Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout05.04.26 Council MinutesRegular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2026 Page 1 of 6 City of Farmington Regular Council Meeting Minutes Monday, May 4, 2026 The City Council met in regular session on Monday, May 4, 2026, at Farmington City Hall, 430 Third Street, Farmington, Minnesota. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Lien called the meeting to order at 7 pm. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Lien led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. ROLL CALL Members Present: Mayor Nicholas Lien Councilmembers Holly Bernatz, Jake Cordes, Steve Wilson, and Phil Windschitl Members Absent: None Staff Present: Lynn Gorski, City Administrator David Chanski, Assistant City Administrator 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 4. APPROVE AGENDA Motion was made by Councilmember Windschitl and seconded by Councilmember Wilson to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMENDATIONS 5.1 Top the Tater Days Proclamation A proclamation was read by the City Council to proclaim an exception to City Code, Section 3-11-4, for Top the Tater Days – Thursday, June 25, through Sunday, June 28. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2026 Page 2 of 6 5.2 Peace Officers Memorial Day Proclamation A proclamation was read by the City Council to proclaim May 15, 2026 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Farmington. 5.3 National Public Works Day Proclamation A proclamation was read by City Council to proclaim the week of May 17 to 23, 2026 as National Public Works Week in Farmington. 6.CONSENT AGENDA 6.1 Application for Gambling Event Permit for Farmington Youth Hockey Association, June 26-28, 2026 during Top the Tater Days 6.2 Minutes of the April 20, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting 6.3 Payment of Claims 6.4 Professional Services Agreement with Abdo for Finance Staff Augmentation Services 6.5 Staff Approvals and Recommendations 6.6 Agreement with American Masonry Restoration for Exterior Masonry Repairs at City Hall 6.7 Request to Waive Fees for 2026 Top the Tater Days 6.8 Amended and Restated Joint Powers Agreement for the Criminal Justice Network Board 6.9 Professional Services Agreement with WSB, LLC for the 2026 Street Improvements Construction Services 6.10 Receive Bids and Award a Contract for the 2026 Street Improvements 6.11 Receive Quotes and Award a Contract for the 2026 Spring Ash Tree & Stump Removal Motion was made by Councilmember Cordes and seconded by Councilmember Bernatz to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays 7.PUBLIC HEARINGS 8.AWARD OF CONTRACT 8.1 AIA Owner / Architect Agreement with BKV Architects for Police Department Project Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2026 Page 3 of 6 Police Chief Siem presented the Professional Services Agreement with BKV Architects for the Police Department Renovation and Expansion Project and answered questions for the Council. Motion was made by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Bernatz to approve the AIA Owner/Architect Agreement with BKV Architects. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays 9.PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 11. NEW BUSINESS 12. CITIZENS COMMENTS / RESPONSES TO COMMENTS The following citizen(s) addressed the Council: Michael Rivera, Farmington Cathy Johnson, Castle Rock Township Nancy Aarestad, Castle Rock Township Terrie Pearson, Castle Rock Township Kris Akin, Castle Rock Township 13. CITY COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember Windschitl wished everyone Happy Mother’s Day early to all the mothers and shared that next week is National Police Week, and to remember those who gave ultimate sacrifice and the ones that continue to serve. Councilmember Bernatz congratulated FHS Theater on their Mean Girls performances and thanked the community for showing up to support. Councilmember Bernatz spoke about how Top the Tater Days is coming up and what a labor of love it is for those who do the work including neighbors, community members and businesses that donate their time and energy, and how much work happens behind the scenes. She asked residents if you are at the event and see the volunteers to please stop and thank them. She then discussed Peace Officers Memorial Day and with the loss of Officer Zajac that not everyone’s harm’s way is in the field, sometimes it is in their mind. She asked that people take time to thank an officer and be mindful of the burden they bear. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2026 Page 4 of 6 Councilmember Bernatz thanked the Public Works employees in honor of National Public Works week. She shared her experiences in other parts of the world through Global Ministry that make you realize how much is taken for granted including drinkable water, having a bathroom and a toilet that flushes. That is not something a good majority of the world has. We have safe roadways, water supply, wastewater system, and storm drains due mostly to the professionals behind the scenes. She again thanked the Police Officers, the Top the Tater Days volunteers and the Public Works department. Councilmember Cordes congratulated FHS Theater cast and crew on their fantastic job with the Mean Girls performance and he looks forward to the next production. Councilmember Wilson asked Public Works Director Powell if there is collaboration between Canadian Public Works and the American Public Works Associations for the National Public Works week. Director Powell confirmed that there are Public Works Associations worldwide and he does interact with people from other states and countries at the Public Works events. Councilmember Wilson then discussed the police department open house coming up in two weeks. He asked that people take the time to thank and ask officers how they are doing when you see them. Councilmember Wilson discussed the Fire Department annual celebration and wanted to thank and acknowledge all Fire Department personnel recognized for various awards or accomplishments including Jason Graham, Fire Officer of the Year and Rick Fischer, Firefighter of the Year. City Administrator Gorski thanked Police Chief Siem for his presentation for the police department expansion and thanked council for approving it. City Administrator Gorski shared that Fire Chief Price was unable to be here tonight as he and the Fire Department are at EV training. Assistant City Administrator Chanski thanked council for their continued support for professional staff development. City Clerk Geis is at the week-long Clerks Institute training. City Administrator Gorski and he attended the annual Minnesota City County Management Conference this past week. He was honored to be elected to his third term on the MCMA board and served on a panel with three other administrators on work life flexibility. The support from the Council is why Farmington is a great place to work. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of May 4, 2026 Page 5 of 6 Director Kuennen shared her department’s excitement for their upcoming BS&A online permit system roll-out in June. They are transitioning the current online permit system for the building department which will offer more features, better functionality and will streamline the process for our customers. She thanked the entire team for their efforts and the rest of staff who have already been through this and have provided advice and support. Director Kuennen announced the Economic Development Council has named this week as Economic Development Week. She then shared a quote “Behind every thriving community is a network of planners, entrepreneurs, dreamers, doers, change makers that are all driving progress and supporting the community.” She thanked all in the community that are a part of that. Director Powell explained that as part of the consent agenda they awarded the construction contract for the 2026 Street Improvements. It had nine bidders for the $2.4 million contract, and it came in about 16% under the engineer’s estimate. Next steps will be pre-construction meetings with contractor and the Public. He thanked Council for approving the contract. Director Omlid thanked all the people that helped clean the parks and ponds last week. Director Omid invited everyone to fifth annual spring food truck event on Friday, May 15th from 5:00-8:00 pm at Stelzel Ball Fields. This is a joint event with the Farmington Parks and Recreation Commission and the Empire Parks and Recreation Commission. Director Sommerland reminded residents that the first half of their property taxes are due on May 15th. Police Chief Siem thanked Director Omlid and her staff for their efforts in preparing for police week and their upcoming Police Department open house. Police Chief Siem shared this is the time to remember the fallen officer worldwide, countrywide, Dakota County and Farmington. He thanked Council for the Proclamation and hopes to see everyone at the Police Department open house this week. Mayor Lien thanked Fire Chief Price for the invitation to their event on Saturday. He congratulated Fire Officer Graham and Firefighter Fisher on their awards.