HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-02-22 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Minutes
February 22, 2024 — 7:00 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on February 22, 2024, 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.
City Administrator Tobin, City Clerk Friedrich, Planner Davis McKeown, Public Works Director Mattson, Direct
of Public Safety Gottschalk, and Administrative Services Director Hughes 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
City Administrator Tobin noted moving agenda item 6a Zeke Recognition to 5a; the addition of the Draft
Work Session Minutes February 8, 2024 for 7a; and Draft Regular Council Minutes February 8, 2024, for 7b,
item 7f Appoint Planning Commissioners, to include the additional applications noted revised agenda
received; the addition of Draft Regular Council Minutes March 9, 20232 a revision to 71, regarding date of
service on Resolution 2024-12; tabling on 7m Conference Room Video/Audio Cameras to the March 14
Council meeting; the addition of information on 7o Lead Service Line Inventory Engagement Request
(Minnesota Department of Health); the addition of item 7q Public Works Facility Fund Closeout; and tabling
item 8b, 610 Extension, to a future Council meeting.
MOTION: made by Vehrenkamp, seconded by Nichols to approve the agenda as modified.
Voting Aye: McKee, Schultz, Bottema, Vehrenkamp, and Nichols.
(Motion carried 5:0)
4. Commission Representatives
Mayor McKee noted Planning Commissioner Lanterman and Parks and Trails Commissioner Strehler were
present.
5. Presentations/Recognitions
a. Zeke Recognition (K9 Unit)
Council recognized Police Canine Zeke for his years of service from June 2018 through December 2023,
and referenced 193 deployments, and an official retirement date of December 18, 2023. Council
acknowledged the outstanding work and service to the City of Corcoran and surrounding communities.
6. Open Forum (Public Comment Opportunity)
Mayor McKee invited residents to communicate in -person during Open Forum for items not included on the
agenda. Mayor McKee noted the removal of item 8b 610 Extension by the applicant. City Administrator
Tobin explained the instructions to participate in the public comment opportunity.
Angie Bottema, 10500 Trailhaven Road, opined on agenda item 8a Hope CPA, RZ, PP, PUD, and noted
support of the project. Ms. Bottema noted she has observed Hope Community Church is a good neighbor
and is a venue for many community events and opined on the thought and consideration of the community
by Hope Church regarding the project being reviewed by Council this evening.
7. Consent Agenda
a. February 8, 2024 DRAFT Work Session Minutes
b. February 8, 2024 DRAFT Regular Council Minutes
c. Financial Claims February 22, 2024
d. Water Tower — Pay Request 10
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e. Life Cycle Replacement of Council Chamber Chairs
f. Appoint Planning Commissioners
g. Construction Hours Update
h. Lister Garage CUP (City file 23-028)
i. Temporary Liquor Licenses -Corcoran Lions
j. March 9, 2023 DRAFT Regular Council Minutes
K. Staff Report on K-9 Program
I. Resolution 2024-12 Zeke K-9 Unite Recognition of Service
m. Conference Room Video/Audio Cameras
n. Water Treatment Plant —Change Order 1
o. Lead Service Line Inventory —Engagement Request (Minnesota Department of Health)
p. Current City Organization Chart
q. Public Works Facility Fund Closeout
Council requested items 7e, 7f, 7g, and 7k be pulled for further discussion.
MOTION: made by Bottema, to approve items 7a4 7h-j, 71-0, as presented.
City Administrator Tobin noted addition of the Public Works Facility Fund Closeout in Consent Agenda
Items. City Clerk Friedrich noted the Public Works Facility Fund Closeout is item 7q. City Administrator
Tobin noted item 7m was tabled and transferred to the Council Agenda on March 14, 2024, but remains on
the agenda as the February 22 Council Agenda was previously published to include item 7m.
(Motion fails for lack of second).
Mayor McKee withdrew his original move to Motion.
MOTION: made by McKee, seconded by Nichols, to approve items
7a
Regarding item 7e, Council noted the depleted 7-year depreciation schedule on the Council Chamber
chairs and discussed the $4,000 request by staff to replace the Council and staff chairs for the Council
Chambers. Council discussed replacing the staff Council Chambers chairs if necessary. Council discussed
the usage of the Council Chambers and chairs by staff as a conference room and noted staff usage Of the
Council Chamber chairs. Council discussed the chair age and noted chairs over 20 years old can still be
useful.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded Bottema to deny purchase of chairs for Council Chambers as
presented. Council noted staff may bring back an amendment to the request for Council to review again and
include an estimate on Council Chamber chairs for staff only.
