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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08.18.25 Council Minutes City of Farmington Regular Council Meeting Minutes Monday, August 18, 2025 The City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 18, 2025, at Farmington City Hall, 430 Third Street, Farmington, Minnesota. 1. CALL TO ORDER Acting Mayor Bernatz called the meeting to order at 7 pm. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Acting Mayor Bernatz led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Acting Mayor Holly Bernatz, Councilmembers Jake Cordes, Nick Lien, and Steve Wilson Members Absent: Mayor Joshua Hoyt Staff Present: David Chanski, Interim City Administrator/HR Director Amy Schmidt, City Attorney Deanna Kuennen, Community & Economic Development Director Jared Johnson, Planning Coordinator Kim Sommerland, Finance Director Matt Price, Fire Chief Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Andrew Van Dorn, Police Captain John Powell, Public Works Director Also Present: Members of the Farmington Fire Department 4. APPROVE AGENDA Motion was made by Councilmember Cordes and seconded by Councilmember Wilson to approve the agenda, as presented. Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2025 Page 1 of 8 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMENDATIONS 5.1 Recognition of Firefighter Katelynn Scholl's Military Service and Flag of Honor Chief Price recognized Firefighter Katelynn Scholl for her service to our community, state, and nation. Katelynn listed in the Minnesota Army National Guard in August of 2020. She shipped out to basic in her Advanced Individual Training (AIT) July of 2021 , graduating as a 68 Whiskey, which is a Combat Medic. Returning home to Minnesota and drilling with her Unit 204 Medical Company Area Support, part of the 34th Infantry Division, also known as the Red Bulls. Katelynn joined the Fire Department in July of 2022 and graduated from the academy and her year-long probation in July of 2023. In early 2024, Katelynn's unit was notified that they would be deploying to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In August 2024, Katelynn mobilized and deployed with her unit to AI-Asad Air Base in Iraq. Katelynn kept in touch with the Department while she was deployed. In February of this year, Katelynn reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in her being able to fly a flag in honor of the Fire Department. I was both honored and excited about this. As a Veteran, I understand what the Flag of Honor that you're able to fly truly means. One thing about flying the flag is that you can pick a date that means something to the Soldier or for who they are flying it for. We decided on April 7th for the flag to be flown. Back in 1885, it was this date in which the people of Farmington voted to purchase a hand pump fire apparatus and equipment. This is important because five years previous, in 1880, these same items were up for a vote, but they voted it down. The Fire Department did not want to be impaired trying to do their job, so the Farmington Eagle Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 formally disbanded. The Village of Farmington would not have another fire company until April 7th of 1885. During the five years with no Fire Department, the Village lost its largest flour mill, a grain elevator, a grain mill, a hay press, several businesses and homes, and, in 1884, lost its most valuable institution, which was the high school. So, on April 7th of 2025, Katelynn's unit flew this flag in honor of the Fire Department - for us, on April 7th of 1885, re-established the Eagle Hook and Ladder Company for the Village of Farmington. Katelynn returned home from her year-long deployment, and I had a meeting with her to begin to come back to the Department to continue to serve her community. Katelynn handed me the flag and certificate, which reads, "Flag of Honor. The accompanied flag of the United States of America was proudly flown under Operation Inherent Resolve in honor of the Farmington Fire Department, flown in the face of the enemy over the 204th Medical Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2025 Page 2 of 8 Company Area Support Role Second Echo Clinic at AI-Asad Air Base, Iraq, on the Th day of April 2025 illuminating the dark by the light of justice and bearing witness to the sacrifice and courage of those men and women defending the freedom of the United States of America. On behalf of Specialist Katelynn Scholl, (signed) First Sergeant Brent Emery and Major Jacob Redding, Commanding." This evening, I ask that you join me and the Department in recognizing and honoring Katelynn Scholl for her service to her community, her state, and her country, and for all of her service and accomplishments with the Farmington Fire Department and the Minnesota National Guard. Katelynn thanked everyone in attendance from the Fire Department and Chief Price for his speech. She thanked everyone for their support and said, "I appreciate the welcome that I've had coming back. It's been wonderful to see all your faces again and I'm very excited to start responding to calls with all of you, and I look forward to continuing to service this community. Thank you very much. Everyone stood in applause. Councilmember Lien: You guys never cease to amaze me with the cool stories and how well you all know your history-it's incredible. This might be at the top of all the cool stories I've heard from you guys. It's really cool to see how much the concept of service permeates through everything that you do-that you'd be willing to serve the Fire Department here, serve your country, and everything. It's a testament to your character, just like all of your peers out there. It means a lot. There's obviously nothing I or any of my peers can say that outshines what you just did for the last year and the statement you just made. Thank you. Councilmember Cordes: Katelynn, thank you for everything you've done. You have made our community, our state, and our nation proud. Thank you for your service and your continued service -we all owe you more than just a round of applause. Thank you. Councilmember Wilson: Katelynn, thank you so much. It looks like Mom and Dad are here, also - thank you to both of you for your commitment and your way, too. Thank you to the entire Fire Department for being here to recognize Katelynn and to support her. To Chief Price or Katelynn, do either of you have a picture of the flag? Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2025 Page 3 of 8 Chief Price said he has the flag and that it's in a case and will be hung up and displayed for a while. Acting Mayor Bernatz: I don't have a whole lot more to say beyond what has already been said. But I was watching a TV show, and they said you can tell a lot about people by their kids. Meaning that, if you look at the child that was produced, you know a lot about the parents. And what I see before me is a young woman who obviously understands sacrifice and service and giving of self at the highest levels. And whether or not people realize that they are directly affected by or impacted by the choices that you've made and the service that you've done, it cannot go unrecognized, and we are grateful. So, thank you. 6. CITIZENS COMMENTS / RESPONSES TO COMMENTS The following citizens addressed the Council: • Jeff Schottler, 22420 Calico Ct, Farmington, MN • Andrew Klotter, 4345 220th Street West, Farmington, MN 7. CONSENT AGENDA 7.1 Minutes of the August 4, 2025 City Council Work Session 7.2 Minutes of the August 4, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting 7.3 Request for Time Extension for Recording Final Plat - Viva Attiva at South Creek Fourth Addition 7.4 Request for Time Extension for Recording Final Plat - Viva Attiva at South Creek Fifth Addition 7.5 Payment of Claims 7.6 Staff Approvals and Recommendations, including: • Rehire of Kevin Conrad as Seasonal Arena Supervisor • Rehire of Rodney Koch as Seasonal Arena Supervisor • Rehire of Jake Novak as Seasonal Arena Supervisor • Appointment of Shanna Hofacker as Part-Time Liquor Store Clerk • Approval of the completion of 6-month probationary period for Assistant City Administrator/HR Director David Chanski 7.7 Alta Access and Alta Video Upgrade 7.8 Accept Bids and Award a Contract for the Fire Station #1 Reroof Project 7.9 Donation from Michelle Bade to the Rambling River Center Motion was made by Councilmember Cordes and seconded by Councilmember Lien to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented. Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2025 Page 4 of 8 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. AWARD OF CONTRACT 10.PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 11.UNFINISHED BUSINESS 12.NEW BUSINESS 12.1 Ordinance 2025-006 Amending Title 6 and 10 of the Farmington City Code as it Relates to the Keeping of Honey Bees and the Abatement of Nuisances; and Amending Title 8, Chapter 12, Fees and Charges Schedule Planning Coordinator Johnson presented the ordinance and answered questions for the City Council. Motion was made by Councilmember Lien and seconded by Councilmember Cordes to approve and pass Ordinance 2025-006 Amending Title 6 and 10 of the Farmington City Code as it Relates to the Keeping of Honey Bees and the Abatement of Nuisances; and Amending Title 8, Chapter 12, Fees and Charges Schedule. Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays 12.2 Resolution Accepting Grant Award from CenterPoint Energy Community Safety Grant Program Chief Price presented for the City Council. Motion was made by Councilmember Cordes and seconded by Councilmember Wilson to adopt Resolution 2025-058 Accepting a Grant Award from CenterPoint Energy Community Safety Grant to Support the Purchase of Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) to the Farmington Fire Department, in the amount of $2,500.00. Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays 13.CITY COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Attorney Schmidt: After the last meeting, Mayor Hoyt asked me to follow up on some of the comments that Mr. Plotter, who was here again tonight, made at the meeting two weeks ago. So, I think it's timely for me to give that feedback. I worked with Acting City Administrator Chanski, and I think he was in touch with the Police Chief to gather some information. The information that we were able to find, as you know, was an incident that occurred in 2010. So, it's literally been Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of August 18, 2025 Page 5 of 8 15 years - August 13th of 2010. It's been a very, very long time since this event occurred. In 2016, Mr. Plotter filed a complaint with the Police Department. It was investigated, and the facts that were found at that time don't substantiate the claims that he made last week. The information that I was able to receive from the Police Department didn't touch on the incident that he described tonight before the Police arrived at his residence, but it does break down a timeline of him being given medical care. There was video at the time. So, the allegations that he has made against the Police Officers that he's named, including our now retired Police Chief, are simply not substantiated by the evidence that was available from the day that this occurred. If he is going to come back last week, I can repeat this information again. But given the age of this alleged incident, maybe the Acting Administrator or the Police Department