HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-10 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Meeting Minutes
December 10) 2020 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran City Council met On December 10, 2020, in Corcoran, Minnesota. Pursuant to Minnesota
Statute Section 13D.021 and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Council meeting was held remotely
through electronic means using the audio and video conferencing platform Zoom.
Mayor Thomas was present at City Hall and present via telephonic or other electronic means were
Councilor Bottema, Councilor Lother, Council Nichols, and Councilor Schultz.
Also present were City Administrator Martens and Administrative Services Director Beise. Director of
Public Safety Gottschalk and Public Works Director Mattson were present via telephonic or other
electronic means.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Thomas invited all in attendance to ri
2. Call to Order / Roll Call
se
and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Thomas called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
3. Agenda Approval
City Administrator Martens noted removal of Item 9a. Job Offer Maintenance Worker Job Offer to allow
staff to take additional steps with background processes.
MOTION: made by Lother, seconded by Bottema to approve the agenda as modified.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Lother, Nichols, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
4. Commission Representative
Mayor Thomas noted Plannin
Christenson was excused.
g Commission Shoulak was present, and Parks and Trails Commissioner
5. Open Forum (Public Comment Oaaortunitvl
Mayor Thomas invited residents to communicate telephonically during the Open Forum discussion for
items not included on the agenda. Administrative Services Director Beise explained the instructions to
participate in the meeting via the Zoom video format and reviewed instructions for participation in the
meeting through telephone or computer.
De Sicora, 6410 Elm Street, clarified her statement at the November 12 meeting regarding pre -sold
homes should include all home types. Ms. Sicora inquired about the Elm Creek Watershed Report for
the County Road 116 and Hackamore Road area and if the report was available to the public. Ms.
Sicora thanked Dorothy Theis for her service within the Corcoran community. Council asked staff to
follow up with Ms. Sicora regarding the Elm Creek Watershed Report and staff noted the information
had been sent.
6. Presentations/Recognitions
a. Resolution Honoring Tom Anderson — City Council
Mayor Thomas read Resolution 2020-93 Honoring Outgoing Councilmember Tom Anderson and
noted various accomplishments during his service on the City Council. Council thanked Mr. Anderson
for his dedicated time and service on the City Council.
MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Bottema to approve Resolution 2020-93 Honoring Outgoing
Councilmember Tom Anderson,
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Lother, Nichols, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
b. Resolution Honoring Dorothy Theis — Charter Commission
Mayor Thomas read Resolution 2020-94 honoring Commissioner Dorothy Theis' service on the
Charter Commission. Council reflected on Commissioner Dorothy Theis' decades long involvement
with various commissions and time served on the Council, and thanked her for the years of
distinguished service to the City of Corcoran and its residents
MOTION: made by Lother, seconded by Schultz to approve Resolution 2020-94 Honoring Outgoing
Charter Commissioner Dorothy Theis.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Lother, Nichols, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
7. Consent Agenda
a. Draft Minutes of November 23, 2020 Council Meeting
b. Financial Claims
c. Southeast Corcoran 2020 Trunk Watermain Improvements — Change Order 1 and Pay Request 1
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Lother, Nichols, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
8. Planning Business
No planning business was heard.
9. Unfinished Business (Public Comment Opportunity)
Mayor Thomas invited residents to communicate telephonically during the Public Comment
Opportunity. Administrative Services Director Beise explained the instructions to participate in the
meeting via the Zoom video format and reviewed
instructions for participation in the meeting through
b. City Hall Remodel Update
City Administrator Martens reviewed updates to finances regarding the City Hall. City Administrator
Martens noted furniture expenditures, state contract pricing, and final price of furniture pricing. City
Administrator Martens noted the reallocation of funds in technology to furniture to compensate for the
additional cost of furniture needs. City Administrator Martens noted the remodel update is still on
budget. Council and staff discussed the estimated furniture cost the architecture firm provided and the
discrepancy in estimated to actual furniture costs. Council and staff discussed the decrease in
estimated technology costs and the CARES Act funding expenditures in technology.
10. New Business (Public Comment Opportunity)
Mayor Thomas invited residents to communicate telephonically during the Public Comment
Opportunity. Administrative Services Director Beise explained the instructions to participate in tne
meeting via the Zoom video format and reviewed instructions for participation in the meeting through
telephone or computer. No residents participated in the Public Comment Opportunity.
a. Budget and Levy Hearing — 2021 Budget and Property Tax Levy
Mayor Thomas opened the Public Hearing for comment regarding the 2021 Budget and Property Tax
Levy. City Administrator Martens briefly reviewed the budget and levy process for the $6 million
budget. City Administrator Martens reviewed how the Open Book process was altered this year due to
COVID, and explained the assessor received property tax appeals this year via phone and through
email from residents. City Administrator Martens reviewed the 2021 proposed tax rate of 42.846
percent is lower than the 2020 rate of 45.013 percent. City Administrator Martens noted the final levy
is slightly lower than the preliminary levy because of the debt service levy decrease, along with a
decrease in the general fund budget. City Administrator Martens explained home values will have an
impact on tax capacities even though the tax rate is lower than the previous year. City Administrator
Martens reviewed each type of property and their valuation increases. City Administrator Martens
reviewed the allocation of tax dollars of city services within a median household value of $354,312 is
$125 per month.
