HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-22 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council MIFULUs
December 22, 2022 — 7:00 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on December 22, 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 Nichols, and Councilor Vehrenkamp were present. Councilor Bottema and
Councilor Schultz were excused.
City Administrator Beise, Planner McKeown, Public Works Director Mattson, and Director of Public Safety
Gottschalk 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.
3. Agenda Approval
ition of item 9c, Trail Haven Bridge Replacement, the addition of 10e,
City Administrator Beise noted the add
Police Officer Hiring Process, and the addition of 11 b, Resolution Recognizing the Holiday Toy and Food
Drive. Council requested City Administrator Beise to announce the new Administrative Services Director.
City Administrator Beise noted Kathy Hughes as the new Administrative Services Director and noted Kathy's
years of experience in the Sheriff's Office as well as the City of Minneapolis.
MOTION: made by Vehrenkamp, seconded by Nichols to approve the agenda as amended.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
4. Commission Representatives
Mayor McKee noted Planning Commissioner Brummond and Parks and Trails Commissioner Anderson
were in attendance virtually.
5. Open Forum (Public Comment Opportunity)
Mayor McKee invited residents to communicate in -person or telephonically during Open Forum for items
not included on the agenda. City Administrator 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 residents participated in the public comment opportunity.
6. Presentations/Recognitions
a. Year in Review
City Administrator Beise reviewed City, Council, and staff accomplishments throughout the year for 2022
and noted City events, the Primary and General Elections, the broadband grant, the police 3-year labor
agreement, water supply planning, hopeful for federal funding for infrastructure, the Trail Haven Road
Bridge Replacement, developments within the City including the NAPA store, Nelson International,
Corcoran Farms Business Park, the WH Electric substation, Cook Highland Lakes project, and the St.
Therese project. City Administrator Beise thanked the community and Council for their support.
7. Consent Agenda
a. 2022-06-09 Draft Council Minutes
b. Financial Claims
c. Resolution Calling for the Tax Abatement Hearing Adopted by City
Council*
d. ADU Zoning Ordinance Amendment
Council requested item 7d be pulled for further review.
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MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Vehrenkamp, to approve agenda items 7a-c as presented.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
Council discussed additional connection charges for sewer capacity in the MUSA or water line access fees,
and park dedication fees for additional dwelling units included as part of the existing platted property and
should fees be considered as part of and ADU application. Planner McKeown noted an ADU is supposed to
be part of the principal structure and not something that is easily separated out as property is not supposed
to be able to be subdivided which is the reason there wouldn't be an additional charge. Planner McKeown
added the ADU is not meant to house another family and is typically utilized to house an older child with
disabilities, or elderly parents. Council and staff discussed size limit of accessory structures and rear yard
setbacks within rural residential zoning districts. Council and staff discussed the future rental ordinance and
noted ADU's would be subject to the rental ordinance if rented to anon -family member.
IN: made by McKee, seconded by Nichols, to amend Ordinance 2022-472 Standard 10 and correct
typo from most to must throughout ordinance.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
TI N: made by Nichols, seconded by Vehrenkamp, to approve agenda items 7d as amended.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
l i usi s ( ublic oen ortniy)
Mayor McKee noted Public Hearing Comment Opportunities on item 8a-b and invited residents to
communicate in -person or telephonically during the public comment opportunity for Planning Business. City
Administrator 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 residents
participated in the public comment opportunity.
a. Park Dedication Ordinance Amendment
City Administrator Beise reviewed the Park Dedication Amendment and noted changes to the fee schedule
referencing commercial and industrial properties calculated per acre rather than per unit. City Administrator
Beise noted review of sale data per county records, and noted the update is based on sales data and
reflects a slight increase for most land use categories and a decrease for high -density residential.
OTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Vehrenkamp,. to adopt Ordinance 2022-474 Amending the Text
of Title IX of the Corcoran City Code Related to Park Dedication (City File 22-065).
