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Hey, Call the city council meeting for Monday, April 20th, 2026 to order. Would everyone please rise for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nation

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indivisible with liberty and justice for all >> call to roll here. >> Council member Cordis >> here. >> Lean >> here. >> Council member Bernat >> here. >> Council member Winshidle. >> Oops. >> Not present.

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All right. Got that one. Uh, any changes to the agenda? >> None. Seeing none, we'll look for a motion to approve the agenda. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Holly, second by Jake. All in favor say I. >> I. I. Item 51, the appointment of Phil

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Winchidle as city council member and the oath of office. >> All right, please repeat after me. I, Philip Winchid, do solemnly swear >> I, Philip Winchel, do solemnly swear >> that I will support the Constitution of the United States >> that I will support the Constitution of

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the United States >> and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota >> and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota >> and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of council member >> and I will faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of council member

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>> in accordance with the law and the best of my judgment ability. So help me God >> in accordance with the law and to the best of my judgment and ability. >> So help me God. >> So help me God. >> Thank you. >> Come take a seat,

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please. Yeah. Sorry. Magic words. You could be so bothered. I'll give you a little space now. Would you like to say your comments now or would you like to wait till the end? >> I'll say now. >> Okay.

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>> Just a short prepared statement. >> Sorry. Um first I'd like to begin by thanking the city council, mayor, staff um for the time and effort that they put into this selection process. I know it it's uh never easy, but I appreciate it and thank you. To my wife and kids,

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thank you for supporting me in pursuing this opportunity. Serving on the council requires a significant amount of time and energy, and I couldn't consider it without your encouragement and understanding. Thank you. To the residents of Farmington, I want

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you to know that I am truly faithfully committed to serving the community. I will lead with integrity, make informed, thoughtful decisions that I believe will result in positive outcomes for the city. I value open communication and I'm ready

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to listen whether the conversations are easy or challenging as we work through the decisions ahead. I'm truly grateful for this opportunity and excited to work hard and to see what's ahead. Please don't hesitate to reach out. I welcome your input and I

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look forward to connecting with everybody. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Can um can we officially do the vote to vote him in? >> Sure. Official action. We would look for a motion to appoint Philip Windshit as the city council member to fill the vacancy

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for the remainder of the term beginning April 20th, 2026 and ending December 31st, 2026. So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Jake, second by Steve. All in favor say I. I. I. We already got that one. Okay, think we're all good through that one then. All right,

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we'll save our comments for the end if that's okay. Through all of them. All right, item 52 is Chief Seam with the swearing in of our police officers. Mayor and Council, uh, I have the honor today to present to you, uh, two sergeants for swearing in and two of our

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officers, Sergeant Matt Hendrickson, Sergeant Katon Rubin, Officer Tyler Wood, and Officer Keller Kelly Huntington. Uh, before we start, I know there are many family members in the audience. I would love for the parents of those individuals to please stand.

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I want to thank you for raising these officers and instilling in them the character necessary to represent this profession in the Farmington Police Department. Thank you. >> If Officer Tyler Wood and Officer Kelly Huntington could come forward, please. It's right in front.

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There you go. >> Officer Tyler Wood. Tyler grew up in Hampton where he developed a strong sense of community and service at an early age. After graduating from Hastings High School, he pursued his goal of becoming a police officer at Alexandria Technical and Community College, earning his degree in law

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enforcement. Officer Tyler Wood comes from a family dedicated to law enforcement, so service to others has always been more than a career choice. His father, Nate Wood, currently serves the city of Farmington. His uncle, Captain Chris Wood, currently

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serves the city of Eden Prairie. He's also joined today by his cousin, Alyssa, who serves with the city of Burnsville. Outside of work, Tyler is supported by his fiance, Ellie, and their beautiful daughter, Parker, also present today.

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Officer Kelly Huntington. Kelly grew up in Grove Heights and then moved to South St. Paul in 2014. In her free time, Kelly enjoys horseback riding and taking her six-year-old lab for walks. She previously worked for the Dakota County Sheriff's Office as a correctional deputy and a park ranger and an

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explorer. Kelly had an associates degree when when we hired her and sent her to Henipin Tech to complete her necessary law enforcement courses and a skills program to become a police officer. Her tuition and wages were paid by a state grant aimed at transitioning people into law

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enforcement. Officer Kelly Hunting and Kelly Huntington and Tyler Wood, we are proud of your work you have put in to earn this badge. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. >> I state your name. I, Kelly Huntington,

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>> do solemnly swear >> domly swear >> that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the state of Minnesota >> that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America in the state of Minnesota. >> against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

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>> Against all enemies, foreign and domestic. >> That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> That I take this obligation freely. >> That I this obligation freely >> without mental reservation or purpose of

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evasion. >> without mental reservation or purpose of evasion >> that I will faithfully discharge the duties as police officer >> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties as police officer >> upon which I'm about to enter. >> upon which I'm about to enter.

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>> So help me God. >> So help me God. If I could please have Ellie Ellie come forward for the badge pinning. And um we're we have a special guest here as well. Uh pinning on Kelly's badge will

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be Henipin County Sheriff Dana Wit. 26 years of doing this. If we could get a picture. >> Sorry, I didn't kiss you. Thank you. And then right over here. >> Oh gosh. Oh boy. Um, I just want to say I'm thankful for

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the opportunity to go through the IC poet program. definitely learned a lot and I'm grateful to be a police officer with the city of Farmington. So, thank you. >> Uh, I want to say thank you to the city council and the mayor for allowing me to have a job here. I always grew up in the

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area like my chief said. Um, being here is a dream come true to be able to follow in my family's footsteps. Thank you. All right. Next, could I have uh Sergeant Matt Hendrickson and Sergeant Katon

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Rubin come forward? All right. Sergeant Rubin began his career with the Farmington Police Department in October of 2017. Over the past several years, he has consistently demonstrated leadership, initiative, and a deep committed deep commitment to

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professional development. He has served as a firearms instructor, a reality based training instructor, and a field training officer, mentoring new officers and helping shape the next generation of this department. Katon is originally from Bloomington, Minnesota, and graduated from John F.

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Kennedy High School in 2013. He went on to earn his bachelor's degree in law enforcement from Minnesota State University, Mano in 2017. Law enforcement is a family tradition for him, and that sense of service runs deep. Katon is supported by his wife Haley and

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their three children, Kinsley, Hudson, and Riker. Sergeant Matt Hendrickson's 22 years in law enforcement is no small thing. The vast majority of that time is spent right here in Farmington. He came to us after starting his career in Lansdale.

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15 years on SWAT across multiple roles as assistant team leader, team leader, and assistant commander shows a level of skill, composure, and responsibility that few achieve. He's also invested heavily in others, teaching firearms, reality based training, taser, pepper ball, red dot

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instructor, and years of FTOing new officers. Every officer you you've trained carries a piece of your influence out on the street. You continue to influence new officers by once again supervising the FTO program. Uh now this may present as a bit of a

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deja vu for some of you. It was about 12 years ago when Sergeant Hendrickson was first sworn in as a sergeant in these chambers. He served in that role for almost 11 years before making undoubtedly the best decision of his life.

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He left Farmington for the best possible reason, love. He followed his girlfriend back home to Milwaukee where he worked for Whitefish Bay Police Department. He promptly proposed, got married, and when he and his wife Megan started talking about their future together,

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Minnesota was on their minds. We received Matt back with open arms. Matt is joined here today by his father, Barry, and his wife, Megan. So, tonight, it's my honor to swear you

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in once again as Sergeant Hendrickson. The title reflects what you've already already earned and the department is better because of it. >> Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. >> I state your name. >> I

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>> do solemnly swear >> doly swear >> that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America in the state of Minnesota. that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America and the State of Minnesota >> against all enemies, foreign and

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domestic >> against all enemies, foreign and domestic. >> That I will be bear true faith and allegiance to the same. that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. >> that I take this obligation freely >> That I take this obligation freely >> without mental reservation or purpose of

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evasion. >> without without mental reservation or purpose of evasion >> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties as police sergeant >> and that I will faithfully discharge the duties as police sergeant >> upon which I'm about to enter. >> I'm about to enter.

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>> So help me God. >> So help me God. Congratulations. All right, Megan Hendrickson, could you come forward, please? And Haley Ruben. and go ahead.

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Good job. Come here. I like that. All right, good job, guys. We got one big picture all together. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you so much. Mr. Mayor, members of the council, I

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just want to say that I am very thankful to be back working for this community and working with the men and women of the Farmington Police Department. And just briefly, I need to publicly thank my wife for all her love and support. Um, I would not be here without her. So,

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thank you. Thank you. Uh, I would just like to say thank you for having us here tonight. Um, thank you to Chief for selecting me as the next uh, police sergeant to help lead uh, the department. Uh, and especially

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thanks to my wife and three kids who deal with long nights, long days, long shifts. Um, but it's it's all been well worth it and I love serving the community of Farmington. So, thank you.

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Phil, >> you want to give any comments? >> I put you on the spot there first time. >> Yeah, you did. >> No thanks. It's uh it's great to swear in new officers and it's always uh enjoyable seeing it. Especially to the

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veterans and the uh family that I know out there. Nate, congrats on your son getting a job. So, thank you. I appreciate it. It's uh it's a profession that, you know, unfortunately does have long hours. Uh

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stressful. Um, but just remember, you know, you're supported by everybody and we appreciate what you do and look forward to the good things you bring to the department. Congrats, >> uh, yeah, I I would add to that that uh,

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as Chief Seam had already stated, um, this is not an independent career decision. This is a family career decision, right? It affects every member of the family and a lot of careers are like that. I think law enforcement especially. So, so, um, another thank

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you again to the parents that raised these officers. Um, to the families that support the officers and the extended friend group that, uh, continues to stand by them as as they serve our community. We're grateful for all of you, >> Jake. Um, I don't know that there's much

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that I can add that Phil and Holly hadn't already said, but congratulations Tyler and Kelly, Matt, and Katon for your dedication to our community. Um, and and just like they said, thank you to your family and your uh peers and support group who uh attended tonight to

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to celebrate with you. So, thank you and congratulations. Congratulations to all of you and uh for um Kelly and Tyler, thank you for choosing Farmington. Um for Katon, uh you know, I

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always owe you a debt of gratitude for rescuing my dog. And I happened to leave my keys in the car at the library, so you know, stuff happens and all a sudden you showed up and I haven't heard anything about it. So apparently you did keep it kind of on the on the down low that I locked the keys in the car. So I

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appreciate that. you just >> of course now everybody knows. Um and then Matt, welcome back. We're happy to have you. So congratulations to all of you. >> Yeah, I'll repeat kind of what they said. You know, so much of this we say thank you to the officers and you know,

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thank you Phil for wanting to sit there too. It's kind of the same story a little bit. I mean, you take this job and and the police job home with you and it's not lost on me how much the family has to also come along for the journey, right? It's the long nights, it's the stress, it's not being available, you

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know, when your kid, you know, ask you a question of, you know, come play with me and your brain is just somewhere else sometimes and that's just part of the thing. So, um, you can't say thank you enough to the family for willing to sacrifice your other half for that for that uh, greater good hopefully. So,

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thank you. Congratulations. We appreciate everything you guys do. Moving on. Item 53. Let me see who's doing this one. Here we got Deanna. The Association of Minnesota Building Officials 2025 Building Department of

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the Year Award. >> Thank you, Mayor and Council. And I'm going to introduce this item and then turn it over to Josh, our building official, and let him introduce the team. But um you are very fortunate, this community is very fortunate to have a lot of very dedicated and talented

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people working on your behalf. And when I got the call earlier this year from this um IC region 3 upper great plains educational institution to let me know that our building department had been

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nomi nominated and awarded building department of the year for 2025. It's something worth celebrating. And they had called to let me know and they wanted just some quotes for me and just to understand from my perspective as the director of the department what this

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team does every day and the difference that has been made since Josh has come on board. So I just want to share with you a few of the things that I was able to share with them. And in the short amount of time that Josh has been here,

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um, under his leadership, the department has implemented meaningful internal and external changes that have streamlined our operations and enhanced our customer service. They've also improved those contractor interactions. Josh has embraced

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the philosophy that we all have, which is how do we get to yes? And he's maintained the strong commitment to administering building codes equitably and consistently, which is extremely important in the work that they do.

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by actively listening to the contractors and to their customers and prioritizing this idea of being helpful solution focused. This department has improved both internal and external relations

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as well as morale and I think that's super important for everybody to understand. It has been fantastic watching this group gel as a team and grow as a department, but also everybody grow individually. So, we're here

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tonight to celebrate this team. And with that, I'll turn it over to Josh. >> Thank you, >> mayor and council members. Um, very proud to be here tonight to celebrate my crew. This is Sean Brock and Melissa. Melissa has recently departed our crew

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and she's now our new city clerk. So, congratulations to Melissa. >> So, I'll keep this very brief. Um, I have a bit of a cold. So, and it's a hard act to follow all those uh police officers joining our ranks. I'm so very proud of them. So, the city of Farmington was nominated and ultimately

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selected for the recipient of the 2025 Association of Minnesota Building Officials Award. It is an award that's put on by Ambo, which is the membership. Well, it's a it ambo stands for building officials, architects, and engineers.

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They are leaders in the building trades and products community. Ambo focuses on continuing education, legisl legislative updates, news pertaining to building, construction, and industry.

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So my message to my team um first of all I got to say thank you to Deanna. She is uh um the leader of our team, our director and uh the director of the community and economic and development. Diana provides trust, confidence, and

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support in our team. There's one member who's not here tonight, Matt. Um but our team is comprised of four inspectors, um including myself and one permit technician. And I'm really truly proud of this team. Each member consistently goes above and beyond um to provide

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outstanding service to our contractors, community, and homeowners taking on new and exciting projects. Each of you ensures compliance with minimum building codes while providing maximum flexibility to the applicants to

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create a safe and thriving built environment. As a team, you ask the tough questions, which is not often easy. We conduct research. We think creatively, and we find a pathway forward in every case.

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So, thank you for your hard work, your professionalism, and commitment to the city of Farmington, and the excellence in everything you do each day. So, very special thanks to Matt, Brock, Sean, and Melissa. We had a little picture with our award

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which I did not bring but this is our team. This is our team with I think an addition of Tony Whipler I think. And we're walking to the first apartment that was built in Farmington. How many years?

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>> 30 30 years. So this one has been completed. Uh we also completed a 168 unit apartment as well. This is just a shot of one of our residential developments. But to kind of give you guys a little bit of statistics

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of what we did in 2025, the city issued 198 single family homes um and and town home permits and we completed a total of 8,310 inspections. So for four of us, we're busy.

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that includes 493 plan reviews this year. Um, which is this is our slow season. Um, well, now it's busy, but this was our slow season. We've already issued 79, it's probably over 80 at this point, new single family homes since

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January 1. This same time last year, just 41 homes have been issued up to this point. So, we've almost doubled our rate from last year. So, realistically, I see Farmington probably reaching closer to 250 new homes this year in our community, which is awesome.

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Um, some of our big achievements, like I said, uh, the 74 unit apartment, the Emory, which has just been an absolute great addition to the downtown scenery of Farmington. It just completes the downtown area. uh the completion of the rye which is off of Duchine Parkway

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that's a 168 unit apartment and it absolutely just fits right in with all the other comm community and businesses in that area. Um I worked handinhand with Kelly for the Rambling River uh center remodel which if you haven't been

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there it is absolutely just stellar. It turned out really really great and is going to be used by our community for years to come. Uh right now we have another project underway that Dakota County Lumber has expanded their office and warehouse and that's about 70% completed.

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And then lastly, last year we had a need that kind of came up and we had businesses that were coming to us and saying we can build in another community for cheaper. And we had a provisional chapter of the

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building code that mandated automatically fire suppression systems in new buildings or existing buildings that have undergone a change of use. We felt that that was something that we could change. And so with the addition of our full-time fire department, we

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worked to repeal chapter 1306 and it gave the flexibility for business owners to follow the code and what the code dictates. um not a additional provision of the code that we adopted. Um and we did that because we had the security um

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of knowing that we have the right assets in town to fight fires and respond to emergencies. That's it. Short and sweet. Um so I just wanted to say thank you guys very much. Council, if I haven't said it, I can't do my job. We can't do our job without

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the support of you guys. And I truly mean it. I really appreciate you guys the support of our office. I love the questions reaching out and saying there's got to be more to the story. Can you tell me a little bit about it, Josh? That goes a long way. And I your

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support. So, thank you from Steve this time. Oh, can you guys stay up for just one second? No. Okay. How about you come back up, Josh? You mind for a couple questions?

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>> You're too excited to sit down, I think. >> Go ahead, Steve. >> Yeah, I just want to thank you guys for all the contributions you made to the community. I think a lot of residents don't really understand the impact of, you know, kind of some of the mundane

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stuff that you do, you know, and doing the inspections and all that things that need to get done. Um, and I think the thing I appreciate about all of you guys is the great attitude you have and how much you truly care about the community. So, thank you. >> Thanks, Steve.

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>> Jake, congratulations first and foremost to you guys. This is a welldeserved award for you and your team, Josh. Um, kind of like Steve said, a lot of your work is uh under the radar and and kind of behind the scenes and maybe not very visible to most of the public, but it's

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really important to keep everybody in our community safe. So, thank you for the hard work you guys do and congratulations on this well-deserved award. >> Thank you, Molly. >> Absolute congratulations. Um, you know, this is a relatively small team when you

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start to run numbers, right? So having having four of you, I did really quick math. Uh 8,310 in a year means that each inspector had 277, which means that each week you saw approximately 39, which is almost eight per day. That's a heavy

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lift. It's a heavy lift for any individual that's doing it. And you put on top of that the likelihood that when someone hears the word the the inspector is coming, they're not always excited that the inspectors are coming. Um, but

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the the jobs that you all have are so valuable to our community into supporting other aspects of the community, right? If we don't have proper inspections, then our police and our fire departments have more work that they need to do. If we are in a

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situation where it's a a difficult reality for a business owner or for an individual, um, you are often the the first to bear the brunt of that. And uh I see it. I've heard it. Uh we've been in conversation about it. And uh I

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appreciate all of you and the work that you do. Um and it largely goes unrecognized maybe by our our residents but definitely not by by us here. Um we see it. So thank you. >> Thank you very much Holly. >> Same Josh. Congrats.

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>> Congrats to you too. >> Hey thanks. Yeah. >> Um no but you know your team is wonderful. It nothing happens. This award doesn't happen without the complete team. Um, so I appreciate what the whole team's doing, not just one individual, but everybody. So,

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congratulations. Keep doing the good work. And it, you know, we do notice it. So, thank you. >> Thank you guys very much. >> So, I don't know if you noticed this, but there are a whole bunch of uh trade workers in the building tonight. So, if the hair was standing up on the back of your neck, that's probably why. Um, but

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I mean my dad, you know, being a tradesman for his whole life, always told me that the first thing you do in when you work in the trades is make best friends with the inspector. So, your opportunity is here tonight to make some new best friends. >> But seriously, I just one of the biggest barriers to

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development in your city is if inspections are a nightmare. If your building department's a nightmare, if you can't get through the process of building, you get a reputation really fast. And I don't think I've ever come behind those doors and seen you guys in a bad mood ever. It's it's so cool how just how positive you guys are, how how

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well you work together. And I think it's done amazing things and it comes through in the feedback for every project about how easy where you were to work with. So I love it. Keep it up. I hope for big things going forward. So >> well, we do hear really good feedback from some of our largest projects and we hope they come back and reinvest in our

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community. >> And to you Holly, we are trying to change that perception. should not be a bad feeling because the inspectors just arrived or or we were on on site. We want to be that extra set of eyes to make sure that our citizens know that if they hired somebody, the job is done

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right. That's really truly what we want to make sure. We're an extra set of eyes. Um and just getting a permit pays for itself and dividends. So, >> okay. Have great. I'll let you go.

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All right. Item 54. We have Mr. Chansky with the recognition of our retiring employees. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Uh members of the council, tonight are the kind of nights that as someone who really geeks over organizational development and team

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building. I absolutely love, you know, being able to start the meeting um recognizing new members to our team, those taking the next steps, uh recognizing a high performing team, and now we get to recognize um some members of team Farmington that are closing out

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the professional uh chapter and get to start a new chapter in retirement. And so tonight we're going to uh we're going to recognize uh outgoing city clerk Shirley Beexler, uh payroll specialist Patty Ridley, and um accounts payable

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technician Shelley Beard. So to start off with, uh we're going to start with Shirley. Um and all these ladies unfortunately could not uh join us tonight. Um but we wanted to make sure that um we recognized them publicly for the council and then also um to to the

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Farmington public. Uh Shirley served uh has been serving the city as city clerk since April of 2023. She came to the city with over 20 years of experience as municipal clerk having served as a deputy clerk for the city of South St. Paul, the deputy clerk for the

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city of Burnsville, the city clerk for the city of Excelsier, city clerk for the city of West St. Paul, the city clerk treasurer for Manville, and then the city clerk for the city of Farmington. Shelley is a mu uh Shirley is a certified municipal Minnesota municipal

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clerk. Um for those that aren't aware, that is a um it's actually within the clerking world. Um a very high achievement. Um to become a Minnesota certified municipal clerk, you must attend the clerk's institute that is put on um by the Minnesota clerk clerk and

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finance officers association. And it takes three years to achieve that. Um, Shirley was also a member, a longtime member of the Minnesota Clerk and Finance Officers Association as well as the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

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And she also volunteered for many years with the Northern Dakota County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Network. Shirley's last day will be this Thursday, April 23rd. Patty Ridley, otherwise known uh within these walls as payroll Patty, uh

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originally came to the city uh in early 2022 as a temp, um to assist with payroll when we had an employee out on leave. The city ultimately had the opportunity to bring Patty in full-time in August of 2022 to be our full-time payroll

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specialist. Betty came to the city with over 30 years of experience in payroll in both the public and uh private sectors. Uh she served um the uh St. Paul public schools, Stillwater Area Schools, Wiper Lake Area Schools,

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Northeast Metro ISD 196 uh in the private sector. She worked with Kexus Credit Union, Robert Half Consulting, and now is ending this chapter of her career with us. Patty is a certified payroll professional. She's a member of the

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American Payroll Association. For those that know Patty, you know that she is an avid golfer and she has served as a 3M senior PGA Championship course marshal on many occasions. And my little favorite uh tidbit about Patty, um even

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though payroll is her love and joy, she actually uh got her educational background in a with a bachelor of science and engineering from St. Cloud State. Uh started that and decided no thank you. Um and found her love in payroll.

