**Transcription Note:** This transcript is from November 6, 2023. While the provided context reflects a 2026 roster (where Nick Lien is Mayor), at the time of this recording, Joshua Hoyt was the Mayor and Nick Lien was a Councilmember. The following names reflect the officials present during the 2023 session. [0:00] **[Music]** [0:46] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** We'll call the city council meeting to order for Monday, November 6, 2023. 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. [1:23] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** Call the roll please. Councilmember Lien? [1:24] **Councilmember Nick Lien:** Here. [1:25] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** Councilmember Porter? [1:26] **Councilmember Katie Porter:** Here. [1:27] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** Councilmember Wilson? [1:28] **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** Here. [1:29] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** Mayor Hoyt? [1:30] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Here. All right, any changes to the agenda anybody? None. If there's no changes, we look for a motion to approve the agenda. [1:37] **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** Motion. [1:38] **Councilmember Katie Porter:** Second. [1:40] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Motion by Steve, second by Katie. All in favor say aye. [1:41] **Councilmembers:** Aye. [1:42] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** All right, we'll move on to item number five, which is going to be the introduction of new employees and swearing-in of paid-on-call Fire District Chief and Lieutenant. And Deanna, you will start. [1:55] **Deanna Kuennen (Comm. and Economic Development Director):** Good evening Mayor and Council. Um, when a long-term employee leaves, it's a loss to an organization, but it's also a great opportunity for the organization. I am tonight very excited to introduce Joshua Lawrence; he is our new Building Official. When Ken Lewis announced his retirement a while ago, I started thinking about what is it that we would be wanting in a new Building Official to take us into the future? What was that skill set? Um, I knew that we needed somebody to come on board that would have the mindset of "how do we get to yes," who would think that customer service was important, would also have a lot of just background in the whole building code world. I also was um, interested in finding somebody for our organization who could also think forward and would have the skill set to lead us through change, understanding that we're in a new era—a new Building Official, a new day after being under one Building Official for so long. And I'm super excited that we got all of that plus more with Josh. So tonight Josh is here with us. Um, in his short amount of time that he's been here, he's already started to implement changes—small changes within our department that are having big impacts—and I'm very excited to see where he'll be able to take us and be able to take the department in general. So with that... [3:26] **Joshua Lawrence (Building Official):** Thank you for the overly nice introduction. Uh, Mayor Hoyt and council members, um, hello. Um, some of you I've met already. Um, but uh, yes, my name is Josh and I'm from Apple Valley where I live there with my wife and three kids—two of them are occupied in my office right now—but uh, over the last six weeks, um, I've had a chance to meet with some of the contractors in town and it's been a great reception. They've been very welcoming to me and my door has been open, and I've heard a lot of their requests, some things that they've communicated. Um, and of listening, and so I think uh, we're making some really positive steps forward and I'm really excited to see where Farmington's going to go. This town is poised for success and is ready to flourish. And so, um, hope to work with all of you guys in the future. So thank you for this great opportunity and honestly, Team Farmington has been very, very welcoming. I'm glad I'm here, so thank you. [4:40] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Thank you, sir. Welcome aboard. [4:47] **John Powell (Public Works Director / City Engineer):** Thank you, Mayor and council members. Similar to Community Development in Engineering, you may recall that we had an opening for an Engineering Technician. And when we considered that position and the needs of the city as a whole, not just engineering and your Public Works, we decided that a GIS Specialist could best serve those needs across departments. Um, we were very fortunate uh, to find someone with both local government experience, but they came from a private contractor, private consultant: Danielle Olsen. Danielle joined us in mid-June of this year and I can confidently say she's had a positive impact on every department in her short time here. Uh, just recently at our staff meeting, the Police Chief talked about Toys for Towns and creating a more efficient process for um, uh, registration and tracking and mapping, and we are light years ahead of where we were just 12 months