HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.03.25 Work Session Minutes City of Farmington
City Council Work Session Minutes
Monday, February 3, 2025
The City Council met in a work session on Monday, February 3, 2025, at
Farmington City Hall, 430 Third Street, Farmington, Minnesota.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hoyt called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
Members Present: Mayor Joshua Hoyt
Councilmembers Holly Bernatz, Jake Cordes,
Nick Lien, and Steve Wilson
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Lynn Gorski, City Administrator
Gary Rutherford, Police Chief
John Powell, Public Works Director
Also Present: Emily Danner, Police Officer, South St. Paul Police
Department, and K9 Riley
2. 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
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.1 Discussion on Addition to Police Department K9 Program
The Farmington Police Department has been presented with an
opportunity to add an Employee Wellness/Support K9 to the
Department. Chief Rutherford introduced Police Officer Emily Danner
of the South St. Paul Police Department. Officer Danner introduced K9
Riley and discussed the benefits of having Riley on their team and how
his presence has helped not only their Staff but anyone visiting the
Police Department for one reason or another. Officer Danner
answered questions from Council about the program.
Special Work Session Minutes of January 30, 2025 Page 1 of 3
City Council appreciated the opportunity to meet Officer Danner and
K9 Riley and agreed to move forward with this program for the
Farmington Police Department.
3.2 Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Policy
Director Powell presented the draft Sanitary Sewer Maintenance
Policy. Chapter 2 of the City Code discusses the City sanitary sewer
system. In addition to the City Code, the League of Minnesota Cities
(LMC) also recommends that Cities have a written Sanitary Sewer
Maintenance Policy to better defend against claims. In reviewing City
records, we have not found a Sanitary Sewer Maintenance Policy
adopted by the City Council which addresses the entire City sanitary
sewer system.
The draft policy used the model policy provided by the LMC, with
minor changes specific to Farmington's system. For example, the City
sanitary sewer system has been divided into 13 areas.
The mains in each area are cleaned and televised once every seven
years - this has been incorporated into the policy.
The draft policy also refers to maps of problem areas. The map will be
prepared with the final version of the policy. For Farmington, most of
our system will be Category 1, routine maintenance. There are nine
pipe segments that are considered Category 2 requiring more
frequent maintenance. There are no Category 3 areas, requiring less
frequent maintenance.
As highlighted on the draft policy, Staff recommends that private
property owners are responsible for the maintenance of the sanitary
sewer components from their property up to and including connection
to the public system, which appears to be more consistent with other
communities. The National League of Cities (NLC) has a Service Line
Warranty Program which is administered by HomeServe. If the Sanitary
Sewer Maintenance Policy is adopted as proposed, Staff recommends
that the NLC program be further explored as a way to communicate
to property owners their responsibilities regarding service maintenance
and repair and to provide an option to possibly avoid large repair fees.
Council agreed to move forward with the policy, as long as we have
clean language around expectations, and clear communication and
information for homeowners. Council directed Staff to draft the
language and bring the policy forward to a future Regular City Council
Meeting for approval.
Special Work Session Minutes of January 30,2025 Page 2 of 3
4. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Councilmember Cordes and seconded by
Councilmember Lien to adjourn the meeting at 6:34 pm.
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays
Respectfully submitted,
Shir y R(� �sler
City Clerk
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