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Um before I move on and to had uh give the podium over to Kim who will speak uh regarding Shellyley, um I know um Kelly agreed to say some words on behalf of Shirley. >> Yeah, I'm honored to uh read the the words that Shirley put together uh to be

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read tonight. So from Shirley in 10th grade, I was lucky to join my high school business training program and worked half days during school as as a receptionist for the city of Burnsville and full-time during the summer. It was then that I fell in love with local government. I was also lucky to meet my

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husband at Burnsville City Hall during my senior year. In 2006, I got my first job as deputy clerk and quickly became an election nerd. I love election administration, businesses, business licensing, and serving the public. I

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have served as city clerk, deputy city clerk, administrator, and treasurer for six cities, including South St. Paul, Burnsville, Excelsier, West St. Paul, Manorville, and Farmington. I have enjoyed an amazing career and am so thankful for all the experiences I have

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had over the past 20 years. I love my job, love team Farmington, so to re retire early was not my goal. But with health and vocal cord issues, my plans changed and I am looking forward to the next adventures. Thank you for allowing me to serve with team Farmington for the

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past three years. I have truly enjoyed working with all of you. Thank you. >> And Shelley Beard will be retiring on April 30th and she works for the finance department. Um when I started with the city not quite three years ago, it was really important me to me to get to know

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my team. Um, so for the first several team meetings, I kicked off things with ice breakers. And one of the first things I learned about Shelley was that she had recently tried wakeboarding because her grandkids told her, "Nana, you have to try it." And she wasn't

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about to let them down. I remember thinking, "That's the kind of grandma I want to be." And I wasn't a at the time, but I am a grandma now, so I guess I have a few things to live up to. But that moment told me a lot about Shelley. her willingness to jump in, try

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something new, and put others first. And that spirit has shown up over and over again throughout her time with the city since she joined in 2016. When she started with the city, she spent half her day at the Rambling River Center with our seniors and the other half in building inspections, handling permits, and helping sometimes at the

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front desk. She covered for staff on leave and finance, and eventually joined our team full-time. In every role, she's built strong relationships, brought a positive attitude, showed compassion, and was a true team player. Something I really

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appreciate about Shelley is that she genuinely tries to see both sides of a situation and gently reminds others to do the same. It's one of the things that makes her so effective and so well liked across the city. Her experience before

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joining us were 18 years as a parillegal and 22 years as a part-time special ed pair professional. It shows up in how she listens and how she approaches her work. She's always looking for ways to streamline a process, reduce costs, or

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make things run more smoothly. Other departments have noticed it. Other finance directors have noticed it. And I certainly have too. When I first came on board, she was someone who made sure I knew what needed attention, bringing things forward so nothing slipped

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through the cracks and keep our work and finance on track. That support meant a lot. We're truly going to miss Shelley, but we're also happy for her for more time with her grandkids, more days on the lake, plenty of time in her garden.

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She has made a meaningful impact and we're grateful for everything she has given to the city. And if she's watching tonight, Shelley, thank you for everything. We wish you all the best in the next chapter. >> Phil, I don't know if there was more there. Sorry. >> No, congratulations. It's always a good

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day to retire and to get that accomplishment. Um, as far as Shirley, you know, I worked with her for many years in West St. Paul and she's a wonderful human being. She will drop anything for you. She's so nice and friendly. So, congratulations especially to her, but to the other two that aren't

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here as well, congratulations and enjoy your retirement. >> You >> I am not typically a math person, but I'm doing a lot of math tonight. >> What's going on with that? >> Uh, so I mapped out uh years of experience and uh tonight um marks a

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hundred years collective experience and knowledge walking out the door um for the best possible reason, right? to be able to enjoy whatever that next season is, whether it's by choice or by need. Um, welld deserved no matter what. I was

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actually kind of surprised that Diana didn't chime in with a dig about giving up engineering uh for something else. >> I'm I'm waiting for that to come eventually. Uh I did see the exchange of looks just a little bit though. I caught that from up here. Uh but seriously,

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congratulations. Um and welld deserved to Shirley and also of course uh to Patty and to Shelley. Thank you for everything that you've done um for the communities that you served for ours and also obviously for Farmington. >> Thank you Jake.

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>> Um I also would like to wish congratulations to Shelley Shirley and Patty on their uh retirements and entering their next chapters. Um like Holly had said, there's a lot of institutional memory and knowledge uh walking out the door, but for the best

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possible reasons. Um so congratulations to the three of them. Um they all in their different roles made a lot of things happen at city hall. So there are going to be a lot of big shoes to fill behind the scenes. So congratulations to them and and good luck to those filling

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the shoes. >> Yeah. I'd also like to congratulate all three on their retirement. Um, you know, obviously from the council end, we got to see Shirley quite a bit. And, you know, the one thing about Shirley is it it is absolutely true that, you know,

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you see her walking around and you never uh see her without a smile on her face. Um, but at the same time, she also didn't like getting in front of the camera. I know when elections came about like really going to go in front of the camera, you know. But um just all three made such great contributions to the

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city and I just want to thank all of them. >> I'll say similar things but then I I have to tell a Shel story and then I'll apologize to her for telling the Shel story. Um, so related to what you were saying is, uh, Shel's grandsons or one of her grandsons plays lacrosse with my

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older one and she'll show up to games and they have this kind of ceremony when Shelley will maybe get a little too animated with the referees. The grandsons will run over with a sucker and say, "Quiet down, Nana."

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And that's their tradition of how they stop, you know, yelling at the refs. And so it's it's uh I only tell this story because it's kind of a weird descriptor of her character, right? She'll share an opinion with you if she thinks you're wrong, but then you know she's not above being told that she's being a little bit too too much at times, right? So I I

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mean I I miss having conversations with her. I'd always stop by whenever she was sitting there when I'd come talk to one of you guys. So uh congratulations. I hope like I said, I'm sure I'll see you all summer. Um I you might have to give me one, too. So um but yeah, congratulations. I'm so

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excited for everything you guys have have in front of you now and what you've done for the city for these past many many years. So, congratulations. Item 55, we have Kelly for the Parks and

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Recreation Department's 2025 annual report. Good evening, mayor and city council members. Before I start the presentation, I just want to congratulate all the people who have went um before us tonight. Uh quite an honor to be um after them and watch all all that happen. We have a great team

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here. So, congratulations to them. We are excited to present the parks and recreation annual report highlighting the department's accomplishments in 2025 and a a look ahead to 2026. This marks the 23rd consecutive year the department has produced an annual report. Special

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thanks and rec recognition to Missy Colbec and Emily Shear for their outstanding work on this year's report. Joining me this evening are recreation supervisors Missy Colbec and Emily Shear along with parks and facilities supervis supervisor Jeremy Pier who I will turn

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it over to now. >> Excuse me. Good evening. First one we got here is some of the updates at the ice arena. Um, got a picture of Corey Mogan. He was uh doing parks and facility or parks and arena worker. He started at the end of October within the first hour of being there. Um, between

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high school practices, he was driving the resurfacer. So, he hopped right in, never looked back. Um, some of the other things we did, we put a air conditioner in the compressor room. Um, previous summers it was getting too warm in there and we were able to with that air conditioner maintain about 70 degrees all last

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summer. So that was that was good for the ice season started last summer. The guys um painted the rink floor too. We do that every few years um just to touch it up. Usually paint the whole thing and then between then we just touch it up before we flood the ice. Last uh March, the parks guys took some

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time and did some updates at the warming house. Um they painted the whole inside. They put new rubber flooring down, installed a new drinking fountain. Uh we placed a a window and then also some new benches were put in there. So that was well overdue and it looks pretty nice in

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there now. Next one here is just a picture. Um we're demoing a GPS painter. Um basically you can put points in there and then it'll paint the fields for you. Ended up we don't um really have the need for something like that, but we just put that in there just to show an example of when we're going to purchase

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equipment. We like to try and demo it and try it out to make sure it's going to work for us. Um here's a picture of the Rambling River Center patio. Um you can see in the the right one there, there was uh one part of the patio was poured. We determined that it it needed to be

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larger. Uh so the parks guys uh we got a couple of guys, Dan Schmidt there in the um high viz shirt. He's our lead park maintenance worker. He's been in that position for about a year. Done a great job. He's got a good personality, lots of skills, does a great job leading the guys. Um but anyway, the guys did all

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the site prep before that. Um took down a tree, got it all ready and leveled out. On the left, there was a curb planter we put in by the door to obviously keep cars from parking there. The guys had never done a curb like that before. They did a little research on it and it it turned out great.

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And then just some of the landscaping that we finished in the front of the building. Coocher's entrance um was the last shingle roof that we had in the city uh for shelters anyway and that got replaced um last August and then they added some supports and painted the

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shelter and we put a picnic table back in there. We had originally taken the table out because it was due to vandalism. They were just burning it and beating the table up. Gave it a couple years, put it back in and it hasn't been an issue so far since then. Put this one um I was actually calling

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XL Energy. We had a light out on one of our Christmas decorations and they came back and said we're actually the time expired on the posts and we're not able to hang the hanging flower baskets. Um we're able to put up the wreaths but not the snowflakes that we had in the past. Um we've got some planters we're going

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to spread around downtown is the plan for this summer. So for many years, the parks and recreation commission selected the new playground equipment and then it made a recommendation to city council for purchase and installation. In 2025, one of the commission's goals was to expand

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community outreach and engagement. To support this, they met with students at Riverview Elementary School and Bachmann Middle School to gather input on new playground equipment for Westview Acres Park. The result is a playground shaped directly by community voices. As you can

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see in the picture here, this was the equipment selected by students from both Riverview and Bachmann, which we celebrated with a ribbon cutting event alongside Bachmann students. So, there was park and wreck uh staff members there, school district employees, and

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and students from Bachmann Middle School got to um cut the ribbon. >> Next one here, we've got Ted. um is our building maintenance worker. That is a marker in his mouth, not a cigarette. Jerry's installing a new camera at city

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hall. Um he services the HVAC equipment, the overhead doors. Um if you need a cubicle moved, a shelf put up. Um Kelly called them the junk drawer. If you need a job done, Ted's the guy to do it. Here they're installing the new LED

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lights inside the council chambers. We've got um been doing that in all the city facilities and that's I don't know what the percentage is but we're just about got them all switched out to LED. Um we've got uh two um facility maintenance workers that clean the buildings. Here's Robert's putting a

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sticker up um for the USDA hours. Some of those some of the jobs that they do, they clean the carpets, they clean the windows, they clean the facilities each day. um floors. They re um seal the floors in the police station, city hall, senior center, maintenance facility.

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Here was um the guys built a wall where there was a door between two offices at fire station one. Um and then um Robert painted it, made the bedrooms for the full-time fire staff was the point of that. I'm kidding. All right. So, this is a

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picture of our one of our new programs, um, mini hoops basketball, which I'll talk about in a few slides. So, first we want to thank our seasonal staff. Um, for our summer seasonal staff, they work any and all of our programs. They work uh day camps, they

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work field trip camps, they work youth sports, which you can see the basketball and the flag football. uh the two pictures. Um the picture on the right is of one of the mini or the little camps I should say. Um and then they also work

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special events like partying the park which you see on the bottom left hand side as well as things like the tater trot. Um they also work with programs that that the we work with the library. So story time in the park as well as uh

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geocaching. Um so ultimately they are here all summer long. uh supporting us as um organizers of our programs. And so it's uh awesome to have them here. Um also special shout out to the warming

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house staff, uh the park maintenance seasonal staff, um and the ice skating uh seasonal staff and the arena seasonal staff. So, we've got a whole uh team of seasonal staff that we we really appreciate. We also want to thank the parent

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volunteer coaches uh who take the time to volunteer their children's teams. Uh in the summer we ask the parents to volunteer coach both uh footfire soccer and t-ball like you can see this picture here. Uh but in the spring we rely on

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coaches to coach uh our soccer teams and uh in the fall our flag football teams. Um so in the sum spring and summer or spring and fall excuse me uh without them we we the sports wouldn't happen. So um we are very thankful for them. Also they add a little bit bit of fun uh

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for the whole spring through fall seasons. Uh so us as a parks and recreation department we uh work with 85 businesses, civic organizations, government agencies and families. Um,

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this is a picture of our pint-sized prom. Used to be called the daddyaughter dance few years ago. Uh, we changed it so that anybody could come, whether it's um a grandparent, an aunt or uncle, just a special person, an adult in a child's

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life. Um, as well as any any child can come. Um, and we do have families come. So, uh, sons, daughters with their parents, and it's just a a fun dance. Um, special shout out because I know Nate attended this year with his

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daughter, and he's not. Are you listening? >> I was going to see if you're listening. >> Um, I will put a picture in that for next year. No. Um, anyway, so this is done with, um, Rosemont's park and recck department and Lakefield's park and

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wreck department and then us. um they are part of the soar the south south of the river recreators uh kind of organization that we put to put together but for this dance it's just us three um we also uh I a couple years ago invited

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the uh Farmington ambassadors to join and they accepted the invitation and so uh it's great to be able to work with not only government agencies but also civic organizations in the same exact uh you know program.

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So, two of the new programs that we offered this year uh were mini hoopsters basketball, which is seen on the bottom, and then flag football fusion, which is seen on the top. Uh these were two of our evening sports. Um so, last year in

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2024, well, you know what I'm saying. Um we had Monday and Wednesday night footfire soccer and then Tuesday and Thursday night Tiger T-ball. Um and so looking at the numbers for 2025, I determined that footfire soccer the

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participation numbers were lower. So I eliminated the Wednesday night footfire soccer. Uh and actually we didn't lose any participants. Um we stayed at about the same number on just on Monday nights. Uh, and then from there I added mini hoopsters basketball on Tuesdays,

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also at the same time as Tiger T-ball. Um, and then the flag football fusion on Wednesday nights. And because of those two additional sports, uh, we actually increased numbers of participation. Um, not only that, but this increased um,

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new registrations for kids that had never participated in anything before. So for example, a child would have just participated in the flag football fusion. Um and then also kids were able to participate in all in either three or all four of um these programs and so it

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was really nice to have see the you know similar faces over and over again each night. Um and so yeah, so it's for three to five year olds, but we always have fun with you know those that that age group. And then this past year uh was the first

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ever top the tater days. Uh and we parks and recreation helped partner uh with the festival for this celebration. Uh so our actually the it was the first year obviously of the tater trot. Um and we actually increased participation numbers

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from 124 runners to 200 exactly runners. Um, I would I think that most the majority of it was just the change of the name and, you know, an increase of of attention to the festival, but I also like to give myself some props that I

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think the t-shirt really helped. It was a little tater tot guy running. Um, and I had people asking just to buy the shirt and not participate in the run. And I even had people saying that they were only participating in the run for the shirt. So um it was it was good to

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see increased participation. I have already created this design for uh this next year. So hopefully that will continue the on the trend. Um we also part participated in the parade which you can see uh some of our seasonal staff participating here on the right

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hand side. Um we also have the puppet wagon showing up on Saturday mornings uh or Saturday morning of top potato days. Uh, I know also Missy does fundraising events with Kiss the Pig and the bike auction. Um, we also secure the portable

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toilets and just in general park maintenance helps um, you know, secure the lights on in the main intersection and all that kind of stuff. So, we try to do our best to help out. Hi. The Railing River Center had a fantastic year and you guys were there

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to see it. It was really fun. Um, we did spend about half the year at the fire station one and so the ladies didn't have room there to participate with some other events going on. So, they took it upon themselves to just gather at

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different folks's homes. And this is our women's coffee celebrating spring, their little hats. Um, as I said, uh, fire station one didn't have room to hold everything. You can see on the top they're doing some exercise while the coffee guys are

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having their coffee. We did up end up having to screen the exercise from the coffee guys for some of their comments. Um we also did have a little a little bit of a parking issue out there. I know Chief Price was a little concerned when

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they were parking three deep for bingo. Um but all in all it was wonderful. We were able to have some of our programs keep people interested and then come back in June. Um you can see down at the bottom just coming back to class. There was just room. There's just room people

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could exercise. Um it was a wonderful project and it wouldn't have happened without the cooperation of everyone uh JLG Architects, CM Construction, and our building inspection staff. Um the top picture you can see us touring. That's

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actually the closet in the banquet room looking towards the kitchenette. The closet is one of my best parts about the new railing river center because it's storage right close by. So, I love it. Um, the picture down below is actually Stacy's office. Fun fact, that used to

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be the city council chambers back in the day and then it was our fitness room. And over on the right, you can see Josh me measuring for where our our uh numbers go. So, as they talked about earlier, you know, making things equitable across

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the board. Just because we are a city place doesn't mean we can put our numbering anywhere, right, Josh? That's right. Good job. Uh, you're well aware of the funding. Um, it was it was wonderful. We had the community project funding and then the tax abatement

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bonds. Um, the big huge donation from Minwest Bank. Um, it was just everybody coming together. It was great. And here's just a picture of our ribbon cutting. Our uh chairperson, Mary Garlet, is cutting the ribbon there. And

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uh Representative Angie Craig is there holding it along with some of you. It was a fun day. Again, Minest Bank. Wow. $50,000 to build a patio. Again, wow. We were so excited. And we wanted to celebrate

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separate from the ribbon cutting so that they could kind of be the focus that day. So, we had a Midwest Bank party on the Midwest Bank patio. Um, Neil Anderson is he has kind of a long title.

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I'll probably screw it up. President of I don't know, it's not just bank president. It's a really long title, but anyway, Neil was there with his team and we got to present them with award. Uh, we broke the fake champagne bottle and had the silly string, which the seniors

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loved and thought was really fun. Um, as you can see, Steve's taken Blanch Riker, one of our advisory board members, out for a whirl. The live band was really good. They were fun. They were a little loud, but they were fun. We had a great day. Um, these are just some pictures of

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people coming back together after kind of being apart at the fire station. Um, and we want to thank uh, Chief Price very, very much and all of his staff out there. Again, it was really nice to have a place to go, kind of keep some programming going. Um, I want to thank

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Lynn for you letting us use city hall as well for our fitness center. Yeah, it was really nice to keep people going. But when we got back there, everybody was just excited to see each other again. So, we have an out to launch. They went out to launch in uh Hudson,

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Wisconsin. We have Michael on the treadmill. And then all of our not all of our folks, but some of our exercise folks came down to music in the park, rode their bikes down there in our there for music in the park. And then one of our volunteers, Leo Gim, is Santa there for uh the railroad club's trains and

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treats program, which is really fun. And then this was the first time I think that um we had ever done this, but the downtown holiday lighted parade had a window decorating contest. And our group really got into it. They had a lot of

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fun doing it. The theme was merry and bright. And so they painted, they stenciled, they colored, there's printouts that they cut out and glued on. They really had a lot of fun doing it. Um, and a lot of good comments from the community, from our neighbors

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downtown about how much fun it was to see our windows. Um, as Emily said, we partner with a lot of groups. Um, Farmington Rotary and Finch and Daisy are big partners of us. They do a lot of things with us um including our raffle um and then this

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holiday party for seniors. Uh so Rotary is in charge of planning the party and then Finch and Daisy donated all of the lunch and tickets this year. So nobody paid to come to lunch. So people came from Trinity from the Legacy obviously from their own homes from the senior

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center in their own homes. So it was really fun. And then they had door prizes. And this lady won uh Yeti and some Dots pretzels. But you would have thought she won a million dollars. She was so excited. It was just so sweet. Just that little bit of kindness just

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made her day. Made her day. It's just very happy to be there. We continue to fund raise. Uh last year we raised over $18,000. This is at our annual breakfast in the fall. Um, and we used some of that money

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this year to buy the roller shades. While the previous slides highlighted fun, smiles, successes, and teamwork, we also face challenges this year, including graffiti, vandalism, and the impact of emerald ashbor. As of today, portable toilets have been in parks with

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programs for just the past two weeks. Unfortunately, within just one week, this is what has happened in four parks on the north end of town regarding portable toilets. Unrolled all the toilet paper, busted the sand hand sanitizer off the wall, smashed a vent,

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thrown thrown it in the tank, Easter basket in the tank, skateboard shoved in the tank, painted all over the inside of the portable toilet, cave the roof in, and dog poo bags in the tank. Not only are we at risk of losing portable toilets in our parks, but this

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but this also impacts city resources, including both funding and staff time. These taxpayer dollars could be better spent toward higher priority community needs. The department accomplished many things in alignment with the city's pillars, including celebrating a grand reopening

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at the Rambling River Center and hosting a patio party on the Men West Bank patio. Open houses were hosted at the Deepoa Arts Park, the Emory, and for the future skate park. Um, last June, we were given an emergency permit from the DNR. This is

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the trail uh Vermillion River off the trailer entrance from the arena parking lot. Um the guys took some trees out uh that you obviously can't see in there because they're gone, but uh the trees were pushing the water up against the the bank and then there's just a corner there where it's just continually

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washing out. We've addressed this area a couple times in the last 15 years. Um right now our long-term plan is to abandon the bridge there, take the trail up to Denmark, and then come back down um just south of the Feelely Fields parking lot and get back in there.

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Staff are our greatest asset. So, we made sure they are trained, certified, and had input on the equipment to accomplish their duties efficiently and effectively. I don't know if you've noticed how many times Anony's in the pictures. Quite a few. I'm sure he's going to love me for that.

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We are getting closer to the new skate park. Spawn Ranch is current currently finalizing construction drawings and we expect to receive 90% complete plans within the next two weeks. As a reminder, the funding for the project is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources outdoor recreation grant,

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Farmington liquor store community project funds, and park dedication fees. No tax dollars are going to support this project. I'd like to extend a sincere thank you to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and as well as Josh Salinger and his team. This project would not be possible without their

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support. Looking forward to 2026, we will continue to network, collaborate, and build strong partnerships with local businesses. We're fortunate to have such a vibrant and supportive business community in Farmington.

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In addition to the skate park, the team will be focused on several key initiatives this year, including the 2050 comprehensive plan, development of a park master plan for Vermillion Commons, and addressing electrical and motorized use on trails.

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We also have a full project schedule ahead. Planned improvements include replacing playground equipment at Prairie View Park, enhancements at Deepoaway Arts Park, and second floor updates along with exterior masonry improvements at city hall. We will continue to engage our staff and

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ensure they have the resources, training, and support needed to succeed in their roles. In 2025, the parks and recreation commission and city council collaborated to update the park regulations ordinance establishing a a prohibition on smoking, vaporizing, or otherwise consuming any

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tobacco or cannabis in any public park. These signs have been installed in all city parks. Thank you to Dakota County Public Health for generously covering the cost for the signs. Many of you may remember that last summer a memorial bench at Prairie

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Waterway was damaged by fire. Thanks to Katie, the support of the community, and by the yard, a new memorial bench has been installed along the trail overlooking a spot that held held special meeting for the son, their son who loved to fish there.