ago, six months ago. And we've got great things ahead of us. Uh, when I talk to Danielle, all I hear is possibilities of what we can do and what how we can implement technology and how we can help other departments. Uh, so she's housed in Engineering but basically works across all departments directly. Uh, whatever their needs are, she can work with them and meet their needs. Um, with that, Danielle if you'd like to come up and say a few words. [6:14] **Danielle Olsen (GIS Specialist):** Thank you, John. Um, as he said, I am Danielle or Danny Olsen. Uh, prior to starting in mid-June, I was working for five years in the consulting world um, as a GIS Specialist there, and prior to that I had a few internships with local government—um, one with [the] County and a couple with um, Metro City GIS department. So um, I'm really excited to start this position. I feel like I have um, been given a really great opportunity to innovate um, and streamline workflows for every department. Um, whether that be the folks that are out in the field um, taking care of emergencies, water main breaks, things like that, um, or whether that be things like John said, the Toys for Town program. Um, and I do want to just reiterate that I am available to everybody in every department and um, am happy to try to help, like I said, streamline those workflows, um, digitize some things that have been recorded on paper in the past such as as-built record drawings, um, and and yeah, I'm just really excited to see where Farmington can go from here. Thank you. [7:30] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Ma'am, welcome aboard. Thanks. [7:34] **Lynn Gorski (City Administrator):** All right, well it is my turn to introduce Kim Sommerland. And Kim comes to us uh, with 17 impressive years of experience as a Finance Director with the city of St. Paul Park, and we are honored to have Kim join our team. And she's already been a great asset, digging in and finding out all the systems that we use and looking at the budget and preparing for for our um, levy in December. But we are so honored to have Kim here. She just fits right in with our team and has a team mentality. So we welcome you, Kim, to to the team. [8:21] **Kim Sommerland (Finance Director):** Thank you, Lynn. Uh, it's great to be here. I'm excited to be employed now with the city of Farmington. Um, I'm still getting my feet wet. I've only been here a week, so starting to um, learn the process and systems and getting to know staff, but I am excited to be here and I appreciate the opportunity to work with the amazing team that you have here at the city of Farmington. Thank you. [8:37] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Thank you. Thank you, ma'am. Welcome aboard. And Shirley is going to take the oath of office with Chief Price—not take the oath of office, but administer. [8:44] **Fire Chief Matthew Price:** Good evening Mayor and Council. Uh, this evening we have two members on the department that will be taking the oath of office and having their badges pinned. Uh, first I'd like to say to Scott Mattingly, who will be promoted to the District Chief: Scott joined the fire—uh, the Fire Department in October of 2018. He's held the rank of Firefighter, Lieutenant, and Captain. Uh, before joining the department, Scott spent over 20 years in the Apple Valley Fire Department, leaving as an Assistant Chief. Um, after his oath of office, Scott will be pinned by his father, Ron. We also have uh, Jason Graham, who will be promoted to Lieutenant. Jason joined the department October of 2016. He's held the rank of Firefighter. Jason holds many certifications with the department and is in charge of the department's personal protective gear program. After his oath of office, Jason will be pinned by his wife, Heather. [9:57] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** [Administering Oath] I do hereby declare that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota. [10:14] **Scott Mattingly & Jason Graham:** I do hereby declare that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota. [10:20] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** That I will support the Constitution of the United States as an officer of the Farmington Fire Department. My duty is to serve the people I swear to protect. [10:30] **Scott Mattingly & Jason Graham:** That I will support the Constitution of the United States as an officer of the Farmington Fire Department. My duty is to serve the people I swear to protect. [10:36] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** To safeguard and preserve life, health, and property against fire and other perils, and to maintain a proficiency in the fire service. [10:44] **Scott Mattingly & Jason Graham:** To safeguard and preserve life, health, and property against fire and other perils, and to maintain a proficiency in the fire service. [10:52] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** As an officer, I will never allow my personal feelings or danger to self to turn me from my responsibilities as a firefighter. [10:59] **Scott Mattingly & Jason Graham:** As an officer, I will never allow my personal feelings or danger