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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-22 Council Minutes110 CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MAY 22, 1997 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Larkin called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M. Present were Mayor Larkin, Council Members Ken Kluck, Ernie Mayers, Ken Guenthner, and Dixie Lindsley. Also present were City Clerk Stacy Doboszenski, City Planner Gary Eitel, City Attorney Jeff Carson, and Interim Public Works Supervisor Bob Krei and Pat Meister. There were approximately 15 people in attendance at the meeting. SET AGENDA The following items were added to the Agenda: + Public Works Report OPEN FORUM The following people addressed the City Council during the open forum: Cindy Patnode, Chairperson for Personnel Committee: Cindy was at the meeting to address the Council on the issues discussed at the meeting of the Personnel Committee that was held on May 20, 1997. Cindy asked the Council if the Personnel Committee was heading in the right direction by providing job descriptions of an Administrator/Planner and Public Works Supervisor. Councilor Lindsley felt that the committee should look at what the City should have, not what it has had. Councilors Guenthner and Kluck agreed. Councilor Lindsley also suggested that the Personnel Committee get the job descriptions for the vacant positions from the Clerk. Councilor Mayers questioned the need for a Public Works Supervisor. Cindy and Greg Ebert, member of the Personnel Committee, responded by stating their idea would put in a public works supervisor at 40% time in the field, 60% time administrative. Jeff Stevens, member of Personnel Committee, asked what the salary ranges would be because that would determine the type of job description that would be created. Mr. Stevens also questioned what the Council is looking for, so that the work they are doing isn't for nothing. Cindy questioned the Council if they would want different titles to the job descriptions. Councilor Guenthner asked to keep titles off the descriptions, so that there would be no preconceptions made on the job created. Councilor Mayers asked if the committee was thinking of two full-time positions. Cindy responded that there would be two different jobs created, possibly two full-time positions. PAT TABOR, PUBLIC HEARING FOR VACATION OF 78TH AVENUE NORTH Mayor Larkin introduced this item at 7:16 p.m. and explained that the legal notice was incorrectly printed in the Crow River News, that the public hearing will be opened, but tabled until the June 12, 1997 City Council meeting after republication of the correct notice. The following comments were registered: Wendy Koenen, 7888 Corcoran Trail West: Ms. Koenen address the Council with a concern of vacating utility and drainage easements. She explained she has a drainage concern with her lot in the Spring and questions if there would be a problem with drainage of 78th Avenue if the drainage and utility easements were vacated. Gary responded stating that drainage easements will be maintained. There was discussion between Council and Gary regarding the drainage being a public waterway. City Attorney Jeff Carson stated that the Council is vacating the right-of-way and not the drainage. Fred Toussaint-, 7720 Corcoran Trail East: Mr. Toussaint stated that the problem is drainage on thel 11 south side of the current right-of-way. On a motion by Guenthner to table this item to the next meeting. There was then a question raised by Councilor Kluck regarding who the property goes back to, once it is vacated. Jeff Carson explained that one of two possibilities could occur. They are: 1. The property would go half to the owner on the north side of the easement and half to the owner on the south side of the property. 2. The property would go back to the original developer. Councilor Kluck then questioned if the lot to the north is buildable. Mr. Toussaint responded that yes it is. At this time Larkin seconded Guenthner's motion to table this item to the next meeting. Motion carried unanimously. ED LYNDE. REPRESENTATIVE FROM LYNDE M L OD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PEUSENTATION ON YARD WASTE SITE LOCATED ,IN..MAPLE GROVE City Clerk Doboszenski introduced this item. Councilor Guenthner questioned how many calls the City receives regarding yardwaste and the magnitude of the problem. Ed Lynde was at the meeting to address the Council on the program his company offers for yardwaste and composting. Mr. Lynde explained the following: •. The location of site • Hours of site • Equipment used at site • Staffing at site • Rent for Corcoran $100/month