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To the parks and recreation commission, I'm not sure thank you is sufficient. Your dedication and commitment to making Farmington a better place to live, work, and play truly make a difference. We are fortunate to have such a passionate group continually working to improve our park system.

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And to the Rambling River Center Advisory Board, wow, what a year 2025 was. Between the renovation project and the many programs, special events, and fundraisers, it was truly a he heavy lift. None of it would have been possible without your dedication and support. Thank you. We are incredibly

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grateful. Sorry, Jake. City Council, thank you for your continued support, for investing in these efforts and for consistently showing up for our community and the parks and recreation department. The accomplishments highlighted in these slides wouldn't be

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possible without team Farmington. There are so many people who went above and beyond to support the parks and recreation department in 2025. Special thanks to Peter, Carrie, Kim and the finance team, Chief Price and the fire department, Josh Lawrence, Melissa,

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Karina, and Tori. Lynn, as you weren't here for the grand reopening of the Rambling Ever Center, I wanted to thank you for your support, creativity, and positivity. and to the parks and recreation staff and to those watching at home. I couldn't be more proud, grateful, and

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honestly lucky to work alongside you, each one of you every day. Thank you for your ideas, hard work, dedication, and positivity. Thank you for the early mornings, the late nights, the weekends, and the quick trip pizza lunches. Most of all, thank you for showing us what

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true teamwork looks like. Be happy to answer any questions you have about 2025. All right, I think we're on Phil this time. >> I want to know if we can get rid of the limbo dance at the daddyaughter dance because I've been there for numerous

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years and I'm telling you they >> you're not a good >> I'm not like you probably have me in a bunch of pictures falling over. >> Yeah. No, I I appreciate everything you guys are doing. It's I you know I can't you've explained everybody's explained it so well and what you've accomplished and the accomplishments you know we do

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notice the parks in particular my kids love them uh you know they're clean they're up to date the equipment's great um so from me my family to you guys appreciate everything you do thank you >> uh I love the the thoughtfulness that

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goes into each area of parks and recreation whether we're talking about maintenance work or whether we're talking about our youth um involvement or whether we're talking about our elder involvement. Um it's one of those um areas that touches every single person wherever it is that they are at. And so

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I I desperately appreciate that. I also I I want that photo because I'm pretty sure that I can make a sticker out of Jake and we will we will put that on everything I can possibly get it on if if I'm allowed to have that. >> I wanted a cardboard cutout actually. There's not enough cardboard in the

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world. >> I feel like that would be vandalized on the regular probably by Jake. >> Um, no, I it truly it um each of you, you know, I know has a special place in the hearts of residents whether they

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know it or not because the work that you do behind the scenes directly impacts the way that they live in the community. Um and so on behalf of of the residents um just thank you so much for taking care of our community, for taking care of the system, for taking care of the

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kids, and for taking care of um our elderly so that they uh get to enjoy get to enjoy the community. Much appreciated, >> Jake. I feel like the sooner I stop talking, the sooner that picture will go away. >> It's there now. But uh thank you for

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sharing your successes with us tonight, but also including the um not successes with the conversation about the the portaotties. I think that's important to include in there as well. But thank you the the advisory boards um and all of your staff for

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everything you do and all the programs that you put on. One of the biggest things that I'm excited about during this phase of of my life and my family is is my son's old enough now to start uh taking advantage of some of those programs and we went to uh Breakfast with the Bunnies during during the

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Easter time. And even though Oliver was terrified of the Easter Bunny, it was still a great opportunity for us to take part in one of those programs. And our new challenge this summer is trying to get to as many of the city parks as possible throughout the city with Oliver. um while he and I are trying to

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get out of my wife and our soon to be uh newborn daughter's hair. But um thank you for everything that you do. I I I appreciate everything. And get rid of that picture, please. >> Steve, yeah, Kelly and team, thank you so much.

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And um what I love about your presentation this year, and you really you all did a really nice job this year, is you're just showing the generational impact that you're having across the whole community and connecting people. And

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you know, the work you do just gives so many others such incredible joy. And I see it a lot at the senior center. I I notice it although my kids are older with the with the different programming. Um, but I just think it's so awesome the

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impact that you're making in the lives of so many people in the community. So, thank you. >> Yeah, I'll say something similar to what I said to Josh and his crew. It's um, you know, Dan's been out cutting trees with his crew and you'd think a crew like that would be pretty tired chopping

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down trees all day and I went out and kind of harassed them and they were still laughing and joking. They were the nicest people. I I can stop them for the most random stuff and they're always in a good mood and they'll talk with you about whatever's going on. They'll explain what's going on, why they're doing what we're doing. So, not every parks department in every city will ever do that, right? Some people get annoyed

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if they're getting asked questions or grilled all day. These guys will explain everything to people and they're they seem very happy to do it. And that's uh contagious. That's like that's what we need. We need that education to explain why things are the way they are. And it's just great that they're being so positive about it. Um

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was it you the other day that made the comment about how meticulous Robert is with cleaning this building? Like it is like a science watching him clean the windows. It's I I want him to come to my house and show me how he does it because it's incredible. And like City Hall is always spotless and I think that's so

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much of that is him. I mean it's almost entirely him, right? But it it's just that attention to detail is incredible and that's everywhere. That that topic of the portaotties is definitely sensitive and it's it's real. Um multiple people in my own neighborhood asked me why because I live

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next to um one that had a porta potty that was taken away and everyone asked me you know why why are we putting portaotties there anymore you know why is the city taking away nice things and it's like well you understand the difficulty of what this is right we can't keep paying for things that people keep vandalizing and I don't know what the solution for that looks like but at

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minimum it's one of those things where if you see something say something right like we we have to have a social contract with ourselves here parks and police can't be everywhere So, um, you know, if you got kids that are out and about with friends like that, you know, encourage your own kids to say if you

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see something like that and you don't feel good about it, you know, kids please other kids very well. That's how we can kind of help solve these problems. So, maybe just a plea there to to people like this is something that, like I said, is all dependent on a social contract. We're all we all do better when we all do better. Sorry to use that phrase, but seems applicable

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here. So, but I really appreciate the time you put into assembling all this. Very excited for that cutout. Yep. >> Yep. >> So, >> definitely >> I'll let you guys go. >> All right, we're through item five at last. Item six, we have our consent

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agenda. We look for a motion to approve our consent agenda. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Jake, second by Holly. All in favor say I. I. I. We are approved. We on to item nine.1.

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Mr. Tony's going to come up for the final plats for the Farmington Technology Park. All right. Thank you, mayor, council members. Uh this evening before you are the final plat and development contracts for the Farmington Technology Park first and

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second editions. Uh Kim Lee Horn on behalf of MN LCO Farmington LLC and MNLCO Farmington 2 LLC along with Independent School District 192 have submitted applications for uh the final plat for the first and

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second editions of the Farmington Technology Park. Some background. Farmington Technology Park Final Plat uh was originally approved by council on November 18th of 2024. Uh this included the subdivision

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and platting of the Fountain Valley Golf Course along with the independent school district 192 properties into three lots within one final plat. The approved Farmington Technology Park final plot was never recorded uh due in

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large part to ongoing litigation. An extension to the recording of that uh final plat was granted by city council. Uh that extension ends May 18th of this year. The current request before you this

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evening is to bifurcate or divide the original uh Farmington Technology Park final plat into a first and second edition. The first edition includes the former Fountain Valley Golf Course property and the second edition includes the ISD 192 property.

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The first and second edition final plat are substantially the same uh to what was platted in 2024 with the change being dividing the parcels into two phases and would be recorded separately due uh to current ownership status of each of those

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properties. The Farmington Technology Park first edition and second edition final plat are consistent with approved preliminary plat uh which was approved in 2024. Uh this means uh it's within the same boundary, same lot layout, access and

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dedications. Descriptions of the proposed lots are as follows. Lot one block one of Farmington Technology Park first edition is 150 acres includes the northern portion of the data center campus. Lot two block

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one of the first edition is 2.07 acres. Uh this is to be deed to the city for utility purposes. And lastly, the last uh lot is lot one of block one of the second edition which is 185 acres and includes the southern

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portion of the data center campus. Uh this lot is also encumbered by flood plane uh which will be contained within a conservation easement. The bifurcation of the plat into the two additions will allow for the recording of the first edition plat along with the

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development contract and will allow for some preliminary site work to uh commence. Uh due to ongoing litigation, the applicant is requesting the city council approval of a one-year extension of the recording deadline for the second edition. If approved, the deadline to

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record the second edition final plat with the county would be April 20th of 2027. This is just a copy of the first edition showing the golf course uh property along with the uh 2acre site in the very

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north uh west uh corner of the site. And then this is the second edition uh plat showing the southern uh ISD property along with the conservation easement in place. Plan commission did review the final

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plats regular meeting on April 14th. The commission recommended approval of the plat with a vote of 21 and one. Uh with this I will turn this portion for the next two or three slides over to Amy.

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and just nod when you need me to move on. >> Uh, good evening, mayor, members of the council. Um, as Tony alluded to, I'm going to kind of go over a few of the legal points that are um an at issue tonight, just for clarity. Um, first is

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the the scope of the application that is in front of you. It's for two plat only. It's not about the PUD. It's not about the zoning. It's just about the plat under the city code and the state statute. And because of that, there's no

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public hearing required under under the state statute or the code um for final plat approval. Um if it were a zoning decision or if it were a, you know, revision to the preliminary plat, we might be having a different conversation about public hearing. But because it is

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final plat approval, no public hearing is legally required. Um the next is to keep in mind the scope of the city council's action tonight. This is what's considered a ministerial decision. It basically is um

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minimal discretion in in the council to make the decision. Uh you're basically looking at the two proposed final plats for their consistency with the preliminary plat. Um and it's the statutes. Um

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when it comes to a final plat and a preliminary plat, you are allowed to um under the statute to include all or portion a portion of the property um in the final plat that was in the um that was in the preliminary plat that you

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approved. And as Tony said earlier, um this proposed the two proposed final plats here are consistent with the preliminary plat that was approved. They're within the same outer boundary. The whole outer boundary doesn't change.

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Um the lot layout is is the same within each within that full outer boundary. Um the only difference is it's first edition and second edition based on the current lot lines. um between the two

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previous owners um of well the previous owners of the golf course lot and then the current owner of the school district lot um the same conditions of approval are in place. Um and when you re when you review a final plat in any

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situation, not just in this situation, um this isn't the time where you can make uh new conditions. You can't um make design changes or add um mitigation measures. Um all of those decisions were made earlier in the process when you

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approved the preliminary plat. Um and under the statute you're if if the final plat proposed is consistent with the preliminary plat then the decision is made based on whether it meets the standard whether the proposed final plat meet the

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standard of the that was set by the by the preliminary plat. >> Um it doesn't this doesn't change the environmental issues. It doesn't address land use or any policy issues. M >> um so the there is still an approved final

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plat in effect on this property that was that you approved this council approved in 2024. Um as Tony referred to because of the litigation it wasn't immediately recorded um after those approvals were given. Um and the the developer under

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their their uh purchase agreements uh that the city's not a party to uh for their acquisition of the properties those were delayed um presumably because of the litigation because of the uncertainty that the litigation you know inserted into the process. Um so the

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final plat that was approved in 2024 is still valid um and it could be recorded. Um, and so if for whatever reason the council were to decide not to approve the plats that are in front of you tonight, um, there would still be a plat on the property, um, that could be

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recorded and the project could still go forward. Uh, denial of the plat tonight doesn't isn't an off-ramp as as you say to, um, to change the project or to cancel a project because the application

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in front of you tonight is not for a project. that has not been submitted yet. Um the the the plat is about the lines on the piece of paper that you know do they meet the criteria set forth in the city code and

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in the state statute of the elements that are required for the subdivision of land. Um, and the last point I'll go through is the um because there would be if you approve that there would be the two new plat um there would also need to be a

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development agreement to go with each plat. Um the work that we've done uh with staff and negotiated uh changes with the developer um was to bifurcate the the

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development agreement that you approved in 2024 um and to make some changes that uh clarify um some of the immediate next steps um that are now known. I mean, when this

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council approved the preliminary plat and the original final plat and the PUD, some of the information simply wasn't known. It was always contemplated that this would be a phased project. Um, and so it's it's difficult in in in some

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situations to especially with a complex project like this to be able to cover everything in an initial um an initial draft of a development agreement. But now um more detail is known which is h

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why the the revisions that have been made um to the some of the elements of the development agreement from 2024 it actually is is is a is a better um agreement that really addresses some of

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the reality on the on the um the phasing um because some of those details are known better now. Um I provided the council and it is it's a public document so others can have it as well. Um a memo earlier that kind of runs through section by section to kind

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of explain the difference between um what the 2024 agreement said and what the um what these two proposed development agreements say. Um I did notice in the memo as I've been sitting here tonight that there are a couple of um corrections that I want to make. So,

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I'll provide you with an updated version of this memo. Um, I listed several sections that weren't changed in any aspect, and I realized that some of those section the the number the sections that I enumerated there aren't fully accurate. Um, and I also um failed

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to point out some of the changes that were made to a couple of the exhibits. Um but I I and I won't run through section by section because um in the interest of time but a lot of the changes that are made um are simply you know some cleanup some you know cleaning

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up typos um some kind of just the basic you know changing the parties because originally the agreement was between the city and the two you know the two proposed owners or the two future owners of the two parcels but now there's one

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owner owner and the city and one owner and the city because because of the two um additions that are being created um by or proposed to be created by this preliminary plat. So we had to kind of you know do that and then there are some

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uh changes that are sight specific. Um for example, there was uh in in the original agreement there is a section um related to uh the dedication of right-of-way on Biscane Avenue um which that only

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applies now to the first edition. So the section about that in the in the proposed development contract for the um second edition doesn't include that anymore. Um, and so we we made changes like that that are just to make them

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make the the terms of the agreement match what is actually on the on the proposed plat. Um, where you'll see probably the most uh substantive changes is in section 11 of of the agreement and this is um applicable to both additions.

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um because phase one uh is is more clearly defined um in in both the plans that that that staff have have heard from the applicant. Um but also because of the

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revisions that we are proposing to these to the to the two uh development agreements. Um the the most substantive changes are there because the the applicant is proposing to do some prelim

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just some preliminary grading um on the site on the specifically on the golf course site to take it from a rolling property to make it a more flat property. Um and so under the city code that type of work uh is

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actually um not even required to have a permit issued by the city. Uh this is uh because this proposal is subject to a development agreement. It is in a list of exceptions in the city code uh that

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doesn't that wouldn't requ ordinarily require a permit to be issued by the city for an owner of property to to do that kind of work. Uh they're proposing to create some BMS um and level the site and um I mean I think the applicants are

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here should be able to tell you more about that when you have questions. Um, but what we've done in the in the draft agreements is to lay out a very specific process that requires um all of the

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information for the plans for the work that they're going to be do that they are proposing that they would be proposing to do to be submitted to the city engineer. And it gives him a clear process for review and um issuance of of a notice to proceed that they are

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allowed to do this minimal phase or this minimal preliminary grading um on the on the site. Um it in in many ways I think this agreement is is a lot clearer than it was before. It provides protections to

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the city um about the water usage. This is reflected in section 12 and in exhibit B where um there's now inserted a contractual cap on the annual water

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use that the site will um will be that this that the end user will allow be allowed to use. Um it also uh creates uh the for during construction the rather than using um city water they propose to

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use the wells that exist on the property right now. Um and so that is clearer than it was when the original agreement was was drafted and when the original final plat was approved. So I think the

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um the information that we have now makes this uh a stronger document for everyone to have a better understanding of what is going to happen in the in the immediate future. Um and for any future phases, it still maintains a very strong

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process of uh a site review for every proposed phase after the preliminary grading phase. um that includes all of the plans that would be submitted with any development agreement whether it's you know residential or commercial or

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industrial. Um it is it's it's a very robust process and also adds um it maintains the this the requirement that each phase will have a separate um site improvement agreement that um will set

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out all the terms for for development of each subsequent phase. um once a project is submitted for approval. Um I think that's all the legal points. So I'll give it back to Tony. >> Thank you. >> So that leaves us with the action that

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is requested this evening uh by separate motion approve the following actions. Adopt number one, adopt resolution 2026 tax 035 approving and authorizing the signing of the Farmington Technology Park first edition and Farmington Technology Park

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second edition final plat. Number two, adopt resolution 2026 TAC 036 granting a one-year extension until April 20th of 2027 for the recording of the Farmington Technology Park second edition with Dakota County.

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Three, adopt resolution 2026 tax 037 approving the attached development contract for the Farmington Technology Park first edition and authorize its execution. And lastly, number four, adopt resolution 2026 TAC 038

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approving the attached development contract for the Farmington Technology Park second edition and authorize its execution. There's a fair bit. Uh, is it okay if we have you guys come up now and just do questions all kind of with all of you up at once or just one of you each? I

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guess. >> I don't know if you wanted to say anything first before questions or Yeah. Thank you, mayor, members of the council. My name is Jacob Stein with Lman Law Firm and we represent the applicant. I'll keep my comments brief as staff did an excellent job of

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summarizing this project. This request is really straightforward. We are simply asking to bifrocate the plat, the final plat into a first edition and second edition. Uh we, as staff indicated, we've closed on the Fountain Valley Golf Course. uh and this will allow us to

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record the development agreement uh shortly after approval uh against that property uh so that we can conduct some of the uh initial site preparation work. Uh also we'll talk about some of the benefits that that allows us to realize

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in the short term with the FPS property, the Farmington Public Schools property. We still fully intend to close on that within the next year. uh and this will just allow us to record at that time against that property. Uh as the presentation indicated, this

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final plat is fully consistent with the original final plat, but more importantly, it's consistent with the approved preliminary plat, which as the city attorney pointed out is the legal standard in Minnesota. I would note that this is typically a very kind of a prefuncter process and it's really uh

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quite typical to see a final plat occur in multiple phases. Uh obviously because of the unique nature of this project, uh we're talking about a little bit more than we normally would. This project has of course been delayed by litigation, but we're still fully committed. Uh

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we've always intended this to be a phased project. Uh and this is consistent with that uh with that vision. Uh and again, as you've heard tonight, this is really an unrelated request to that uh PUB and site plan. Any future development will have an

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opportunity to come forward. uh and it will go through the planning commission city council at that time. Uh so it's a pretty straightforward request. Uh as uh you will hear from our team in just a moment. Uh we do believe that by doing this it allows us to realize a number of

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uh immediate benefits for the city and for the community. Uh and we can do those now rather than later after the closing. So with that, I will hand it off to Kevin Arrow, our senior vice president of development. Thank you council members, mayor, city staff for hearing this matter tonight

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and also thank you for your continued support. As Jake mentioned, my name is Kevin Arrow. I'm our senior vice president of land development at tract. Um I had the pleasure to kick off this project with city staff and the council um back in early 2024. Um then other member, excuse me, other members of our

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team continued that and now I'm back here tonight in front of you. So thank you for allowing me to be here. So, our purpose for coming to council tonight is to align the documents with our phased approach to the Farmington Technology Park. Um, as Jake mentioned, we aim to record this plat um and

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associated documents as soon as possible after this approval, and that will allow the city to see numerous benefits. Um, I'm going to read these to make sure I get them correct. So, first one is that we will be paying the park dedication fee at recording, which gives over 30 $315,000 to the city board parks and

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dedication. We will dedicate two acres to the city for the municipal water storage tank. This will also include dedication of 6.5 acres to the city for future extension of Biscane Avenue rightway. And furthermore, we're going to relieve the city from having to start design and

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complete the infrastructure obligations before we reach phase two of the plat recording. So the the current um development contract includes time frames for both design and construction of infrastructure. And as part of this approval tonight, um the the development

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contracts will be updated to match our phased approach to the project. Um by updating these documents now, we can also reflect our commitment to water usage. So through a drafting oversight on our side, um we only included daily maximum values in the original

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development contract. This will allow tonight we're hoping to solidify and codifiy the 50 million gallons a year water usage for the site. And I want to be extremely clear with this. This is 50 million gallons for both parcels. This is not a double ask or us coming back

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later to say it's going to be more. Um this number 50 million is very important as well. Um first off um from our perspective, this has always been the number we're using. This is not a change to the plan in any way. We've always assumed that that value and have been working closely with staff, city staff

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along those lines. Secondly, the 50 million gallons is nearly equal to the state appropriation permits that are currently on the wells on site. Those that those are at 48.6 million gallons. So 50 million is just a little bit over that. So in in the idea being that this

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is a almost neutral project because we are going to be removing those wells uh excuse me capping removing those wells and then going to the city system almost at the exact same quantity that would have been appropriated to date. Secondly um the uh as both Amy and Jake

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pointed out um the development contract will outline our process to construct BMS on site. So this is important to us because we heard from the community about the concerns around noise and visual impact of construction. We want to move forward with constructing these BMS early to allow both the landscape to

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be established and mature by the time vertical any vertical construction works on this project. So that allows us to move forward with those BMS, construct them, and then have the that planting in place prior to any vertical construction. It's also very important to note that these BMS are going to be

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built at risk. And what that means for us if a s future site plan approval requires a change to these BMS that will be fully on us to take take care of and there'll be no obligation or any any concern from the city perspective. So with the phased approach to this plan

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uh to this plat we plan to begin multiple items on site. First we want to complete demolition of the existing buildings on the golf course site. We don't want those to be a public nuisance or or something that you know a teenager like myself back in the day would want to go mess around with. Second, we plan

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to complete selective vegetation removal. What this means is that we will be we have done tree surveys already and we'll be removing any diseased or dead trees and then and then ensuring that the vegetation on site does not become a public nuisance. I know there's been a rumor out there that this site will be

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clearcut and things like that. That is not the intent in any way. However, I think we should all agree that removing the dead and disease trees is important from a public safety perspective. Finally, um we're investigating the soils on site um due to the legal

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historical use of herbicides and fungicides on site. So, this is a program that's set up at the state level for f for previous golf courses. And so, we're going to be investigating the site and removing any any soil that we find to be contaminated over the certain state limits that allow then and we want

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to do that pro significantly prior to uh the construction vertical construction of the site. Um, finally, uh, just wanted to address, uh, some diff disinformation or misunderstanding regarding the use of generators on site. Um, something we've been hearing quite a bit about is that

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these the generators that will be on site will be used for primary power. And I'm here tonight to say that is not specifically not true. Any background, any backup generation will be will excuse me, these generators will only be used for backup generation. Any primary power will be coming directly from the

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utility. And these generators would be tested only on a monthly basis. And besides in an emergency or a power outage, that would be the only time they would be used. So I just wanted to ensure that that is heard and that there's no there's no intent to be using these generators on site as our primary

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power source. So to wrap up, um I I know Jake said it and I I want to reiterate that we remain fully committed to this project. Um, you know, we we think we we all know and can say this has been a challenging project for us all. U but we're here tonight to

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reiterate our our commitment and our excitement for the project and a approval tonight is a step in that direction. Um, John, do you want to say anything? >> Okay, I'll pass it over to John Belulin. >> This one, right? >> Okay. Thank you. First, I want to thank

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you all. My name is John Belulin. Uh, I'm the general counsel of our land company. Um, I just want to thank you all for uh for your service. I've been in your position before, was a municipal lawyer for for over 15 years in Colorado. Um, and just want to thank you

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all for taking the time tonight to to hear us. Um, just want to point out that the reason that we are here right now is because a a big part of it is because of the litigation. If we if this was not in litigation right now, we would have already proceeded with recording the

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plat. Um, and the development agreement is is counterpart with the plat. So, that's why it's being separated. Many of the changes that you'll see in the development agreement were very thoughtful changes that the that the uh staff and the city attorney made and uh

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and and many of them are very beneficial for both parties, but certainly for the city. So, I just want to point that out. um that that it's been a really good process in working with the city and the staff and I think uh what what we we do plan to go forward with the project. Um

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we are excited for it. Um we think it'll bring a lot of great value to the community. Um and and the hope is that uh we can we can we can take this first step in what will be the ultimate uh recording of both plats. Thank you for your time.

