[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6235362,"mediaKeyId","3403158-280df24ef89229a26ae99af12686bbc7","parentId",3403158,"title","Resident criticizes council's handling of development and lack of public debate","audioSeconds",347,"startMs",1467000,"endMs",1814000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3403158-280df24ef89229a26ae99af12686bbc7&start=1467&end=1814","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3403158-280df24ef89229a26ae99af12686bbc7/thumbnail_1467000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6235362/Farmington-City/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Resident-criticizes-councils-handling-of-development-and-lack-of-public-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235362-b9354bfd8c870ee89960ec27da7d7ede/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176434&Signature=BQZbKvzZDnOgR55g13yiNJ39QTrJL7hp4wSzWFB6Sl~54UhttQcmfDh7bONDBPzh1Sw93Lj5NH47K~JLYFTc20RW81nxc4XswpMQDTWYo8z7m5iTuQEo4hvb3v-Ry5v6IdeQXzrcRHOU-EOJDOEkuy~~tNpoJwoQkX0PDq72VRLdoI2NpEbavUgyJvjk8Ss6ujnvi-vVAZGo8pLn0ocFXbyn0zvV9PipTZVKMMygD2MDK71kNOVW7B6S8Jpq-~ed4Yyepx1R4OQf0IC7QEFkT8i6PKJ50-75aIXPfEiM6PqZICrjvyhjZ~5x96RZwNSyMIpC37~YEcYFsrr1WnQp4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Farmington, MN","date","2025-05-20T14:59:55.707Z","article","A resident speaking during the Farmington City Council’s public comment period on May 19 sharply criticized the council’s handling of a recent development decision, saying the governing body did not provide adequate internal debate and that the outcome harmed neighbors.

The resident, speaking from an address on Cameron Way, said council members were silent during prior deliberations and asked whether the council had “watched out for our community when you put in 100% industrial project 2 50 feet away,” adding, “Can you honestly go and can you look at yourselves in the mirror and say, I watched out for my community that night.”

The speaker also alleged that members of the opposition “get served with subpoenas” and face legal pressure from the developer, saying, “They keep getting shut down and quiet. They keep getting silenced. They’re intimidated by the mayor, by all of you because you don’t listen.” Those claims were made during unsworn public comment and were not substantiated during the meeting.

The council did not engage in back-and-forth during public comment; the mayor and council proceeded to the consent agenda after the comment period. The consent agenda was later approved by motion during the meeting. No formal council response to the resident’s allegations was recorded in the meeting minutes or transcript.

The remarks came amid a broader meeting that included ceremonial recognitions and routine city business; the council’s formal records and any staff reports or legal filings would need to be consulted to verify the specific claims made during public comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - May 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comments at the May 19 Farmington City Council meeting, a resident from Cameron Way accused the council of failing to engage in civil debate and of approving a nearby industrial project about 250 feet from homes, saying affected neighbors have faced subpoenas and intimidation.","taxTitle","Farmington City, Dakota County, Minnesota","taxId",52316,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6235367,"Farmington honors retiring police chief and longtime public works employee",2540,110000,2650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3403158-280df24ef89229a26ae99af12686bbc7&start=110&end=2650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3403158-280df24ef89229a26ae99af12686bbc7/thumbnail_110000.jpg","/articles/6235367/Farmington-City/Dakota-County/Minnesota/Farmington-honors-retiring-police-chief-and-longtime-public-works-employee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6235367-599ac541fef8ae2b677c4dbb3b4e2292/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176434&Signature=RtEGXST0kuZKvIrwDpJGHAo41b~oUOUsQjnRKcQVkpR87ute0~98fLDNcGeRHDyzM-dUsYiAZwjv~zXlS4PzeOkd9Vk1Oshd0NQLLImolOd5g~pbup-o29XfBX~0Gs8qIozTm2PaY-CgiHl7sn-0fkO5tx0bGgpT6LstPU~Wz01zuN49KkRuYI5~AMg-Y60DN8IdoNXzAcBFyCJ-yD3vq~B0pTgXZiTNP52vNziuMnqwq0SIpZ9TXbXo2WAzlL3lb-J9M1y17w~TZhy~vQpmwZ4CfYvO8Vkm77GdDwqBOUHNF~-58PK7x8bwyM6SnHNlLFjeElipp8Wn2MhGTRKe~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Farmington City Council and community members on May 19 honored the retirements of Police Chief Gary Rutherford and public works employee Jeff Jones, recognizing their combined 45 years of service to Farmington.

The retirements were noted during the council’s announcements portion of the meeting. Public works superintendent Eric Whitmer said Jeff Jones began with the city in February 2003 and had worked 22 years for the city, including 20 years in the public works department. Whitmer said, “I’d like to take a few moments to recognize the 22 years that Jeff has served the city of Farmington,” and noted Jones had run the same plow route for two decades.

Police Chief Gary Rutherford, who told the council he began his law enforcement career in 1995 and joined the Farmington Police Department in 2002, also was recognized. A series of remarks from department members and council members praised Rutherford’s leadership. In a prepared tribute, a deputy said Rutherford “created community policing before it was a thing.” Deputy Chief Constantino, who was identified in the meeting as Rutherford’s longtime partner, said Rutherford had served as a mentor, SWAT leader and commander and that “when he spoke we listened not out of fear or formality but because he had earned our respect through action.”

Rutherford addressed the council and audience and described his approach to the job: “When I stepped into it, I did like I do with most things. I stepped into it hard and I mashed the gas and I’ve had my foot against the firewall for the better part of 7 years.” He said he was “a little bit tired” and expressed gratitude for his time with the city. Members of the council and other speakers shared memories and thanked both retirees for their service; several speakers specifically noted Rutherford’s role in community events such as the department open house and Toys for Town.

Jeff Jones was not present at the meeting; the council presented certificates and said a more formal recognition would follow. Council members and city staff also noted that Rutherford’s formal retirement date was coming that week and that additional remarks would occur at other upcoming events.

No formal council action was required or taken to approve the retirements; the items were ceremonial recognitions included in the meeting announcements.

The council moved on to other agenda items after the recognitions, including the consent agenda and routine reports.","At its May 19 meeting, the Farmington City Council and community members celebrated the retirements of Police Chief Gary Rutherford and public works employee Jeff Jones, recognizing their combined 45 years of service to Farmington.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident criticizes council's handling of development and lack of public debate

Farmington honors retiring police chief and longtime public works employee