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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.08.26 Council MinutesRegular City Council Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2026 Page 1 of 5 City of Farmington Regular Council Meeting Minutes Tuesday, September 8, 2026 The City Council met in regular session on Tuesday September 8, 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 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 Jeremiah Baumann, Communications & Public Affairs Manager Deanna Kuennen, Economic & Community Development Director Kim Sommerland, Finance Director Matt Price, Fire Chief Kellee Omlid, Parks & Recreation Director Nate Siem, Police Chief John Powell, Public Works Director Melissa Geis, City Clerk Others Present: Claire Kennedy, Police Officer Kyle Miller, Police Officer with K9 Moose 4. 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 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2026 Page 2 of 5 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS / COMMENDATIONS 6. CONSENT AGENDA 6.1 Minutes of the July 23, 2026 Joint Planning Commission and City Council Work Session 6.2 Minutes of the August 17, 2026 City Council Work Session 6.3 Minutes of the August 17, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting 6.4 Resolution 2026-072 Accepting an Offer and Authorizing the Sale of Property located at 19799 Embers Avenue Parcel ID: 14-56801-01-010 6.5 Payment of Claims 6.6 Resolution Declaring Surplus Property - Fire 6.7 Staff Approvals and Recommendations 6.8 Donation from Happy Harry’s Furniture to the Rambling River Center 6.9 Declaring Surplus Vehicle and Equipment - Police Motion was made by Councilmember Windschitl and seconded by Councilmember Wilson to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented. Motion carried: 5 ayes / 0 nays 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS 8. AWARD OF CONTRACT 9. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 10. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 11. NEW BUSINESS 11.1 Donations from Farmington Firefighters Relief Association to the Farmington Police K9 Program Chief Siem shared that the donations are used to support vet care, food and other needs for the K9’s. Officer Kyle Miller introduced K9 Moose. Motion by Councilmember Wilson and seconded by Councilmember Cordes to adopt Resolution 2026-069 Accepting a Donation of $6000 from the Farmington Firefighters Relief Association. 12. CITIZENS COMMENTS / RESPONSES TO COMMENTS The following citizen(s) addressed the Council: Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2026 Page 3 of 5  Paul Putt, Farmington  David Pritzlaff, Farmington  Caroline Kiefer, Castle Rock Township  Katie Porter, Farmington 13. CITY COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Councilmember Windschitl shared it is the 6th annual Corey Slifko memorial tournament at Stelzel Fields this weekend. They have raised over $265,000 to be used towards mental health for First Responders. He welcomed everyone to come out and support the cause. Councilmember Bernatz reminded everyone to pay attention to all the bus activities and additional kids out with school starting last week. She also thanked local business, The Pam McCarthy Agency, for her filling the bus with school supply donations and the businesses who donated pallets of water bottles to the Fire Department. Councilmember Cordes shared that his family did a summer tour of all the Farmington Parks, he thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for their work maintaining the 22 parks with playgrounds. He suggested everyone get out and visit all the different parks Farmington has to offer. Councilmember Wilson asked Councilmember Cordes if his park visits were over 1 summer, Councilmember Cordes confirmed it was this summer. He then shared that since 2011 Happy Harry’s has made almost $20,000 in donations to the Rambling River Center, he thanked the people who shop there for their contributions/donations and Happy Harry’s for their program. Assistant City Administrator Chanski thanked community members for reaching out with questions. He stated we are continuing to work on ways to communicate better with residents and said to watch for a survey in the upcoming Farmington Currents. Director Kuennen encouraged the residents and businesses to share their input on the 2050 comprehensive plan. There is a portal to submit comments on the City’s website under the latest news tab. Director Powell stated they also have the City-Wide Speed Limit study with an interactive map on the website; comments are open until October 15 th. He also shared as part of the 2026 street improvements project the intersection on Spruce and 2nd Street will be closed for the day tomorrow. Regular City Council Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2026 Page 4 of 5 Director Omlid shared that there are several free events this weekend including the “Who Done It?” Hike in partnership with Lakeville at Ritter Farm Park and Saturday evening has Movie in the Park featuring “A Minecraft Movie” at Distad Park. She thanked the sponsors; Castle Rock Bank, Farmington Liquors, Farmington Youth Hockey Association, Hobo, State Farm Sierra Juhl, and VFW Post 7662. This Sunday celebrate Schmitz-Maki Ice Arena’s 50th anniversary with free open skate. She thanked everyone who has supported the arena over the 50 years to make this possible. Director Sommerland shared that they will be presenting the 2027 budget at the upcoming City Council Meeting and reminded residents that property taxes are composed of the City, School and County taxes. She shared that the County is holding a budget open house this Saturday. Chief Price thanked Fritz Mechanical and Janie’s Home Team for their generous donations of a pallet of water bottles for the fire department to have on the trucks. He also shared the Fire Prevention Open House is at Fire Station 1 on September 16th and will have bounce house, food, and activities for all ages. Chief Siem gave an update on the remodel and expansion, they are working on final contract for Kraus Anderson. He spoke about the First Center in Lakeville and shared that is where they will be doing their firearms and tactical training, this will help with costs of the expansion by not needing those additional areas in the updated building. He will also be at the Corey Slifko Memorial event this weekend. Mayor Lien shared there is a hearing tomorrow for the ongoing litigation. He recommended everyone visit the Minnesota Court Records site to get accurate information. He then asked Attorney Schmidt if he was allowed to organize the work session/listening session without council. Attorney Schmidt stated that typically it would be done by the entire body but does not know the by-laws off hand for the City of Farmington, she will get a response for him. Resident Pritzlaff commented that the rules state to not respond to items discussed in Public Comment, Mayor Lien explained he is unable to schedule after November 3rd as he will no longer be in office. City Attorney Schmidt explained that due to this being a special election the candidate elected mayor will take office upon certification of election in November.