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>> Thank you. Let's start with Phil. >> Thank you for the presentation. A lot of my questions that I had written down were answered. Um, but the first one, I guess, is why the one-year extension? Do you think that the litigation is going

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to be done within a year? Is that the the idea behind a year versus six months or eight months? >> Yeah. Thank you, mayor, council member. Uh so the one year is you know is consistent with our original request. Uh

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we anticipate that within a year uh we are optimistic that we'll be able to close. Uh obviously uh you know if uh there extenduating circumstances uh we will have uh have to address that at a later date. But uh what we would

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typically ask is one year that's consistent with state statute typically. But you have ultimate authority. Uh if if we wanted to extend it to three years, we could ask for that, but we're we're optimistic. Uh we're moving forward with this project. >> Perfect. Thank you. And again, all

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along, this project wasn't meant to be completed in one phase. You were going to have multi-phases. So regardless of making first or second edition, it was going to be a phase project. >> Absolutely. I I think that's a a great assessment. And and as you may recall on the planning commission uh when we

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initially discussed this at the many several meetings we talked about uh two three even four phases. Uh so this is fully consistent with that plan. >> Thank you. That's it. >> Okay. Um I actually have several

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questions that are going to be directed in different areas. Not necessarily because I still have them as questions, but I think because they're going to be valuable for others that may still be questioning this to to know and understand. Um, Phil already mentioned this. Since it was always intended to be a phase development, is there a reason

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outside of litigation that this was not presented to us as two separate plats in 2024? >> I think I think the answer is that, you know, we fully intended to to close uh, you know, at the same time. Uh so you know I I guess uh if if we had

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anticipated uh you know building platting this out at different times that would have been appropriate but uh you know really we we were full steam ahead and we still are. Uh this is really just a little bit of a hiccup and is really caused by the the the current expiration date. And with that the

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selection of the golf course um lot property being the the property that you are working on first reasons behind that selection as compared to ISD property. >> Yeah that's you know there were a number of contractual provisions that drove the

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the closing I would say. Uh but you know ultimately one of the things that we've uh heard throughout this process is that before any construction started they uh many folks in the community wanted to see landscaping in Birmingham. And you know that was something that we heard a

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lot through the process. And we see this as an opportunity to to provide that and give uh that landscaping uh you know potentially a couple years to establish and and grow to uh a much higher level than it would uh if it was done concurrent with construction.

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>> Um one of the questions or one of the things that you had stated um was the the benefits for existing residents by beginning that level of work. Now what are the impacts by phasing this in the way that it is? Are there any additional impacts that residents can expect or that we need to be prepared for or is it

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ultimately following the the same or similar process as what you would have followed regardless of the bifurcation? >> Yeah, I I think the latter it would it it's really essentially the same exact process. Uh but because of again you know a number of reasons including the

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burming uh it allows us to uh once we get to full vertical construction we will have that burming in place ahead of time uh and it'll be more established. I wouldn't anticipate any additional changes. Uh there are some benefits uh as Kevin mentioned including payment of

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the park dedication fee. Uh we've also, as you may recall, there's a a pretty large uh natural buffer around the site. Uh and that will continue to uh to grow. We'll also be able to commence uh you know, some of the maintenance on on that

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uh to to selectively clear out the disease trees. So ultimately, the intent is for it to be a better project when we're started. And uh this has been mentioned, but to clarify at at this point with the limited scope of work, you as the

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developer are assuming that risk on your own. That's not a risk to the city, that's not a risk to our taxpayers. Whatever work you're doing on that site up to this point. If it needs to be changed because the legal landscape changes, if it needs to be changed because the end result changes, that's your responsibility. It's not the

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responsibility of the city. >> Absolutely. That's correct. And uh it's actually in the development contract uh that we are taking all of the burming on at risk and if uh ultimately those BMS need to be higher or we need to put a uh move them uh due to the actual

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development patterns on site that is at our risk. >> Okay. Um I think that's all I have there. Um Amy, legal exposure from a city standpoint, is there anything that we face if infrastructure has already been installed and um something ends up

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changing, plaintiffs prevail in in the uh court case or anything like that? Are we at greater risk in this situation? >> No. Um with the with bifurcating the plat that risk doesn't change. Um there

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are provisions in the development agreement that was approved in 2024 and those provisions are carried for carried forward to these two proposed development agreements that um would delay the city's obligation to design and construct the the public

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infrastructure um based on uh everybody loves to say this word force majour. Um staff always gets a good chuckle when we when I have to say those words. Um but the they're basically for various incidents that

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would be or circumstances that would be beyond the city's control. Um so the city's obligations to to do that work would be um dependent on knowing the answers to those questions

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of you know the litigation or other um external factors that would be beyond the city's control. And as far as the development agreement is concerned, this is in fact if if it is passed, it replaces the 2024 final plat. So they

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won't exist in tandem. One will replace the other. So anything that is updated in this agreement does does not contradict or have any other issue with the 2024 agreement if it passes. >> That's correct. Um because the the

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original approved the original final plat was never recorded um the document that would control is the document that gets recorded. So or documents in the if it's the um two plats that would be approved tonight um and the associated

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development agreement that would go with those plats because they're not recorded, they're not of record, they're not um uh they're not controlling on the properties. Um, and so the the documents that would ultimately be recorded is what would control.

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>> And as you already stated, if it doesn't pass it, we don't start at zero. We return to the 2024 agreement. >> That's correct. >> And the 2024 plan. >> And the 2024 plan. Uh, John,

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are there any specific infrastructure components that are being delayed? and if so, which are being delayed and which are going to be which are going to proceed from a city standpoint. >> U mayor and council members infrastructure improvements specific to

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the site. Uh there's nothing being delay. We haven't initiated any project specific to the site. Um this agreement allows a much better definition of the expected water and wastewater use um that wasn't in the previous agreement.

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And from a planning standpoint, that's um a huge benefit to development of our own infrastructure. Uh the staging is similar to what was anticipated with the original approvals. So nothing's delayed, nothing's accelerated as a

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result of this action. Um, does that also mean that it's de in the way that the project overall is delayed or the way that it's phased out at this point? Um, or intended to be that um I guess my

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question is are we at risk with any sort of storm water or safety or additional environmental risk with these? >> No. Mayor and council members, the what definition is provided in the new development contract uh includes all the documents necessary uh to do a full

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engineering review for the phase one grade preliminary grading activity. Um so there's nothing at risk. There's nothing that is going to flow freely from the site. There's no uh negative impact on our infrastructure. They're using their existing wells for the

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immediate uh water demand for construction purposes. So there's there's no impact. >> Okay. Um I appreciate that. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> That's all I have. >> Okay, Jake. Um most of my questions have

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been addressed already tonight, but I think a few of them bear repeating. Um, first of all, just to confirm the request tonight to bifurcate what was initially, we'll call it a rectangular plat into two square plats still meets all the requirements approved two years

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ago or roughly two years ago. >> U mayor, members of the council, yes, that's correct. >> And because it still complies with what had been approved, tonight's action is, to borrow Amy's phrase, a ministerial decision. Um and that means a

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capriccious no vote would be generally unacceptable under state law. >> Yes, that's true. Um a decision in a ministerial situation um you're you're doing a duty that you have to

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approve a plat that is a final plat that is consistent with a preliminary plat. Um and you know if if the council were to make a decision to deny um the application for the two plats um

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obviously you can never predict what a court would decide but it would be very likely that that would be viewed by a court as as an arbitrary capriccious decision because it would be outside of the scope uh for various reasons but one of them being that you would that the council's decision to deny would be

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outside of the scope of what your authority is in this specific situation. >> Okay. >> Um and then my final question, I don't know if this is Amy, John, the team from tract or some combination thereof. Um first of all, Amy, thank you for working on the development agreements on the

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city's behalf. I I feel like a lot of the changes are very favorable to us and I appreciate that work. Um but specifically looking at exhibit B, the water usage, and I know um Kevin had mentioned it earlier. Now we're looking at an annual cap in the water usage of

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50 million gallons per year. Is there if for some reason the development were to exceed that cap, is there any legal remedy, a an overage charge or any sort of remedy from a city perspective that we could pursue if for some reason they

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were to exceed that amount? I think this would be between John and me to answer actually. Um, but from a legal perspective, um, you know, this is it's now a contractual obligation that is laid out in in the words on the paper in the

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contract. Um, and so it's it it is any of the remedies that the city would have for a violation of any term of of the of the development agreement. all of those same remedies would apply to um to

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a what would be considered could be considered a violation of of of that 50 million number. So, and I know that John has some more technical remedies that might exist as well. >> Thank you, Marian City Council. Um well,

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aside from the legal aspects, there's a very physical practical aspect that action that could be taken. we close the valve to the site. Um, obviously we wouldn't do that in a way that's harmful or, you know, we we'd need certainly adequate warnings from the city attorney

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and language and everything, but there is a way to stop flow to the site. Uh, that's something we do on a regular basis, opening and closing valves and and if it came to that, we do have a way to do that, to cut it off essentially. But obviously, we we're not concerned

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that that's going to happen. And I just want to echo that um the reference to exhibit B um the earlier version was really cast in the light of expected demand and the way it's cast now is it's

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really capped as far as what the demand will be initially and it ultimate which is as I said before very helpful >> and if I could add one more thing um the in addition to the ability to kind of control the flow So, um, there is also a

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provision in the new version of the proposed development contract that is that specifically says that, you know, the city isn't obligated to, for lack of a better word, earmark that that maximum request out of the city's overall annual

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water appropriation um, permit. It's it there, this user is just like any other user. if there are restrictions placed citywide because of a drought or some other circumstance, um that would apply to to this property just the same as everybody else. Um and

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so it's they will be treated just like anybody else under state law. >> Thank you for reiterating some of that information and answering those questions. Steve, >> enough. Enough. Okay, I think my

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questions are going to be a little bit different than my peers and I appreciate their perspective. Um, Amy, I really want to thank you for all the work that you put in um with the documents that you provided and I appreciate the team from track

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being here. So, you know, data center environment construction is almost synonymous today with litigation and, you know, a developer of any size would certainly plan for that. So,

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you know, in kind of reading through the letters and such for it's I I'm I'm trying to determine if it looks like you were surprised by the litigation or if it caught you off guard. I mean, do you have any thoughts about that part of it?

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I don't I don't think um I think when you're preparing contracts, you're always you're always thinking about disputes, but I don't think that we had we had planned to have litigation. Um we we we

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we we did our best and work with city staff and to work operate within the rule set that city of Farmington has. We think we've done a we did a good job of that in 24. I also think that um

426
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when we when we came to the city having with the litigation going on now and wanting to divide the the plat we work with the staff hand in hand to try to make the better the document I think better really for the city but also you

427
02:05:54.960 --> 02:06:11.920
know so I think um I to answer your question you you prepare a contract a DA a plat with with that there could be a dispute but we certainly weren't planning for it. Fair, fair enough. Um, you know, and the council has obviously

428
02:06:11.920 --> 02:06:26.639
heard from a number of individuals that are concerned. Um, without going too far down a rabbit hole, you know, we are a council and we

429
02:06:26.639 --> 02:06:42.239
represent 25,000 plus people and of course we have neighbors that we, you know, try to take care of and all that kind of good stuff, too. And you know there there is slightly derogatory

430
02:06:42.239 --> 02:06:58.320
you know reference in the very mildest way towards towards residents here you know um I don't live in that neighborhood but certainly I could appreciate that they might feel like kind of out of nowhere they're being

431
02:06:58.320 --> 02:07:14.639
invaded and you know now they're sitting here potentially today or watching this on TV or we'll watch it at a later point in time and you know they might understand the bifurcation and they might want to believe the promise of future

432
02:07:14.639 --> 02:07:30.079
development but you know if I look at the um Minnesota judicial court system website you know there is some activity in June and then we jump all the way ahead to March of 27. So, you know,

433
02:07:30.079 --> 02:07:46.560
depending on what happens with some of that stuff, it's more than reasonable that in about a year we're going to be kind of looking at the same thing. And then are we going to be looking at another, you know, slightly amended, in my opinion, development agreement that's

434
02:07:46.560 --> 02:08:01.599
come about through that? Maybe or maybe not. um maybe more of an observation there unless you want to comment on that, but that's kind of what I see at least out there with the judicial courts right now. Um

435
02:08:01.599 --> 02:08:19.840
Amy and I think this is probably more of an Amy question. So line item, contract item, excuse me, development agreement item. Holy cow. I think we're looking at I think we're

436
02:08:19.840 --> 02:08:37.440
looking for 18 here. It's pertaining to the development fees. Okay. So, we've had a lot of changes, language changes and quote unquote improvements in the language, but the cash and loo for the park

437
02:08:37.440 --> 02:08:54.560
dollars have not changed. That struck me as a little bit odd. Wouldn't those dollars potentially be different, potentially higher due to the passage of time, or am I mistaken on that? Um, mayor, members of the council, it's

438
02:08:54.560 --> 02:09:09.520
it's fairly standard operating procedure to um base the once the once a an a calculation is made for park dedication in particular, it's standard procedure

439
02:09:09.520 --> 02:09:25.040
to um even with a a phased de development that is, you know, going to happen uh over a long buildout period. um to base those numbers from the time that the application was submitted. Um

440
02:09:25.040 --> 02:09:40.960
and perhaps Tony can talk more um about how it typically happens here in Farmington, but as a general practice across Minnesota cities, it's standard to have those numbers once they're known um to to stay the same.

441
02:09:40.960 --> 02:09:56.960
>> Okay. Before you ask Tony though, I just want to confirm though. I mean it looks like we are looking to approve a new agreement, a bifurcated agreement. Is that correct? >> Yes. The there are two proposed development agreements to correspond to

442
02:09:56.960 --> 02:10:13.040
the two additions of the of the proposed plat. >> And I just want to make sure the city gets, you know, everything that we should be getting. So if we're on the verge of potentially approving a new development agreement, you know, for

443
02:10:13.040 --> 02:10:28.960
2020 2026, I think we need to make sure that the cash and l dollars reflect essentially what I'm reading as a new contract with the bifurcation. I and that's my non attorney opinion

444
02:10:28.960 --> 02:10:43.760
that just kind of strikes me as kind of maybe the approach that it would make. I mean, you can't just hold dollars paid and and I appreciate tract wanting to pay us today, but we want to make sure that we're getting right. I mean, we want to make sure that we're

445
02:10:43.760 --> 02:11:00.960
getting our full value for the land dedication. Now, it might end up being 3151 15587. Could be lower, could be higher. Um, but I think that part would be important. So I don't know Tony Jeff I guess did

446
02:11:00.960 --> 02:11:17.199
>> I was just going to say as far as park dedication is concerned it's based off an appraisal that has a certain lifespan um so it's based off of that appraisal that was done um at time of uh preliminary

447
02:11:17.199 --> 02:11:35.280
plat application um so short of doing a new appraisal um that would be another option >> I just want to bring that Um, okay. Well, here's the main point I want to make. And I I want to chuckle,

448
02:11:35.280 --> 02:11:51.920
but I don't want to chuckle. But, you know, for anybody watching in TV who was up here, you know, it was uh day before election 2024 happened to be five or six days before

449
02:11:51.920 --> 02:12:08.560
my dad had uh passed away. So that was a I you know I won't forget that because obviously it was a very tough time period and you know I plead you know I just I I I I tried to plead to the council uh and

450
02:12:08.560 --> 02:12:24.560
again I'm just I'm just pointing out the reality here of slowing down to make sure we get the development contract exactly the way we wanted to. And yes, litigation has occurred, but the reality is the contract is really different than

451
02:12:24.560 --> 02:12:39.679
what we approved back in 2024. I mean, it just is. And part of it is due to the sheer nature of the bifurcation that that has to create new language to represent two different parcels. I get that part of it. But the reality is, I

452
02:12:39.679 --> 02:12:56.800
mean, there's components in here. You know, we had to get that development contract agreed to in December. I think it was December 2nd. we had to pass all this stuff and then December 2nd we agreed to the development contract and clearly you know it wasn't quite the way we wanted to which is not the way a city

453
02:12:56.800 --> 02:13:14.400
council should operate with a developer in my opinion. Um one of the bigger concerns I have across all the changes really is in um the official controls number five.

454
02:13:14.400 --> 02:13:29.760
So, and I'm sure council's aware of this too, um, because I think um, it was previously pointed out, by virtue of this change, the clock is now reset. So, forget the 16 months that

455
02:13:29.760 --> 02:13:46.800
were into the development agreement where we have no ability to make any change to official controls. That 16 months has been wiped out. you know, kind of quote unquote time served and we're going to reset it back to eight years and give you the full eight years. I mean, that's kind of the

456
02:13:46.800 --> 02:14:03.920
reality and that doesn't that in my opinion, yes, maybe it's good for a development contract, but it certainly doesn't protect the city in my opinion. Um, and I guess I just go back to the fact that,

457
02:14:03.920 --> 02:14:20.480
you know, I have said this multiple times in whether it's this project or different projects. When you move quickly and you don't have enough conversation between planning commission, council or council sitting down with this stuff, of course,

458
02:14:20.480 --> 02:14:36.639
this is going to happen. Of course, you're going to see all these kinds of changes. Um and so you know one thing I would like to see and I don't want I don't want this comment to be confused with the matter at hand because this is entirely

459
02:14:36.639 --> 02:14:54.880
separate and this comment um or or this recommendation um should not be blended into this project because I think the two are entirely different. For anybody that's been paying attention um we know that Egan has a moratorum. We

460
02:14:54.880 --> 02:15:11.760
know that Apple Valley has a moratorium. We know that Carver has a moratorum. Well, tomorrow night, our friends in Rosemount are going to be proposing a moratorum. So, what what I would like to see us do as a

461
02:15:11.760 --> 02:15:29.040
city to make sure that we can have a good foundation because this project will not be the only one coming to Farmington. It just won't be. It may be the only one during our tenure on the council, but at some point another project will be coming here. And

462
02:15:29.040 --> 02:15:45.440
we will be better served as a community by having a template of of taking time to study. Here's what we want. Here's we'd like it. And it's a perfect time knowing that we have our comp plan coming up. So I don't think that's activity we need to start tomorrow

463
02:15:45.440 --> 02:16:01.599
because I think you know the idea of introducing a um introducing a moratorum um would immediately invite litigation. So I'm not suggesting we do that at this moment but I do think it is something in the future that city absolutely needs to

464
02:16:01.599 --> 02:16:18.000
do. I think it would be a good discussion between the council and the planning commission. I do understand that we have limited scope within a bifurcation. Um that being said, you know, there has been a significant period of time and I

465
02:16:18.000 --> 02:16:34.119
know that there's extenduating other circumstances out there. Um but at this point, I'm not comfortable approving this and I'm comfortable leaving the original approved item as we have it.

466
02:16:38.880 --> 02:16:54.319
I appreciate everybody's opinions on the topic. I guess um one clarifying question from me and then just kind of I'll try and tie it all together as best I can here. Uh when we talk about uh using the wells during construction, I just want a clarifying topic that that

467
02:16:54.319 --> 02:17:09.760
has to stay within its current appropriation amount. Right. Uh, mayor and council members, yes, there are specific appropriation permits for those wells and they have to stay within the boundaries of those appropriations. Just like the city has an annual

468
02:17:09.760 --> 02:17:26.559
appropriation of a billion gallons, we have to stay within that appropriation or get a new one. Um, so it's yeah, it's very similar to our own appropriation permit. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure and clarify because we've had a lot of conversations where we're trying to separate what's happening during a construction phase versus the final and

469
02:17:26.559 --> 02:17:40.719
just clarify that even during construction in this case we're not exceeding what the golf course basically is today. Okay. Oh, that's a lot to try and tie together. I guess you know I've had a lot of conversations over the last few

470
02:17:40.719 --> 02:17:57.040
days about you know what this meeting is, what this process is. What are we really voting on? you know, where does the city have teeth to get involved and to slow things down? Um, and

471
02:17:57.040 --> 02:18:12.639
a big thing with all of this has always been that we need to follow a process. We need to demonstrate that Farmington can walk through a process consistently, not act on a motion, not do things on specific line items because of our overall feel

472
02:18:12.639 --> 02:18:30.160
of the overall project. that comes into conflict of with a lot of people of, you know, how does the city get things done? How does the city drive action and things like that? You have to balance those two things out. But I do need to kind of tie this down to what we're doing tonight. And I have

473
02:18:30.160 --> 02:18:46.000
kind of Amy's words, I think, are what I want to really latch on to at the end where we have already approved this final plat in some language that was not clear and did not spell out a lot of things. and we have a new and revised thing that is objectively better and

474
02:18:46.000 --> 02:19:02.880
more clear. And it is hard for me to compare those two things and say I'm going to reject the better thing knowing that it just goes right back to the worst thing. So it is really hard for me to kind of weigh those moral decisions. I understand Steve's concern. I understand concern about the industry as

475
02:19:02.880 --> 02:19:20.000
a whole, but the action that we're here for is specifically right in front of us. And like I said, I would rather take the improved product than have to step back. There's nothing that says we can't a year from now find something even better. That is just a

476
02:19:20.000 --> 02:19:36.479
core mantra of my life that I would take iterative improvement over time. I can't say we're not going to learn something in a year. We have that year basically with the litigation going on. We may learn new things and we may improve as we go. And I don't really feel like stopping all of that discussion

477
02:19:36.479 --> 02:19:52.319
just to, you know, that handcuffs us. That doesn't move us forward. I've had this conversation with a lot of you about we can either choose to stop our feet and complain about things that happened 15 minutes ago or we can try and make forward progress and we can try and reach a better future state. You have to be willing to say what you want

478
02:19:52.319 --> 02:20:07.920
as your future state to reach that. That's just how I feel about this overall topic. And I know that's not going to make a lot of you happy, but that is how I view this. And it is more important to me to demonstrate consistent process because if this falls through and they walk or choose to

479
02:20:07.920 --> 02:20:23.439
change their mind, the next developer that comes in will say, "Hey, we appreciated that you followed that consistent process." And that is what gets us our wins. That's what's gets us our economic growth. That's what gets us out of this funk of not having consistent business growth in

480
02:20:23.439 --> 02:20:41.359
Farmington. So that's my only thought on this. So with that, let's try and go through these separate motions here. Sorry, one second. Lot of documents here. We will look for a motion to adopt

481
02:20:41.359 --> 02:20:58.640
resolution 2026 TAC 035 approving and authorizing the signing of the Farmington Technology Park first edition and the Farmington Technology Park second edition final plat. >> Motion to approve. Second >> motion by Holly, second by Jake. Call the roll, please.

