HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.02.26 Work Session Minutes City of Farmington
City Council Work Session Minutes
Monday, March 2, 2026
The City Council met in a work session on Monday, March 2, 2026, at
Farmington City Hall, 430 Third Street, Farmington, Minnesota.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Acting Mayor Lien called the meeting to order at 5:30 pm.
Members Present: Acting Mayor Nick Lien
Councilmembers Holly Bernatz, Jake Cordes,
and Steve Wilson
Members Absent: None
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
Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director
Nate Siem, Police Chief
John Powell, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Melissa Geis, Building Permit Technician
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: 4 ayes / 0 nays
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.1 Discussion on Mayor Vacancy
The City Council accepted the resignation of Mayor Hoyt and
announced the vacancy of his mayoral term on February 17. The City
Council is obligated to appoint an individual to the position of Mayor.
That individual can be a current member of the City Council or a
qualified member of the public. As the current mayoral term has more
Work Session Minutes of March 2,2026 Page 1 of 3
than two years remaining, the appointee shall serve until a special
election can be held for the unexpired portion of the term.
The City Council took questions from resident David Pritzlaff and
provided answers. David Pritzlaff recommended to Council that they
have the open Council seat application period for three days rather
than the recommended 13 days.
Following discussion of the mayoral vacancy, the City Council
unanimously agreed to appoint Nick Lien to serve as Mayor until a
special election is held in November and the results are certified.
Direction to Staff:
• By resolution on tonight's regular Council agenda, appoint Nick
Lien as Mayor. A blank resolution has already been included on
the agenda under Item 12.1; City Clerk shall add Mayor Nick
Lien to the resolution for approval.
• March 16th agenda - by resolution, declare a vacancy for
Councilmember.
• March 17th -open the application process and advertise with a
deadline to apply by March 30th at 4 pm. All applicants will be
interviewed if they are a qualified member of the public (at
least 21 years of age and a resident of the city of Farmington).
Staff will review applications and contact applicants to
schedule interviews.
• April 6th - tentative date for mayoral candidate interviews,
followed by Council deliberation.
• April 20th - the new appointed Councilmember will be sworn in
and take their seat at the Council table.
4. COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATE
Councilmember Bernatz: upcoming Airlake Advisory Committee meeting.
Councilmember Wilson: Fire Relief Association meeting will be on March
19th.
Acting Mayor Lien: Dakota 911 meeting was last Thursday. Dakota County
Commissioner Mike Slavik was elected as the new Chair of the Dakota 911
board.
5. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
Administrator Gorski introduced Melissa Geis to the City Council. Her
appointment to City Clerk is on tonight's regular agenda for approval, and
her start date is April 20th.
Work Session Minutes of March 2,2026 Page 2 of 3
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by
Councilmember Bernatz to adjourn the meeting at 6:21 pm.
Motion carried: 4 ayes / 0 nays
spectfully submitted,
Shirley Rde ksler
City Clerk
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