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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-12-11 Council Minutes CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2003 1 The Corcoran City Council met on December 11, 2003 at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota. Present were Councilors Bucher, Guenthner, Lymangood, and Thomas. Councilor Gageby was excused absent. Also present were Administrator Vergin, Clerk/Treasurer Tillmann, Public Works Director Meister, Police Chief Schutte, and Engineer Vander Top. Mayor Guenthner called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Bucher, and carried unanimously to approve the agenda as presented. Presentation – Met Council MCES Representatives of the Met Council were present to provide an overview of the status of the Met Council MCES MUSA line extensions. Bill Johnson, Project Manager, Bonestroo, Rosene and Anderlik, advised the Council of the overall process to provide sewer connections to southeast and northeast Corcoran. The process involves several steps including joining the regional wastewater system, developing a regional wastewater service plan, and implementing the project. The City has already developed a comprehensive sewer plan. SAC fees will need to be set by the Council through an ordinance. The Met Council is currently evaluating various access routes in both the southeast and northeast, which are dependent on other external factors, one of which is timing relative to a moratorium on residential development in the City of Maple Grove. The southeast project will be addressed first. Both projects are currently in the planning phase and it is anticipated that construction will begin sometime in 2005 if things move according to current plans. The southeast project may have a connection and an underground metering site close to or on the Corcoran Lions Park property. Comments were heard from Ken Kluck, 21800 County Road 50, who questioned the size of the metering site at the Lions Park, and if future realignment of County Road 101 was taken into consideration when determining the connection site. Bill Johnson advised the metering site is relatively small and the exact location has not been determined. However, the realignment of County Road 101 has been taken into consideration. Open Forum There were no requests from the public to speak during open forum. Consent Agenda MOTION by Bucher, seconded by Thomas, and carried unanimously to approve the consent agenda, with the exception of item d as follows: a. Approve the Regular Council Meeting minutes of November 20, 2003, as presented. b. Approve the Truth in Taxation Hearing minutes of December 1, 2003, as presented. Call to Order Roll call Pledge of Allegiance Agenda Approval Met Council MCES Presentation Public Comment Open Forum Consent Agenda Approval CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2003 2 c. Approve the payment of claims #1952 – 2001, in the amount of $69,606.68, as presented. e. Adopt Resolution #2003-77, approving the Conditional Home Occupation License for Dennis Havel for the operation of a excavation contractor at 10415 Cain Road, with conditions, based on the findings presented at the October 16, 2003 Home Occupation Meeting, on file in the City Clerk’s Office. f. Adopt Resolution #2003-78, approving the Conditional Home Occupation License for Gerald Wickham for the operation of a welding and general repair contractor at 19600 Schutte Road, with conditions, based on the findings presented at the October 16, 2003 Home Occupation Meeting, on file in the City Clerk’s Office. g. Adopt Resolution #2003 – 79, approving the dissolution and termination of a conditional use permit for Mark Peterson for the placement of two 32 square foot advertisement signs on properties located at 6210 Pioneer Trail, legally described as PID# 32-119-23- 34-0013 and PID# 32-119-23-34-0014; as recorded at Hennepin County, Document Number 50645074. h. Approve the following CIP purchases for the Police Department: • Ford Crown Victoria Squad Car from Superior Ford, in the amount of $21,484.00, plus set up and equipment for an approximate total of $29,000. • Department issue firearms for all officers, from Streicher’s, in the amount of $4,788.03. • Command Post Generator, to be used as a power source and back up for the Emergency Preparedness/Command Post Trailer, in the amount of $2,449.50. • Video Camera and Equipment, to be used by the department for case documentation, including fire wire cable, an extra battery and camcorder accessory kit, in the amount of $986.27. Unfinished Business Municipal Development Group – Scope of Services Cynthia Smith-Strack, Municipal Development Group (MDG), was present to address the proposal submitted by MDG to assist the City in various community development activities. Mayor Guenthner advised that the proposal stems from a perceived need for guidance in the area of community development. Smith-Strack and Joanne Foust, MDG, met with Administrator Vergin to discuss the needs and future plans for the City of Corcoran. Their services encompass a wide range of possibilities in the areas of community and economic development. Councilor Lymangood advised that there are several areas where MDG could be of assistance at this time, specifically the SW service area, and discussions with the City of Maple Grove regarding the Hustad Development and related issues. Municipal Development Group Proposal CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2003 3 Councilor Thomas questioned the function of and EDA and how MDG would be involved in that aspect. Smith-Strack advised that an EDA is part of community development. They would assist the city in areas that include, funding, planning, negotiations, grant writing and other grant opportunities, etc. Some Council members expressed concern regarding the office hours proposed and feel that 4 hours a week may be excessive at this time. Also questioned if there would be a duplication of services from the current contracted Engineering and Planning staff. Council directed staff to meet with MDG principals to develop a more specific proposal identifying strategic areas and needs that the City should address and how MDG could assist in those areas. 