for 8 months that the site is open (April - November) • During busy time, 50 people can dump at once, may need to wait 10 minutes • Procedure for residents when they come to the site • Corcoran people are required to pay $5 per cu. yd. if they don't belong to the program Mayor Larkin informed Mr. Lynde that the Council will discuss this item and will get back to him. Council thanked Mr. Lynde for his presentation. City Council discussed: • Putting it on the Agenda for the next meeting • Don't feel the need is there to belong to the site • Burning permits being issued versus people bringing waste to site Mayor Larkin stated that he did not support the idea if the City pays for both the rent and $3.50 per cubic yard. On a motion by Guenthner, seconded by Kluck, to not accept the contract tonight. Motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE FOR MORATORIUM ON TOWERS IN CORCORAN Mayor Larkin introduced this item to Council. City Attorney gave the background on why staff requested the moratorium ordinance and recommended that the City Council pass the moratorium ordinance at the meeting. Also discussed was the demand from American Portable Telecom (APT) 112 to issue a Conditional Use Permit to them, as per the 60 day rule. Jeff gave the Council an explanation on the 60 day rule and his feeling that the 60 day rule will not apply to APT because of the verbal negotiations that have taken place between the City, Hennepin County, Sprint, and APT. There have also been negotiations between APT and Hennepin County as recent as last week. The Council questioned if the moratorium will effect the application made by APT, Jeff stated in his way of thinking, it will. There was discussion between the City Attorney, Gary Eitel, and Council. On a motion by Mayers, seconded by Muck, to accept the City Attorney's recommendation to not issue a Conditional Use Permit to APT. Motion carried unanimously. There was discussion between Jeff Carson, members of the audience, Gary Eitel and the Council. On a motion Guenthner, seconded Lindsley, to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 142, AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A 90 DAY MORATORIUM WITHIN THE CITY OF CORCORAN ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW TOWERS AND ON THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF PROPERTY FOR SUCH NEW TOWERS. Motion carried with Larkin, Mayers, Guenthner, and Lindsley voting aye; Kluck abstaining because of the tower at the Corcoran Lions Park. John Speath expressed a concern on approving towers in residential areas for use by one residence, but not granting a tower to APT, that would be used by many individuals. There was a lengthy discussion between Jeff, Gary, and members of the audience regarding placing a moratorium after an application has been made by APT. PAUL DONNA, SPRINGSTEAD, PRESENTATION ON FINANCING OF JOINT CORCORAN/LORETTO WATER PROJECT Paul Donna was at the meeting and explained that he was present to reacquaint himself and Springstead Inc. with the Council rather than talk strictly on the Loretto/Corcoran water project. Mr. Donna spoke on the services that his company provides. He then spoke briefly on Tax Increment Financing (T.I.F.) and stated that T.I.F. has not changed significantly from last year. Mr. Donna then invited the Council to do a workshop. A lengthy discussion then took place regarding T.I.F. areas in Corcoran, how to utilize T.I.F. dollars, and the joint Corcoran/Loretto water project. There were a number of questions raised by Council regarding use of T.I.F. funds. Gary discussed what City could and could not finance with T.I.F. funds. Vince Vander Top, City Engineer, then updated Council on the progress of the City of Loretto. They have solicited 11 engineers, and will do RFQ's for three firms for design, plans, and specs for the construction of a new tower. They expect construction to begin next year. Vince stated that Loretto would still like Corcoran to be a part of the project, and that Loretto has had contact with Medina to become involved with the project. Council thanked Paul Donna for coming to the meeting. REVISED CONTRACT FOR NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER 113 Mayor Larkin introduced this item. There were no representatives present from New Life Christian Center. On a motion by Guenthner, seconded by Muck, to approve the contract for New Life Christian Center, as prepared by the City Attorney. Motion carried unanimously. CQNIINUED DISCUSSION ON COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT Gary introduced this item and presented information to the City Council on firms that are doing comprehensive plan amendments for