482
02:20:58.640 --> 02:21:15.120
>> Council member Cordes, >> yes. >> Mayor Lean, >> yes. >> Council member Bernett, >> yes. >> Council member Winshadow, >> yes. >> Council member Wilson, >> no. would look for a motion to adopt resolution 2026 TAC 036 granting a

483
02:21:15.120 --> 02:21:31.120
one-year extension until April 20th, 2027 for the recording of the Farmington Technology Park second edition with Dakota County. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Jake, second by Holly. Call to roll, please. >> Council member Bernat,

484
02:21:31.120 --> 02:21:46.399
>> yes. >> Council member Winshidel, >> yes. >> Council member Wilson, >> no. >> Council member Cordes, >> yes. Mayor Lean. >> Yes. Look for a motion to adopt resolution 2026 tax 037 approving the attached development contract for the Farmington

485
02:21:46.399 --> 02:22:01.840
Technology Park first edition and authorize its execution. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Motion by Phil, second by Holly. Call to roll, please. >> Council member Winshiddle, >> yes. >> Council member Wilson, >> no. >> Council member Cordez, >> yes.

486
02:22:01.840 --> 02:22:16.720
>> Mayor Lean, >> yes. >> Council member Bernett, >> yes. All right. Look for a motion to adopt resolution 2026 tax 038 approving the attached development contract for the Farmington Technology Park second edition and authorize its execution.

487
02:22:16.720 --> 02:22:32.720
>> Motion to approve. >> Second >> motion by Jake, second by Holly. Call the role, please. >> Council member Wilson, >> no. >> Council member Cortez, >> yes. >> Marilene, >> yes. >> Member Bernat, >> yes. Council member Win, >> yes.

488
02:22:32.720 --> 02:23:10.720
Thank you everybody. Item 11. Thank you everybody for your patience. I know this is a little bit of a longer one. We're getting there. Thank you, Mayor and Council. Tonight, we're here to talk about a downtown parking plan and the installation of

489
02:23:10.720 --> 02:23:28.800
15minute quick stop spots to support our downtown businesses. We've all noticed the increased activity in our downtown, which is a great thing. And this has created a greater demand for convenient parking options to support those quick visits to our local

490
02:23:28.800 --> 02:23:45.120
businesses. Um over the course of time, several businesses have come to us and they've requested additional short-term parking spaces in the downtown. The EDA has discussed this, staff has discussed this, our development review

491
02:23:45.120 --> 02:24:01.439
committees have discuss discussed these requests. Um, and the EDA back in August and and again in March talked about quick stop spots. These would be used to drop off and pick up in our downtown.

492
02:24:01.439 --> 02:24:17.520
Um, their courtesy spaces. The idea behind them would be that people could come in, visit our businesses. They would not be enforced by our police department. um they collectively would encourage turnover to support those businesses and

493
02:24:17.520 --> 02:24:33.200
they would consistently be located in areas in or downtown versus responding to these individual requests that continuously come to city hall by these various different businesses. Again, this is in response to a need that we're

494
02:24:33.200 --> 02:24:49.680
hearing in our downtown by these businesses that are very important to us. So, what's being recommended is a downtown parking plan that would include a total of 10 of these spots. This is an example of the signs. One spot would be

495
02:24:49.680 --> 02:25:05.439
located per block on each side of the street along Third Street between Spruce and Elm. There would be total of four spots. These spots would be located at the corner and or or that spot adjacent to the existing ADA spot on the block. one

496
02:25:05.439 --> 02:25:20.319
spot on the north and south side of Oak Street on the east side of Third Street. That would be a total of two spots. These spots would be located at the corner. And then this plan also recognizes that there's four existing 15-minute spaces that exist on the west

497
02:25:20.319 --> 02:25:36.560
um side of Third Street on Elm. The faces of those signs would be replaced for consistency, but those spaces would remain. You can see on this map the location of those spaces. These signs would be installed this spring by the public works department. And prior to

498
02:25:36.560 --> 02:25:52.000
installation, staff would notify all of our businesses in the downtown. We would do a communication campaign. We would share this information on our city's website. We would work with uh our communication staff. Thanks, David. Um to get this information out onto our

499
02:25:52.000 --> 02:26:09.200
social media platforms as well. And the installation of the signs and this project in itself would be funded by the EDA. And again, this whole project is in response to our downtown. It responds to those needs expressed by these businesses and it provides consistent

500
02:26:09.200 --> 02:26:24.960
locations of these spots um again versus responding to the individual requests that come in over time. So, tonight the council is asked to approve the downtown parking plan and authorize the installation of these spots.

501
02:26:24.960 --> 02:26:43.040
I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you, De. >> Nope, looks good. >> Jake, >> no questions. Just want to extend that thank you to the downtown uh businesses and institutions for reaching out and working with the city on this.

502
02:26:43.040 --> 02:26:58.160
>> Uh my only question actually has to do with what was an extension of this conversation when we were discussing it, which was the public parking information. Is that going to be coming at a later time or is it because the public parking is um cityowned that that doesn't need to be a part of this

503
02:26:58.160 --> 02:27:15.359
project? Can you just ensure that we understand that part just a little bit more? >> Sure. Um as part of the wayfinding plan, we did identify um some consistent signage to identify the public parking. Those signs will be installed as well, but that's part of a wayfinding plan.

504
02:27:15.359 --> 02:27:32.160
And we'll be working to communicate public parking locations as well, but um that's a little bit different than these quick stop spots, but they all work together. And we know that we have a lot of public parking that the community

505
02:27:32.160 --> 02:27:48.319
doesn't necessarily know is available and we need to do a better job of making sure that people know where those are located and having the public parking signs installed is one step to help people understand that. >> Perfect. I I appreciate both of these. Um I know it it supports businesses. I

506
02:27:48.319 --> 02:28:04.080
think it also um you know fills a need that we're hearing from residents too, which is sometimes at certain times of the day or certain days of the week it can be a little bit more difficult to hop in and hop out. So I think it's a it's an opportunity to uh be able to do both.

507
02:28:04.080 --> 02:28:20.720
>> No, I think it's a great idea. I just uh a thought comes to my mind to make sure that the businesses and the employees know that this is not enforceable by the police. Um because I do think it's going to create police calls and

508
02:28:20.720 --> 02:28:38.479
coming from experience uh generally not the high priority calls but just so that businesses are aware that >> they're there for a reason but they're not enforcable. >> Right. And that will be part of the communication that goes out and to our businesses. Um we have been working with

509
02:28:38.479 --> 02:28:54.560
the police department. The chief is fully aware of this project. These are courtesy spaces. Um hopefully people will understand and self- enforce themselves. >> Yes, great idea. Thank you. >> Um yeah, thank you Holly for pointing

510
02:28:54.560 --> 02:29:10.319
out the part about the public parking. I think maybe that's the the unsung part of the conversation. We have had a few conversations about this topic, so I apologize that we kind of speedrun through it. We talked about this in work session in the past. Um, we do also want to mark to Holl's point, we want to mark

511
02:29:10.319 --> 02:29:26.880
our downtown parking to be a little bit more clear because, you know, it was one feedback item that kind of came out with the construction of the Emery is people aren't quite as clear at where they're allowed to park. So, we wanted to be very uh strategic. So, I expect that to kind of come at a later time, I would think, here. But, this is all in the

512
02:29:26.880 --> 02:29:42.160
direction of goodness, I think. So, we don't need to beat this one up too much, I think. Action requested for this one. Look for a motion to approve the downtown parking plan and authorize installation of signs. >> Motion to approve. >> Second.

513
02:29:42.160 --> 02:29:58.720
>> Motion by Steve, second by Jake. Call the roll, please. >> Council member Cordes, >> yes. >> Mayor Lean, >> yes. >> Council member Bernat, >> yes. >> Council member Win, >> yes. >> Council member Wilson, >> yes. >> All right,

514
02:29:58.720 --> 02:30:18.880
we're to the fun part now. Sorry, citizen comments. Um, there will be a slight change tonight. One second. Um, normally this is going to be a normally comments are a time for anyone to address the city council on matters not on the agenda. Considering the

515
02:30:18.880 --> 02:30:34.800
somewhat unique nature of the vote tonight, we are going to relax that requirement. If you would like to speak to a topic on the agenda, feel free. Going to read the rest of this disclaimer though as it still applies. Comments from speakers must be informational in nature and may not exceed five minutes. The city council

516
02:30:34.800 --> 02:30:50.960
will not engage in discussion or debate in those five minutes, but will take the information and issue a response to those requiring one by the next council meeting. When you come up to the podium, state the city or township that you live in. As part of the protocol, it is unacceptable for any speaker to slander or engage in character assassination or

517
02:30:50.960 --> 02:31:06.800
discuss personnel complaints at a public council meeting. As such, speakers will not be allowed to identify city employees either by name or position or to identify any other person by name during the public comment period. If one does, their comments will be deemed done. Please address your comments to

518
02:31:06.800 --> 02:31:23.600
the council as a whole. If decorum cannot be maintained during a speaker's time, the council will recess to allow decorum to be restored and upon return from recess, citizen comments will resume provided order can be maintained. If order cannot be restored, the meeting may be adjourned. Is there anyone who

519
02:31:23.600 --> 02:31:41.120
would like to speak tonight? >> My name is Terry Pearson, 2475 225th Street West. And congratulations. Congratulations, council. Congratulations, construction companies. Congratulations,

520
02:31:41.120 --> 02:32:00.080
electricians. The city will get their money. The school system will get promised money. short-term work constructing buildings that will forever cover green and

521
02:32:00.080 --> 02:32:14.880
tillable ground will s with cement and pavement. Congratulations that the buildings will hold technology that takes jobs for the future. Congratulations that this is going to

522
02:32:14.880 --> 02:32:31.520
gobble the resources of water strain one electric our electrical needs and pollute the clean air that we are so proud of. Trust the process and in the end the citizens will lose. But what will remain will be the industrial

523
02:32:31.520 --> 02:32:54.080
wasteland. It will be marked like graveyard stones forever standing as testament to the bad decisions by this council. No rest in peace will be engraved on these stones. Mayor, Councilman David Marsh, 204 First

524
02:32:54.080 --> 02:33:09.600
Street. I'm going to jump off this topic real quick. Throw a little other pickle at you. Mr. Wilson, how are you? The scenario is this. The the planning commission, as you know, number of years ago, approved a conditional use permit for River Oaks, right? Very strict. Then

525
02:33:09.600 --> 02:33:26.160
it came to city council. The previous city council approved that conditional use permit with very stringent standards. Tony was standing behind it all pushing the whole project forward. Well, this is ironic that I come tonight to address this with you guys based on

526
02:33:26.160 --> 02:33:41.840
what council member Wilson said, what you said, Mr. Mayor, right? We can't go back and change things, right? We have to get better and smarter and we move forward. You're in a situation where you have a conditional use permit that quite honestly River Oaks has not followed one single bit. We got the police chief

527
02:33:41.840 --> 02:33:58.399
here. Ask him how many calls he gets on that about turning on First Street. The car's leaving, coming, going. I had a parent cut me off while I was backing out of my own driveway trying to get to the post office because I live right across from the street from the thing. She cut me off and blocked me at the end

528
02:33:58.399 --> 02:34:14.720
of my own road thinking I was trying to butt in line to pick up a kid. My kids are long gone. I don't want to be here anymore. The scenario is they're snowplow guy. The city plows the alley between Elm and and that runs between the houses on the back side of Elm

529
02:34:14.720 --> 02:34:29.680
Street, which borders my property, plows it across the road and into their snow pile on the end. River Oak snowplow guy picks up the snow and dumps it in my driveway and in my yard with rocks and everything else in it and then blames

530
02:34:29.680 --> 02:34:46.160
me. There's 40 to 60 cars any given day sitting outside River Oaks. River Oaks promised to control traffic. They promised to have flights of parents. They promised the buses would go slow. They promised that the parents would leave

531
02:34:46.160 --> 02:35:02.399
in in a reasonable manner. I invite all of you. You let me know when you want to come. You guys clear your schedule in the next two weeks. You come over in the morning. I'll have coffee. I'll go get donuts at the doughnut shop. And then we'll do a little barbecue in the afternoon about 3:00. And I'd like to

532
02:35:02.399 --> 02:35:18.399
see between the new we'll call it uh whatever that new center is, the old river river or uh Valley River dental clinic is now a treatment center of some sort with the cars lined up on both sides of that road. The the postbox house that was

533
02:35:18.399 --> 02:35:33.920
allowed to be built with their cars sitting in the street in their driveway. And now all these parents coming up and down First Street that I mind you is four houses long, right? It was bad when the grocery store was there, but at 6:00 a.m. I could go out, knock on the trucker's driver's

534
02:35:33.920 --> 02:35:49.359
door and say, "Hey, you know what? Pull your truck down further. You know, my wife and kids are sleeping." I can't do that with these parents. They literally are abusive. Don't follow their own rules. I'll be honest. I threatened to grab my skid and push the lady's car in

535
02:35:49.359 --> 02:36:05.120
the ditch and in the river because she pissed me off so bad. And I was just trying to get to the post office. When I moved there, that was a culde-sac. There was a grain elevator, a defunct grain elevator. There was nothing else there. There was a grocery store, but they were good neighbors. When their trash would

536
02:36:05.120 --> 02:36:21.840
blow, I'd go over and tell the store manager. He'd come over, send some one of the boys over, they'd pick it up, right? It was never an issue. Even when the trucks in the mornings for deliveries get stacked up, they always were good neighbors. You have the you have in front of you a conditional use permit that has you guys

537
02:36:21.840 --> 02:36:38.399
had laid it all out. Tony pushed for the envelope also. I went to the planning commission meetings. I went to all the city council meetings. You guys, this is it's ironic that I'm here tonight because you can't change what was done before. But you do have an opportunity to change something because now you have

538
02:36:38.399 --> 02:36:54.399
a conditional use permit for this. Just look at our tax base, right? That school now that you took that commercial property off the tax base because the school you're not recognizing any of it there. Get us a grocery store back. But I would commend you or I recommend that you go forth with looking at their

539
02:36:54.399 --> 02:37:10.960
conditional use permit and you guys let me know when you want to come over. We'll have donuts and coffee, tea, whatever you like and I'll grill burgers in the afternoon and we'll take a look at the traffic situation because it's a giant safety hazard, right? They're backed up all the way across the all the way across the bridge. And then as fast as they go in, they go out and they go

540
02:37:10.960 --> 02:37:26.560
to the west. So if you're sitting on my street, First Street, there there's four houses and you have the post office trucks flying by. One of them hit my mailbox two years ago because she was avoiding parents coming out and in and out. It's it's a zoo. It's it's the school should have never gone there in

541
02:37:26.560 --> 02:37:42.399
the first place. And you have a opportunity to remove that school in their conditional use permit. And I suggest that you look long and hard because someone's going to get hurt on that corner, some kid crossing his bike, some mom pushing a stroller, senior taking a walk in the afternoon because

542
02:37:42.399 --> 02:38:09.760
they don't look. You're a police officer. You get it. Chief sitting there. How many calls do you get a month about that school? You know it quite a bit. So that's it. >> Let me know when you guys want to have coffee. I appreciate >> Thank you. Okay. Nikita Clan, uh, Executive

543
02:38:09.760 --> 02:38:26.800
Estates. Um, I have come to speak today stuck between a rock and a hard place. As I've said previously in multiple meetings, I am a member of the IBW. I have helped build three different data centers. I

544
02:38:26.800 --> 02:38:45.359
recognize that they are good construction jobs and they support our local members. I speak today knowing full well that what I have to say will probably limit my employment opportunities.

545
02:38:45.359 --> 02:39:01.120
That said, my opinions are my own and do not represent those of the IBW on the said issue. A few days ago, I received a letter labeled IBW Local 110. I thought it was weird. It was addressed

546
02:39:01.120 --> 02:39:15.600
to my wife instead of me. She's not a member of the IBW. Lo and behold, it was a solicitation letter asking her to speak in favor of this development. I didn't even get a chance to read that letter fully before my wife promptly

547
02:39:15.600 --> 02:39:33.520
proceeded to tear it up. However, to have the union be on the side of the people we are actively fighting in our community really hurt. And I say this not to the local brothers that are here

548
02:39:33.520 --> 02:39:52.319
present to speak on behalf of this data center. I'm speaking in regards to the leadership of these said locals and to our community council here. Um, my my wife's actions should tell you the

549
02:39:52.319 --> 02:40:09.040
all that you need to know about how we feel about this project in our house. Just in case our guests aren't educated on this particular hazard um on this topic. Um, there are a lot of potential hazards of

550
02:40:09.040 --> 02:40:24.960
large scale data centers. I suggest you look to Virginia and Texas to name just a few states that have fasttracked a lot of these massive projects to see all the reporting that has been done on the effects of these data centers when they're placed in populated areas. Let

551
02:40:24.960 --> 02:40:41.120
me give you a short summary. It's not good. More and more reporting is coming out every week citing the harm these data centers can cause. Not just the local environment, but to the human psyche, such as constant anxiety and loss of sleep. I have two little

552
02:40:41.120 --> 02:40:57.040
children at home. I do not wish that upon them. I will ask you the same question I've asked this council. Would you buy or build a new house next to a massive data center? I've asked this to the city council

553
02:40:57.040 --> 02:41:12.560
members. So, I have a feeling your answer will probably be no. If that's the case, why do you expect us to live in such conditions in which you are unwilling to live? Does the old construction adage, you can't see it from my house, come into play here? Because if that's the case, that's some

554
02:41:12.560 --> 02:41:32.160
impressive cogn cognitive dissonance on behalf of you guys. This has been a sore subject in our community and you're not painting our locals in good light by being here supporting this project. I understand that the locals are seeking to keep its

555
02:41:32.160 --> 02:41:48.720
workforce employed. However, I think it's pretty hypocritical that we are chasing dollars from the same companies that are actively engaging in union busting efforts of their own employees. Apple, Amazon, Google are some.

556
02:41:48.720 --> 02:42:06.640
So while you sit here and talk the good talk about union jobs, you should be ashamed of yourself for standing here and advocating for this. I have neighbors that have been slapped with lawsuits just for talking about this. I don't think you would find that

557
02:42:06.640 --> 02:42:21.920
acceptable because it's not okay for citizens to be sued by a company for allegedly defaming them. This project is a parasite. It has warmed its way and it will slowly eat this community from within. So, pardon

558
02:42:21.920 --> 02:42:38.080
me, but when I say this to our local leaders, screw these jobs. Go home and think long and hard who you're going into business with. And to the trades people in the audience, I urge you to stand with our community and not be part of the big business that

559
02:42:38.080 --> 02:42:54.000
even if it costs you jobs. On your drive home, make sure you pay attention to all the open spots available that haven't been built on yet. That could be a data center in the future. That could be your next neighbor. We might be skilled

560
02:42:54.000 --> 02:43:17.120
labor, but we are building the future that will replace replace and me. Thank you, Esther. Varga, 225th Street, Caser Rock Council, Mayor, residents, and citizens listening

561
02:43:17.120 --> 02:43:32.720
online. I would like to start with a quote from Michael Turner, District Supervisor of Laden County, Virginia. his words, "I regret the vote because prior boards allowed industrial land to surround established residential neighborhoods. We effectively rendered

562
02:43:32.720 --> 02:43:48.080
16 homes uninhabitable because of all the data center constructions going on." Let that sink in. Cities nationwide waking up to the impact on residents. Yet Farmington Council digs its heel and stubborn

563
02:43:48.080 --> 02:44:03.439
stubbornly refuses to listen to the study after study to show the ill effects except the one council member who we thank Apple Valley Eaggan Rosemont. Listen, how come are they not afraid to correct course that would scare away future

564
02:44:03.439 --> 02:44:19.040
developers? Good for them. Please read between the lines when developers say, "Oh, it makes sense to build here because of the infrastructure, water, electricity. It makes sense of to them, of course, because they don't have to spend a million dollar to bring

565
02:44:19.040 --> 02:44:36.000
electricity, a dollar, a million a mile. They could build these away from residents, but it doesn't make sense to them because then they would need to spend extra dollars of their billions of profits. No, it has to be here to save dollars on the backs of our hard-earned

566
02:44:36.000 --> 02:44:52.880
equity in our houses. Farmington has designated industrial zone, yet the city hasn't pursued that site. Farmington could solve for economic development and jobs by building not next to residents. For the electrician union members, I

567
02:44:52.880 --> 02:45:09.040
hear you. You want to work. Me too. I understand from readings online that there is a shortage of trained electricians needed for the AI data center boom. I don't think any tradesmen need to worry about job opportunities in a boom.

