HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-22 Work Session Agenda Packet1.Call to Order/Roll Call
2.Scheduled Items
a.2026 Core Strategies-Objectives-Goals-Measurables
3.Adjournment
Corcoran City Council - Work Session Agenda
January 22, 2026
5:00 PM
*Includes Materials - Materials relating to these agenda items can be found in the Council Chambers Agenda
Packet book located by the entrance. The complete Council Agenda Packet is available electronically on the
City website at www.corcoranmn.gov.
1
STAFF REPORT Agenda Item: 2.a
Council Meeting:
January 22, 2026
Prepared By:
Jay Tobin, City Administrator
Topic:
2026 Core Strategies-Objectives-Goals-
Measurables
Action Required:
Direction
Summary
City Council and Department Heads meet in work session focused on strategic planning with the
intended outcome of identifying 2026 Strategic Objectives, Goals, and Measurables for the City.
The Core Strategies, Goals, and Measurables of previous years (2023, 2024, and 2025) are provided as
references.
The 2026 Priorities for both the Planning Commission and Parks & Trail Commission are also provided
as references.
Staff recommend that City Council identify 2026 Strategic Objectives, Goals, and Measurables for the
City.
Financial/Budget
N/A
Recommendation
Staff recommend that City Council identify 2026 Strategic Objectives, Goals, and Measurables for the
City.
Council Action
City Council and Department Heads meet in work session focused on strategic planning with the
intended outcome of identifying 2026 Strategic Objectives, Goals, and Measurables for the City.
Attachments
1. 2025 Core Strategies-Short term Goals-Measurables.pdf
2. 2024 Core Strategies-Short term Goals-Measurables.pdf
3. 2023 Core Strategies-Short term Goals-Measurables.pdf
4. Planning Commission 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Priorities.pdf
5. Parks and Trails Commission 2025 Annual Report 2026 Priorities.pdf
2
STAFF REPORT Agenda Item: 8a.
Council Meeting March 27, 2025 Prepared By Jay Tobin
Topic
2025 Core Strategies-Objectives-Goals-
Measurables
Action Required
Review Update and Provide Guidance
Summary
January 13, 2025, City Council and Department Heads met in work session focused on
strategic planning with the intended outcome of SWOT analysis of Core Strategies to serve
as a foundation in developing 2025 Strategic Objectives for the City.
March 3, 2025, City Council and Department Heads met in work session focused on
strategic planning to unpack SWOT analysis with the intended outcome of identifying 2025
Strategic Objectives for each Core Strategy for the City.
March 14, 2025, Department Heads met for off-site strategic planning session with the
intended outcome of identifying Goals to align with the 2025 Strategic Objectives which
Council identified for each Core Strategy for the City.
Staff will continue to update measurables once the goals are affirmed.
Financial/Budget
N/A
Council Action
Review and provide guidance on the 2025 Core Strategies, Goals, and Measurables.
Attachments
1. 2025 Core Strategies, Goals, Measurables
3
Agenda Attachment Item: 8a1.
2025 City of Corcoran Core Strategies, Short-Term Goals, and Measurables
Core Strategy
Enhancing Corcoran’s sense of place and identity.
Strategic Objective
1.Celebrate sense of
place
Goals
1.Gateway signage
2.City Park Re-name
Measurables
1.
Comments
Core Strategy
Provide diverse community amenities and recreational opportunities.
Strategic Objective
1.Strategic Park Plan
Goals
1.Establish clear vision for
Strategic Park Plan.
2.Develop Action Plan.
3.Implement Action Plan
Measurables
1.
Comments
Page 1 of 3
4
Core Strategy
Maintain excellence in safety and security for our community.