Voting Aye: Schultz, Bottema, Vehrenkamp, and Nichols Nay: McKee
(Motion carried 4:1)
Council noted review of Herman Miller chairs.
Regarding 7f, Council noted the two vacancies on Planning Commission and made a recommendation to
appoint two applicants to the vacant seats.
MOTION: made by McKee, seconded by Bottema, to appoint Cecelia Kozicky and Peter Hargraves to the
vacant Planning Commission seats for a term ending February 28, 2027.
Voting Aye: McKee, Schultz, Bottema, Vehrenkamp, and Nichols.
(Motion carried 5:0)
Regarding 7g, Council discussed including construction hour signs as part of the building agreement with
developers. City Administrator Tobin noted signs were deployed only when needed, with very few
complaints regarding construction hours in 2023. Planner McKeown noted with the decrease in complaints
over 2023, signs were not necessary, as no complaints have been received in the last year. Planner Davis
McKeown noted a significant reduction in complaints from 2022 to 2023. Planner Davis McKeown added
staff was developing a sign policy during the transition of leadership last year, however, the policy would still
need to be completed. Council and staff discussed the threshold for deploying the construction hour signs.
Council and staff discussed sign cost of approximate $90 per sign in 2022. Planner Davis McKeown noted
discussions with the city attorney regarding infringement of Free Speech rights by requiring developers to
include city initiated hours within their construction rule signs. Planner Davis McKeown noted it would be
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beneficial to have a policy regarding complaints received within developments and documentation of
violations. Planner Davis McKeown noted recent successes with concerns regarding construction hours,
and developers and on -site managers engaging to resolve some resident concerns directly without
management by the City. Council noted maximizing where digital signs are located with the example of St.
Therese construction area with a City digital sign. City Administrator Tobin noted refining the policy in the
first phase, and three complaints for city engagement with developer to deploy a sign, and secondary phase
on requiring builders to include within developer signage. Planner McKeown requested a timeline for
implementing a draft policy for sign deployment. Council noted incentivizing builders to include in
development signs. City Administrator Tobin noted staff would bring back to a future Council meeting.
Planner McKeown noted code may not allow for placement of signs within current development agreements.
Council and staff discussed placing signs into communities where development agreements are already in
place. Council provided staff with direction.
Regarding 7k, Council reviewed canine program and if the canine program results reflect a decrease in
crime in the city. Council reviewed the canine program statistics and noted of the 193 deployments, 78
included charges, and 87 were deployments in the City of Corcoran. Council noted Plymouth, Rogers, and
Maple Grove have canine units. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted the canine unit in Corcoran is a
regional asset dispatched throughout the surrounding communities. Council and staff discussed future
training needs for the canine unit, a future work session regarding type of dog desired, training, timelines,
and the canine unit program costs. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted including the City of Corcoran
in fall training classes and opening the canine unit handler to interested officers. Council noted clarification
of language of the canine unit being property of the City of Corcoran, with guidelines for years of service,
health of canine, remaining service with handler, and expectations of being a dedicated canine handler.
Council noted creating a pro -rating based on years of service for purchasing the canine at the end of service
life. Council provided staff with direction.
B. Planning Business (Public Comment Opportunity)
Mayor McKee invited residents to communicate in -person during the Public Comment Opportunity for items
in Planning Business. City Administrator Tobin explained the instructions to participate in the public
comment opportunity.
George Gmach, 22600 Oakdale Drive, commented on historical summary of homes in Corcoran, and noted
in 1980 the comprehensive plan was implemented with a goal to preserve the ag community and farmland.
Mr. Gmach noted the goal has changed over the years with development increasing in Wright County. Mr.
Gmach noted traffic has increased on the west side of Corcoran with adjacent building occurring in Wright
and Sherburne Counties. Mr. Gmach noted Hope Church presented to the Council and Planning
Commission 20 years ago and at that time the project was not feasible.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Vehrenkamp to extend Mr. Gmach's public comment speaking
time.
Voting Aye: McKee, Schultz, Bottema, Vehrenkamp, and Nichols.
(Motion carried 5:0)
Mr. Gmach noted the timing for the Hope project is now feasible with both sewer and water now available in
the area. Mr. Gmach commented on traffic and trips per day number and noted upgrades to local County
Roads such as County Road 116 and County Road 30 that are required with the Hope project. Mr. Gmach
was in support of the Hope project.
