HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-27 Council Work Session MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Work Session Mlinutes
April 27, 2023 — 5:30 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on April 273 2023, 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 Bottema, Councilor Schultz, and Councilor Vehrenkamp were present. Councilor
Nichols was excused.
City Administrator Beise, City Clerk Friedrich, and Deputy Director of Public Safety Burns, and Director of
Public Safety Gottschalk were present.
'I . Call to Order /Roll Call
Mayor McKee called the work session to order at 5:30 pm.
2. Firearms Ordinance Discussion
Deputy Director of Public Safety Burns reviewed draft update to the firearms ordinance, and noted the
ordinance is a rough draft and subject to modifications based on feedback. Deputy Director of Public Safety
Burns reviewed the last amendment to the ordinance occurred in the late 1990s. Deputy Director of Public
Safety Burns noted recent incidents like rifle rounds penetrating property and shotgun pellets damaging a
car have prompted the review of the ordinance. Council members and staff consulted with and researched
ordinances from similar cities, ranging from no shooting allowed to tight restrictions with permit processes.
Deputy Director of Public Safety Burns reviewed the proposed changes include adding definitions for rifle,
shotgun, and handgun, updating the definition of immediate family, removing outdated language about rural
areas, and aligning language with current zoning regulations. Deputy Director of Public Safety Burns noted
a new definition for "rural areas" was suggested to include portions of the City outside the Musa and zoned
as rural residential or within the MUSH zoned as urban reserve. Deputy Director of Public Safety Burns
added a definition for "hunting area" was proposed for designated rural areas where hunting with a shotgun
and bow and arrow is permitted. Council and staff reviewed aspects of firearm definitions and what current
Minnesota Statute is for hunting regulations. Deputy Director of Public Safety Burns noted additional
proposed changes include removing the discharge of high-powered firearms under certain conditions from
the special permit section and making permits mandatory. The language regarding firearms deer hunting
was replaced with "hunting" to align with Minnesota law. Deputy Director of Public Safety Burns outlined
three new sections added under hunting to establish zones and rural areas, along with implementing a 500.
foot rule, and five permitted discharges were added to clarify what is allowed for residents and non-
residents in terms of hunting. Deputy Director of Public Safety Burns noted clarity in understanding what
activities are permitted and prohibited for residents and simplify the identification of permitted and
prohibited discharges. Council and staff reviewed additional scenarios and safe storage of firearms and
State Statute regarding safe storage of firearms.
3. Unscheduled Items
No unscheduled business was heard.
5. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Vehrenkamp to adjourn.
Voting Aye: McKee, Bottema, Nichols, Schultz, and Vehrenkamp
(Motion carried 5:0)
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.
Michelle Friedrich —City Clerk
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