to self to turn me from my responsibilities as a firefighter. [11:06] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** I will lead my firefighters to the best of my ability with fairness and no prejudice. [11:11] **Scott Mattingly & Jason Graham:** I will lead my firefighters to the best of my ability with fairness and no prejudice. [11:17] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** I will at all times respect the property and rights of all. [11:21] **Scott Mattingly & Jason Graham:** I will at all times respect the property and rights of all. [11:25] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** I accept the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith and trust, and I will remain true to the ethics of the fire service. [11:32] **Scott Mattingly & Jason Graham:** I accept the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith and trust, and I will remain true to the ethics of the fire service. [11:39] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** I will constantly strive to achieve the objectives and ideals of the fire service. [11:44] **Scott Mattingly & Jason Graham:** I will constantly strive to achieve the objectives and ideals of the fire service. [11:48] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** As a member of the Farmington Fire Department, I accept this self-imposed and self-enforced obligation as my responsibility. [11:57] **Scott Mattingly & Jason Graham:** As a member of the Farmington Fire Department, I accept this self-imposed and self-enforced obligation as my responsibility. [12:05] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** And make these promises so solemnly, freely, and upon my honor, so help me God. [12:10] **Scott Mattingly & Jason Graham:** And make these promises so solemnly, freely, and upon my honor, so help me God. [12:15] **[Applause]** [12:22] **Ron Mattingly:** I'm Scott's dad, and the two girls—his daughters—and London were too scared, so I'm stepping in and it's my privilege to put this badge on my son. Might take a while. [12:52] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Congratulations. [13:34] **Fire Chief Matthew Price:** Thank you. You're more than welcome afterwards to join us for cake and ice cream up at Station 2. [13:40] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Thank you, sir. Congratulations, gentlemen. Thank you. All right, we'll give them just a second here. Ice cream's going to melt. [14:11] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** All right, we'll move on to item six on the agenda which is citizen comments. There are any citizens or residents in attendance that would like to speak? If not, we'll move on to item seven which is our consent agenda. We look for a motion to approve the consent agenda. [14:15] **Councilmember Nick Lien:** Motion. [14:16] **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** Second. [14:17] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Motion by Nick, second by Steve. All in favor say aye. [14:19] **Councilmembers:** Aye. [14:20] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** All right, and we'll move right on to our Round Table. Nick? [14:43] **Councilmember Nick Lien:** Thank you to the Chief for the invite to the uh, Police Department banquet the other night. It was a good time. Sorry I always show up late to that thing—I have to do the Halloween Walk and balance my city duties as best I can and my kid duties. So it was a great night, thank you. [14:58] **Councilmember Katie Porter:** Um, yeah, just a reminder that Veterans Day is Saturday, so thank a veteran for their service to our community. And then we have the Patriotic Day at the high school uh, Thursday night, November 9th at 7:30. So if you're able to come out and attend and hear Major Zack Duckworth speak, he is um, truly—it's an honor to have him in our community and serving um, in our Senate as well. So coming out for that, and I think that's all I have this week. Thank you. [15:38] **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** Um, you know, there there's probably two or three things that always stand out to me as a council member that I really enjoy. One is uh, swearing-in of a police officer, swearing-in and uh, you know, rank um, with our fire department and of course new employees. So it's really exciting that we have talented new employees. We have the best staff really in the entire state of Minnesota, for sure. Um, and so just welcome, Kim—I know you're kind of the only remaining new called-out employee, so we we hope to hear some exciting comments during round table, but definitely welcome. Um, Chief, thank you for the uh, award ceremony invite. Um, you know, it's really—I don't know if humbling is the right word, but it's um, it is really quite remarkable the type of situations that you and your team and you know, find yourself in serving the public um, and things that you know, just kind of the average person wouldn't have any awareness of. So um, just a ton of gratitude and appreciation to be you know, hearing some of the stories, the awards, and the work that your team puts in. So I appreciate that. Um, I did want to