2004 Proposed Budget Modifications Administrator Vergin addressed the 2004 budget and changes made since the adoption of the preliminary levy in September. The Council will formally adopt the levy at the December 18, 2003 Council Meeting. Vergin reminded Council that the total levy cannot increase from what was set in September, but it could decrease. Discussion was held regarding a fund reserve policy for the City. Staff is striving to reach a 40% reserve fund balance. Councilor Bucher presented an overview of the Facility Committee recommendation relating to the expansion of the Police Department. Councilor Bucher reviewed a number of reasons for the facility expansion, including increased demand for police services, controlled access into the department and employee safety, and provision for North Memorial Ambulance and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department. Several options and costs were investigated and the Facility Committee is recommending that the Council approve the full remodel and expansion of the facility (Option 1). Councilor Lymangood questioned if the expansion included a more secure prisoner area and additional meeting space. Discussion continued regarding the Truth in Taxation Hearing held on December 1, relating to market values property taxes. Councilor Lymangood added that he is uncomfortable with the proposed 6.62% increase to taxpayers. Mayor Guenthner agreed, but commented that the City has added services that weren’t being provided before, and some of those services are being offset by assessments to residents, i.e. dust control, recycling, etc. Administrator Vergin clarified that the increase is over the 2003 budget, not what taxpayers will see. Councilor Lymangood further addressed six issues that were added to the budget since 2003. Those being the purchase of a loader for snow removal by in the Public Works Department, addition of additional staff in the Police Department and Administration, the facility expansion, proposal for community development services and the reserve fund. Councilor Thomas stated that these concerns were not brought up during the budgeting process and that decisions 2004 Proposed Budget Modifications CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2003 4 regarding including these items in 2004 were not taken lightly. Councilor Lymangood suggested an alternative to purchasing the loader in 2004. Public Works Director Meister advised that there was a need for the loader at this time. The current loader was purchased in 1990. Many new roads have been added to the City since its purchase, but Public Works has been working with the same amount of equipment. It is not possible to rent this type of equipment once snow falls because it is in such high demand. Council agreed by unanimous consensus to set a reserve percentage of 3% for 2004 and directed staff to decrease the levy by that amount. MOTION by Lymangood, seconded by Bucher, and carried unanimously to approve consent agenda item 5.d. as follows: d. Accept the Budget Analysis for the months ending October 31, 2003 and November 30, 2003, as presented, with the acknowledgement that Councilor Lymangood abstains from the approval of the investment report due a potential perceived conflict of interest because of the nature of his outside employment. New Business Petition for Improvement -- Sundance Road Engineer Vander Top advised the Council that the City had received a petition from residents for the improvement of Sundance Road. Council should acknowledge receipt of the petition at this time. Engineer Vander Top advised that if the Council wished, staff would proceed in the same fashion as with Hage Drive and Chisholm Trail. There are approximately 20 units on Sundance Road. Council directed staff to schedule a meeting with residents to discuss. Performance Review Process for Contracted Services Administrator Vergin advised that based on discussions throughout the budgeting process, it is appropriate at this time to develop a process for reviewing consulting services on an annual basis. Suggested the establishment of a Review Committee consisting of three or four representatives from the Council and Planning commission, and the City Administrator, to develop an evaluation form, perform the evaluations and report to the Council once completed. Council requested that Administrator Vergin develop an evaluation form for Council to review. Committee members would be appointed after the evaluation tool is reviewed and approved by Council. Staff and Council Reports Highway 55 Coalition Report Administrator Vergin advised that she had attended two recent meetings of the Highway 55 Coalition. Council can expect a corridor map to be provided to the City in January or February 2004. The next general meeting is scheduled for Designate Reserve Percentage Accept Budget Analysis Sundance Road Petition for Improvement Review Process for Contracted Services Hwy 55 Coalition Report CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2003 5 January 16 at 9:30 a.m. Administrator Vergin was advised that she should attend on behalf of the City. Council also requested that Vergin ask the committee to consider having quarterly progress meetings for elected officials at a time more conducive to their schedules. Bridge Inspection Report Engineer Vander Top provided a report on recently completed Bridge inspections in the City. The City is required by the Federal Highway Commission to complete annual bridge inspections. Staff is recommending at this time that the City consider replacement of three bridges in the near future. Engineering staff will meet with Administrator Vergin and Public Works Director Meister to establish recommendations for replacement, including a schedule, funding options and safety issues. SW Area Extension of Services Councilor Lymangood requested that this item be placed on the Council agenda to address issues pertaining to services in the SW area and the need to work with the City of Medina to provide those services. Suggested that the Council develop a new proposal that addresses Medina’s concerns, including funding sources and legislative controls. Council agreed by unanimous consensus that it was appropriate to develop a presentation to be reviewed at the December 18, 2003 City Council meeting. Councilor Lymangood will meet with Administrator Vergin on Friday December 12, 2003 to discuss. Mayor Guenthner advised that he attended the City of Medina Planning Commission meeting where the Commission reviewed plans for a Super Target at Highway 55 and County Road 101. The Medina City Council will review the project at the December 16, 2003 meeting. Councilor Lymangood will address the Maple Grove City Council on December 15, 2003. MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Lymangood, and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 p.m. _____________________________ Kary Tillmann, City Clerk/Treasurer Bridge Inspection Report SW Area Extension of Services Medina Planning Commission Meeting Maple Grove City Council Meeting Adjournment