This transcript features **Mayor Joshua Hoyt** presiding over the meeting on May 6, 2024. Please note that while your context list identifies Nick Lien as Mayor, the transcript explicitly identifies Joshua Hoyt in the role (likely due to the 2026 date in your notes vs. the 2024 date of the transcript). [0:00] [Music] [0:41] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** We'll call the city council regular meeting to order from Monday, May 6, 2024. Would everyone please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance? [0:57] **All:** I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [1:16] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** Call the roll please. Mayor Hoyt? **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Here. **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** Councilmember Bernatz? **Councilmember Holly Bernatz:** Here. **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** Councilmember Lien? **Councilmember Nick Lien:** Here. **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** Councilmember Porter? **Councilmember Katie Porter:** Here. **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** Councilmember Wilson? **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** Here. [1:33] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** All right. Any changes to the agenda? Lien, Nick, Holly? None. Katie, Steve, Lynn? All right, seeing no changes, we would look for a motion to approve the agenda. **Councilmember Holly Bernatz:** Motion to approve. **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** Second. **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Motion by Holly, second by Steve. All in favor say aye. **Councilmembers:** Aye. [1:51] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Moving on to our section five, our announcements. We'll start with 5.1, which is the update from Commissioner Slavic. Welcome, sir. [2:01] **Commissioner Mike Slavic:** Thank you. Good evening. Do I need to do something on here to—oh, that or John, can you hit the button for the podium? There we go, thank you. Well, good evening Mayor, Councilmember, City staff. My name is Mike Slavic, I am the Dakota County Commissioner for District One, which includes all of Farmington, Hastings, and all of Southern Dakota County. I'm here for my couple-time-a-year update just of what's going on at Dakota County. [2:48] **Commissioner Mike Slavic:** ...I worked with our assessor to just kind of give a little bit of a update of what's happening countywide as well as some of the perspectives on the city of Farmington in terms of market value... [continues update on housing, library, county manager retirement, and transportation projects]. [13:09] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Thank you, sir. Katie, any questions? **Councilmember Katie Porter:** I don't have questions. Thank you for being here and, of course, for explaining that process because it can be quite frustrating, especially in Farmington. We're working on it, right? **Commissioner Mike Slavic:** You certainly are. [13:21] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Steve? **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** I just appreciate your collaboration with us and your continued, you know, visits down to us here in Farmington. So, thank you. **Commissioner Mike Slavic:** Thank you. [13:30] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Holly? **Councilmember Holly Bernatz:** No questions. Great presentation. I always love providing more points of education for everybody that's, you know, looking at stuff and wondering how did that happen, why did that happen? So, I thought it was great. [13:41] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Nick? **Councilmember Nick Lien:** Yeah, great, always informative. I really appreciate even like last week just showing up to a work session and dropping even a hint that kind of helps us along. Your presence around here is always really appreciated. [14:14] **Commissioner Mike Slavic:** Well, and I will add, I absolutely—and I know our staff do as well—working with Farmington, both the electeds and your staff do an amazing job. Thank you, sir. We appreciate your time. [15:10] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** All right. Next item on the agenda is 5.2, our new employee introductions. Where did Julie go? No, Julie, there you are. We are going to introduce four new employees tonight. We'll start with Josh for the liquor store. [15:42] **Josh (Liquor Operations Manager):** Hello everybody. My name is Josh, I am your Liquor Operations Manager. I'm here tonight to introduce our latest hire, Bradley Duffy Altermatt. [Shares story of the hiring process]. Duffy came back while I was working on the orders and asked me three times, "How can I help?" And really, that's like the best thing a teammate can do. So that's Duffy in a nutshell. [18:18] **Bradley "Duffy" Altermatt:** I appreciate that, thank you. **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Welcome aboard. [18:26] **Julie (City Staff):** Deanna unfortunately could not be here, so she asked if I would introduce her two newest team members. I am, in lieu of Deanna, excited to introduce the two members of Community and Economic Development. The first one is Sean Maesi. Sean is our newest Building Inspector... Secondly is Melissa Geis... we were so excited that she applied for the Building Permit Technician position. We're excited to have her here as well. **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Welcome aboard, both of you. Thank you. [20:32] **John Powell (Public Works Director):** I'm John Powell, Public Works Director. I'm here to introduce Isaac Sheral. He's one of our new Public Works maintenance workers. He grew up locally, a Rosemount graduate, and went to Dakota County Technical College. He has a varied background including being an apprentice lineman and working with the Dakota County Highway Department. We're very happy to have Isaac on our team. [21:40] **Isaac Sheral:** Nice to meet you all. Very happy to be here. Everything's going smooth and great. **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Welcome