're waiting for some major equipment to actually put it in service before our old
tender goes down the road.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2024 Page 6 of 8
Chief Rutherford:
To echo a couple of comments, Dew Days is this weekend. Depending on the
weather, there will be hundreds, if not thousands, of pedestrians walking around
downtown at all hours of the day and night, so please be careful as you're driving
around in the general area. There will be a lot more pedestrians than we're used to
seeing. Drink responsibly and have a plan to get home safely.
I do not have a great, huge burning desire to kiss a pig, but whether you vote for
me or any of the other four candidates, it all goes to a fantastic cause, the Rambling
River Center. Vote early and vote often.
Mayor Hoyt:
Dew Days — it's a big week and there are a lot of events. The medallion hunt started
already, Thursday night is technically the big kickoff for events downtown, but
there's a lot of stuff scheduled between Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and
culminating with the parade on Sunday. For me personally, the one event I think
often gets missed, and it's a great opportunity, is the Ambassador Coronation.
The Ambassador Coronation is tomorrow night at Homestead Community Church
and starts at 6:30 pm. These are young women every year that raise their hand to
go out as ambassadors for the greater Farmington community. They go to dozens
of parades and about 50 events, they work in this position all year long from their
coronation all the way through the end of their season. The amount of time that they
spend — it's another sport or another activity and is all about spreading awareness
and the good aspects of the Farmington area. I know this event gets missed
because every year it could be three times the amount of attendance. It's great to
see parents and supporters of these young women doing this, but it would be great
to see the Farmington community show up for them because they are showing up
for us week in and week out for several months out of the year. If you don't have
plans tomorrow night, go to Homestead Community Church, it starts at 6:30 pm,
and is the best 60-75 minutes you'll have because there is so much pride in these
women and what they do. Again, they are ambassadors, for a reason they're not
called princesses, so if you do anything, please attend that event.
To the Chief's point of safety, there is a lot of stuff going on downtown. Please be
responsible, not only for property but for other people. We've had some pretty
decent years, so let's continue that and be the respectful people that I know we can
be. Support your businesses when you're downtown, do all the things, have fun,
but be responsible. There's something for everyone, and if you find there's not
something for you, then feel free to raise your hand and step forward to the
committee for next year because I know that they are not turning volunteers away.
There's always a need to add more people to help make all these amazing
opportunities and events happen.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2024 Page 7 of 8
14.ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember
Bernatz to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 pm.
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays
pectfully submitted,
*iey sler
City Cle
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of June 17, 2024 Page 8 of 8