HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-10 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Meeting Minutes
March 103 2022 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on March 10, 2022, in Corcoran, Minnesota. The City Council meeting was held
in person and the public was present in person and remotely through electronic means using the audio and
video conferencing platform Zoom.
Mayor McKee, Councilor Bottema, Councilor Nichols, Councilor Schultz, and Councilor Vehrenkamp were
present. Councilor Bottema was excused.
Interim City Administrator Beise, Deputy Clerk Friedrich, Public Works Director Mattson, Director of Public
Safety Gottschalk, City Planner Lindahl and Finance Manager Ung were present.
1. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mayor McKee called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor McKee invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Agenda Approval
Interim City Administrator Beise noted updated Minutes with clerical corrections, and an engagement letter
from Baker Tilly.
MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Schultz to approve the agenda as modified.
Voting Aye: McKee, Bottema, Nichols, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 5:0)
Commission Representatives
Mayor McKee noted Planning Commissioner Brummond and Parks and Trails Commissioner Strehler were
present.
5. Open Forum (Public (;ommentOpportunity)
Mayor McKee invited residents to communicate in -person or telephonically during Open Forum. Interim
City Administrator Beise explained the instructions to
participate in the meeting via the Zoom videorma o f
t
pd comment
aicipatein the public Opportunity.
and reviewed instructions for participation in the meeting t
rt
Presentations/Recognitions
6.
hrough telephone or computer. No residents
a. POlice Department Swearing In
i. Police Officer Anderson
Mayor McKee reviewed Officer Anderson's previous work experience.
Deputy Clerk Friedrich administered the Police Officer Oath to Officer Anderson and acknowledged
Officer Anderson duly sworn in. Staff and Council welcomed Officer Anderson to the City of Corcoran
Police Department.
ii. Police Sergeant Andress
Mayor McKee reviewed Officer Anderson's previous work experience.
Deputy Clerk Friedrich administered the Police Officer Oath to Officer Andress and acknowledged
Officer Andress duly sworn in. Staff and Council welcomed Officer Andress to the City of Corcoran
POIice Department.
Council thanked all Corcoran Police Officers for their service.
b. IDEAL Energies — Proposal for On -Site Solar
Brandon Salum and Scott Bosacker, IDEAL Energies representatives, introduced the solar panel company,
philosophy, organizational structure, and IDEAL Energies solar panel purchasing model. Mr. Salum
reviewed rooftop solar panel advantages, kilowatts per hour, and incentives to save. Mr. Salum reviewed
purchase price, tax benefits, and power purchasing agreement. Mr. Salum noted a solar panel life span
includes a 25-year warranty, and ownership of the array begins on day one after installation. Council
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discussed number of solar panels allowed in Corcoran for commercial and residential, and years of life left
for the Public Works facility. Council noted unknown factors regarding solar panels as the technology is new
within the last ten years. Council discussed utility rates and potential increases regarding IDEAL Energies
purchasing model. Council discussed end of life recycling of solar panels, City Code, and the current solar
panel moratorium. Council discussed time involved in analyzing and reviewing proposal for solar panels,
sustainability value, and project monetary thresholds. Council requested additional information from IDEAL
Energies.
7. Consent Agenda
a. Draft February 10 and 24, 2022 Council Minutes
b. Financial Claims
c. County Road 10 and Walnut Lane Turn Lane Improvements —Accept and Authorize Bids
d. Authorize Land Acquisition Process for Water Tower Site
e. Redistricting and Polling Place Resolution
f. Open Book Virtual Meeting Dates
g. Sale of City Equipment -- Zamboni
h. Approve Parks and Trails Commission Seat
Council requested further discussion of item 7d., and 7h.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Vehrenkamp to approve agenda items 7a-c., and 7e-g, as
presented.