aboard as well, sir. Thanks. [22:01] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** All right, moving on. Our next item is item 5.3, which is a recognition of Katie Porter's contributions as city council member. Lynn? [22:08] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Well, Katie, we want to recognize you for your years of service. As you turned in your resignation for your Council seat, we wanted to make sure that we recognize you for all the great work that you put into the city and the community. With that, to recognize you from all of the team, the staff, and Council, we'd like to present you with this award. [Applause] [23:02] **Councilmember Katie Porter:** Thank you so much to all of my peers, department heads, everybody. It's really been an honor and privilege to serve in this capacity. I love this community wholeheartedly... it's hard leaving a service position, you feel like you're letting people down a little bit, but as we speak I have three family members at home with fevers of 104 and it's just hard being a parent and juggling it all. This isn't goodbye, it's just see you later. [24:40] **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** Katie, I've really appreciated getting to know you and work with you. I just really appreciate all that you've given to the community. Honestly, I wish things would have worked out where you would have been able to stay, but I also know that your future endeavors are things that you're excited about too. I wish you the very best. [26:06] **Councilmember Nick Lien:** Nick, you want to go next? I really can't express how difficult it can be to do this job with small kids at home, and how admirable it is to step up and do this to represent your demographic and our demographic of kind of younger families with young kids. The service you have put in is well appreciated. [26:45] **Councilmember Holly Bernatz:** I knew you before this, and were it not for your candor... I honestly may not be here either. So I deeply appreciate that. We're going to miss you, but I know it's not the last of you. [27:40] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** They've hit a lot of the really good points. You do it with a strong moral compass, you do it with a pure heart and an unwavering commitment and love for your community. We definitely as a council were better with you here, and we wish you the best of luck in all the things. [29:56] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** All right, we will move on to 5.4 now, which is our National Public Works Week Proclamation. John? [30:02] **John Powell:** Mayor and City Council Members, 2024 is the 64th annual National Public Works Week. We just want to recognize the effort and the contributions made by Isaac and all the other Public Works individuals to the betterment of our community. [30:50] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** [Reads the National Public Works Week Proclamation designating May 19 to 25, 2024, as National Public Works Week]. [32:30] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Our next item on the agenda is 5.5, which is to proclaim May 15th, 2024, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 12 to 18 as Police Week. Chief? [33:07] **Police Chief Nate Siem:** Thank you, Mayor. As you're aware, President John Kennedy declared May 15th to be Peace Officers Memorial Day each year... This is an opportunity for communities to say thank you. [34:03] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** [Reads the Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week Proclamation]. [35:30] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Our next item is 5.6, the proclamation for Farmington Dew Days, June 20 to 23. Shirley? [36:05] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** This is a proclamation allowing everyone to enjoy all the festivities and activities during the annual Dew Day celebration. [36:14] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** [Reads the Farmington Dew Days Proclamation]. [37:46] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** All right, our next item is citizen comments. David? [38:19] **David Poff (20255 Aiken Road):** First of all, not to be included in the first five minutes, Councilmember Katie Porter... thank you for your service. [Comments on a lawsuit settlement with the League of Minnesota Cities regarding yard restoration and erosion control on Aiken Road]. I do think we should have some answers on what we're going to do with the project as it sits today. Thanks. [42:50] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Thank you, sir. Anyone else wishing to speak? All right, we will move on to item seven, which is our consent agenda. I'd look for a motion to approve the consent agenda. **Councilmember Katie Porter:** So moved. **Councilmember Nick Lien:** Second. **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Motion by Katie, second by Nick. All in favor say aye. **Councilmembers:** Aye. [43:16] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Moving on, we have item 12.1 under new business, which is to establish public hearing date to consider proposed tax abatement and 5-year Street reconstruction plan. Kim? [43:24] **Finance Director Kim Sommerland:** Thank you, Mayor and members of the Council. Staff are proposing the issuance of bonds later this year to partially finance planned capital projects... Tonight we are simply asking for your approval in setting a date for these two required public hearings on June 3rd. [44:27] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Thank you, ma'am. Any questions? **Councilmember Katie Porter:** No questions. **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** None. **Councilmember Holly Bernatz:** No. **Councilmember Nick Lien:** No questions. **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** I look for a motion to adopt resolution 2024-37. **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** Motion to approve. **Councilmember Holly Bernatz:** Second. **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** [Calls the roll; all members vote