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
Staff noted Summary Ordinance 2022-475 would be brought to Council as a consent agenda item on the
January 12, 2023, for 4/5 vote approval.
b. Concept Plan —Red Barn Pet Retreat
Planner McKeown reviewed the concept plan and noted the parcel is located at the northwest corner of
Stieg Road and County Road 101. Planner McKeown reviewed the components of the request, the revised
plans, and summarized key points where Council feedback is necessary. Planner McKeown noted Red
Barn Retreat is an existing business further west of proposed location on Stieg Road. Planner McKeown
reviewed this concept plan would be an expansion, a second location for the applicant. Planner McKeown
noted the changes to the revised plan and noted there was an access location that has now been removed.
Planner McKeown noted the proposed access as well as an additional access point for the Red Barn Pet
Retreat off Stieg road, that would conflict with an existing turn lane. Planner McKeown noted applicant has
proposed a roll fenced -in areas, which conflicts with the use as a commercial kennel. Planner McKeown
noted the fence on this west side appears short of the required 25-foot setback. Planner McKeown reviewed
the changes to the east elevation, and noted there was a second wall sign that was removed. Planner
McKeown noted the applicant added a second architectural element to break up the mass of the building by
having a change in color. Planner McKeown noted sketch for the entire plat for the development if the parcel
were to get subdivided into nine lots. Planner McKeown noted the greenhouse potential user to the west,
and then vet clinic to the east along County Road 101. Staff comment noted the vet clinic does not have
direct access to a street and would not be able to get, direct access to one on one, so a redesign of the lots
is important so that the vet has direct access to the internal roadway, so traffic isn't routed through the
a
parking lot to get into the vet clinic. Planner McKeown noted discussion topics, with the main question of, is
Council open to a commercial kennel at this specific location, noting it would require either a comprehensive
plan amendment and rezoning to commercial, or a zoning ordinance amendment to allow commercial
kennels in the 1-1 industrial district. Planner McKeown reviewed the potential greenhouse user and noted
that a greenhouse would be allowed in a commercial district but is not currently allowed in industrial.
Planner McKeown reviewed if Council is open to one or both uses, what is Council's preference to see that
change made. Planner McKeown requested Council comment on the analysis of the layout of the
preliminary plat and proposed parking formula for the commercial kennel, and noted the City doesn't call
out commercial kennels in the parking table, with the closest use proposed would be a vet clinic, and noted
the amount of parking spaces that would result seemed excessive. Planner McKeown referred to the
American Planning Association documents, and if those calculations are administered, the revised
application would comply.
Daniel Benjamin, 19250 Stieg Road, Applicant, reviewed potential traffic and entrance and exit routes, and
the parameters of the concept sketch plan.
Council discussed and provided feedback to the applicant regarding the concept sketch plan. Council noted
buffering possibilities with commercial rather than industrial zoning on the proposed site. Council and staff
discussed project phases, traffic, public safety, landscaping, stormwater, and road access to businesses.
9. Unfinished Business
Mayor McKee noted Public Hearing Comment Opportunities on item 9a-c, and invited residents to
communicate in -person or telephonically during the public comment opportunity for Unfinished Business.
City Administrator 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 residents
participated in the public comment opportunity.
a. 2023 Goal Setting
City Administrator Beise reviewed the goal setting cost of $1,900 with some minor printing costs for a
facilitator to host the goal setting process. City Administrator Beise noted Tuesday, January 17, as a
potential date for the goal setting session. Council discussed the goal setting process, and removing some
items from the goal setting,
ft OTIO : made by McKee, seconded by Nichols engage Phil Kern for strategic goal setting services for
2023.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
b. 2023 Fee Schedule
City Administrator Beise reviewed the proposed 2023 Fee Schedule changes and noted additional verbiage
regarding the recreational vehicle permit at $10 per year/$30 every three years. City Administrator Beise
noted some changes to the building permits fees to reflect costs appropriately. Council noted water billing
issues by residents. City Administrator Beise clarified the change that finance was proposing for base fees
is related to SAC units, and it is something that staff recommends changing when you have a commercial
use. City Administrator Beise noted there is an equivalent to individual house use, and we have a
determination from the Met Council on how much sewer usage residential is going to have. City
Administrator Beise noted generally sewer usage is related to water usage, because what's going down the
sewer is generally related to water, so changing our base fees to reflect that to make sure we're capturing
the right amount to make sure amounts incurred are encapsulated in the base fees for the maintenance or
the system was the idea behind it. City Administrator Beise noted it is a policy decision for the for the
Council. Council and staff discussed implementing a policy that allows for non-residential water users.
MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Vehrenkamp, to adopt Ordinance 2022-476 2023 Fee Schedule.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
c. Trail Haven Road Bid Award
Public Works Director Mattson reviewed the construction phases and noted the recent authorization to
procure the actual concrete culverts separately to fast track the project. Public Works Director Mattson the
mail delivery issue, and noted the roads reopened by the end of November. Public Works Director Mattson
noted approximately $30,000 of local costs for the project, with the Notice of Award in the amount of
$19416010
MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Vehrenkamp, to authorize the Notice of Award to Nullah
Contracting for the construction of the bridge in the amount of $194 604.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
10. New Business
Mayor IN invited residents to communicate in -person or telephonically during the public comment
opportunity for New Business items 10a-d. City Administrator 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 period.
a. Cropland Rental — Tax Implication and Discussion
City Administrator Beise reviewed the cropland rental and tax implication discussion and noted the
County has changed its policy related to payment in lieu of taxes and that has created a different type
of tax burden for the renter of the City's current croplands and creating a significant tax burden not
envisioned by the City or the applicant. Council and staff discussed options and future cropland
rentals. Council provided staff direction to pay the tax burden for cropland rental parcels and cancel
year two of the 2-year contract.
b. Highway 55 Coalition
City Administrator Beise reviewed the Highway 55 Coalition cost of $500 for membership. Council
discussed aspects of membership.
MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Vehrenkamp, to authorize staff to enroll the City in a membership
to the Highway 55 Coalition in the amount of $500 for dues as required.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
c. Building Division Job Descriptions
MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Vehrenkamp, to approve Resolution 2022-147 Amending the
Organizational Structure of the Public Works Department.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
d. Call for Work Sessions — Finance Assistance/Partnership Requests and Buffer Yard Transition
Ordinance and PUD Standards
Council and staff reviewed potential work session topics. Mayor McKee called work sessions for
Police Retention and Recruitment on January 12, 2023, at 5:30 pm.
e. Police Officer Hiring Process
Director of Public Safety Gottschalk reviewed Council discussions from September 8, and noted the
Council authorized staff to begin a police officer hiring process for a budgeted 2023 police officer
position. Director of Public Works Gottschalk noted a preferred candidate has been selected and staff
are seeking a formal authorization from the Council to extend the final job offer or lateral entry subject
for approval by the Mayor and the City Administrator. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk also
informed Council, staff received notice that one of our current police officers has a conditional offer
from another police agency and intends to resign from the Corcoran Police Department. Director of
Public Safety Gottschalk requested authorization to reopen the police officer hiring process for a full-
time police officer with a continuous review process.
MOTION: made by McKee, seconded by Nichols to authorize staff to extend a lateral job entry offer to
the preferred candidate and authorize staff to being the hiring process for the full-time police officer.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
11. Staff Reports
a. Active Corcoran Planning Applications; Council received report.
b. Holiday Toy and Food Drive
Parks and Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck reviewed the Holiday Toy and Food Drive and noted
amounts of toys and food collected during the event. Council thanked staff for their work on the event.
MOTION: made by Vehrenkamp, seconded by Nichols, to approve Resolution 2022-149 Recognizing the
Holiday Toy and Food Drive Donations.
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Council requested further discussion.
Motion made by Vehrenkamp withdrawn, seconded by Nichols withdrawn.
Council noted setting a date for next year and discussing potential budgets at a January 2023 meeting.
MOTION: made by Vehrenkamp, seconded by Nichols, to approve Resolution 2022-149 Recognizing the
Holiday Toy and Food Drive Donations.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
12. 2022-23 Council Schedule
Council received schedule.
13. Adjournment
MOTION: made by McKee, seconded by Nichols to adjourn.
Voting Aye: McKee, Nichols, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 3:0)
Meeting adjourned at 9217 pm on December 22, 2022.
Michelle Friedrich —City Clerk
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