Jason Bartels, 19795 Hunters Ridge, commented on impacts to residents on the east side of County Road
116 from the proposed development. Mr. Bartels noted he spoke at the Planning Commission regarding
daily traffic volume and the trips per day within the development with competing access at Hunter's Ridge
and County Road 116 and opined on safety concerns of westbound traffic at the intersection. Mr. Bartels
commented on Planning Commission's comments regarding the percentage of non -elderly and non -senior
housing.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Nichols to extend Mr. Bartels public comment speaking time
regarding item 8a.
Voting Aye: McKee, Schultz, Bottema, Vehrenkamp, and Nichols.
(Motion carried 5:0)
Mr. Bartels opined on the housing type proposed within the development and noted the Planning
Commission discussion regarding applicant requests for building height and setback variance flexibility. Mr.
Bartens reiterated the traffic concerns, the proposed building heights, and setback reductions requested to
be at the forefront of Council decisions.
Sean Tharp, 20420 Duffney Circle, Corcoran, opined on land variances and exceptions to the code
regarding hardships, and noted PUD status exceptions by Hope Church. Mr. Tharp requested Council limit
the project development progress with fewer homes and coincide the development progress as road
updates are completed. Mr. Tharp requested the PUD be rejected by Council, and to limit the number of
homes, unless there is extending circumstance.
a. Hope CPA, RZ, PP, PUD (City file 23-028)
Planner Davis McKeown reviewed the 40-acre mixed use development project at the northwest corner of
County Road 116 and County Road 30 that would surround the existing Hope Community Church site.
Planner Davis McKeown noted the applicants include Hope Community Church, Corcoran Investments LLC,
and Brian and Jackie Lother, with representation by Josh McKinny, Planner Davis McKeown reviewed the
long-term vision by the applicant to create a campus where residents could live, work, and worship. Planner
Davis McKeown noted the existing church was built in 2001 with a concept plan that was shared at that time
very similar to the mixed -use project currently submitted. Planner Davis McKeown noted a daycare was
approved via a conditional use permit in 2005, with a site plan amendment in 2012, for a second conditional
use permit for the existing cemetery. Planner Davis McKeown noted a concept plan was reviewed by
Council in January 2023, and noted the amount of commercial space and housing units has decreased
since Council reviewed the plan in January 2023. Planner Davis McKeown noted an environmental
assessment worksheet was conducted and finalized by the City in July of 2023 and included the traffic and
feasibility study for infrastructure. Planner Davis McKeown noted the feasibility report and EAW process
include improvements on County Road 116 and County Road 30, with right turn lanes, widening Oswald
Farm Road and westbound on Hunter's Ridge, and east and westbound turn lanes on County Road 30 as
project requirements. Planner Davis McKeown reviewed staff and Three Rivers Park District have worked
through a separate feasibility study regarding the underpass and trail application for the Diamond Lake
Regional Trail. Planner Davis McKeown noted the Parks and Trails Commission reviewed the proposed
park dedication in January 2024, and recommended relocating the trail to run along the north side of
Oswald Farm Road. Planner Davis McKeown noted the Diamond Lake Regional Trail and underpass would
cross County Road 116, with a combination of public and private paths throughout the proposed
development. Planner Davis McKeown noted Planning Commission held a public hearing and
recommended approval to Council of the four -phase development, that includes 641 housing units and
approximately 880,000 square feet of commercial space, at the February 1 Planning Commission meeting.
Planner McKeown noted site plan parameters, with both residential and commercial space, and includes
30,000 square -foot medical facilities. Planner Davis McKeown noted parking, multi -family housing, the
senior housing component with a continuum of care to include independent care units with nursing care, 28
memory -care units, 20-detached villas, 6 attached age -restricted units, and 51 row townhomes ranging in 6
to 8 units. Council reviewed density as is and as proposed. Planner Davis McKeown reviewed the
components of the application process includes approval of a comprehensive plan amendment, rezoning to
the PUD and reviewed the density summary analysis, and approval of the preliminary PUD plan. Planner
Davis McKeown noted the water treatment facility, on the east side of County Road 116, and the water
tower adjacent to the church on the corner of County Road 116 and County Road 30, are both currently
under construction. Council and staff discussed the preliminary PUD plan, front and side setbacks, parking
setbacks and requirements, commercial parking and landscaping islands, screening, and landscape
buffering. Planner Davis McKeown reviewed the conditions of approval for the Preliminary Plat. Council
noted discussions at Parks and Trails Commission meetings included issues with the Diamond Lake
Regional Trail on the south side of Oswald Farm Road and the trail crossing three of four different driveway
accesses that will either have residential or commercial traffic, with the trail crossing through areas of
stopped cards that may or may not be blocking intersections. Council noted Parks and Trails Commission
recommendation was to move the trail to the north side of Oswald Farm Road with flashing beacons or
narrowing of road with curb extensions versus four separate stops on the south side of Oswald Farm Road.