Mayor Thomas invited residents to communicate telephonically during the Public Hearing and share
comments regarding the 2021 Budget and Property Tax Levy. Administrative Services Director Beise
explained the instructions to participate in the meeting via the Zoom video format and reviewed
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instructions for participation in the meeting through telephone or computer. No residents participated in
the Public Hearing.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Nichols to close the Public Hearing.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Lother, Nichols, and Schultz
'Motion carried 5:0)
Council thanked City Administrator Martens for the great work and presentation on the 2021 Budget
and Property Tax Levy.
b. 2021 Full-timei , Part-fime, and Seasonal Wage Schedule
City Administrator Martens reviewed the proposed wage increase of 2.75 percent and the
authorizations for the City Administrator to approve step increases based on performance and hire
part-time and seasonal staff.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Bottema to approve Resolution 2020-98 Adopting 2021
Wage Schedule for City Employees.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Lother, Nichols, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
c. 2021 General Fund Budget and Property Tax Levy
City Administrator Martens reviewed briefly the proposed 2021 budget and levy as outlined in the
budget hearing, noting the budget amount of $6,832,086, the levy amount of $5,045,377, and the
projected lower, proposed tax rate of 42.763 percent is the lowest tax rate since 2012. City
Administrator Martens noted Council's goal over the last several years has been to maintain or
increase City services as needed as the City grows, while also maintaining a consistent tax rate.
Council inquired about revenue impact of property flax percentages versus permits and fees, and
asked for a breakdown of residential, commercial and industrial and where the revenue make up is on
the property tax side. Council noted the budget and property tax levy is a year -long process and
reviewed through many Council meetings. Council and staff discussed the increase in fees, permits,
and fines from 22 percent to 26 percent between 2020 and 2021. Council and staff discussed the zero
percentage in revenue in Local Government Aid (LGA). City Administrator Martens explained the LGA
is a tax collected by the State of Minnesota and given to cities within the state but is not applicable to
Corcoran.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Bottema to approve Resolution 2020-96 Adopting 2021
Budget and the Final 2020 Tax Levy, Collectible in 2021.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Lother, Nichols, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
Council thanked City Administrator Martens and staff for the outstanding job for the work completed on
the budget and property tax levy.
d. Parks and Trail Commission Appointment — Tom Anderson
City Administrator Martens reviewed the appointment of Tom Anderson resuming his term to the Parks
and Trail Commission through February 29, 2022 .
MOTION: made by Thomas, seconded by Nichols to appoint Tom Anderson his term to the Parks and
Trail Commission through February 29, 2022.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Lother, Nichols, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
11. Staff Reports
a. Pandemic Response Update
Director of Public Safety Gottschalk reported total COVID tests of 367,000 cumulatively, with 77,000
tests in Hennepin County, and 1,200 deaths; the current positive test rate has decreased to 8.5
percent, with ICU beds at close to maximum capacity, and vaccines soon to be readily available in
Minnesota next week, with priority distribution groups. City Administrator Martens noted a modified
staff schedule still exists with City Hall remaining open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm with rotating staff
schedules to coordinate work and coverage of services. City Administrator Martens reviewed opening
of ice rinks and implications of staffing, and COVID-related exposure risk to residents utilizing the
warming house and ice rinks. Council discussed outdoor activity of ice rinks, warming houses, lighting
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at the ice rinks, and implications of a city position overseeing the rinks and how COVI D-related
enforcement could be managed. Council consensus was to keep warming house closed, forgo hiring
rink attendants this season, and having rinks open with lights on through regular ice rink hours with
controlled automatic lights. Council discussed port -a -potty and bench seating availability for
community use.
b. Financial Performance Report
City Administrator Martens reviewed the 2020 financial performance report, noting a $350,000 surplus
in the budget resulted from limited operation and function expenditures due to the pandemic in 2020
and funding assistance from the CARES Act. Council inquired about the 2021 budget and if the
ive in the levy for 2021. City Administrator Martens noted the 2021 General Fund
surplus is reflect
Budget and Tax Levy is separate from the 2020 surplus monies. City Administrator Martens reviewed
the City audit is scheduled for April 2021, and upon audit completion, staff can examine and present to
Council the surplus, to determine if and how funds should be reallocated before the 2020 audit is
closed out. City Administrator Martens noted typically surplus funds are allocated to reserves or could
be allocated to resources for the community based on pandemic related needs.
12. 2020/2021 City Council Schedule
City Administrator Martens reviewed the upcoming agenda items for the last Council meeting of 2020
scheduled for Monday, December 21. Council and staff discussed the City Administrator's closed
session evaluation which will be held at the December 21 meeting. Council inquired about a Council
survey to schedule work sessions and goals and objectives in 2021.
13. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Lother, seconded by Nichols to adjourn.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Lother, Nichols and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
Meeting adjourned at 3:10 pm.
Low
Michelle Friedrich —Deputy Clerk
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