568
02:45:09.040 --> 02:45:24.560
the IBW union stating this is a life or death situation for big tech. The bottleneck is the lack of workers. They say so you can find plenty data centers to work on and when you do please think of your

569
02:45:24.560 --> 02:45:40.080
family, your house, your backyard, your family's water and quality of life and apply for a data center build that is not next to a working people's neighborhood just like yours. Thank you for all that you do. I would like to

570
02:45:40.080 --> 02:45:55.760
address Track's letter to the city that is public information. Quote, the city completed AUA environmental study confirming Minnesota's environmental conversation goals. Well, let me uh quote from the uh Minnesota

571
02:45:55.760 --> 02:46:12.800
Environmental Board. AU is for residential, commercial, warehouse, and light industrial. We all know this is anything but light. So AOR was not the proper environmental study here. Quote, contrary to misinformation spread by a

572
02:46:12.800 --> 02:46:27.600
few on social media, but actually there's a lot of us sharing studies and articles not spreading misinformation. Again, think who has the gain here. Developer or are mis little in residents trying to save our houses. Just a few of

573
02:46:27.600 --> 02:46:43.680
the studies we share. Harvard Gazette, April 8. Ben Green, associate prof associate professor, University of Michigan, discussing the impact of data centers, quoting, "The public is quite negative and their concerns are legitimate." Is this professor also a

574
02:46:43.680 --> 02:46:59.359
vocal minority spreading uh misinformation? Another one, environmental health project organization, February article, the dangers of data centers, listing noise, light, and air pollution. quote, "The council cast votes that reflected

575
02:46:59.359 --> 02:47:14.800
the will of the majority of Farmington residents." Excuse me. What I heard in every council meeting, the majority of people spoke against this month strategy. You can review all these meetings on the city's website. Quote,

576
02:47:14.800 --> 02:47:31.920
"These handful of vocal citizens would bring meritless legal action seeking to undo the city's democratic process." Big words. Almost tastes like a slander. well learned tracked people. We are not a handful, we are a lot and merit or

577
02:47:31.920 --> 02:47:46.960
merit less should be up to the judge and not up to tract. In closing, I caution any developer buying into the gold rush of this land grab. There are developments to put data centers in the ocean according to the latest CBS Sunday

578
02:47:46.960 --> 02:48:11.680
morning show last Sunday. Thank you. You guys should get taller microphones. Um, my name is Braden Shensel. I live in Castle Rock. Have you ever looked at the town you grew up in and felt grateful it was that place of all places. That's how I feel

579
02:48:11.680 --> 02:48:28.800
about Farmington. It's a calm, family- centered community where people grow up, feel safe, and enjoy where they live. But with this proposed data center or what's being called a technology park, future generations may not be able to say that same thing about Farmington. Building a hypers scale data center here

580
02:48:28.800 --> 02:48:44.800
would threaten our city's character, create serious environmental and daily life problems, and set a dangerous precedent that could affect our future generations. Today, I want to talk about three main points. The strain this project would place on our resources and environment, how it would affect daily life in our

581
02:48:44.800 --> 02:49:00.880
community, and the long-term impacts on future generations. and what this could lead to next. First, data centers place heavy strain on local resources and environment. These facilities obviously require huge amounts of electricity to run. But according to this technology park

582
02:49:00.880 --> 02:49:17.520
website by tract, this project is um will rely heavily on natural free cooling, but that can only do so much even if we live in Minnesota. That means much of the year ventilation systems and water are still going to be needed which will definitely increase its energy

583
02:49:17.520 --> 02:49:33.920
demand. Now that energy has to come from somewhere. This could lead to more power productions being built to support it. That could change the land around us including building large solar developments on existing farmland. One of such

584
02:49:33.920 --> 02:49:49.040
projects is already planned to surround my home. just a couple of miles from this proposed data center location. And this site will obviously need a lot of power. The proposed data center is expected to need around 700 megawws of power. That

585
02:49:49.040 --> 02:50:04.720
would significantly add to the total energy demand already placed on Farmington. Second, this project would affect the daily life and atmosphere within Farmington. The construction alone is estimated to last anywhere from 5 to 10 years. That's nearly a decade of

586
02:50:04.720 --> 02:50:20.720
constant noise, dust, and heavy machinery next to residential areas. There would also be a lot more traffic from construction vehicles, which creates congestion and makes things feel much less safe, especially with families for little kids nearby. And even after

587
02:50:20.720 --> 02:50:37.439
this construction is done, the impact does not go away. Over nearly a decade long construction period, there will be times when noise, lights, and activity go beyond what people expect. And that kind of frustration builds up over time. Even when construction is f finished, the facility will operate 24/7. That

588
02:50:37.439 --> 02:50:52.640
means cooling systems and server fans will want run constantly, creating continuous back background noise for nearby residents. While there are city ordin ordinances and state environmental rules that apply, including noise and lighting

589
02:50:52.640 --> 02:51:08.880
standards, there's still a concern for how effective these limits are in practice, especially with a facility of this scale. Finally, this project would affect our future generations and set a precedent for future industrial development within Farmington. Growing up here gives people a certain quality

590
02:51:08.880 --> 02:51:25.200
of life. It's a place where families can come to settle down and kids can grow up in a stable environment. But adding something like this will completely change that. With more traffic, more noise, and more industrial presence, that experience is not going to be the same. And there's no doubt in my mind that fewer people are going to want to

591
02:51:25.200 --> 02:51:41.120
live next to something like this, let alone raise a family there. It could also affect housing. According to an article I found by Emily Ray, data centers near homes can typically lead to higher property taxes and make homes more expensive to purchase. That makes it even harder for more new families to

592
02:51:41.120 --> 02:51:57.920
move here. And this isn't just about one facility, but what comes after. In the state of Virginia, for example, data center started with just a few locations and has now grown to one of the largest concentrations of data centers in the entire world, even being nicknamed data center alley. It didn't stop at one, but

593
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kept expanding. Now, I'm not saying a project like this will turn Farmington into something like Virginia, but it shows how easily one once one door opens, how many more can follow. And over time, that can shift Farmington away from being a family centered community and so towards something more

594
02:52:14.000 --> 02:52:29.920
industrial. And while the main goal may be to increase our tax revenue, we have to ask if that trade-off is worth it. Data centers are obviously important on how much we rely on technology and the uh advancements in artificial intelligence. I'm not going to deny

595
02:52:29.920 --> 02:52:46.080
that. But they should not be built next to existing homes. If the goal for the city council is to act in the best interest of the people in Farmington and the surrounding community, this project will not move forward. If you if you wouldn't want to live next to something like this, don't expect your neighbors

596
02:52:46.080 --> 02:53:07.200
to. Thank you. Good evening, me mayor, members of the council. My name is Mo Fashami. I live in 2528 228th Street West, uh, barely Castle Rock Township. Uh, I have a 40

597
02:53:07.200 --> 02:53:24.720
plus years IT career. more than 20 of it has been spent as global telecommunication and data center network architect for some of the large Fortune 500 companies, several of them here in the Twin City area. So, I know a thing or two about

598
02:53:24.720 --> 02:53:40.560
data centers and I've worked with cloud providers um Amazon and Azure and I'm aware of other providers as well. So, I know a thing or two about data centers. You heard today from uh track

599
02:53:40.560 --> 02:53:57.439
representatives that on the existing land there are wells that produce uh currently enough water equivalent to what they need. So why do they come to the city? Let them go ask DNR for their

600
02:53:57.439 --> 02:54:13.359
own permitting. Um in the cities around us, they're beginning to have PAS issues. The health department just earlier this month issued about how many how much fish to

601
02:54:13.359 --> 02:54:30.560
eat from South Branch Vermillian River. There is a PAS concern about that. So you're getting PAS in the adjacent communities. So by providing water of the city to the developer,

602
02:54:30.560 --> 02:54:48.720
if you have PAS, you're going to remediate PAS and give it to the um data center so they can use it to cool their equipment which doesn't need PAS. So why would you go through the additional expense of remediate spending uh city's

603
02:54:48.720 --> 02:55:04.319
money on remediating PAS for something that doesn't need to use remediated water. Uh also cloud providers need to guarantee to their customers a 99.99

604
02:55:04.319 --> 02:55:20.560
or better service level agreement. So if I'm Microsoft that want to come go build somewhere and I'm told if I'm use more water than I'm allowed and the valves are going to get closed on me. Guess what? I'm not going to go there. I'm

605
02:55:20.560 --> 02:55:37.840
going to go somewhere else when that possibility doesn't exist because they have commitments to their customers to run 7 by 24 provide that service 7 by 24. So if for some reason something happens and the city turns the water off

606
02:55:37.840 --> 02:55:52.160
to them, they're not going to be able to do the business, their contracts, their customers are going to start litigation against Amazon or Microsoft or whoever plans to come to this uh industrial

607
02:55:52.160 --> 02:56:09.520
park. Um the additionally there were some comments that uh it appeared that the developer is generous and is giving the city something in

608
02:56:09.520 --> 02:56:26.640
return for a parkland. That area was zoned parkland. So with that money, the city is obligated to go buy a park somewhere else in the city so that you keep the same number of parkland. Um the

609
02:56:26.640 --> 02:56:44.319
U tower is water storage. The primary customer for that is going to be the data center. So if I'm giving land to you to give me something back uh is that really uh a magn magnanimous gesture and

610
02:56:44.319 --> 02:56:59.200
the Biscane Avenue uh had it not been for this project probably would not have happened maybe many years into the future that road has been talked about for many many years nothing has taken place there's never been a road so

611
02:56:59.200 --> 02:57:16.479
giving easement to anybody for that road of the property again is not a magnanimous gesture. If the county needs to take it, they come and take it. Again, um also tow representatives,

612
02:57:16.479 --> 02:57:34.319
if you put a moratorum on data centers, it doesn't make the jobs go away. It allows, as one of the council members said, time to figure out what's the best way and those jobs would come back. If we're doing it right, you guys can have

613
02:57:34.319 --> 02:57:50.880
the jobs and go home and be proud that you're working on some of the best things possible. I know our code in Minnesota is probably at the very top, the best of any other states. So, be proud. I am proud of you guys. A

614
02:57:50.880 --> 02:58:12.240
moratorum doesn't necessarily kill jobs. It only delays it. Thank you very much for the time. >> Good evening, Mr. Mayor, council members. Uh my name is Jim Sloan. I'm a resident of Farmington. I'm also a business representative for the Steam

615
02:58:12.240 --> 02:58:30.560
Fitters, Pipe Fitters, Local 455. Uh represent over,200 working members. uh 188 of those members, just for a little background, uh live in Dakota County and generate just in taxable wages a little over $23.6 million that uh in Dakota

616
02:58:30.560 --> 02:58:47.200
County. 22 of our members live right here in Farmington, which generate uh 2.8 million. That's just in a taxable wage, not including their fringe benefits. So, um these jobs do help out people live in the community. I understand all the concerns people may

617
02:58:47.200 --> 02:59:03.040
have, but this these types of projects put a lot of people to work. Um, we had 183 pipe fitters alone working at the meta data center up in Rosemound. Everybody's familiar with that. There's been 350,000 hours worked on that

618
02:59:03.040 --> 02:59:19.520
project just for pipe fitters. And that has brought in over $20 million in taxable wages. If you include fringe benefits, you can almost double that amount. So these projects are very important. I understand the concerns, questions people have. Makes sense. But

619
02:59:19.520 --> 02:59:35.680
ultimately, we're about jobs. And if these jobs go somewhere else, so does the money. We had 118 traveling pipe fitters come in to work on the data center. Guess what? They all stay around Rosemount, the area, somewhere around here. And when they go home, back to

620
02:59:35.680 --> 02:59:52.479
their places of renting, they spend the money here where they're working. If these projects aren't happening here, that money is going to follow to another job. Everybody talks about jobs that are temporary. That's what we do. You know, there's uh well, representatives from other trades here. That's just the nature of the business and everybody

621
02:59:52.479 --> 03:00:08.399
understands that and that change happens. But with projects like this coming, that gives us a lot of, you know, we can work on building our membership to accommodate the manpower. Someone spoke to the fact that, you know, there's labor shortage. That's

622
03:00:08.399 --> 03:00:25.439
true. But these projects give us the opportunities to bring in more apprentices, more journeymen to work to do this type of work. And they are also people live in the community. So I just wanted to make a couple little points. I'm not going to take up any much more of your time, but uh these jobs that

623
03:00:25.439 --> 03:00:44.800
come along with this are very important to us. Thank you. >> Thank you. Hi, my name is Kathy Peragrino. Um, I live in Farmington. I do live a little distance away, but I know that these data centers don't respect

624
03:00:44.800 --> 03:01:02.399
boundaries, neither for water nor for air. Um, a couple comments before I get into the the information that I prepared, but my first question is for the city council. Did any of you any of you

625
03:01:02.399 --> 03:01:19.359
invite um our attorney to speak outside of the agenda? Because the tract attorneys weren't listed anywhere on the agenda and they spoke outside the agenda. So maybe, you know, allowing someone who speaks on behalf of tract,

626
03:01:19.359 --> 03:01:35.680
whose firm is involved in a lawsuit along with Farmington, getting that special invitation to speak while we taxpayers don't get the same invitation with our representatives just doesn't strike me as very fair. In fact, it sounds it seems kind of icky, seems kind

627
03:01:35.680 --> 03:01:50.960
of sneaky. So, and then we're speaking after they do and after approving the final plat. This is just this is grossly unfair, hideously unfair. Just my feeling.

628
03:01:50.960 --> 03:02:08.080
Um, so couple of other comments here. Um, not all unions are gung-ho about this. In fact, my union, MATE, the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, um our political affairs coordinator for

629
03:02:08.080 --> 03:02:23.840
MATE, spoke on Capitol Hill talking about the risk and true cost to communities, the cost, the cost of electricity, um the inequity of where that data center is planned to be built in the middle of three three

630
03:02:23.840 --> 03:02:40.319
um communities. I also want to mention that I don't understand or I can't see possibly how the construction of these data centers or the data center whether it's either half the size or if it's the full size

631
03:02:40.319 --> 03:02:56.960
it'll be one of the biggest in the United States um it'll have a heat dome and the the South Vermillion River runs right through the data center property and what I understand is that it creates a heat dome of up to 16 degrees

632
03:02:56.960 --> 03:03:14.319
potentially higher in the surrounding communities. And I can't imagine that this that the river would remain at the stage or at the temperature where the trout could reproduce naturally. It's one of the few, if not the only one in

633
03:03:14.319 --> 03:03:29.120
the area where trout reproduced naturally. So all that work and all the talk you you you know that you mention in in beautifying the Vermilion River will be for not if it's destroyed.

634
03:03:29.120 --> 03:03:47.359
Um, finally or another thing too is that the Harvard Business Review on 11 on November 5th talked about the rare cancers and miscarriages that happen because of this the particullet um from from um hyperscale data centers.

635
03:03:47.359 --> 03:04:03.520
Why should we die from respiratory failure and endanger our immuno compromised neighbors um for a paycheck? And also Mayor McQuay just recently spoke about um hypers scale data centers

636
03:04:03.520 --> 03:04:19.600
as a prime target for terrorists. And right now in the middle of this war um we we're sitting there like a you know we'd be like a sitting duck with a with an AI data center which would be a prime target for attack.

637
03:04:19.600 --> 03:04:36.000
So, um, these are short-term projects that will destroy lives and have negative impacts on the surrounding community and beyond. Um, why do we need to build this monstrosity and then have to pick up the pieces after the destruction

638
03:04:36.000 --> 03:04:51.680
of our health and the river as well? We know that this will hap um we know that that all of this destruction will happen and Farmington can't afford to ignore it. You say you can't answer our questions and concerns

639
03:04:51.680 --> 03:05:09.640
because of ongoing lit litigation, but it's reckless and irresponsible to put this community in such grave danger and then have to pick up again the pieces after the fact. you're really not planning for the future. And I for one worry for my neighbors.

640
03:05:16.880 --> 03:05:34.479
Hi, my name is Margaret Sullivan. Uh 4258 Russell Avenue North in Minneapolis. And I'll explain how I got here in a moment, but just quickly first I really appreciated hearing the response that water can be turned off if water use exceeds contracted cap. It's the kind of

641
03:05:34.479 --> 03:05:50.399
transparent effective response that starts to begin to ease my mind on that particular point. Unfortunately, unless un I've missed something, there's a big remaining lack of clarity in my mind about who the

642
03:05:50.399 --> 03:06:06.720
responsible party would be to keep track of how much water the project would use, how and how often exactly the usage would be kept track of, and how residents would access that information as it would be their water needs the

643
03:06:06.720 --> 03:06:23.359
project would be competing with. Unfortunately, knowing water can be shut off only becomes meaningful to me when we have the same clarity on these questions. Anyway, I'm here because one hypers scale data center makes all motans more

644
03:06:23.359 --> 03:06:40.720
vulnerable in all the ways. Water safety and supply, power outages, job losses, health threats, land lost to poison groundwater, surveillance,

645
03:06:40.720 --> 03:06:56.319
decreased property values. Oh, and there are military targets. Now, about that, I've been following this sort of loosely since last summer, but the number of feet I'm hearing for setback, is it really just 250 ft?

646
03:06:56.319 --> 03:07:12.560
That seems counterintuitive. I'm wondering since you don't know or I don't think you know exactly what will go on in those buildings. I mean unless you do what is guiding setback distance? What's the rubric? So may I be I should formally ask here

647
03:07:12.560 --> 03:07:30.720
and give you the chance to inform us what type of work will this be dedicated to? We get it that the identity of the owner is protected, but the type of activity their work is dedicated to isn't right. Is it medical research,

648
03:07:30.720 --> 03:07:50.319
military planning, surveillance, some mixture, something else? Okay. So, you don't know. I have to assume that given that that remains a question, I guess I assumed you'd be all about liability and set a hypers scale

649
03:07:50.319 --> 03:08:05.520
data center back at a similar distance to any inherently high-risk structure. I mean, since hypers scale data center operations cover such a range of possibilities indeed from medical research to military planning, I thought you'd set it back more like a high-risk

650
03:08:05.520 --> 03:08:21.359
structure like Monosella's nuclear plant, which would be miles if nothing else to cover city liability. So, the setback proposed again 250 ft I guess if that's right, doesn't even seem in your interest.

651
03:08:21.359 --> 03:08:36.160
I'm sure you figured this out by now, so you'll have a quick answer, but who besides the city would be liable for this decision in an absolute, you know, worst case mass casualty scenario, like where data centers hit because it actually was a military target and

652
03:08:36.160 --> 03:08:52.800
residents nearby are harmed when an appropriate setback for a potential military target was not chosen. And who but the city is liable for this decision in the equally tragic but more predictable and very legitimate medical

653
03:08:52.800 --> 03:09:17.920
lawsuits to come from a setback this close to residents. >> Thank you for listening. That's all I got. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You're all good. Mayor, council, members, thank you for your time tonight. Um, my name is Zach Clawson.

654
03:09:17.920 --> 03:09:35.120
I'm a resident of Rosemount. I was a resident of Farmington. I'm a member of the Labors 563. I also have the privilege of being an instructor with Lyuna in the winter, as well as the privilege of working for a contractor in this community in the summer months. I live in Rosemount within a few hundred

655
03:09:35.120 --> 03:09:51.600
yards of the metadata center that's currently being built and operational in Rosemount. I have noticed no significant negative impact in my life, the impact in my children's life, but what I have noticed is their ongoing commitment into the community towards the schools and

656
03:09:51.600 --> 03:10:09.120
the city uh amenities. Um we also have a major refinery there. Um out of respect to them, I won't announce the name, but over the course of my lifetime, they've also contributed a lot of money back into the community and the parks. Um, we talk about these are temporary jobs to

657
03:10:09.120 --> 03:10:24.319
construction. It's not temporary jobs. We go to work every day trying to build the future of this community. These jobs are necessary. Um, where I currently am at right now as an instructor. I see a lot of our members come through every

658
03:10:24.319 --> 03:10:40.960
week. A lot of them in this community and the surrounding communities. These are important jobs to these individuals. Extremely important jobs. I understand people's um different opinions on it. Um I'm not an attorney by any means. I'm a bluecollar

659
03:10:40.960 --> 03:10:59.920
worker and I just go to work to try and provide for my family every day. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> David Pritzoff, 20255 Aken Road, Farmington, Minnesota. I'm going to ask the council to either put a stop work on this project or an injunction on it because I think people from track are

660
03:10:59.920 --> 03:11:15.680
going to move some dirt, do some BMS and all that to kind of just uh show the courts. So, well, we've gotten this far. So, you you approve a plat and you let them do work to kind of streamroll the courts and tell them what they can do

661
03:11:15.680 --> 03:11:31.760
and what they can't do. Well, we've got, you know, how many times have I been to this podium and said, you lead a horse down a road too long, too far, there's no turning back. This is one of those cases. You don't let them do stuff to the property that, you know, one says it

662
03:11:31.760 --> 03:11:47.760
doesn't need permits. Well, if I were to do something that massive in my yard, you'd be you'd be up there like everything. So, either put a stop work on it or an injunction on it before it even starts and then do your homework.

663
03:11:47.760 --> 03:12:06.560
Um, second of all, I run a business. This contract was you guys looked at it tonight and it was stated that there were some things that need to be cleaned up, dressed up, eyes dotted, tees crossed.

664
03:12:06.560 --> 03:12:22.640
If I did that in my business, I'd be out of business. If you guys can't tell your staff to bring you a contract that's in full the way you want it, but no, we got to come back. We'll do some cleanup.

665
03:12:22.640 --> 03:12:38.479
That's very unprofessional. And you pay for that service. I'd be out of business for that. It's like there's just no no reason for that. you had the time that you knew this was happening tonight. That contract should have been right to the

666
03:12:38.479 --> 03:12:55.840
tea, right to the eye. It's people doing their jobs. You know, we had a lot of people here tonight, retire, hires, all that. A lot of wonderful people did their jobs. The contract didn't do their jobs.

667
03:12:55.840 --> 03:13:11.279
I go, if I have the numbers right, we're what 13 years out of compliance for pay equity equity. We're paying $7,000 for that. Who didn't do their job there? Was it the council that we should be

668
03:13:11.279 --> 03:13:27.600
keeping up on that? Was that somebody else doing their job that we shouldn't have to spend $70,000? There's people that do their jobs very good. There's some that don't do them good at all and they cost the the taxpayers money.

