HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.06.25 Work Session MinutesWork Session Minutes of October 6, 2025 Page 1 of 3
City of Farmington
City Council Work Session Minutes
Monday, October 6, 2025
The City Council met in a work session on Monday, October 6, 2025, at
Farmington City Hall, 430 Third Street, Farmington, Minnesota.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hoyt called the meeting to order at 5 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
David Chanski, Assistant City Administrator/HR Director
Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director
Nate Siem, Police Chief
John Powell, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Tony Wippler, Planning Manager
Bob Sauter, Police Captain
Also Present: Parks & Recreation Commission Members Katharine
Caron, David McMillen, Megan Merricks,
Doug Pewowaruk, and Katie Putt
2. APPROVE AGENDA
Motion was made by Councilmember Lien and seconded by
Councilmember Cordes to approve the agenda, as presented.
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.1 Discussion on Use of Trails
Parks & Recreation Director Omlid and Captain Sauter made a
presentation regarding concerns around the use of e-bikes,
e-scooters, and motorized vehicles on City sidewalks and trails. The
purpose of the discussion was to provide some education around
issues, discuss with the City Council and Parks & Recreation
Committee, and receive direction for next steps.
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Director Omlid and Captain Sauter’s presentation included the
statutory definitions and regulations for e-bikes, e-scooters, and
e-motos, and the City’s current ordinances around their use as well as
what surrounding communities have done to address their use. The
presentation also included discussion on the use of ATVs, UTVs, and golf
carts on trails as well as city streets as the complaints around their use
have also been increasing.
During the presentation and discussion, Parks & Recreation Committee
Member Putt and Councilmember Lien both shared experiences they
have had with reckless e-bike users on the City’s trail system.
Throughout the discussion, the top issues that were identified around
the use of e-bikes and e-scooters were speed limits and enforceability.
Neither the City Council nor the Parks & Recreation Committee sought
to ban their use but to ensure safety for both riders and pedestrians
who interact with them. Additionally, there were concerns about
unintended consequences for strict regulations such as pushing kids
who use e-bikes and e-scooters off the trail system and on to the streets
where it is much less safe, as well as how regulations might increase
the City’s liability.
Ultimately, the City Council and the Parks & Recreation Commission
were in agreement that the City’s initial actions should be, first and
foremost, education and, second, to enforce State Statutes and
consider codifying them in the City Code if necessary.
3.2 Solid Waste/Recycling Services Agreement Between the City of
Farmington and Dick’s Sanitation Service Inc.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Powell presented the history of
solid waste collection in the city. Prior to 2021, solid waste collection
was conducted by the City. However, after discussing the topic for a
number of years, the City Council made the decision to cease
conducting solid waste collection as a City operation, and Dick’s
Sanitation Service Inc. (DSI) was awarded an initial 5-year contract to
conduct all solid waste and recycling collection in Farmington.
That initial contract is set to expire at the end of 2026. As such, Director
Powell desired to get direction from the City Council whether they
would like to exercise the extension option included in the contract
with DSI, rebid services, or look at a different collection methodology
such as continuing with organized collection but breaking the city up
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into districts that would be individually bid or deregulating solid waste
and recycling collection altogether.
The City Council was unified in discussion that they are pleased with
DSI’s services and that, even though things were a little rough at first,
DSI worked hard to make improvements and are very easy to work with
and customer friendly. Councilmember Bernatz shared that while she
is fully supportive of extending the contract with DSI, she wants to
acknowledge that there will be a perception among some that the
City hasn’t taken the steps to reduce costs by going out to bid. Director
Powell stated that Public Works Department can do some education
on why the City does organized collection, how DSI was selected, and
why the decision was made to stick with DSI.
In addition to the direction to exercise the contract extension with DSI,
which will come before the City Council for formal ratification at a later
date, the Council discussed looking at ways to help residents dispose
of large bulky items and cardboard. No specific direction was given,
but Staff will continue to look at options.
4. COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATE
5. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by
Councilmember Wilson to adjourn the meeting at 6:37 pm.
Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays
Respectfully submitted,
David C. Chanski
Assistant City Administrator