surrounding cities. Gary explained that the City Engineer plays a vital role in the comprehensive planning process by creating the base maps for the City. Vince Vander Top reported on Bonestroo's involvement in comprehensive planning. He further explained that there needs to be a consultant or Planner to interface with Met Council during the planning process. Councilor Guenthner would like to review the information provided by Gary and would like some specific proposals at the next meeting. No action was taken. REQJILr T BY HENNEPIN RURAL UTILITIES CO-OP (HRUC) FOR RESOLUTION OF CITY SUPPORT FOR PARTNERING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA HRUC AND MPCA, AND USING CORCORAN AS THE SITE OF, THE FIRST PILOT PROJECT Paul Jacobs was present and handed out new material to the City Council regarding the new bill passed by the State Legislature. He then gave an update on the recent actions of the HRUC and explained the bill passed by the Legislature. Mr. Jacobs recommended that the Council consider a simple resolution stating an interest in the project. Councilor Lindsley asked about the size of the project. Paul explained that the systems being looked at have to be at least 20 years old. Councilor Lindsley questioned how the funding for the sites work. Paul explained that if the MPCA approved the program, they would allow the site to receive up to $5,000 for funding. The way that the program works is that the funding goes to the cooperative and they assume the responsibility of the site. The funding may only be used for construction of the system. Mayor Larkin feels that there is not a great commitment involved by expressing an interest in the pilot project. There was a lengthy discussion between members of the audience and Council regarding the following issues: • MPCA changes coming in January 1998 • Whether or not the City is getting involved with private and commercial septic systems • Taking individual liability for septic systems away and giving the liability to the cooperative • Is this the only proposal the Council is looking at; there are no other proposals out there • Duties of the Sewer Task Force, should this have gone before them first, and have the Sewer Task Force make a presentation to the Council • The focus of the Sewer Task Force being the downtown area versus the whole City • Whether or not there should be a public hearing to discuss this issue • How many homes in Corcoran have systems 20 years old or older • Distinction between Wright Hennepin Electric Co-op versus HRUC; residents have a choice of joining the HRUC • Providing alternatives for residents other than a mound system • What the proposal will cost the City of Corcoran, if anything • Why does the HRUC need the City's approval • Approval is needed in order to operate in the City according to the MPCA and Legislature 114 • At this time, there is no monetary committment by the City • Still having the option of going to a private company for fixing individual septic sites • There is no contract or binding committment with HRUC; Council still has ability to say yes or no to future expenditures • Ability to use holding tanks with failing systems and not being required to join the HRUC City Engineer, Vince Vander Top, spoke on the possibility of dividing the downtown community by some going with the co-op and some not, and how this may limit the City from coming up with an ultimate solution for the downtown district. There was a discussion on the solution that the Sewer Task Force may come up with for the downtown district and how this will effect the members who belong to the HRUC. There was a discussion between the City Engineer and Paul Jacobs regarding who the owner of the cooperative would ultimately be. On a motion by Guenthner, seconded by Larkin, to approve the requested resolution as per Paul Jacob's letter, Resolution No. 1997 - 37, A RESOLUTION THAT THE CITY OF CORCORAN IS INTERESTED IN PARTNERING WITH THE UNIVERSITY, HRUC, AND THE MPCA AS THEY DEVELOP A PILOT WATER QUALITY COOPERATIVE UNDER NEW LEGISLATION TO OWN/OPERATE ALTERNATIVE DISCHARGING SEWAGE SYSTEMS. Motion carried with Guenthner, Larkin, Lindsley, and Mayers voting aye; Muck voting no. PROPOSED LUTHERAN CHURCH ON MAPLE HILL ROAD Councilor Muck introduced a discussion on the proposed church on Maple Hill Road. Gary Eitel explained that there is a preliminary plat on the agenda for the June Planning Commission meeting for Clarence Koepp to divide his property and that the proposed site is 2.3 acres. There was a brief discussion on whether or not 2.3 acres is a large enough site for a primary and secondary septic sites, church, parsonage, and parking facilities. MAPLE HILL