Council and staff discussed pedestrian safety within underpasses.
Brian Lother, applicant, and Josh McKinney presented the project overview to Council.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz, approving Resolution 2024-14 Comprehensive Plan
Amendment for "Hope Ministries" at the Northwest Corner of County Road 116 and County Road 30 (PID
11 -1 19-23-1 4-0004) (City File 23-028).
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Voting Aye: McKee, Schultz, Bottema, Vehrenkamp, and Nichols
(Motion carried 5:0)
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz. adopting Ordinance 2024-513 Amending Title X (Zoning
Ordinance) of the City Cod
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MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz, adopting Ordinance 2024-514 Summary %a Ordinance
2024-513 Amending Title X (Zoning Ordinance) of the City Code to Classify Certain Land Located at the
Northwest Corner of County Road 116 and County Road 30 (PID 11-119-23-14-00031 11-119-23-14-00047
11-119-23-14-00057 11-119-23-11-0012) (City File 23-028).
Voting Aye: McKee, Schultz, Bottema, Vehrenkamp, and Nichols
(Motion carried 5:0)
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz, approving Resolution 2024-15 Findings of Fact for the
Properties Located at the Northwest Corner of County Road 116 and County Road 30 (PI D 11-119-23-14-
00031 11-119-23-14-0004) 11-119-23-14-00051 1 1-1 19-23-1 1-0012) (City File 23-028) .
Voting Aye: McKee, Schultz, Bottema, Vehrenkamp, and Nichols
(Motion carried 5:0)
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz, approving Resolution 2024-16 Preliminary Planned Unit
Development Plan for "Hope Ministries" as Amended, and Located at the Northwest Corner of County Road
116 and County Road 30 (PID 1 1-1 19-23-14-0003, 1 1-1 19-23-14-0004, 11-119-23-14-00051 11-119-23-11-
0012) (City File 23-028).
Voting Aye: McKee, Schultz, Bottema, Vehrenkamp, and Nichols
(Motion carried 5:0)
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz, approving Resolution 2024-17 Preliminary Plat for
"Hope Ministries" as Amended, and Located at the Northwest Corner of County Road 116 and County Road
30 (P I D 11-119-23-14-00031 11-119-23-14-0004) 11-119-23-14-0005, 11-119-23-11-0012)
(City File 23-028).
Voting Aye: McKee, Schultz, Bottema, Vehrenkamp, and Nichols
(Motion carried 5:0)
b. 610 Extension
Item was tabled to a future Council meeting.
9. Unfinished Business
10. New Business (Public Comment Opportunity)
11. Staff Reports
a. Staff Report Planning Update; Council received report.
12.2024 City Council Schedule
Council received schedule. Council requested a future discussion for Council to review legal aspects of
ordinance changes to code regarding light industrial. City Administrator Tobin noted issues were addressed
as a goal from the strategic planning session and identified as a goal to be met or addressed in the second
quarter. City Administrator Tobin noted Council provided staff direction to escalate the priority for Planning
Commission review. Planner Davis McKeown noted discussion with the Planning Commission will include
uses across the district for a clearer understanding of what is allowed and what is not and provide feedback
to Council. Planner Davis McKeown noted Council's request to provide immediate feedback on the rural
commercial districts and development rights discussion and provide information to Council at the end of
March. Planner Davis McKeown noted the recent direction by Council tonight to review construction sign
hours, initiating a policy, and an implementation timeline. Council and staff discussed city branding, apparel,
and city logo.
13. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Nichols, seconded by Bottema to adjourn.
Voting Aye: McKee, Schultz, Bottema, Vehrenkamp, and Nichols.
(Motion carried 5:0)
Meeting adjourned at 10:38 pm on February 22, 2024.
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Michelle Friedrich — City Clerk
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