Voting Ave: McKee, Bottema, Nichols, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 5:0)
Council and staff discussed item 7d., and requested further discussion of $5,000 cost. Council and staff
reviewed the $5,000 cost breakdown would be for an appraisal of the property. Public Works Director
Mattson noted engaging the property owner and positioning the City to refine the numbers regarding a land
acquisition process. Public Works Director Mattson noted it is not a decision to purchase.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Nichols to approve the consent agenda item 7d., authorizing staff
to begin the land acquisition process for the water tower site in the amount of $5,000.
Voting Aye: McKee, Bottema, Nichols, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 500)
MOTION: made by McKee, seconded by Vehrenkamp appointing Lisa Wyffels to the Parks and Trails
Commission for term expiring on February 28, 2025. Council thanked Ms. Wyffels for her interest in serving
on the Parks and Trails Commission.
Voting Aye: McKee, Bottema, Nichols, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 5:0)
Planning Business (Public Comment Opportunity)
No Planning Business items were heard.
Unfinished Business (Public Comment Opportunity)
Mayor McKee invited residents to communicate in -person or telephonically during the public comment
opportunity for Unfinished Business. Interim City Administrator Beise noted no public cor ment cards were
received. Interim City Administrator Beise the instructions to participate in the 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. Work Plan for City Code Updates
Interim City Administrator Beise reviewed work plan goals regarding the City Code updates from the Council
February 10 work session, noted priority items regarding the code updates, and initial steps to begin the
process of updating the City Code. Interim City Administrator Beise noted front yard definition, public notice
policy, primary accessory structures, and review of private driveways are topics of discussion for work
sessions. Mayor McKee called work session meetings on May 12, May 26, and June 23. Council noted
impact to resident with a current fencing code violation and waiting until the third quarter of 2022 for front
yard definition discussion. Interim City Administrator Beise noted follow up with the city attorney to review
any detrimental impacts to resident. Council provided staff feedback to execute work plan as proposed.
b. Public Works Staffing — Phase 2A
Interim City Administrator Beise outlined the reorganization of Public Works was discussed and supported
in July of 2021. Interim City Administrator Beise reviewed Phase 1 positions and noted Phase 2A includes
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internal hiring for a permit technician position, and backfilling existing admin assistant position. Interim City
Administrator Beise reviewed Phase 2B includes a development superintendent position, and a Public
Works administrative assistant position anticipated to be combined with another administration department
position already approved in 2022 budget (title to be determined). Public Works Director Mattson reviewed
demands on current positions and staff time regarding permitting are growing and demand is likely to
continue into the foreseeable future. Council and staff discussed the department organizational changes
and costs.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz to approve Resolution 2022-20 Amending the
Organizational Structure of the Public Works Department as presented.
Voting Aye: McKee, Bottema, Nichols, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 5:0)
10. New Business (Public Comment Opportunity)
Mayor McKee invited residents to participate in person and telephonically to comment on New Business,
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. No
persons participated in the public comment opportunity.
a. Residential Picketing Ordinance
Interim City Administrator Beise reviewed past Council discussion regarding a residential picketing
ordinance and requested Council feedback on drafting ordinance. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted
consistency in ordinance with appropriate safety measures in place within residential neighborhoods and
clarifying appropriate locations for residential picketing within community. Council and staff discussed
definition of residential areas. Department of Public Safety Gottschalk noted potential hazards may include a
neighborhood with one entrance in and out of neighborhood. Council provided staff direction to move
forward with drafting a residential picketing ordinance.
b. Government Fee Analysis Proposal
Interim City Administrator Beise reviewed history of study, noted fee analysis of building fees related to new
development, and recommendation to utilize Baker Tilly to complete the fee analysis study.
MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Schultz to Baker Tilly to complete a government fee analysis
study.
Voting Aye: McKee, Bottema, N
(Motion carried 5:0)
chols
i, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
11. 2022 City Council Schedule
Council received 2022 schedule, noting the NE District Design Guidelines on March 15, 2022.
12. Adjournment
MOTION: made by McKee, seconded by Schultz to adjourn.
Voting Aye: McKee, Bottema, Nichols, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 5:0)
Meeting adjourned at 8:29 pm.
Michelle Friedrich —Deputy Clerk
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