HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.02.26 Work Session Packet
AGENDA
Council Work Session
Meeting
5:30 PM - Monday, March 2, 2026
Farmington City Hall, Conf Room 170
Page
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVE AGENDA
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
3.1. Discussion on Mayoral Vacancy
The City Council should discuss how they would like to proceed with
filling the vacant position of Mayor. In the event that the Council elects to
appoint a current Councilmember to the position of Mayor, the Council
should discuss how they would like to fill the now vacant
Councilmember seat.
Agenda Item: Discussion on Mayoral Vacancy - Pdf
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4. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE UPDATE
5. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
6. ADJOURN
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COUNCIL WORK SESSION AGENDA MEMO
To: Mayor, Councilmembers and City Administrator
From: David Chanski, Asst City Admin/HR Director
Department: Administration
Subject: Discussion on Mayoral Vacancy
Meeting: Council Work Session - Mar 02 2026
INTRODUCTION:
The City Council accepted the resignation of Mayor Hoyt and announced the vacancy of
his mayoral term on February 17. Staff is seeking direction on how the Council would like to
proceed with filling the vacancy.
DISCUSSION:
Minnesota Statute 412.02 Subdivision 2a states, "Except as otherwise provided in subdivision
2b, a vacancy in an office shall be filled by council appointment until an election is held as
provided in this subdivision. In case of a tie vote in the council, the mayor shall make the
appointment."
Additionally, "If the vacancy occurs before the first day to file affidavits of candidacy for
the next regular city election and more than two years remain in the unexpired term, a
special election shall be held at or before the next regular city election and the appointed
person shall serve until the qualification of a successor elected at a special election to fill
the unexpired portion of the term."
As such, 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 (at least 21 years of age and a resident of Farmington). As the current mayoral term
has more than 2 years remaining (term expires December 31, 2028), the appointee shall
serve until a special election can be held for the unexpired portion of the term. It is Staff's
recommendation that the special election be held concurrently with the General Election
on November 3rd.
If the City Council elects to appoint a member of the public to the position of Mayor, City
Council may appoint a qualified individual or go through an application process.
If the City Council elects to appoint a current member of the Council to the position of
Mayor, that individual will fully vacate their current term and serve as Mayor until the
special election is held. Should that individual either not run for election to the unexpired
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portion of the term or not be elected, the individual would step down from the City
Council once the elected Mayor takes the Oath of Office on November 16.
Lastly, if a current member of the City Council is appointed to the position of Mayor, the
Council will need to appoint a member of the public to fill the now vacant
Councilmember seat either for the remainder of the term if there is less than 2 years
remaining on the term (e.g. Councilmembers Lien or Bernatz as their terms end December
31, 2026) or until a special election can be held if there is more than two years remaining
on the term (e.g. Councilmembers Wilson or Cordes as their terms end December 31,
2028). The attached flowchart outlines these two scenarios.
ACTION REQUESTED:
The City Council should discuss how they would like to proceed with filling the vacant
position of Mayor. In the event that the Council elects to appoint a current
Councilmember to the position of Mayor, the Council should discuss how they would like to
fill the now vacant Councilmember seat.
ATTACHMENTS:
Council Appointment Flowchart
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Mayor Hoyt Res11gnation
Councill Member Appointed Mayo,r ➔ ,council Seat
Seat Becomes Vacant
Which Council l"erm r---Is Vacated?
Vacancy Created
Lien or Bernatz
(Term expire,s 12/31/2026)
Appointee Serves
Through 12/31/2026
Special Election NOT Required
Vacancy Created
WHson or Corde-s
(Term expires 1,2/31/2028)
Spec·a1 !Election REQUIIRED
(at or be ore Nov 2026 Gener 11 E 1 ection)
Appoiintee Serves Until
Successor Elected & QuaJified
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