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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-11-10 Council Minutes - Part 2 CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2004 1 The Corcoran City Council met on November 10, 2004 at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota. Present were Councilors Bucher, Gageby, Guenthner, Lymangood and Thomas. Also present were Administrator Vergin, Public Works Superintendent Pat Meister, Attorney Carson, Planner Lindahl, Consultant Buss, and Engineer Vander Top. Mayor Guenthner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Agenda Approval MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Bucher, and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following modifications: Delete: 6. Xcel Energy (tabled to 12/9/04) Add: 8.b. Resolution No. 2004-93, Appointing Acting City Clerk 8.c. Laurent Development 9.g. Correspondence from the U of M Open Forum Tom Cossette addressed the issue of police services, city coverage vs county coverage. This is an emotional topic for many, would like to see that cost comparisons are shared with the public. Consent Agenda MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Bucher, and carried unanimously to approve the consent agenda, with the exception of item d and e, as follows: d. Public Works CIP Purchases e. Resolution of Support for CSAH 19, Resolution No. 2004-90 Consent Agenda Item 5.d. Public Works Superintendent Meister provided an overview of the equipment that he is seeking approval to purchase, These items include a Compactor, 4x4 pickup, and a 9 foot western plow. These items are in the CIP budget for 2005, but due to steel prices increasing he would like authorization to proceed with ordering now. It is estimated that the city would save between 10 and 15%, and would not be required to pay for the equipment until 2005. MOTION by Lymangood, seconded by Thomas, and carried unanimously to approve consent agenda item 5.d. as follows: d. Approve the Public Work CIP Purchases of a Compactor, 4x4 Pickup, and 9 foot western plow. Call to Order Roll Call Pledge of Allegiance Agenda Approval Open Forum Tom Cossette, 9200 Shannon Lane Re: Policing Services Consent Agenda Consent Agenda Item 5.d. CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2004 2 Consent Agenda Item 5.e. Councilor Lymangood requested clarification on how the city would benefit from the CSAH 19 trail being designated as a Regional Trail in the Met Council’s CIP plan. Administrator Vergin indicated that this designation would make the trail eligible for maintenance funding through the Three Rivers Park District, and construction funding through the Met Council . MOTION by Lymangood, seconded by Thomas, and carried unanimously to approve consent agenda item 5.e. as follows: e. Resolution of Support for CSAH 19, Resolution No. 2004-91 Unfinished Business AUAR, EIS, EAW, Environmental Review Processes Consultant Sherri Buss provided an overview of the three types of environmental review processes. There are thresholds that make these mandatory, which are based on the city’s population. The city does have some discretion as to which type of review they would like, and to also require a review when it deems it necessary, even though it does not meet a threshold. A petition by citizens can also require a review. EAW (Environmental Assessment Worksheet) is typically done for a specific development site that does not overlap with other projects. The thresholds are construction of 200,000 square feet or larger of commercial, industrial or institutional facilities; construction of 250 or more unattached residential units; or 375 attached residential units. There are other variety of projects that can also trigger an EAW. Cost $20,000 - $50,000. EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) is used for larger projects or those with more significant impacts. The thresholds are construction of 500,000 square feet or larger of commercial, industrial or institutional facilities; construction of 1,000 or more unattached residential units; or 1,500 attached residential units; projects that eliminate protected water or protected wetlands; or construction of large scale projects such as nuclear power plants, freeways, etc. . Typically the city would complete an EAW as a scoping document to being the EIS process. The EIS also requires that a “no build” scenario be part of the analysis. Cost $100,000 +. AUAR (Alternative Urban Areawide Review) is for multiple projects in a single regional area where environmental impacts overlap. An AUAR may substitute of either the EIS or EAW. The AUAR can be completed earlier in the planning process as it does not require a detailed site plan. An AUAR does not required a “no build” scenario. The SW district would be an appropriate area for an AUAR. You can have multiple land owners involved who would share in the cost. City can do an AUAR up front and then charge back to properties as they develop. Cost $60,000 - $100,000. Regardless of the type of environmental review process that is being undertaken, no approvals can be granted by the local unit of government that would allow a development to proceed. The type of review can be a policy decision of the council. Councilor Lymangood suggested that this be placed back on a future agenda in February so that the future councilors can address this further. Approve Consent Agenda Item 5.e. Environmental Review Processes CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2004 3 Medina Comp Plan Amendment Medina had requested a comp plan amendment which was approved by the Met Council. It is suggested that Corcoran and Medina schedule a joint meeting to address their comp plans and shared issues, such as sewer services and the fire advisory committee. Both the newly elected officials and Met Council representatives should be asked to attend this meeting. New Business Preparation of Minutes Administrator Vergin presented