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Home My WebLink About02.02.26 Council Work Session Minutes City of Farmington City Council Work Session Minutes Monday, February 2, 2026 The City Council met in a work session on Monday, February 2, 2026, 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 Deanna Kuennen, Economic & Community Development Director Josh Solinger, Liquor Operations Manager Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Nate Siem, Police Chief John Powell, Public Works Director/City Engineer Ben Humlie, Natural Resources Specialist Dani Olson, GIS Specialist Shirley Buecksler, City Clerk 2. APPROVE AGENDA Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember Cordes to approve the agenda, as presented. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3.1 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Natural Resources Specialist Ben Humlie provided an update on the EAB Management Plan implementation and answered questions for the City Council. Specialist Humlie's PowerPoint presentation is attached with details on the EAB Management Plan. Work Session Minutes of February 2,2026 Page 1 of 5 FARMINGTON EMERALD ASH BORER ( EAB ) UPDATE CITY OF FARMINGTON EAB REVIEW • Boulevard ash tree inventory completed summer 2016 • 3,374 boulevard ash trees were recorded • Trees were rated as poor, fair or good condition and measured . • 44% of the city's boulevard trees were ash • As of 2023, an estimated 3300 ash trees remained in the boulevard . 2016 ORIGINAL ASH TREE INVENTORY 4 IWTH 61 W LL IMTH ST W TH �S I.T.6T W 19�,TH - W � 197TH 67 W T.6TW A 201ST STW 2p"H$1W Z U ^ 315TH ST W m \ 209TIW 2107H 5T�1 D W�S} ✓Ntv Rlt 81� :12111.".i w KW1TSEK& Condition MIH ST W I-sr w g000 l527) (� ,528) i hir(2 �6 poor(319) 2016 ctty of Ferminplon ??? Aah Tree Inventory � other tree species(7,690) � 2251f sT w EAB MANAGEMENT PLAN REVIEW • March of 2023 the city adopted the EAB Management plan • The plan called for an aggressive removal approach with continued treatment of ash to delay/stage future removals that prioritizes public safety. i 2023-2024 BOULEVARD ASH TREE INVENTORY AUDIT • 2392 trees reviewed • 219 not present or wrong species • 42 ash added • 35 very good condition/"heritage ash" • 112 found to be on private property • 2087 Ash remained in the boulevard • Estimated 700 Ash trees were inventoried in Park and Natural areas focusing on high use areas and trails • Since this audit more trees have been added and data has been modified 2023 EAB WORK r. Total Boulevard Total Park Ash Trees ■- Ash Trees Jan. Jan. 2023 2023 Contractor removed 0 Contractor 332 �• removed A. Parks Removed 208 Public Works Removed 201 Trees remaining in Trees remaining in Parks the boulevard Total city trees 1060 injected 2024 EAB WORK Ash Trees in the Ash Trees in Boulevard Jan. Parks Jan ■ 2024 2024. Contractor 732 Contractor 0 Removed Removal Public Works Parks 348 170 Removed Removal Total Trees _ Total Trees - Remaining in the meted 1,687 _ remaining in ■ boulevard " " Parks Trees Planted in 0 Trees planted 65 the boulevards in Parks Total City Trees F_. _ injected (Final 157 year) 2025 EAB WORK Total Boulevard Total Parks Ash Trees Ash Trees Jan Estimated 16Q Jan 2025 2025 Contractor Removed 29 Contractor 604 Removed Parks Removed 21 Public Works 103 Trees Remaining in Removed Trees Remaining parks Trees Planted in in the boulevard r- 25 Trees planted in =��'�- �� ` parks 230 boulevards • 4 2025 COST PER TREE SNAPSHOT • Winter Ash Tree and Stump Removal- 216 trees, average cost • $984/tree • Summer Ash Tree and Stump Removal- 92 trees, average cost • $532/tree • Fall Ash Tree and Stump Removal- 115 Trees and 11 additional stumps • $521/tree • Institutional Community Work Crew (ICWC) Contract with stumps removed with a separate contract- 135 trees • $194/tree DISTRIBUTION OF ASH TREES END OF 2025 • Green, yellow, orange and red colored dots •'°3f .. :%. r indicated standing ash trees 1V1• W.'ate'=• • Brown dots indicate trees and stumps a- 11Par* �.r�St completely removed ; n fl.5lNf e:.� • C uwa+ f .: ti� � • IL 31 en. ,...•q.. _ a„ ... Dakota CO.,., »I =i �. ••. I��1k Park •- 4• Cansarvanon j 1 •a i� . .• uw,, _ Area �•. _ a�wP.•nl y ,. .,, - 2026 REMOVAL STRATEGY • Focus of removal for 2026 will be moving in a north / south manner with tree contractors. • We have applied for grant funding for continuing removals, which has a required replanting component. (ReLeaf Grant) • Public Works and Parks staff will continue, when available, to remove trees of all sizes but will focus primarily on non ash trees that are hazardous. • Trees and stumps are now included on all removal contracts with the exception of the ICWC contract. 2026 ASH REMOVAL PROJECTS IN PROGRESS Winter Ash Tree and Stump Removal Public Works/ICWC Inhouse project b r A �.,I'•� M�'��, e r � rt _ n 4}Dj' i'LE'Q�EbC7 �y�, '� �j•S. •s: 4T C�Q3 G-�t _ � ��r r� y�� ',�.