Routine business on agenda for first meeting of 2013

• Photo: Doug Bonar

New Farmington city council member Doug Bonar was sworn in to office Jan. 7.

Talk about it

The Farmington City Council has a new member, though he’s not a stranger around city hall. Doug Bonar was sworn in last week as the newest Farmington council member, along with mayor Todd Larson and fellow council member Terry Donnelly.

Donnelly and Larson are both in their second terms.

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by city administrator David McKnight before the first regular meeting of 2013 was held Jan. 7. Once the newly elected officials were sworn in, Larson was able to open the meeting.

The first order of business each year is for the city council to handle its annual organizational matters. Although somewhat routine, some of the designations and appointments are required by state law. Other designations made are to fill seats on various boards and commissions in the city.

This year, Christy Jo Fogarty was appointed as acting mayor, subject to the highest number of votes in the 2010 general election. Fogarty is in the third year of her term.

The Farmington Independent has been designated as the city’s official publication. Council members also re-appointed Joel Jamnik, of the lawfirm Campbell Knutson, as city attorney. Anchor Bank of Farmington, League of Minnesota Cities 4M Fund, RBC Capital Markets, Wells Fargo Investments, Smith Barney Inc., Premier Bank and Roundbank (Farmington) were designated as official depositories for the city of Farmington.

In 2013, the membership of the Farmington Economic Development Authority changes from five council members and two at-large, ex-officio members to two councilmembers and three at-large members who will be appointed by the city council at the Jan. 22 meeting. Bonar, who has served as one of the two ex-officio members since 2011, was appointed to the EDA, along with Larson. Four residents have applied for the remaining three at-large seats.

Council member Jason Bartholomay will serve on the ALF Ambulance Board, with Larson as an alternate. Bartholomay will also sit on the Dakota Communications Center board of directors, with Fogarty as the alternate.

Larson has been the city of Farmington’s representative to the Castle Rock-Empire-Eureka-Farmington committee for the past several years. He was reappointed to that post.

The city of Farmington maintains joint planning groups with Castle Rock, Empire and Eureka townships. Though the committees do not meet often, the city appoints representatives to each group annually. In 2013, council member Fogarty will sit on the Farmington/Empire Planning Advisory Committee, Larson will sit on the Farmington/Castle Rock Discussion Group, and Bonar will serve on the Eureka/Farmington Planning Advisory Committee.

Council members Donnelly and Bartholomay were appointed to the MUSA Review Committee. Bartholomay and Bonar will represent the city council on the Ice for Tigers Committee, and Larson and Donnelly will serve on the Liquor Operations Committee. The latter two committees were created in 2012.

Council members reviewed all council by-laws and policies. No changes were made. Council by-laws and policies are posted on the city of Farmington’s website, ci.farmington.mn.us.

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