HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-03 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Goal Setting Work Session Minutes
January 3, 2024 — 5:30 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on January 3, 2024, in Corcoran, Minnesota. The City Council work session
meeting was held in person and remotely through electronic means using the audio and video conferencing
platform Zoom.
Mayor McKee, Councilor Bottema, Councilor Nichols, Councilor Schultz, and CouncilorVehrenkampwere
present.
City Administrator Tobin, City Clerk Friedrich, Director of Public Safety Gottschalk, Public Works Director
Mattson, and Administrative Services Director Hughes were present.
1. Call to Order / Roll Call
Mayor McKee called the work session to order at 5:30 pm.
2. Goal Setting 2024
City Administrator Tobin reviewed Core Strategies 1-5 with Council. Council discussed opportunities for
Bellwether boardwalk, and development of a park plan for 2025, making progress with the boardwalk and
setting a measurable for item. City Administrator Tobin noted Parks and Trails Commission indicated
working with the Three Rivers Park District for additional trails, space definitions, and updating park
standards. Council questioned priority including Three River Park District trails as a goal, when Three
Rivers Park District is separate entity. Council noted as trails come in, prioritizing the space and trails as
they are brought in for improvement and is more of an opportunistic objective. Council noted including a
measurable on the open space park behind the Ravinia neighborhood, noted possible parking and access
from the neighborhood. Council noted support of development of open space parks and noted not waiting
until the development is complete before parks are constructed. City Administrator Tobin noted discussion
of trails as essential component before housing is built and eliminates the surprise of having a trail
constructed once the neighborhood is constructed. City Administrator Tobin noted encouraging developers
to have the trails built prior to, or as the development is being constructed. Council discussed including park
development within PUDs and as a contingency requirement. Public Works Director Mattson noted it is
important to have a policy decision, and a shift could be implemented but needs. Council noted difficulty of
incorporating elements after the development is completed and resident perception of non-existent trails
when trails, parks, boardwalks, etc., are in proximity to their houses. City Administrator Tobin noted Parks
and Trails Commission's request for review of updated Parks and Trails standards. Council noted including
paths from existing trails to auxiliary trails. Council and staff discussed following a plan for park locations,
intention of establishing parks, and establishing parks earlier in the development process. City
Administrator Tobin noted including clarifying expectations of parks standards. Council requested an
updated draft to Council by the end of the first quarter of 2024. City Administrator Tobin noted City Park,
Bellwether boardwalk, and the open space park near Ravinia and Old Sturbridge neighborhoods and
including a progress status report to Council. Council requested on update on Park Fund balance. Council
discussed MET Council language on density requirements and review initial development requirements for
Corcoran. Council noted original density of the MET Council sewer system as 3 houses per acre. Council
discussed density of 3 houses per acre, and that Corcoran can bank higher density areas against lower
density areas and updating the City Code. Council noted example of high-rise apartment buildings and low -
density residential area. Council reviewed enhancing Corcoran's sense of identity and out how to develop
and use higher density areas against lower density areas. Council noted moving away from 3-5 houses per
acre density and balancing housing with parks areas dependent upon neighborhood or development
needs. Council noted the open space and the new PUD ordinance feature, with limiting factor to sustain
infrastructure. Council noted review of the Hope Concept Plan to review high -density and low -density areas
of the project. City Administrator Tobin noted Planning Commission and Council training would be
beneficial for a better understanding of MET Council workings in a joint work session and could be a
measurable for policies and planning for the future. Council noted scheduling joint work sessions with both
commissions. Council discussed including a caveat with the joint session with the MET Council of
knowledge of information for insight of what is possible, and not a requirement for what the City can do.
Council and staff noted including the MET Council but making sure there is a separation of thought. Council
discussed Code should be rewritten to allow Council to utilize density numbers less than 3 houses per acre
and include only under HUD agreements. Council discussed developer likelihood of building with 2 homes
or less per acre. Council noted including the Bellwether boardwalk as a measurable, along with City Park.
PW Director Mattson noted HKGi was hired to review City Park and boardwalk. Council noted a plan
creation goal of City Park and Bellwether boardwalk. Council noted open space parks could include
standard templates as a goal. Public Works Director Mattson noted the difference between the Ravinia
open space park and the Bellwether boardwalk open space park with trails.
Core Strategy 2
Council and staff discussed City implementing a goal plan for trails maintenance in 2024. Council noted
calculating the cost for each mile of maintenance and creating a plan for long-term trail maintenance. Public
Works Director Mattson noted identifying which trails are priorities and including flexibility in policy. Council
noted trails clearing would be a lower priority item under snow removal. Public Works Director Mattson
noted trail maintenance should be reviewed annually regarding priority, and population. Council requested
draft policy be sent to Council on trails snow removal. Council discussed need for a simple trail snow
removal policy. City Administrator Tobin reviewed examples of snow removal budget being over budget
with no trails being maintained on staff overtime. City Administrator Tobin noted ice on trails may be a
potential liability and budgeting is very difficult with equipment and staffing. City Administrator Tobin noted
setting precedence of expectations regarding trails. Public Works Director Mattson noted the complexity of
maintenance with paved and gravel roads. Council discussed language change including implementing
plan of winter trail maintenance by the third quarter of 2024. Public Works Director Mattson will resend draft
of policy.