Strategic Objectives
1. Fire Service Plan
2. Diversify sustainable
revenue streams
Goals
1a. Review existing Fire
Services Plan
1b. Affirm/Adjust Fire Service
Vision
1c. Refine Fire Service Action
Plan
1d. Implement Fire Service
Action Plan
2a. Inventory and assess
service area funding gaps
2b. Identify potential sources to
address funding gaps
2c. Develop diversified revenue
plan to address funding
gaps
2d. Ensure policies and
procedures align with
diversified revenue plan
2e. Implement diversified
revenue plan
Measurables
1.
Comments
Core Strategy
Ensure high quality, market driven growth.
Strategic Objective
1. Clear City vision for
intentional growth
Goals
1. Identify and adopt
strategies to protect
natural resources by
ordinance.
2. Ensure policies and
procedures align with vision
for intentional growth.
3. Complete feasibility study of
County Road 30 corridor.
Measurables
1.
Comments
Page 2 of 3
5
Core Strategy
Provide high quality, innovative municipal services.
Strategic Objective
1. Municipal facilities and
land Blueprint
Goals
1. Space needs
assessment.
2. Asset inventory and
valuation.
3. Establish clear vision
for Civic Campus.
4. Develop Civic Campus
Plan
Measurables
1.
Comments
Page 3 of 3
6
STAFF REPORT
Added Agenda Item: 11a.
Council Meeting July 11, 2024 Prepared By Jay Tobin
Topic
UPDATE to 2024 Core Strategies-Short term
Goals-Measurables
Action Required
Review Update and Provide Guidance
Summary
January 3, 2024, City Council met in work session focused on strategic planning with the
intended outcome of verifying 2024 goals and measurables for the City.
January 11, 2024 staff has updated the goals and measurables to reflect work session
discussions, and Council approved and the 2024 Core Strategies, Short-term Goals, and
Measurables.
This report attempts to provide an update on the current status of 2024 Core Strategies,
Short-term Goals, and Measurables and requests to add two measurables and to delay
one measurable until 2025.
Specifically, to add a measurable regarding the need to develop a Cannibis Ordinance
prior to the end of the existing moratorium.
Staff also request to add a measurable of “Clarify “Business Park Code” to ensure it aligns
with desired outcomes” under the core strategy of ”Ensure high quality, market driven
growth”. Staff and property owners believe that it would be beneficial to clarity Council’s
desired outcome and to ensure that business park code aligns.
Finally, staff request a delay of the measurable of “developing a subcommittee” to support
the goal of “Planning intentionally for future city facility needs” until 2025. Staff believes it
most beneficial to focus efforts on resolving current staffing shortages and addressing
emerging operational demands in order to create the staff capacity necessary to effectively
and intentionally plan for the future facility needs.
Financial/Budget
N/A
Council Action
Review update to goals and measurable and provide guidance on the 2024 Core Strategies,
Short-term Goals, and Measurables.
Attachments
1.UPDATED 2024 Core Strategies, Short-term Goals, Measurables
2.Property Owner Email
7
Added Attachment Item: 11a1.
2024 City of Corcoran Core Strategies, Short-Term Goals, and Measurables
Core Strategy
Enhancing Corcoran’s sense of place and identity.
Strategic Objectives
1.Engage residents
through proactive
outreach and
communication.
2.Provide and/or support
high quality community
events for community
gathering.
3.Identify and develop a
place where people
identify with Corcoran.
Short-Term Goals
1.Identify/Plan City trail
corridors, including off-
road trail plan, more
input/direction from
Parks and Trails &
Planning Commission.
Measurables
1a. Create a map of existing
trails that can be utilized
for reviewing future trails
by end of Q1.
1b. Parallel planning City Park
and Boardwalk in
Bellwether with update to
Council Q2
Comments
1a. Map was completed on
March 26,2024.
1b. Bellwether 10 brief on
August 8,2024 will
address plan for the
boardwalk/bridge while
City Park planning is
continuous with ongoing
updates (most recently
July 11, 2024)
Core Strategy
Provide diverse community amenities and recreational opportunities.