the council with an analysis regarding time and costs regarding the preparation of minutes for both Council and Planning Commission meetings. Due to the vacant City Clerk position Vergin requested authorization to contract with former Clerk Tillmann to provide for this service in the interim. Administrator Vergin was instructed that as long as there is no budgetary impact she can make the necessary arrangements needed to manage the administration of the city office. Appointment of Acting City Clerk MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Bucher, and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 2004-93 appointing Administrator Vergin as the Acting City Clerk to fulfill the statutory duties until such time as the City Clerk/Treasurer position vacancy is filled. Laurent Development Terry Forbord of Laurent Development addressed the Council. First commenting on the City’s commitment in the long process they had undertaken with the Comp Plan and Ordinances to assure that the tools are in place for proper development. Mr. Forbord went onto inform the council that they have concluded their EAW for the property they have control of in the SE district, currently referenced as the EHLR property. He indicated to the Council that due to timing of other projects coming on board with their company, and for tax purposes they would like to proceed at an accelerated pace to move their project through the preliminary platting process yet this year, 2004. Forbord stated that in order to do that they need to have the City accept their EAW application, direct staff to review the EAW for completeness and then call a special meeting for Monday, November 15 for the council to authorize it’s submittal to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) if deemed complete. Information regarding the proposed planned unit development was shared, noting there will be 287 single family residential units, 37% or 81 acres of the area would be retained as open space, there will be green corridors and buffering areas between the roads and the residential units, there are 4.5 miles of public trails, and anticipate extensive landscaping and perennial gardens. The Council discussed the process and the time line. Staff noted that they would have observations to the Council by the special meeting date of November 15, but not sure how complete. Further noted that during the EAW process the city can not grant any approvals. Review of the project can Medina Comp Plan Preparation of Minutes Appointment of Acting Clerk Laurent Development EAW, Set Special Council Mtg CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2004 4 continue, but no approvals can be granted. Mayor Guenthner then called a special council meeting for Monday, November 15, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of considering the EAW for the Laurent project. Council and Staff Reports Maple Grove Water Agreement Engineer Vander Top updated the council on the status of the Maple Grove water agreement. Maple Grove council did hold a workshop and conceptually appear to be in favor of selling water to Corcoran. A letter from Maple Grove will be forth coming addressing this matter. Highway 55 Corridor Status Engineer Vander Top reported that he and Administrator Vergin had met with Medina’s Administrator and Public Works Direction, along with John Griffith of MnDot to address the mapping of the corridor. Currently as presented the City of Corcoran would lose 15 ½ acres. We requested that the corridor be mapped to equally share in the lose of property, but understand that there will be some construction constraints. MnDot has agreed to remap and anticipates that the new alignment would be ready for review in January. Loretto Water Engineer Vander Top informed the council that the SW infrastructure study had been forwarded on to Mayor Torve of Loretto. Loretto will be looking at their alternatives to address their water needs. Corcoran and Loretto will continue to communicate to try and work together. Snowmobile Safety Training Administrator Vergin informed the council that the NW Trails Association has agreed to take over the snowmobile safety training this winter. Their will still be coordination with city staff, but this will reduce Corcoran’s participation will be reduced by nearly 80 hours. Planning Commission Councilor Bucher reported on the Planning Commission meeting of November 4. They had reviewed a sketch plan for the SW district, Corcoran Business Park. The plan is contingent upon receipt of infrastructure. Overall the plan was supported but some concerns had been raised. The Commission also discussed looking at an AUAR for that area. Waste Water Commission Mayor Guenthner reported on the Waste Water Commission. They are dealing with issues on two systems, one with structural issues, the other with a failing system with some economic constraints. The Commission has reviewed the existing ordinance and is proposing some changes, which will becoming to the council for consideration within the next month. The Commission discussed ways to deal with people that are not in compliance with the maintenance program, but are very happy with their high participation. The Commission Maple Grove Water Agreement Hwy 55 Corridor Status Loretto Water Snowmobile Safety Training Planning Commission Waste Water Commission would like the City Council to look at ways to address non-compliance. CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2004 5 They are also working on the inflow and infiltration with the sewer usage ordinance. Letters from the U of M The City Council acknowledged receipt of the letters from staff at the University of Minnesota with commentary on the case of Headwaters Rural Utility Association v. the City of Corcoran et. al. MOTION by Bucher, seconded by Thomas, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. _____________________________ Susan Vergin, City Administrator Letters from U of M Adjournment