Core Strategy 3
Staff reviewed measurable of crosswalks standards policy and noted the measurables have been met
regarding crosswalk at Bellwether. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk reviewed measurables of license
plate readers. Council noted future work session on the LPR cameras. Council and staff discussed action
steps of phase 1 of fire service action plan. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk reviewed need for a work
session topic on fire service. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk reviewed tasks of longer -term planning
and technical needs of fire safety personnel. Council noted adding a measurable on call volume and not
property value and reorienting boundaries with the Rogers Fire Department. Director of Public Safety
Gottschalk noted West Metro Fire Department and union of Loretto and Hamel fire departments. Council
noted correspondence with Maple Grove of a change in status regarding providing fire services to
Corcoran. Council noted interviewing, analysis, and discovery of options for fire services in Corcoran and
developing a comprehensive review of fire services. Councilor Bottema noted he would like to research and
bring options back to staff and Council regarding fire services. Council noted review of standards and
criteria for fire services benefits and coverage and how it will be implemented, and noted an example of
response time to calls. City Administrator Tobin noted including planning (under goal 3) to include a
measurable as a needs and capabilities research study to review with Council. Council noted review of a
perception change for type of injuries for response time, and from a patient perception and time response
of non -emergency or emergency calls. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted service expectations at a
community level and clarifying Council direction on policy. Council noted including medical ambulatory
service providers in the area in fire services discussions. Council noted providing data and effort info future
fire service planning. Council and staff discussed updating measurable to include in quarter three, a review
of recent fire services data options. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted review of subcommittee
standards and what is changing, and analyzing what is being reexamined to avoid duplication. Council
noted review of coverage of medical with additional data provided by Councilor Bottema at a work session
in quarter three and include as a measurable. Council and staff discussed changing goal 3 to intentional
planning for fire and rescue, and first responder services, and add to measurables Reviewing and
reassessing in quarter three.
Council briefly discussed short-term goals for K9 officer. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted the
political aspect of Council to continue with the K9 unit. Council and staff discussed risks and benefits of a
K9 unit. Council noted a measurable for second or third quarter. City Administrator Tobin noted cost of K9
unit and difference in services provided. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted 45 percent of
deployments were in Corcoran for the K9 unit, and further clarified other crime prevention utilization of the
K9 unit. Council noted effective use of time and clarification for separate positions within the City
substantiated by data by City Administrator Tobin. Council discussed possibility of dual training, a long-term
staff handler, and reviewing later in the 2024 fiscal year.
Core Strategy 4
Council noted ongoing commercial/industrial work. Council noted discussion of home occupation and
restrictive code regarding qualifying factors for a home occupation license. Council noted a work session to
review what should be included within a home occupation license. City Administrator Tobin noted on
January 25, planning will be providing information on planning process. City Administrator Tobin noted
escrow review processes and contracts, to ensure efficient and effective processes, zoning, and financial
and development modeling update to comp plan. Council noted Strong Towns as a possible vendor to
provide financial and development modeling. Council and staff discussed fiscal disparities, managed
growth, and diversity in terms of tax base. City Administrator Tobin noted financial modeling and then
nuances of character that Corcoran desires in the future comp plan to attract businesses to contribute to
the tax base while maintaining the rural character. Council discussed setting a goal of establishing financial
modeling. Council and staff discussed continued review of zoning around commercial/industrial. City
Administrator Tobin noted researching market for financial modeling and reporting to Council as a goal for
the first quarter.
Core Strategy 5
Council goal noted maximizing interest income and discussing at the March 14 work session. City
Administrator Tobin and Mayor McKee will schedule a meeting and reach out to existing properties on land
acquisitions. Council noted land acquisition of net building of 30 acres or more for expansion. Council noted
a space needs study will need to be completed at some point. Council and staff discussed internal
engineering for project management and oversight as a goal. Council discussed unintentional bias of our
contracted planner advocating for the building industry and acceptance of building projects within the City.
City Administrator Tobin noted time to review current staffing and future staffing needs so present staffing
model aligns with Council's perception. Council noted bringing engineering, building inspections, code
inspections, planning internally, and review of budget priorities regarding staff implementations in second
quarter. Council and staff discussed goals for municipal services.
Council and staff discussed adopting the modified goals and strategies at the January 11, 2024, Council
meeting. Council noted review of strategies in September of each year rather than later in the year. City
Administrator Tobin noted immediate action in 2024 would be the best time to reflect on 2025 goals, rather
than setting the budget in the prior year and then strategies in the following year. Council was open to a 2.
year planning cycle.
3. Unscheduled Items
No unscheduled business was heard.
4. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Vehrenkamp to adjourn.
Voting Aye: McKee, Bottema, Nichols, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 5:0)
Meeting adjourned at 8:08 pm.
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Michelle Friedrich —City Clerk