669
03:13:27.600 --> 03:13:43.840
The second or the third thing is go go back on respect and transparency of the of the council. We had about 13 people that applied for the council seat. I wish you would have respected all the

670
03:13:43.840 --> 03:14:00.880
other ones time that they put into it. think you knew that you were going for somebody that was already a yes vote on a lot of the items that have had happened over the last two years. Quite frankly, now I would ask that that council member abstain

671
03:14:00.880 --> 03:14:16.239
from any of the stuff that he's voted on back when he was a planning commission member because it might be in a conflict of interest from the city. And the only one person that would be able to tell you that would be the League of Minnesota Cities, which you can't do

672
03:14:16.239 --> 03:14:31.600
that in the middle of of a year like this. When I was on the council, I'm sure you guys did too. League of Minnesota cities. You go to a conference, you learn the dos and the don'ts and of being a council member. He doesn't have that time afforded to

673
03:14:31.600 --> 03:14:46.880
him right now. So, I think you knew who you were going to pick. You thought you were doing the right thing by, oh, look at we're going to get 13 people here. We're going to waste their time. I run a business five and knowing you were going to do that. I

674
03:14:46.880 --> 03:15:02.800
would I would have wasted my money or my business time. You had what you you knew you were going to do and it really stinks looking from the outside in. You want respect. You want transparency. You want everything from

675
03:15:02.800 --> 03:15:24.000
people at this podium. We just ask a little bit from that podium. >> Yes, sir. >> Uh thank you, mayors, council members. My name is Kevin Prannis. Uh I'm also a member of Labor's Local 563. Uh I do policy work for the union. I grew up in

676
03:15:24.000 --> 03:15:39.760
a community uh like this out west of Carver on the west side. Um but very much like this. I live in St. Paul currently and mostly just here to share some information uh from our work on the policy side. I know the concerns have been raised about energy usage and I

677
03:15:39.760 --> 03:15:54.880
think that's important. Data centers do use a lot of energy and that's relevant. Um there's a there's a challenge to that to trying to you know supply that energy. There's also a real benefit which is when you bring in a large customer that can take a lot of load and pay a lot of money for it. It helps

678
03:15:54.880 --> 03:16:12.000
everyone's bills potentially. We passed a law last year in Minnesota that requires data centers to pay for every bit of the additional capacity that's needed to serve them. Uh so the utilities aren't allowed to serve them unless they can serve all that load, unless they can meet their environmental requirements, right? And unless that

679
03:16:12.000 --> 03:16:28.479
that can be done without harming other rateayers. So we're start starting to see the first fruits of this. There's a proposed data center in Pine Island and Excel just filed their electric service agreement for that and that's estimated to save Excel rate payers for anyone who is Excel rateayer which I am $1.1

680
03:16:28.479 --> 03:16:44.880
billion over 15 years. There's not a single other thing we could do to save rate payers $1.1 billion. Right? Because I work in energy policy. We've looked at every single thing. Let's add batteries, right? Uh let's, you know, bring in some new cheap wind. Let's anything that we

681
03:16:44.880 --> 03:17:00.720
imagine doing. Nothing does the what the affordability what that one data center project will do for Excel customers. If Dakota Electric adds a data center, they can speak to this better, but that same thing applies. Data centers are willing to pay a lot of money to get power,

682
03:17:00.720 --> 03:17:16.000
right? And they still have to meet Minnesota's requirements. And so I think that's an important benefit for the people of Farmington and all over this region because low cheap electricity is what you really need to drive your economy forward. understanding that and in terms of effects I think there's fair

683
03:17:16.000 --> 03:17:32.560
questions we looked into water usage I mean typically data center water usage is around a golf course amount of water use uh so that's some water use it's nothing close to what what agriculture requires and is necessary for agriculture and so I think data centers use water but nothing out of proportion

684
03:17:32.560 --> 03:17:48.000
to what you would see in other uses there were questions about heat I've looked at that study that study has been debunked there was some confusion about uh what happens when a data center is built in a community and they confused basically the warming of sunlight hitting asphalt with something to do

685
03:17:48.000 --> 03:18:03.920
with data center exhaust right so even a 700 megawatt curling iron couldn't heat something six miles away as the um as the study claimed so I think if you look at at impacts data centers have impacts but compared to a distribution center it's like a distribution center with no

686
03:18:03.920 --> 03:18:20.800
trucks going in and out so imagine all those reduced diesel emissions all of those fewer truck trips all less damage on the roads and with substantially higher tax revenues. And so I think it's a reasonable deal. Obviously, there's a lot of employment opportunities that you've heard about before that I think are worth considering and appreciate you

687
03:18:20.800 --> 03:18:46.640
have a hard decision and uh good luck with your work on it. >> Thank you. >> Uh hello, mayor and the council. Um I I'd like to share kind of a different perspective on this. Um, I did not grow up in Farmington. I'm actually a new member of the community. Um, I, uh, did

688
03:18:46.640 --> 03:19:02.000
not plan on speaking tonight either, but my fellow community here has inspired me to come up and talk. Um, I, you know, there's a lot of conversation about jobs here. There's a lot of conversation about the bluecollar aspect of jobs and what this is going to create for the community for building this uh, this

689
03:19:02.000 --> 03:19:17.600
data center. Um, coming from a different perspective, I actually work in the tech sector in IT. Um, and theoretically, you'd think something like this would be a amazing job opportunity for me. Um, you know, if I could have employment within my town, within my industry, very

690
03:19:17.600 --> 03:19:33.040
short commute, you think that'd be something incredible. But, um, instead, I I'm firmly opposed to the building of this data center and especially the way that it's being presented right now. Um, others have said before me there's a wide range of concerns when it comes to data centers, whether it's

691
03:19:33.040 --> 03:19:49.439
environmental, uh, whether it's the health concerns around them. Um, I think really a big important part of it is going to be the noise and light pollution that this is going to have an effect on in our downtown community. Um, my my wife and I, we chose Farmington for the community aspect, uh, for the

692
03:19:49.439 --> 03:20:06.399
sort of smaller town feel, um, for the amazing community that we're seeing here. And I think it's very clear to everybody who, you know, does not have money in this game that this would be a stain on our community, especially at the proposed location, you know, right in the middle of a residential area. Um,

693
03:20:06.399 --> 03:20:22.399
there are ways that data centers can be built productively and ways that they can benefit the community. Um, you know, we are we're in a time right now where there are a lot of farmers retiring. There's a lot of farmland going up for sale. Uh, and the value of that land is, you know, getting increasingly more

694
03:20:22.399 --> 03:20:38.319
valuable. Um, others have said before me that, you know, the reason why this is going where it is is just because it's easy for the developer. Um, you know, I feel that it looks like we are being sold out. uh this community that you know I'm I'm a new member of is being

695
03:20:38.319 --> 03:20:54.880
taken advantage of and instead of trying to do the right thing instead of trying to put this in a way that it's not going to affect everybody in the community um make the developer foot a little bit more of the bill to properly route some of these utilities there. you know, there are ways that we could do this,

696
03:20:54.880 --> 03:21:10.160
but instead, unfortunately, what seems to be kind of the trend lately is everybody chasing the short-term gains and just neglecting long-term thinking. So, I'd really ask the council to really think about what we're doing here. uh

697
03:21:10.160 --> 03:21:26.000
really think about how something like this is going to affect new members of the community um people looking to start their families, you know, grow up in Farmington and be the next generation of this city. Uh there's better ways to do this than what we're doing it right now.

698
03:21:26.000 --> 03:21:49.279
Thank you very much everybody. Bob Richardson, 35 Elm Street. I live over by the charter school. My neighbor Dave Marsh just spoke. Uh, you agreed to that charter school. This is year four about law enforcement. The first week of

699
03:21:49.279 --> 03:22:06.399
charter school, I was coming back from Alina Clinic Farmington. They had a power outage. I was coming down Elm Street to turn north on First Street and the the school was using the park playgrounds because their playground

700
03:22:06.399 --> 03:22:23.760
wasn't done. Their kids were safely up on this cross up on this curb line and this curb line. One of their adult supervisors or teachers walked in front of me as I'm turning with her back facing me. Her she was facing north and

701
03:22:23.760 --> 03:22:40.399
I'm driving in from the south. She was carrying a stick like with the duck follow me. No kids. I parked my truck. My brother's over there with the green shirt. I parked in the alley. within five minutes. I don't know which officer, a Farmington officer was parked

702
03:22:40.399 --> 03:22:56.960
at my my uh along 50, walked up, I barely sat down in a lawn chair. I was I still deal with leg swelling. He said, "Which one's driving that Chevy truck back there?" And he was going to write me up for a

703
03:22:56.960 --> 03:23:12.640
$185 uh pedestrian uh crosswalk violation. And those people as able-bodied person in Farmington, we can't cross Elm Street. We can't cross First Street over by Farmington Elementary School. You got

704
03:23:12.640 --> 03:23:29.279
that lit up all the crosswalks all the way to Midtown, but nothing on Elm Street, nothing on First Street. Second crosswalk violation was at walking downtown approaching the subway corner, pushed

705
03:23:29.279 --> 03:23:45.760
the green button last year. Total walk zone for me signals. I was halfway across the intersection. Uh Napa Auto Parts truck, they're out of town now. Was coming out of Quick for maybe

706
03:23:45.760 --> 03:24:03.520
from Ped or Impact Auto. He was committed. I'm in the halfway in the intersection and it's still walk for me. He's coming at me. He stopped within about five feet to take my legs out. I got across the intersection. I called uh

707
03:24:03.520 --> 03:24:21.520
Napa. I should have called the police because he would have been violated. That was with the marked crosswalk. Farmington is unsafe to walk. He that driver I should have called the police. He would have got a violation. And with that uh back to the charter school,

708
03:24:21.520 --> 03:24:36.720
uh we live two houses in from First Street. All winter I had a our yard I had a runway out into the alley because if I want to go somewhere in the morning I can't back legally you're supposed to

709
03:24:36.720 --> 03:24:54.800
back out. You're not across the center turn lane then head east. I have a runway. I can still go through there. You cannot get out of our driveways. Dave cannot. they're running to if they're in the left turn lane and

710
03:24:54.800 --> 03:25:10.960
it's mostly school traffic. If they're not turning north on First Street, they're running through the intersection in the center turn lane to go up to the next driveway at the main entrance of 115. They're crossing

711
03:25:10.960 --> 03:25:28.239
intersections not related to school. Uh my brother and myself were with a neighbor. It was early winter. We were in that center turn lane uh at first first in Elm. We're going to

712
03:25:28.239 --> 03:25:44.880
turn south on first and it was just getting dark. She held her own older lady. A car was coming straight at us through that center turn lane to go once he he veered around us and we saw

713
03:25:44.880 --> 03:26:02.319
he went into like wanes or something and within same center turn lane. It was uh within three months ago I came out our driveway went down to division to turn left to go

714
03:26:02.319 --> 03:26:17.359
south towards air control and I had my truck and I just stood my ground. If I get hit I get hit. A car was coming off the bridge and they get in that center turn lane and you're all two of you are

715
03:26:17.359 --> 03:26:31.600
police officers. Minnesota, the general rule is one to 200 feet before your turn, not a block and a half. That's too close to call. And then uh I can't knock the county. I

716
03:26:31.600 --> 03:27:01.200
was employee for 25 years. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Just so I can understand how much coffee I'm going to need tomorrow. Can I have a hand raising of who's still planning on talking? Two, three. Okay, I can handle that.

717
03:27:01.200 --> 03:27:17.439
>> Good evening, city council. Brian Dawson. I live in Rosemont, Minnesota. Was a longtime resident of Farmington. Still have family here. and I came as support for some of the people that supported us at the last council meeting in Rosemont when I asked for a moratorum

718
03:27:17.439 --> 03:27:32.720
and it wasn't the meta it's already under construction you know that's that's already uh when it goes online it's online but it's also because there was a couple other projects that weren't disclosed to us because of NDAs and lack

719
03:27:32.720 --> 03:27:48.960
of transparency a project shamrock and a project Mercury that I said let's take a step back. Please look at yourself as a city council. You know, you you want to build the trust of the representatives of of the residents. You know, maybe take some time to do see

720
03:27:48.960 --> 03:28:03.840
what the meta impact is of that data center and then also look at uh um you know, maybe doing some studies and uh you know ascertain what the impact is going to be on the water supplies etc. And the reason I I asked for that

721
03:28:03.840 --> 03:28:19.680
moratorum was and the reason I'm here tonight to speak. I wasn't going to speak is we're we're not addressing the issue that the Jordan aquifer is it doesn't have boundaries. It's it's not Rosemont. It's not Apple Valley. It's

722
03:28:19.680 --> 03:28:36.000
it's huge, but it's it's a finite source of water. And when we talk about, oh, this little bit of d, you know, water here, 50 million gallons, uh, three million gallons, whatever it's going to be, um, it's all coming out of the Jordan aquifer. And, uh, I don't know if

723
03:28:36.000 --> 03:28:53.760
the city of Farmington had to do a 2040 plan. Rosemont had to do a 2040 plan that they started in 2018. It's a comprehensive plan that outlined everything from, okay, where are we going to be in 2040? how are we going to prepare for the growth for transportation, for water, for you know

724
03:28:53.760 --> 03:29:09.120
all kinds of sustainability studies. And one thing that uh came out of that was that they used the Minnesota Metropolitan Council to understand what the impact would be on the uh on the growth if if they achieve or you know

725
03:29:09.120 --> 03:29:25.760
estimate their 40 or 45,000 resident growth in uh 2040. what would be the impact on private wells, public wells, etc. uh related to Jordan aquifer. And I'm not very good at doing this by

726
03:29:25.760 --> 03:29:42.880
memory even though I repeated it many times. But during that study or what came out of that study was um the Metropolitan Council's master water supply review and grant this was in 2018 before data centers were even a a

727
03:29:42.880 --> 03:30:00.000
twinkle in the eyes and the Metropolitan Water Council at that time said that they had severe long-term concerns identified about the sustainability of the Jordan aquifer which included potential water use conflicts between public and private wells potential for significant ificant declines in aquifer

728
03:30:00.000 --> 03:30:17.680
water levels, potential for groundwater pumping and the impact to surface water features and ecosystems, a high vulnerability for contamination which we are experiencing Rosemont right now with elevated gross alpha, PFA and maganesees levels um and then uncertainty about the

729
03:30:17.680 --> 03:30:34.720
future aquifer productivity. This was in 2018. Okay, here we are now talking data centers and that's a whole another level of water usage, you know, public private well concerns, etc. And so I asked for

730
03:30:34.720 --> 03:30:50.560
the moratorum just to step back and let's start looking at this impact. And your neighbors are all thinking the same thing. You know, we just we just heard that from Councilman Wilson. you know, Lakeville, uh, Egan. Now, Rosemont's

731
03:30:50.560 --> 03:31:05.040
gonna I'm going to be there tomorrow night because Rosemont I I got an email from the city administrator that they're going to pass that ordinance. And so, I caution just, you know, it creates jobs. People are coming in for those, but

732
03:31:05.040 --> 03:31:22.080
eventually those people leave. You and your families and a lot of your families are going to be here for many, many generations after that. I have a I have family that lives here right now and after they leave, you know, what do you want to leave them? You know, leave them good drinking water, leave them

733
03:31:22.080 --> 03:31:39.359
reasonable utilities. Um, and uh I I really don't have anything more to say than that, but uh it was very very interesting tonight and uh to attend a different uh city's council meeting and uh you guys work hard for your money, so thank you very much.

734
03:31:39.359 --> 03:31:58.800
>> Thank you. I'm Ken Shel. I'm from Castle Rock Township. Um, couple things. I had no plans on speaking tonight and it's getting to be a very long night. So, couple things that came to my mind being somebody that grew up in a rural area,

735
03:31:58.800 --> 03:32:15.200
someone that still lives in a rural rural area. When my friend is farming and he farms ground around me and he's out there doing field work, I can hear that tractor, that diesel engine humming along and he is nearly a half a mile

736
03:32:15.200 --> 03:32:33.600
away and wide open spaces. So, I can only imagine how loud a data center is going to be when it's only a couple hundred feet from people's homes and not a wide open area with all those buildings and stuff where that noise doesn't dissipate into the air.

737
03:32:33.600 --> 03:32:49.760
your elected officials, people elected you to do a job. Have you done your job? Have you gone to other cities where these data centers are? Have you sat there and listened to them?

738
03:32:49.760 --> 03:33:06.800
You know, I'm not trying to be mean or I'm not insulting you. I'm asking you, have you done that? You know, I'm not against the union workers because I teach at the high school and I teach shop classes and every day, if not every week, I tell students that's where the money is. You

739
03:33:06.800 --> 03:33:21.520
know, bluecollar jobs. There's a need for them. So, I'm all for the bluecollar jobs. But in rural areas, when a farmer wants to put a hog farm up, he has to put that building a half a mile away from any residential

740
03:33:21.520 --> 03:33:40.640
properties, even his own because of the smell, because of the sounds. And he has to put a bunch of trees around there and a buffer around there. A buffer that's way bigger than 250 ft. I'm from a rural area, so I know about

741
03:33:40.640 --> 03:33:57.040
that. And I'm not going to say I'm an expert on that, but have you looked into that? Where my parents live, they put a wind turbine up right next to the property? My parents have passed away. Every time I go down there, I hear that thing

742
03:33:57.040 --> 03:34:15.439
thumping, thumping, thumping all the time. And it's a half a mile away. And I can hear that thing. So again, I think we got to do our research here and check these things

743
03:34:15.439 --> 03:34:30.880
out. There's plenty of them out there. Maybe we got to spend a few city dollars and do some traveling around and check these out. Of course, the big tech people are going to, you know, that's their job is to sell their company. And I'm not against their company, but I

744
03:34:30.880 --> 03:34:47.840
don't think the location is right. And if you're listening to the people of Farmington, there's a lot of people that say, "We're not against it. We just don't want it right here." Okay. And you said the Jordan aquifer. I just put a new

745
03:34:47.840 --> 03:35:02.880
well in a couple years ago and they put it in the Jordan aquifer. And a good friend of mine is electrician who's down in Good Hugh and his water comes from the Jordan aquifer. So, how many farms, cities pump water out of that Jordan

746
03:35:02.880 --> 03:35:21.279
aquifer? You know, the Angolan aquifer covers like seven, eight states. And 20 years ago, they were saying that that aquafer is drying up because we pump more water out than it replenishes from rain. Um,

747
03:35:21.279 --> 03:35:37.080
I know everybody says it's going to bring jobs in, and that may or may not be true, but I've lived here for 25 years, and the city of Farmington keeps getting bigger and bigger. But where does everybody go shopping?

748
03:35:38.000 --> 03:35:54.960
I need to go to Target. I go to Lakeville. I go to Dundis, Apple Valley. I need groceries. anywhere here. I even go get groceries in Vermillion. Not here. Now, I know you're going to say, "Oh, they'll bring the grocery

749
03:35:54.960 --> 03:36:11.200
stores." I don't. You don't know that. I mean, if you knew that, we'd all be gone because we'd all won the lottery by now and we'd be somewhere else. Okay? But people come in, they're just going to drive somewhere else because that's where the hotels are, that's where the

750
03:36:11.200 --> 03:36:27.120
restaurants are, that's where the clubs are, that's where the shopping is. And I try to shop in town and I try to do as much local as I can, but there ain't much here. This is a bedroom community. You sleep and you drive and that's kind

751
03:36:27.120 --> 03:36:50.960
of sad now. It's very sad. Maybe we should build a golf uh grocery store at the golf course and put the school over there, too. That'd help a lot of people out, too. Thanks, What?

752
03:36:50.960 --> 03:37:07.279
>> Yeah. Hey, good evening. I guess I'll stand behind the podium today. Uh, I don't know what I'm going to say, so I guess we both get to find out. Um, I don't know much, but I know one thing, and it's about the money. It's about the

753
03:37:07.279 --> 03:37:22.880
money every time for you guys. It's about the tax dollars. for about the union guys is about their salaries, their wages. For these guys over here in the corner, it's about whatever commission check they're going to collect when this deal closes. I don't know that. I am guessing. I don't know

754
03:37:22.880 --> 03:37:37.680
that, but I am guessing. And it sounds to me like the wrong person is in that center seat cuz the only person that has any type of modeicum of decency or thoughtfulness for the citizenry here is Steve.

755
03:37:37.680 --> 03:37:56.560
So you asked So, I don't know who wrote up these council meeting rules of this, that, and the other, but frankly, y'all deserve exactly what you get. I hope you get the day that you earn. So, you ask for

756
03:37:56.560 --> 03:38:12.319
facts. Facts. Someone sits on this council that works for a proper, a real estate consultancy service. Fact. You all live within 5 miles. Closest person within about a mile. furthest person 4.9 miles. Also, fact, the person that lives

757
03:38:12.319 --> 03:38:29.760
furthest away has owned their home the longest about 13 years and is not homesteaded. Why are you not homesteaded? Not that that really means anything in particular other than that you actually are solidifying yourself in this community and you know who I'm talking about. You know who you are.

758
03:38:29.760 --> 03:38:47.040
But it's always about the money. It's about the money. So he can come in here and say that they're asking for 50 million gallons of water perom. Oh, don't worry. It's only an extra two million gallons of water. Oh, no big deal. Only two million gallons of water. I looked up while this kid was talking

759
03:38:47.040 --> 03:39:03.920
up here. Average usage is 82 gallons a day per person. That's coming from EPA.gov, not well, I guess two hours ago now. At this point, population of Minnesota is 5.8 million people. What they're asking to draw from

760
03:39:03.920 --> 03:39:21.040
this aquifer or whatever is the equivalent of about nine and a half% of the usage of the total population of the state. And how many of these things are coming into the state? And frankly, oh, I forgot. My name is Nick and I live in that community. You're putting it about

761
03:39:21.040 --> 03:39:38.960
maybe 500 yards from my east wall. And that's gracious because I'm not the one that's suffering the worst. There's someone that lives in that culde-sac in his backyard or on that street that faces directly to the former golf course.

762
03:39:38.960 --> 03:39:57.359
Again, your leadership is weak. It's like you read about leadership in a book or you watch it in a sitcom but failed to put any of those actual things into action. You don't know what it means. Luckily,

763
03:39:57.359 --> 03:40:13.920
one of my neighbors invited you to our Easter egg hunt for our children, which it was actually only a fraction of the children that actually live in that neighborhood. Two of you showed up. I don't know how many of you were invited, but I'll just focus on the two of you that came.

764
03:40:13.920 --> 03:40:30.560
So, again, you came. That's great. That's still weak leadership. It took an invitation to come to the neighborhood. Why? because you're all so cowed by the previous mayor. You all have equal vote. What kept you from coming to the neighborhood and actually speaking to

765
03:40:30.560 --> 03:40:48.720
us? I know I'm not going to get an answer. I'm not expecting one. It's your job to sit there and listen. So Nick, I don't know exactly what you said earlier on when you try to tie it all together for them.