yes]. [45:18] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** All right. Our next item is 12.2, which is to receive bids and award a contract for the 2024 Street Improvement project. John? [45:26] **John Powell:** Thank you, Mayor and City Council Members. I do have a PowerPoint to present... The project location is 6th Street and Maple Street... We had seven bidders. Low bid was received from Hazelton Construction in the amount of $1,984,886.25. [Provides detailed breakdown of costs and timeline]. [51:41] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Any questions? **Councilmember Katie Porter:** I don't have questions. I appreciate you being super cognizant of the school schedule. **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** I appreciate the organization that you put together with this project. **Councilmember Holly Bernatz:** I think this is a perfect example of good data in, good data out, right? **Councilmember Nick Lien:** I appreciate all the thoroughness. [55:10] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** We would look for a motion to approve the item as presented. **Councilmember Holly Bernatz:** Motion to approve. **Councilmember Katie Porter:** Second. **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** [Calls the roll; all members vote yes]. [55:40] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Moving on to 12.3, we have our resignation and vacancy of Councilmember Porter. [55:46] **Assistant City Administrator David Chanski:** I can take this one, Mayor. Before the Council is a resolution declaring the vacancy. Councilmember Porter submitted her written resignation; it'll be effective at the close of this meeting. [56:32] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Look for a motion to adopt resolution 2024-38. **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** Motion. **Councilmember Holly Bernatz:** Second. **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** [Calls the roll; Wilson, Hoyt, Bernatz, Lien vote yes. Porter abstains]. [56:46] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Leah, you got 12.4 then? [56:48] **Leah (City Staff):** So, this next one is kind of more nerdy. The Council bylaws have an acting mayor position, which Councilmember Porter is currently qualified for... No one else is qualified once she's resigned. Step one is to suspend the bylaws... then Council will need to appoint a new acting mayor. [57:24] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** First we look for a motion to suspend the bylaws. **Councilmember Katie Porter:** Motion. **Councilmember Nick Lien:** Second. **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** [Calls the roll; all members vote yes]. [57:57] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** The second item is to appoint a new acting mayor. [Discussion of selection process]. **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** I will make a motion to appoint Councilmember Bernatz as the temporary acting mayor for the remainder of 2024. **Councilmember Nick Lien:** I will second that. **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** [Calls the roll; all members vote yes]. [59:36] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** City Council Round Table. Leah? [59:38] **Leah (City Staff):** Thank you. I just wanted to say to Councilmember Porter, thank you so much for your passion. Also, I got news that there is another calf in the Bison herd, so they're at 15. [1:00:15] **Councilmember Nick Lien:** Thank you for the bison update. Thank you, Katie, for all your years of service, and thank you to all the staff for all of your tireless hard work. [1:00:26] **Councilmember Holly Bernatz:** I deeply appreciate being able to serve alongside you. [Mentions Dew Days and praises the Farmington High School theater production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat]. [1:02:30] **Councilmember Katie Porter:** I look out at the crowd, I’m thinking what a diverse group of people, and I love it. We have new hires, department heads, people that continue to show up... what a pleasure to live in this community and to serve in this capacity. [1:03:52] **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** On Saturday I went to the art fair, thank Kelly and the Park and Rec department. [Praises the high school theater, discusses roundabout safety, and highlights resident Laura Pierce's achievement in the Boston and London marathons]. Katie, I'm going to miss you. [1:09:51] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** I'm thankful to have worked with you for the past year, Katie, and I wish you the best. [1:10:07] **Julie (City Staff):** Katie, thank you. I really appreciate your service. [1:10:19] **John Powell (Public Works Director):** Thank you for all your support. We've undergone a lot of changes in Public Works and we're doing things differently, so I appreciate that. [1:10:35] **Kelly (Parks & Recreation):** Katie, thank you for being a Parks and Recreation teammate. You have gone south to pick up bunnies for us for "Breakfast with the Bunnies," you started a grandparent writing campaign... show up to coffee with the seniors. Really appreciate it. [1:11:51] **Finance Director Kim Sommerland:** I have enjoyed that time and I wish you the best of luck in the future. [1:12:08] **Fire Chief Matthew Price:** Thank you for all your support... don't be a stranger, swing on down to the fire department. [1:12:43] **Gary (City Staff):** Katie, I think the one thing that I want to point out to everybody... is I want to congratulate you for having the courage to show everyone that it's okay to choose family over profession or ambition. [1:13:17] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** I just want to make sure I drop a nugget about Mental Health Awareness Month... Please have the conversations this month. It's okay to not be okay. [Calls for motion to adjourn]. **Councilmember Nick Lien:** I will second it. **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** All in favor? **Councilmembers:** Aye. **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** And we're adjourned at 8:14. [1:15:25] [Music]