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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.05.26 Special Work Session Minutes City of Farmington Special City Council Work Session Minutes Thursday, March 5, 2026 The City Council met in a work session on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Farmington City Hall, 430 Third Street, Farmington, Minnesota. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Lien called the meeting to order at Noon. Members Present: Mayor Nick Lien Councilmembers Holly Bernatz and Jake Cordes Members Absent: Councilmember Steve Wilson Staff Present: Lynn Gorski, City Administrator David Chanski, Assistant City Administrator/HR Director Amy Schmidt, City Attorney Deanna Kuennen, Economic & Community Development Director Kim Sommerland, Finance Director Matt Price, Fire Chief Kari Kubicek, Grant Writer Josh Solinger, Liquor Operations Manager Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Nate Siem, Police Chief Andrew Van Dorn, Police Captain Bob Sauter, Police Captain John Powell, Public Works Director/City Engineer Kari Kubicek, Grant Writer Also Present: Paul Omodt, Professor, University of St. Thomas 2. APPROVE AGENDA Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember Cordes to approve the agenda, as presented. Motion carried: 3 ayes / 0 nays 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3.1 Discussion on Goals and Priorities for 2026 / 2027 The City Council held their annual Strategic Planning meeting with department Staff to discuss goals and priorities. Special Work Session Minutes of March 5,2026 Page 1 of 5 2026 / 2027 Pillars * Quality Business Grown & Retention o Enhance business activities o Positively position Farmington to welcome, support, and attract development o Maintain and grow relationships * Community Engagement o Increase transparency in City government o Communicate effectively o Enhance outreach and create tools to encourage resident engagement o Be present and responsive * Infrastructure Support o Provide the highest level of core service delivery o Meet industry standards for CIP * Employee Engagement / Culture / Wellness o Ensure all employees feel empowered, valued, and appreciated o Promote employee collaboration o Create a respectful and trusting work environment Discussion: The City Council would like Staff to bring department successes and awards to celebrate with the Council, along with a presentation. Then share it with the community where all residents can see it. 2025 Council Priorities 1 . Police Department Expansion 2. Combination Full-Time/Paid-on-Call and Fire Station Expansion 3. Street Reconstruction and Maintenance / Water and Sewer Expansion 4. Building Maintenance and Upgrades 5. Trail Construction and Maintenance 6. Maintenance Facility Expansion 7. Ice Arena Department Goals and Priorities Police Department • Electric and gas franchise fees. The City Council is in favor of moving forward with the Police Department expansion, is Special Work Session Minutes of March 5, 2026 Page 2 of 5 interested in finding resources for funding, and would like to see what the next steps are regarding franchise fees. Continue to pursue this as a tool. Fire Department • Adequate Staff and Paid-on-Call Staff. In the past month, the addition of full-time Fire Staff has already paid off with much lower response times. Having full-time Fire Staff has also reduced Police time when waiting for medical assistance to arrive on scene. • Administrative Assistant. This position will help relief time spent on data by both the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief. • Fire Station Assessment in 2027. • Two-Day Citizen's Academy. Public Works • Timely implementation of infrastructure expansion/rehabilitation projects to meet CIP and new development needs. • Emphasize water conservation and evaluate re-use options to reduce our existing and future water demand. • Complete a citywide streetlight inventory and cost analysis to guide future procurement, maintenance, and replacement in time for the 2027-2031 CIP. Council would like to look at what we want our streetlights to look like and also have a conversation about dark sky. Parks and Recreation • Finish skate park design and construction. • Complete and identify needs at Depot Way Art Park. • City Hall Projects. Include egress issue on the second floor, and masonry blocks coming out on the south side of the building. Community Development • Building Department transition to BS&A. Will go live mid-June. • Update to the Zoning Code is wrapping up. • Kick-Off to the Comprehensive Plan 2050. Zoning Code cleanup is moving forward; discussion of the Comprehensive Plan at the March 19t" Joint Planning Commission/City Council Work Session; and adoption in 2028. Finance • Assistant Finance Director needed. Staff size has not changed in 30 years, and accounting standards have tripled since 2000. • Update policies. Special Work Session Minutes of March 5,2026 Page 3 of 5 IT • Wi-Fi at Parks: Fair Hills, Hill Dee, and Fairfield Estates. • Policies: 25 to be adopted and approved for audit. • Security Services. Liquor Operations • Staffing. An additional two full-time employees are necessary for more stability; City Council is in support. Human Resources • New Human Resources Manager has made a big difference. • Update the Personnel Policy. • Improve general processing. • Compensation and Classification Study. • Improving employee wellness. Communications • Create informational and educational content. • Interviews for Video Content Specialist for the cable commission. • Create a strategic communications plan and a project communications plan. • Communications Manager for 2027 budget. • Citizen's/Communications Academy. Similar to a Civics 101 course; educational and community champions; the first would be a pilot program. • Accessibility requirements. Must be completed by 2027. Administration • Grant project activity was shared. • Representation is needed at the State level. Paul Omodt provided a presentation for the City Council and Staff. City Council discussion: a. Public understanding and sharing different things that are happening in Farmington. Capture a component or snip-it of the meeting and share it. Have a monthly theme, such as educating the public on the consent agenda and how it's used. b. Videos to capture what government does and build more trust, such as themes, consent agenda, work sessions, routine jobs, transparency, and the responsibility of a Councilmember. City Administrator Gorski said a follow-up meeting will be scheduled. Special Work Session Minutes of March 5,2026 Page 4 of 5 4. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Councilmember Bernatz and seconded by Councilmember Cordes to adjourn the meeting at 4:19 pm. Motion carried: 3 ayes / 0 nays Respectfully submitted, SrIeJy cksler City Clerk Special Work Session Minutes of March 5,2026 Page 5 of 5