representative could speak to it more. As I understand it, the evidence doesn't exist anymore, given the length of time that has taken place since this incident occurred. Councilmember Lien: There's only about two weeks left of summer. I hope everyone gets out and makes the most of it before the kids head back to school. Councilmember Cordes: I want to express my thanks to the Farmington Police Department for coordinating National Night Out and allowing some of us to ride along and crash some of those parties. Councilmember Wilson: It might be back to school end of summer but, technically, summer doesn't end for about a month. Even right into the start of the football season, it's still summer. It's a beautiful thing. I want to thank and honor Katelynn again and Mom and Dad for being here tonight. Thank you for sharing that story and that memory with us. Huge, huge - it was so exciting last week. Thank you, Kellee, Missie, and the Rambling River Board. What an awesome official opening to our Rambling River Center. Kellee, your comments were just outstanding, and they really hit the right notes, so thank you so much. I want to thank everyone who was able to be there to celebrate. The weather was beautiful. The building has actually been open for a month or two since the City celebration, but it's a great building to consider joining the senior center. I am a member myself. It's a great community, and I would encourage everybody to check it out. So, thank you again. Director Kuennen: I just wanted to note that last Wednesday we hosted, and the EDA collaborated with Dakota County Technical College, to provide an Al for Business Training, and we had approximately 20 businesses represented at Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of August 18. 2025 Page 6 of 8 the training, and it was very well received. So, thank you to the businesses that accepted the invitation to spend a couple hours with us, brushing off their knowledge, and adding to their knowledge about Al. Our intention is to continue to offer workshops and other tools for our business community, So, stay tuned. Director Powell: In 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) put forth new rules, lead and copper rule, and made revisions to those rules. This required that water suppliers provide an inventory of their service material types, with an initial inventory being provided to the Minnesota Department of Health by October of last year. The City was successful in doing that after extensive research and mailings with the property owners. During that process, Eric Whitmer, our Public Works Superintendent, found that there were some grants available to help us continue this research. It was a very straightforward grant, so he applied for it. We recently found out that we received a $75,000 grant to help us continue researching materials. It's a wonderful grant because we don't even handle the money. The Minnesota Department of Health contracts with the firm, they do the work, and their bills go directly to the Department of Health. They track everything, so we don't have any bookkeeping to do with that. We are very thankful to the Minnesota Department of Health providing that support so we can continue our research, records inventory, reaching out to property owners ,and helping them identify what they have. Director Omlid: Tomorrow is Open Door pop-up food pantry at the Rambling River Center from 3-4:30 pm. Next Wednesday, August 27t", is the last Music in the Park concert for the season at Rambling River Park. Playing is the Riverside Rockets- 1950s rock and roll. I believe all the other concerts have been indoors this summer, so we are hoping for a good night next Wednesday. And I want to thank everybody for coming out to the grand reopening and ribbon cutting - it was a really fun event and great to have everyone show up for that. Thank you. Chief Price: Katelynn, it's an honor to have you in our ranks. Keep up the great work. We have our Open House on September 17t". The new location this year is at Fire Station #1 . We are going to incorporate some of our training. the live burn trainer, and the SCBA training trailer. We want to start incorporating that into our Open House. Again, follow us on social media for all the times and events. I believe we're going to have food trucks this year, as well. Captain Van Dorn: 70 pounds of food was donated on National Night Out and was moved on to the food shelf. Also, the fence project started at the Police Department today. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of August 18,2025 Page 7 of 8 Acting Mayor Bernatz: Thank you all for muddling through with me. I think we did okay. We are squeezing every last drop out of summer. National Night Out was a ton of fun. I got to ride along with Sergeant Redmond and my dog came with - and I have bruises to prove that she does not like squad cars. So, we won't necessarily be doing that again anytime soon, but I think the kids really enjoyed it. We are unlikely to see you all necessarily again before the school buses start running. So,just a gentle reminder that Stop means Stop. Red Lights mean Stop. Little kids moving around and darting in-between and out of homes is going to be our reality in a very short period of time. So, keep your eyes open to the movement that happens once school comes back. Another congratulations and a thank you to Katelynn and her family, and also to the Fire Department for being here tonight. 14.ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Cordes to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 pm. Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays R spectfully submitted, Shirl R Bu er City Clerk Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of August 18,2025 Page 8 of 8