766
03:40:48.720 --> 03:41:05.520
Putting on rose tinted glasses for them. Make it all nice and pretty with a bow. Meanwhile, Steve is actually thoughtful in his process and actually has real questions. You will offer leading questions to these people knowing what

767
03:41:05.520 --> 03:41:24.960
answer you're going to get in return. Gosh, you guys are weak. And I guess I'll just address what this older gentleman said. Excuse me. You know how to hold. You're You're dashing. You're dashing. 13 members, 13 people signed up for this

768
03:41:24.960 --> 03:41:41.359
to have the opportunity. And I'll reiterate exactly what he said. Y'all live in the same neighborhood. You're all friends. You're all pals. So you take the cop that was formerly on the planning commission and now you put him on the the council. He's already voted yes all the way

769
03:41:41.359 --> 03:42:12.399
through. Your leadership is a joke and I can't. So I am going to manifest what I want to see in tomorrow and it's replacing every single one of you and whoever is ever over here. >> Thank you. Uh, good afternoon. Um, so I've got too

770
03:42:12.399 --> 03:42:28.479
much to talk about to introduce myself. You all know who I am. So, one of the biggest things here, uh, union jobs. I just want to let the union members know that are out there. Uh, I support you. Um, I'm not a union member myself, but I did grow up with two parents who are who are union members. I'm curious, did this

771
03:42:28.479 --> 03:42:44.000
developer agreement guarantee the best pay that you possibly can? A prevailing wage? Did any of you read that? I don't I don't see a prevailing wage. Do you require a prevailing wage when you take any of these bids to do

772
03:42:44.000 --> 03:43:01.200
any of this work? Will you require the developer to to to pay a prevailing wage, a union wage? Union members, I'd like you to think about that. You you got a letter from them. You got a letter directly from track because they're they're a lobbyist. They're lobbying at the state

773
03:43:01.200 --> 03:43:17.760
level and the only people who are with that lobby and I I'm not here to start a political debate, but they're Democrats and your union tells you to vote for Democrats. I've seen that man around the capital. He's a lobbyist. They are lobbyists. That's what they're

774
03:43:17.760 --> 03:43:33.359
there to do. And now I would even go as far to say is they're bringing in union people to intimidate us as residents. say, "Hey, we're here for the jobs. We're here for the jobs." Are you going to go out to this restaurant that the previous mayor wants anyone to build

775
03:43:33.359 --> 03:43:52.239
every day to support a restaurant? No, you're not. And that's the truth. Your wife or significant other likely packs your lunch. I hope they do. It's probably good. So, as far as union being here and union jobs, you're you're you're being told to

776
03:43:52.239 --> 03:44:10.720
be here from a union that you pay and from them. >> You're being told, you're being asked, and it's not for the reasons that are that you think it is. It's not for the reasons of supporting the union. I am unbelievably pissed off tonight.

777
03:44:10.720 --> 03:44:28.399
Capers. Do you even know what that word means? Do you have any idea what that word means? Or did you hear it from the attorney first? A capers no vote. The same thing could be very well said about the yes vote that happened in 2024. Do you have any idea what the word

778
03:44:28.399 --> 03:44:45.040
means? Just give me a nod. Yes or no? Do you have any clue what that word means? Yeah, I didn't think so. You're not even you're not even saying yes or no. You can't even you can't even do that because I don't think that you know. It means without merit. It means without justification. It means that you're just

779
03:44:45.040 --> 03:45:02.000
voting no to vote no or you're voting yes just to vote yes. That is not what happened. and threatening your your other council members with legal mumbo jumbo that you frankly don't understand. Are you kidding me?

780
03:45:02.000 --> 03:45:18.560
If any of you have no idea what that word means and you took that and said, "Oh my gosh, a capriccious no vote. I better vote yes because otherwise I'm putting myself at legal liability." What a bunch of crap. Absolute just crap.

781
03:45:18.560 --> 03:45:34.080
You don't even know what that word freaking means. I could very well get up here and say it was a capriccious yes vote tonight except for Steve without merit. You voted yes on a final

782
03:45:34.080 --> 03:45:51.199
on a final um plat. Not you. Some of you two of you didn't. Two of you did. You voted yes on that without even knowing all of the facts. And you admitted it tonight over and over again. Well, we have to update this because we didn't know everything. We have to

783
03:45:51.199 --> 03:46:06.399
update this because we didn't know everything. Capriccious. What a joke. What an absolute just complete joke that you would even mention that term. I am so flipping mad. Facts and figures.

784
03:46:06.399 --> 03:46:21.279
It's very interesting that this developer up here says, "Oh, we're not going to use more than 48,000 gallons or 48 million gallons in a calendar year of water." the the he even went as far to say that that's how much the golf course used.

785
03:46:21.279 --> 03:46:36.399
BS. Show me any figures anywhere in the city that you know how much water that golf course used. I golfed it a lot. They watered the greens and they watered the fairways and they didn't do it for 12 freaking months out of the year. It did

786
03:46:36.399 --> 03:46:53.199
it for four in the hottest times if we were lucky. I know because when I go and hit the dust ball out of the rough, which most of mine were, that that that's where that's where it is. And they're sitting here saying, "Oh, they're going to use the same

787
03:46:53.199 --> 03:47:07.920
amount of water." Then why did they ask for millions and millions more in the AU? This brings up my last point, zoning, zoning, zoning. If you are super concerned, if you're so then and you want to follow a process, then follow the EIS process. Make that part of that.

788
03:47:07.920 --> 03:47:32.479
You had an opportunity to to go through and have them as they asked you for something. It wasn't negotiation. You could have pushed back and for not freaking >> Nancy Arstead Castle Rock Township. The

789
03:47:32.479 --> 03:47:49.279
following are my opinions only and I speak only for myself. One of you said you hoped speaking was cathartic. No, talking to four brick walls is not cathartic. Then why do I come here and speak? Because evil flourishes when good men do nothing. I read that in a

790
03:47:49.279 --> 03:48:04.640
Holocaust memoir. And yes, evil is flourishing in Farmington and I refuse to do nothing. When you do unto others what you would not want done to you, that is evil. You sacrificed us, that is

791
03:48:04.640 --> 03:48:21.199
evil. And the way you did it, the NDAs, the goal to offset the opposition, your staff sharing our emails, the talking points, it's all evil. You side with these men here who want to come and collect a temporary check

792
03:48:21.199 --> 03:48:39.359
paycheck and move on while you've ignored your own residents, the people that you promised to serve. That's evil. That's evil. I'm if these men who I'm sure love their families and communities had to live next to this data center, I'm sure they

793
03:48:39.359 --> 03:48:53.279
would be here fighting with me right now. So, it's interesting that they will sit and support a project that will so negatively harm my neighborhood and families. You want jobs and money? Our

794
03:48:53.279 --> 03:49:10.000
suffering pays your jobs and your money. It's dirty money here in Farmington. It's dirty. No, I I do not come here to change your minds. I know you're not going to change your minds. I come here to show them

795
03:49:10.000 --> 03:49:25.439
that you are not going to change your minds. That's why I come. I'm showing Farmington residents, other cities around us, Rosemont, Egan, people across the country, anyone watching that you won't change your mind, that you stay indifferent.

796
03:49:25.439 --> 03:49:41.040
I'm showing that people can come here for two full years and still be ignored. Evil loves darkness. It does not like light. I come to shine light. And what it shows is a complete lack of

797
03:49:41.040 --> 03:49:58.160
empathy. There will be proof. This is another reason I come. It's history. There will be proof that I stood here and tried. Once this starts being built and things really heat up, no one will be able to say that you or they were not warned. Your city videos and your minutes will

798
03:49:58.160 --> 03:50:15.040
tell the story of who did this to Farmington and that we begged you for two years to to not go forward. You will not be able to rewrite history. I know you are being told by your teammate that we are just a small group of loud people spreading misinformation.

799
03:50:15.040 --> 03:50:33.040
Open your eyes to the massive opposition going on. Push back across the country. It's exploded. People are filling gymnasiums. They're voting out entire boards, council boards. It's all over the news. Protests are everywhere.

800
03:50:33.040 --> 03:50:50.080
Is that because they are wonderful to live by? So, everyone across the country is as misinformed as we are. too dumb to understand that the great great tax income that can be gained. You know, we're not a minority. History will not treat you well.

801
03:50:50.080 --> 03:51:06.640
Now, as for the new data center website, I have never seen such beautiful words used to describe construction lighting. If the two existing wells are truly sufficient after construction, have them rely on those wells. Why use city water? Change the agreement and put it in

802
03:51:06.640 --> 03:51:24.640
writing if if that's true. It says 275 jobs can be filled by Farmington area residents. Can I can become a movie star. Have them commit in writing. That's all of those jobs will be offered to Farmington residents. Otherwise, it's

803
03:51:24.640 --> 03:51:41.439
just empty words. I grew up on a farm and I raised pigs. There's a saying, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig. Pig manure is one of the foulest smelling manurses out there. I clean the corners of the pens with a snow shovel because

804
03:51:41.439 --> 03:51:58.560
it turned to soup. I can assure you that lipstick does not change a pig nor their smell. You can take a project that will destroy my neighborhood, dress it up with fancy words on a website, and is still a project that will destroy my neighborhood.

805
03:51:58.560 --> 03:52:16.279
Your vote with your teammate tonight, I expected nothing different from you. If we lose this fight, we will lose it with honor. If you win, you will win with dishonor. Don't you see you lose either way?

806
03:52:16.960 --> 03:52:39.760
Thank you. I wasn't I'm Kathy Johnson, 22280 Bearing Avenue, and I wasn't planning to speak either, but I had to piggyback on one thing Nancy said that we're perceived as just a small group of dissident. I had a realtor look it up and this is two years ago. There's 932

807
03:52:39.760 --> 03:52:56.800
homes with at least one bedroom within one mile of the center of Fountain Valley Golf Course and there are over 2,500 homes with at least one bedroom if you go out two miles. That's how far the data center classic data center hum

808
03:52:56.800 --> 03:53:14.399
travels. Um you made the comment way back when that there's some winners and losers in every situation. Nick, I will never forget that comment. I think that when you're elected into a city like Farmington, you're supposed to serve all your residents and southeast

809
03:53:14.399 --> 03:53:37.680
uh Farmington is quite well populated. Thank you. >> Good evening, Doug Sonic. I live on Fair View next to the fairgrounds here. Uh, I just want to give some comments. I had several members here. I'm the one that

810
03:53:37.680 --> 03:53:54.319
sent the postcard to probably 16,000 electricians in Minnesota that this is an important project to us. Uh, and to consider coming and talking or at least listening and educating yourselves on it because there's so much disinformation out there about data centers. I believe

811
03:53:54.319 --> 03:54:11.439
there's 76 data centers in Minnesota right now. Um, most of you would never >> legacy. >> Most of you would never Thanks for your comments. So, I appreciate it. Um >> I um you know, we there's so much uh divisiveness on this issue um on both

812
03:54:11.439 --> 03:54:28.239
sides. Uh I had a lot of people speaking for unions in here that don't belong to a union, especially not mine. So, for them to suggest that I am making members come here or telling them to come here, I asked them if they would consider coming here uh to listen. Um, but we

813
03:54:28.239 --> 03:54:43.199
really wanted people that live in Farmington because that's, you know, who it affects. So, I understand that. Um, the gentleman that said he got the postcard from me, I don't know if he's got a household member that's works for Excel or Dakota

814
03:54:43.199 --> 03:54:58.560
Electric, uh, that's possible how he got a postcard or just that we mixed it up because he says he's one of my members. I don't know. Um, like I said, we've been building them for for decades, and I I understand that not everybody likes them. I mean, I I

815
03:54:58.560 --> 03:55:15.359
don't know what they're going to say if there's a feed lot or a Sam's Club or a Right. I mean, I remember when the ice arena, we were talking about putting a second uh sheet of ice in this town and everybody said, "F no, we can't have it." Voted it down and development has not happened in Farmington since. Right.

816
03:55:15.359 --> 03:55:29.840
If that would have happened, I had people tell me that we're on the council that we could have got a hotel, which would have led into more business development, and we can't even attract a grocery store here. So, the gentleman's right. This is a fly over town. There's only so much more room to build houses.

817
03:55:29.840 --> 03:55:45.600
I mean, if you guys want to not have commercial development in Farmington, you you better make up your mind soon because you're almost out of land, right? So, I mean, the north is done. Lakeville's pro business. Rosemont's pro. Apple Valley's probuild,

818
03:55:45.600 --> 03:56:02.399
Northfield's pro build. And I understand. I'm trying to be respectful. The not in my backyard thing is a real deal. I understand it. But, you know, for unfortunately, from all the information that I get that's out there, most of it's outdated. It's inaccurate.

819
03:56:02.399 --> 03:56:18.960
And it's meant to scare people. And I understand that. We This is not the first issue that I've been involved in that there's people that don't want to build stuff, so they come up with a bunch of I don't know if you don't want it next to you, I suppose you you come up with some reasons. I'm trying to be

820
03:56:18.960 --> 03:56:33.840
respectful. I got friends on both sides. I got friends in this room that are against it. Um but I'm trying to be respectful. Um some of them want golfers and crops on the land. Others have said they want development. Um is so you you

821
03:56:33.840 --> 03:56:48.960
know I just don't know where some folks want to land but um it just like I said it's um there's a lot of negative comments about it. I'm trying to be respectful to everybody here. I don't want to waste a lot of your time. I just want you to understand

822
03:56:48.960 --> 03:57:05.040
that a lot of these people also live in the community just like you folks and they coach here. They go to church here. They work here. They live here. They volunteer at the BFW with me. I mean, it we're not I'm not just helicoptering in

823
03:57:05.040 --> 03:57:20.960
here to tell you guys how to do your business. I I live here, too. So, it's important to me, too. So, um I encourage you all to visit data centers. Sounds like you're all experts on it. Uh the generator thing, right? That I mean, I've heard somebody here tonight saying

824
03:57:20.960 --> 03:57:37.520
there was going to be 70 generators at that one in Rosemont or the one in Farmington. That's not how it works. There's a Dakota electric line and an Excel line. They don't need all those generators. So, lots of data centers don't use water. They use glycol sealed system. So, anyways, I just trying to

825
03:57:37.520 --> 03:57:54.000
present some facts and I I'm not here to change your minds. You guys can shake your heads at me. I tried to be respectful of your comments. So, um anyways, I um the as I said, the anti-datter center crowd has done a great job in Minnesota from Herman Town

826
03:57:54.000 --> 03:58:09.600
to Fairbo. Um, and if they don't want it in their backyard, I get why they're going to make up this stuff. But modern-day data centers can exist in communities and have a very positive impact on taxes, jobs, and providing support in the community. So, with that,

827
03:58:09.600 --> 03:58:30.000
I'll respectfully hang it up. Thanks everybody. >> Thank you. >> In your backyard, I'll move right next to it right now. I got members of all the data center. You guys are will last call.

828
03:58:30.000 --> 03:58:48.720
All right, round table. Amy, >> I have no report tonight. Mayor >> Phil. >> No, I appreciate it. Great first meeting and look forward to working with everybody. Thank you, >> Holly. >> Uh, in the interest of all of our

829
03:58:48.720 --> 03:59:04.720
bladders, I'll keep it short. Um, I thank you for serving. Uh, thank you to um everybody that did apply, but ultimately my decision-making process was based on someone who was already enveloped into the system regardless of

830
03:59:04.720 --> 03:59:20.560
their position and I knew would be able to hit the ground running without a lot of uptick and you are absolutely that individual and I'm very grateful to you. >> Mayor, council, members of the audience, if you could please just respect that we're still in our meeting. If you would

831
03:59:20.560 --> 03:59:36.399
like to talk, please step out to the hallway. Thank you, Steve. >> Grateful to you. Um, it's not a small ask of your family. It's not a small ask of you. Um, and, uh, it means a lot to have you up here serving with us. So, I

832
03:59:36.399 --> 03:59:51.840
appreciate that. appreciate it. Thank you. >> Um for community members that are looking for something that is not related to city business, um I as you know will always advocate for individuals uh supporting our youth. U

833
03:59:51.840 --> 04:00:07.760
particularly those that are involved in the arts and Mean Girls the musical is coming to FHS. Uh they open this Friday. Uh there are shows Friday, Saturday, Sunday, next Monday, Tuesday. Um it's a great little show. Um actually some

834
04:00:07.760 --> 04:00:22.880
fantastic messaging and support systems around anti-bullying um eating disorder awareness um drug and alcohol abuse um as as primary notes and topics that are actually going to be addressed in the atrium for people

835
04:00:22.880 --> 04:00:40.239
that need um information around those topics. For those that don't, it's a really great and funny musical um about teenage life put on by teenagers. Um so I encourage you to come if you can. That's all I have. >> Thank you, Jake. >> Uh, Phil, welcome. Thank you for being

836
04:00:40.239 --> 04:00:58.720
willing to step up. Um, I look forward to getting to know you a little bit better and working together over the next eight or nine months. Um, and Melissa, congratulations on finishing your first day, >> Steve. >> Yeah, I want to also say welcome to Phil

837
04:00:58.720 --> 04:01:14.640
and uh, that's right, Melissa, it is your first meeting. So, welcome Lyn. All right. Uh Melissa, you did a great job. It's your second first day at Farmington, so we appreciate you being

838
04:01:14.640 --> 04:01:30.160
here with us tonight. Phil, welcome. Look forward to continuing working with you. And I really want to say a huge thank you to Shellyley, Patty, and Shirley. I could sit here for hours talking about how great they are and how

839
04:01:30.160 --> 04:01:44.720
they have made such an impact on the city of Farmington. to all of the staff. Um, I remember coming here on my first day and and Shelley welcoming me and being so uh, welcome and, you know,

840
04:01:44.720 --> 04:02:02.479
making me feel at home and Patty. I I can't say enough about how she helped me get through a difficult time when I first got here when all the transition and HR and payroll. So, it means a lot. And surely, there's nothing that she would not do for you and she gets it

841
04:02:02.479 --> 04:02:19.279
done. So, I appreciate all those ladies and um with that also the swearing ends. We love that when we can um see the families come and we appreciate our police officers and we'll be seeing some

842
04:02:19.279 --> 04:02:36.080
fire um fires firefighters coming soon. So, we'll look forward to that. So, with that, thank you and appreciate it. >> Melissa, >> thank you. I'm happy to be here and also as she said for Shirley, Patty and uh

843
04:02:36.080 --> 04:02:51.600
Shelley, they are amazing and they will be missed. So, thank you. >> You may council. Um and I just want to reiterate uh how proud I am to be a member of team Farmington. Um, you know, as we were doing all the rec

844
04:02:51.600 --> 04:03:07.760
recognitions and stuff tonight, um, I was reminded that our HR manager, Sam Hazelwig, who's here last meeting, um, was recently, just even just last week, um, putting together the annual League of Minnesota C city's benefit and salary

845
04:03:07.760 --> 04:03:24.479
survey response for us to submit. Um and one of those that she was ga one of the items of data she was gathering was for licenses and certifications that are held by city employees. Um and I just want to go some of those just going to reiterate like the expertise that is

846
04:03:24.479 --> 04:03:39.439
that we have in team farmington. I won't reiterate this is just a sampling. Um the spreadsheet for this se section is 71 lines long and some of those lines have multiple things on them. Um but in team Farmington you have uh certified

847
04:03:39.439 --> 04:03:54.960
parks and recreation professionals. You have certified tree inspectors, certified playground inspectors, uh certified human resource professionals. Uh you have multiple licensed building officials, uh licensed boiler operators,

848
04:03:54.960 --> 04:04:11.120
licensed pesticide uh applicators, economic development professionals. Um, you have on the public works side uh many Minnesota Department of Transportation certi certificates for numerous things related to public works.

849
04:04:11.120 --> 04:04:26.720
And then I know myself and a number of my colleagues here either currently do serve or have served on the boards of directors for our various uh professional organizations. Um, so I'm very proud of Team Farmington, the work they do, and the pride that all of our

850
04:04:26.720 --> 04:04:42.960
our team members take um, in their work each and every day. Um, I just want to actually, going off of Kelly's Parks and Recreation report, uh, even highlight uh, Ted, Robert, Jeremy, and Greg um, for all of their facility work. I think

851
04:04:42.960 --> 04:04:57.120
a lot of people would be surprised on how, uh, the age of actually a lot of our buildings just because of the pride that they take in maintaining them each and every day. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Diana. >> Thank you, mayor and council. I also

852
04:04:57.120 --> 04:05:15.520
want to wish our um three retirees well in the next chapter. And by the way, Shelley makes the best chocolate chip cookies. So, if you've never had them, you're missing out. Um and I also want to just let the community know that tonight the EDA approved a microrant

853
04:05:15.520 --> 04:05:29.920
program. So, we will be working hard to get the message out to our business community, but our economic development authority tonight authorized a micro grant, which will be a matching grant up to $10,000 for our businesses to support

854
04:05:29.920 --> 04:05:46.479
a multitude of different business activities and business needs to support our business community. So this is a fantastic resource and tool and we look forward to be able to put those dollars to good use. So more

855
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information to come on that. Be looking for information on our website um and information again on the various different social networks but or social media avenues but that will be a really

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great tool for the Farmington community. So thank you >> you John. Thank you, mayor and council members. Roads, roads, roads. Uh, we awarded a contract tonight for the Will Street improvements, MSA improvements. So, uh, we'll be getting a schedule on

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that and a pre-construction meeting's already been set. Uh, you acted this evening to kick off the feasibility study for the 2027 MSA improvements, which is First Street from Ash Street up to Spruce. You also approved the feasibility study to start for the 2027

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street improvements which is Seventh Street and Beach Street. Uh we're opening bids next week on the 2026 street improvements which is Second Street. So appreciate all your support and actions to improve our roadway systems.

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>> Thank you, Kelly. >> I want to congratulate uh the three ladies retiring as well, Patty, uh Shirley, and Shel. He'll definitely be missed. And um Shelley has a no button that she always uh pushes when I come upstairs. So I'm not sure if it's going to one of her teammates, but if not,

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I'll take that no button downstairs. >> Mayor and council, tonight on your agenda, you approved a couple new positions or not new positions, um job descriptions for finance staff. One is a position that we currently have and a brand new assistant finance director. and we're we're spread pretty thin in

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finance and the need is real. So, I just wanted to indicate that I appreciate your support. >> Chief Price, >> just want to wish uh Patty, Shelley, Shirley a very happy retirement. Um we work very closely with all of them. Um

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Patty is probably very excited not to have to work with the fire department anymore on payroll due to the different pay that we all have. Uh this week we're doing our live fire training. Uh it kicked off tonight. So if you're passing and you see a lot of flames behind the station, please don't call it in. Uh

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we're just doing our live firefighter training for the year. >> Good. Chief, >> I also can congratulate the the three ladies, Patty, Shel, and Shirley. Um it's been great working with them. And then welcome council member Winshitt and Melissa. You made great choices with

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both of them. Thank you. Since I think we're probably at the record for the longest meeting I've ever had, I won't belver this out. Um, to Mr. Shearer's point, I won't try to tie on it either. I I guess I I anticipate a lot of conversation

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happening after this. Um, I know you all have opinions. I know every one of them is going to be a little bit different and I want to tackle them one by one. Let's talk through them. Um, let's see what tomorrow looks like. Um, like I said,

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yeah, we'll just leave it at that tonight. Let's keep having these conversations. I'm not going to have any magic words for you tonight, but I'm not going to stop talking about this. I encourage everyone to keep showing up. What you have done so far has produced a better product at the end of the day. Even if it's been painful to get here,

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it is better than where we started. And I do believe we can keep making that happen. I will look for a motion to >> adjourn. Second. Motion by Steve, second by Jay. All in favor say I. >> I. We're adjourned at 11:08.