HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-14 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Work Session Minutes
April 14, 2022 — 5:30 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on April 14, 2022, in Corcoran, Minnesota. The City Council work session
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 Nichols, Councilor Schultz, and Councilor Vehrenkamp were present. Councilor
Bottema was excused.
Interim City Administrator Beise, Deputy Clerk Friedrich, and City Planner Lindahl were present.
1. Call to Order /Roll Call
Mayor McKee called the work session to order at 5030 pm.
2. Code Enforcement Review and Priorities for 2022
Interim City Administrator Beise reviewed the recent history of code enforcement noting prior to 2019 code
enforcement action was initiated through complaints. Interim City Administrator Beise reviewed the code
enforcement change effective in 2019 reflected a proactive code enforcement approach initiated by the City
with annual priorities identified, along with reviewing of complaints. Interim City Administrative Beise
reviewed the current Council approach to code enforcement effective in 2021 included pausing the
proactive approach, however allowing the existing violations currently in process to continue, resuming to
the complaint -based approach regarding code enforcement activity. Interim City Administrator Beise
reviewed the current budget and previous council priorities. Council discussed obstruction and construction
debris violations and focusing on new construction developments and adhering to code. City Planner
Lindahl noted discussion of Stantec inspections monitoring as engineers are normally on -site. Council and
staff discussed options available to identify debris within stormwater ponds and adding service to future
Stantec inspections. Council noted including general police site inspections, all staff, and contracted service
staff involvement when driving by a development with noticeable violations. Council discussed next steps
available from an administrative function once a violation is present and confirmed. Council and staff
discussed notification and educational piece included within the quarterly newsletter. Council and staff
discussed confidentiality of resident complaint -based system and clarifying when complaint is considered a
consent to review violation. Council discussed independent city -based evidence on resident complaint to
confirm violation. Council noted including a form of instruction for anonymous complaints. Council and staff
discussed City process for assisting residents in property clean up with violations, and measurable
standards and timelines. Council and staff discussed liabilities and costs associated with removing junk
vehicles. Council and staff discussed remediation in situations where debris blows onto public property,
individual property, and stormwater areas. Council discussed the responsibility of debris clean up regarding
accepted, newly constructed areas by the City. Staff noted process of notification to property owners of
code compliance violation, language within the violation, and tracking ability processes. Council noted
systemic, high -density construction areas and safety issues as priorities, and subjectivity of properties in
rural areas with no available site -lines from the road. Council discussed responsibility of builder to clean up
construction debris at the end of every day and include as a stipulation in the development contract
agreement, at certificate of occupancy debris will be removed, and implementing an expectation at the pre -
construction meetings of daily construction debris clean up. Council discussed ordinance changes for
repeated violations, and fines associated with repeated violations. Council reviewed signs within right-of-
way, specifically commercial advertisement signs, the public safety issue related to location of signs, and
processes for sign removal. Interim City Administrator Beise summarized Council direction regarding code
enforcement includes complaint based by resident, a focus on sign enforcement within right-of-ways, and
overall site violations apparent to staff that are egregious or multiple, construction debris, high incidence
neighborhoods, and blocked sidewalks. Council noted prioritizing ordinances by level of offense with sweep
focuses and reviewing historical, reported violations. City Planner Lindahl noted identifying violation through
Council direction, for example tall grass or junk vehicles, noting a property could be flagged for several
violations, or a single, specific violation priority based upon Council direction. Council discussed violations
and complaints, status of Hennepin County court dates regarding violations, and focus on compliance for
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the most offensive violations within the City. Council and staff discussed zoning action of code enforcement
versus police action and noted the difficulties of police staff enforcing abatement while also maintaining
public safety. Council discussed including code enforcement violation communication to residents within
the summer quarterly newsletter and monthly utility bills. Council directed staff in code compliance
enforcement goals for 2022.
3. Unscheduled Items
No unscheduled business was heard.
4. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Vehrenkamp to adjourn.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 4:0)
Meeting adjourned at 6:31 pm.
Michelle Friedrich —Deputy Clerk