ESTATES - EXPAND PLAYGROUND FACILITIES Mayor Larkin introduced this item by stating he has received a letter from Maple Hill Estates to expand the playground facilities. The request is to use some of the left over money from the CDBG project that was completed in 1996 for improving Maple Hill Estates playground facility and apply it toward expanding the playground to include a tennis court/basketball court. Mayor Larkin asked if the Council will object to using the leftover funds to help fund the tennis court/basketball court that Barry Hay is proposing. The consensus of the Council was to put this item on the Agenda for the June 12, 1997 meeting. No action was taken. VINCE VANDER TOP - 66TH AVENUE AND PARK TRAIL ROAD Vince explained that he will be meeting with Pat Meister and Bob Krei regarding evaluating the roads throughout the community, come up with a needs basis, and develop options for Council consideration. No action was taken. CONSENT AGENDA 115 On a motion by Guenthner, seconded by Mayers, to approve the consent items as follows: * Approval of List of Claims #402 - 440 * Approval of the May 8, 1997 City Council Minutes * Approval of Resolution No. 1997 - 38, A RESOLUTION AWARDING THE 1997 GRAVEL BIDS * Approval of Resolution No. 1997 - 39, A RESOLUTION REVISING RESOLUTION NO. 1996 - 39, THE ISSUANCE OF A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO STEVE KOHNEN TO FACILITATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 3360 SQ. FT. ACCESSORY BUILDING ON A 73 ACRE PARCEL, LOCATED AT 23240 COUNTY ROAD 30, PID #07-119-23 14 0002 Motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT REPORT Letter from Berkley Administrators, Work Compensation Provider for Corcoran Interim Supervisor Pat Meister reported on the items that need repair according to a letter from Berkley Administrators after a routine loss control survey was conducted. The three items that need repair are: chain link fencing on Lions field in the City park, back-up alarm on the older grader, and proper warning signs attached adjacent to the control switch for the overhead garage doors. There was a discussion regarding the fencing needs at the Lions field. Larkin moved to authorize Bob and Pat to repair the fence. There was a brief discussion. Larkin withdrew his motion stating he misunderstood the complexity of the problem. On a motion by Lindsley, seconded by Guenthner, to make sure a letter is sent to Berkley Administrators by June 25, 1997, explaining that the City is taking steps to repair the three items indicated on the front page of the letter and to authorize the Public Works to obtain three quotes on fencing, a quote for the back-up alarm, resolve the switch for the overhead doors, and the repair of the merry-go-round, which has already accomplished. Motion carried unanimously. Tractor Specs Pat Meister and Bob Krei updated the Council on the specs for a new tractor. On a motion by Mayers, seconded by Muck, to put specifications out for bid on a new tractor. Motion carried unanimously. Driveway Aprons The issue of fixing driveway aprons was brought to the Council's attention. The Public Works Interim Supervisors questioned the Council of who's responsibility it is to fix the culvert and driveway apron. Vince Vander Top explained that if it would benefit the City to improve drainage by fixing the culvert, the Council should consider the City fixing the problem. No action was taken. Tiline, Crack Sealing, and StripingQuotes uotes There was a brief discussion on the need to do some additional tiling, striping quotes, and crack sealing quotes. At the Council's request, Vince stated that he will forward a recommendation to the Council for the June 12, 1997 meeting on culverts, tiling, crack sealing, and striping quotes. Grass Seed Bill There was a brief discussion on the grass seed bill that was approved at the last meeting. There was also a discussion on what the public works department is authorized to do, and what they need authorization from the Council to do. No action taken. 116 DISCUSSION Correspondence No action taken. Colleen Held - Fl w rs at City Hall Councilor Lindsley asked that Colleen Held be placed on the agenda for the June 12, 1997 meeting. Publishing Council Agenda City Clerk Doboszenski informed the Council that with the recently passed resolution putting a noon Friday deadline for agenda items, the agenda will not be published in the Crow River News. The consensus of the Council is to revise the resolution making noon Thursday be the new deadline, and have the revised resolution on the consent agenda for the June 12, 1997 meeting. ADJOURN Mayor Larkin adjourned the meeting at 10:32 p.m. ATTEST: 6 . """� - J 1 2 Mayor