congratulate our Farmington girls cross country team here and my oldest son used to be in cross country and uh, for those that are unfamiliar, you know, cross country doesn't quite get the visibility maybe of football or hockey or some of the other sports, but this girls cross country team and Adam Lipple who coaches the girls team and his wife who's really involved with the program—this is a remarkable team. They uh, just finished sixth in the state. Um, and I kind of have to rub it in sort of, because they just beat Edina who finished in seventh, and we all we all love to kind of pick on Edina when we can. But that was a huge accomplishment for the girls that are graduating who are seniors this year; they participated um, in the state meet four years in a row which is a really big deal. So kudos to them. They have won sections seven years in a row. Um, so I just want to you know, call out um, the two boys who qualified too for state and participated, Mason and Andrew, and then the girls: Mariah Lawrence, Sophia McKenzie, Mariana, Briley, and Lindsay. Um, you know, Tiger kudos to all of you young ladies, it just was awesome. So that's what I've got. Thank you, sir. [18:05] **Councilmember Leah Dyani:** Yes, uh, just a reminder for those who don't know, uh, the election is tomorrow—or an election is tomorrow—and your community might be involved. And democracy isn't just on even years. So I did some research tonight for my community in West St. Paul so I can be ready to vote tomorrow, and I encourage others to do the same if that applies to your community. So thank you. [18:31] **City Administrator Lynn Gorski:** Well, I'd also like to take this time to welcome the new employees that we saw tonight and thank them for choosing Farmington. Every time you know, we have an opening, we get a little like "Okay, we're going to put this opening out here and and see who applies," and I'm always just amazed by the talent pool that we have and the opportunities we have to work with the new new employees that we hire. But also want to thank our current employees for continuing to choose Farmington. We appreciate all of our employees who work here and um, yeah, we we you know, that's one thing—there's many openings out there and and people continue to choose us, so we're thankful for that. And Friday, City Hall is closed for observance of Veterans Day. Thank you. [19:14] **City Clerk Shirley Buecksler:** Uh, on your consent agenda tonight, you approved a gambling premises permit for KDK Foundation at the LGH horn—The Long Branch Saloon. Um, I haven't met them in person yet, but the applicants said they may be here tonight in case you had any questions for them. So they there they are right here. Thank you. [19:33] **Julie Feisel (Communications Manager):** Staff have finished up their work on the *Currents* for the winter edition, so that should be in homes in about a week and a half. [19:40] **Kim Sommerland (Finance Director):** I was totally—I got a free pass tonight. I've only been here for a week so I can't I don't really have much to report. I've been going through emails and just trying to get caught up, and my staff has been really good too about keeping me on task as to what's important. But I really am truly happy to be here and appreciate working with [the] amazing team that Lynn has. [20:13] **Kelly Eyford (Parks & Recreation Director):** It's not too early to sign your house up now for the Holiday Lights tour. We have 12 houses already uh, registered for the tour. Um, it's on the homepage of the farmingtonmn.gov. Uh, houses need to be registered by November 27th and their lights turned on December 4th and on for the holidays. And we'll get a map out there uh, December 4th so people can tour the houses. Um, the Halloween Havoc tour—if you didn't hear the story about uh, Mr. Halloween, I encourage you to go on to Kare 11 and and watch the two stories. So thank you to him for all he did for the Farmington Food Shelf. Really neat uh, publicity for Farmington and and the food shelf. Thank you. [20:53] **John Powell (Public Works Director / City Engineer):** Mayor and council members, thank you for recognizing new employees. Um, with Danny, it's really—you know, we whenever we talk about doing something that we've done many times in the past, uh, we kind of take the approach, "Well, maybe we can have an app for that." You know, something as simple as on [a] snow day, the plow drivers noting where there's basketball hoops maybe in the street that could be an obstacle. We had an app for that, you know. We just asked Danny, "Oh yeah," she put that together and it's right on their phones. Um, so we're very appreciative having her on staff and thank you for your support and making that change from uh, the role in engineering. Uh, a few project notes: uh, you may notice that the columns—three of the columns near the hockey arena, Schmitz-Maki, are shorter than they used to be. Uh, that was done in order to improve the sight distance from for vehicles exiting the drop-off. Um, drivers had already expressed some discomfort with the ability to see oncoming traffic, so we just lowered a few of those columns. Um, Meadow