��* ,�. I�. � .J-� � r •...' SlCi�xii`1�� -, f ,f. F! . .. ,. � r ti r T.:- ♦ t `i i!e r .n.r i r� (� v r t. EA B REFORESTATION PROJECTS • Replanting trees is a necessity in some areas. • 2025 projects • Arbor Day planting in Distad Park • 25 Trees planted • Tree planting along 2024 Street Improvement Area • 15 Trees planted • Shade Tree Grant area • 215 Trees planted • 2026 projects • 2025 Street Improvement Area • Unknown Number • Arbor Day Planting in Evergreen Knoll Park • Unknown Number • Shade Tree Grant area 4 • At least 116 more trees will be planted • We have applied for the ReLeaf grant for additional tree planting projects REFORESTATION PLANNING r>r tis Using grant fundingwhen available or • • • projects ,try' i• y �l v I Being intentional planting 1 to • _ - Workingarounde utilities xisting Planting smaller trees if needed and/or allowed by , • grant planting guidelines .A3 r FUTURE ISSUES • Trees on private property • Potential nuisance and hazardous tree situations • We will still need to be aware of future insects or diseases that may come • Maple varieties are still being heavily planted both in new developments and in established residential yards and have the highest percentage population of trees in the city • Top 4 tree species/families in the city are • Maple (Acer) • Linden/Basswood (Tilia) • Spruce (Picea) • Ash (Fraxiunus) • New Oak disease was found in Hennepin County • Sudden Oak Death Pathogen (Phytophthora ramorum) • Similar symptoms to oak wilt • Identify priority areas for replanting 3.2 Geographic Information System (GIS) Update GIS Specialist Dani Olson provided an update for the City Council on the City's recent GIS activities and a look at what is ahead. GIS Integration Across Departments • Building Inspections: Photo dashboard; BS&A integration support. • Community/Economic Development: RFI figures; forecasting figures and scats for potential developments. • Fire: Adopt-A-Hydrant. • Natural Resources: Ash tree removal and shade tree planting maps; storm pond and outfall inspections. • Parks and Recreation: Parks and trails web map; Holiday Lights Tour maps. • Planning & Zoning: Zoning web map; Current Developments web map. • Police: Toys for Town; parking violation alerts. o Toys for Town: ■ 489 children enrolled; 175 families enrolled. ■ Automated email for survey link incorporated. ■ Delivery Zones incorporated. • Public Works: As-built Linked Utilities map; PCI maps and OpenGov integration. o As-built linking: ■ Approximately 1,100 individual pages linked. ■ Date of document, contractor, link to full record drawing document, and type of utility all logged for every page. ■ Organization-accessible map for mobile and desktop browsing. Automation - automated emails • Farmington Fix • Storm pond and outfall maintenance • Parking violations • Adopt-A-Hydrant • Toys for Town coordination GIS Specialist Olson answered questions for the City Council. Councilmember Bernatz suggested a more visible location for the GIS hub on the City's website so it's easier for the public to find. Mayor Hoyt told her to keep pushing the bar - don't hesitate to bring new ideas and creativity. Work Session Minutes of February 2, 2026 Page 2 of 5 3.3 Municipal Liquor Profits Allocation Discussion Assistant City Administrator Chanski discussed with the City Council the allocation of Municipal Liquor profits. In 2015, a policy was established to designate where Municipal Liquor operation profits are allocated. It was determined that profits would be split into four categories (pots). With our rapid growth and our desire to have more of a direct benefit to our community, it is Staff's recommendation that we adjust the Municipal Liquor Stores' profit allocation. Current Pot Split Pot 1 -Cash for Operations • Cash reserves to cover operating expenses for three months. • Balance to remain at$325,000 Pot 2-Operational Transfers • Paid to the City to covet Liquor Ops services received from City Hall staff • +i-$100,000, rises with inflation and COLA Pot 3-Community/Government Transfers • Used for projects that directly benefit the community • 50%of revenue remaining after Pot 1 and Pot 2 are replenished Pot 4-Future Liquor Store Capital Needs • For potential future Liquor Operations capital needs • 50%of revenue remaining after Pot 1 and Pat 2 are replenished Current Pot Funds Liquor Pot Funds St uu.�(l0 ;1�a.00u ;�oa.aoo ■Put 1(C401 far Operational ■Pat 3 k'Ope.abonat T,ansfeml ■Pbt 3(Gummurncy+Gwcrrrmmt Ti erstersp■Pot A 11 wure LxNor Cepial NaWsl *2025 revenues not inducted` Work Session Minutes of February 2,2026 Page 3 of 5 Proposed Pot Split Pot 1 —Balance to remain at S325.000 Pot 2—Remains the same. +/-$100.000 Pot 3—Remaining revenue after Pot 1, Pot 2, and Pot 4 are replenished Pot 4—Balance set to min+max M,000 • Justification—By adjusting Pot 4 allocation we can keep adequate reserves for future Liquor Operational needs(insurance deductible, relocation,or additional location), while enabling us to have a more direct benefit to the community. Estimated Adjusted Pot Funds (inct. 2025 estimated,wd skate park) ss2s,oct� I Aoo_ St o5,000 FS1,500,D00 ■Pb!1 r-Amt for operaGrral ■Put 2(Operationai Tiarv!ersi ■Pb!3 r�ommi:+mty/Gave+nmcn!Twisters?•Put 4 0 Uture Log Liar Caortal Needs Discussion ensued and Assistant City Administrator Chanski answered questions for the City Council, who agreed with the proposed allocation and directed Staff to draft a revised policy for Council approval. 4. COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATE 5. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE 6. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Councilmember Lien and seconded by Councilmember Bernatz to adjourn the meeting at 6:24 pm. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays Work Session Minutes of February 2,2026 Page 4 of 5 R pectfully submitted, ey cksler City Clerk Work Session Minutes of February 2, 2026 Page 5 of 5