View Preserve—uh, you may notice equipment up there that's north of the elementary school, north of 195th. They plan on doing some grading yet this fall and starting utility work on that subdivision in the spring. And finally, uh, the uh, mechanics and I will be view—visiting a couple other local communities this week to look at fleet management software uh, that other communities are using and to see if that might fit our needs. [22:15] **Fire Chief Matthew Price:** Thank you. So this Saturday is our 72nd annual Turkey Bingo. Uh, doors open at 5:00, first game starts at 6:00. We encourage everybody to come on down. It's fun for everybody, kids. Uh, it's going to be ran a little bit different this uh, this year than in the year's past. We're trying to get more seating for everybody, so you won't see like the silent auction tables and those kind of things. Um, trying to get more games in there. Uh, so again, this Saturday doors open at 5:00, first game's called at 6:00. [23:09] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Is there an online silent auction or just...? [23:11] **Fire Chief Matthew Price:** There's just no silent auction. There's no silent auction this year. Uh, we're going to, like I said, we're going to do a few things a little bit differently. Um, instead of going to the businesses asking for like donations and stuff, we were asking for basically kind of money to offset cost and things like that. Um, those that actually did, there's going to be a few surprise things that happen. So I don't want to give away the surprises that are going to take place, so you're just going to have to come down and kind of see for yourself. [23:23] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** I like it. Thank you, Chief. That's what we call it [a] teaser, right? [23:27] **Police Chief Nate Siem:** You'll have to forgive me, I don't know how much of my voice I got left. Um, I can't believe that it's time to say this already, but it's Toys for Town season again. Uh, I feel like we just got all our stuff put away maybe a week or two ago and it's time to get it all back out. So uh, that said, we will have be—we will start distributing all of the collection bins to our 50-ish donation sites um, this week yet. Um, so if any—but in the meantime, if anybody has any toys they'd like to—new unwrapped toys they'd like to donate, or if they have any uh, uh, financial donation they'd like to make, they can certainly make those in the lobby at the Police Department. [24:05] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** And the date and time of the gift wrapping? [24:07] **Police Chief Nate Siem:** Oh, wrapping day will be—without looking at my calendar, I think it's Saturday, December 16th. Second Saturday or third Saturday... [24:14] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Yeah, I'm putting you on the spot, my apologies. [24:16] **Police Chief Nate Siem:** Putting me on the spot! It's always like the second Saturday of December. December 16th, 9:00 a.m. at the high school. Perfect. [24:19] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Thank you, sir. Yeah, it is—it is that time of year again. Um, it sneaks up on us and you have Turkey Bingo, you have um, Shop with a Cop, you have Toys for Town, you have uh, Christmas in the Village at Dakota City Heritage Village. Um, there just there's a lot of events going on, so follow all of the appropriate pages. You know, follow the uh, Community Ed um, uh, pay attention to the district uh, city of Farmington's website, because there is a lot of stuff going on between now and the end of the year. Um, you know, and with that, as you get into the holiday season, it it is a a stark reminder of how many people are in need. Um, you know, you great stories about our residents stepping up for you know, events like Halloween and the food drive and 360 Communities and the Farmington Food Shelf, um, Toys for Town, um, all of our churches and organizations—I mean, there just there's so many different ways that you can help contribute and give back to the community and its residents. Uh, it's not just monetary; sometimes it's food, sometimes it's gifts. But um, do everything you can to help support your fellow residents and and you know, help continue to make Farmington an amazing community to live in. Uh, as it was stated earlier by Councilman Porter, um, we do have Patriotic Day on Thursday. That is a free community meal. So that meal starts at 5:00 at the high school. Uh, no registration required, just show up. Don't even need to be a veteran, just come on in. Uh, there's steak dinner, um, there's some sides, there's chicken nuggets for the kiddos I believe. Um, it's a great community event to take part of. Uh, pray pay uh, appreciation to our veterans. Uh, it's always the the week of Veterans Day. So with that, we look for a motion to adjourn. [25:52] **Councilmember Katie Porter:** Motion. [25:53] **Councilmember Steve Wilson:** Second. [25:54] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** Motion by Katie, second by Steve. All in favor say aye. [25:56] **Councilmembers:** Aye. [25:57] **Mayor Joshua Hoyt:** And we're adjourned at 7:25.