Strategic Objectives
1.Plan for and provide
multi-seasonal and
multi-use trail and park
systems.
2.Provide high quality
parks that are unique,
innovative, and
accessible.
Short-Term Goals
1.Continue defining and
refining park
development and design
standards.
2.Review Parks & Trails
resourcing and timing.
Measurables
1.Update Park standards
adding OSP - Q1
2.Brief Parks & Trails
funding sources/uses -
Q1
3.Joint work session:
Parks & Trails
Commission – Q2
Measurables
1.Resolution 2024-64
on Park Standards
approved by City Council
on June 13, 2024
2 and 3. Briefed funding
sources/uses during Joint
Session on April 25, 2024.
Page 1 of 3
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Core Strategy
Maintain excellence in safety and security for our community.
Strategic Objectives
1.Promote public safety
engagement with the
community.
2.Maintain position as one
of the safest cities in
Minnesota.
Short-Term Goals
1.Continue exploring
potential of automatic
license plate readers for
use by Police/Public
Safety.
2.Intentional future
planning for fire, rescue,
and first responder
services.
Measurables
1. Plan/execute brief on
potential of automatic
license plate readers – Q1
2. Review and reassess Fire
Service Action Plan with
focus on patient outcomes
–Q3
3. Cannabis Ordinance -Q4
Comments
1.ALPR briefed February
2, 2024, contract
approved April 4, 2024
Core Strategy
Ensure high quality, market driven growth.
Strategic Objectives
1.Be innovative in molding
market forces and
organic growth into the
community.
2.Protect natural
character,
environmental features,
and agricultural roots.
3.Preserve our
distinguishing features
through market driven
development.
3.Be responsive to the
needs of businesses,
both current and
prospective.
Short-Term Goals
1.Continue to review
zoning, land uses, and
commercial/industrial
alternatives.
2. Continue to review code
to ensure it aligns with
desired outcomes.
3.Explore potential of
“financial modeling” to
inform zoning and
guiding in development.
Measurables
1.Joint work session with
Planning Commission to
discuss zoning – Q1
2.Code update
addressing city
discretion to allow
density less than 3 –
Q2
3.Identify “financial
modeling” firms – Q1
4.Clarify “Business
Park” Code to ensure
it aligns with desired
outcomes – Q4
Comments
1.Joint session with Planning
Commission executed on
May 21, 2024
2.The new land use
designation of
“Conservation Residential”
with a density of 2-3 units
per acre did not require a
zoning change
3.Northland Memo on
Property Tax System
(Financial Modeling)
provided on April 1, 2024.
Page 2 of 3
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Core Strategy
Provide high quality, innovative municipal services.
Strategic Objectives
1.Maintain fiscal stability
and affordability.
2.Perform exceptionally
within the structure of
limited government
services.
3.Excel at managing
change.
Short-Term Goals
1.Maximize interest
income.
2.Plan intentionally for
future city facility needs.
3.Identify and prioritize
current and future
staffing needs.
Measurables
1.Brief on investments and
use/potential uses of
interest – Q2
2.Sub-committee meet
and update – Q3
3.Brief staffing as part of
budgeting process –
Q3/Q4
Comments
1.4M/PMA Rep briefed
Council on March 28,
2024
2.Staff recommend
strategic planning for
facilities move to
2025
3.City Organizational
Re-organization
briefed and approved
by Council on April 23,
2024
Page 3 of 3
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This message was sent from outside of the organization. Please do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the source of this email and know the content is safe.
From:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Date:
Sherri Oswald
Our property to be sold in Corcoran
Wednesday, July 10, 2024 2:46:20 PM
Dear City Staff-
As you know, we are the owners of the property at CR 30 and CR 116 that is under contract to United Properties. We are
reaching out to share our frustration with the process to date. As you might recall, the city rezoned this property in the mid
2010’s to Business Park without our input. We are interested in selling the land and have secured an agreement with United
Properties based upon the current zoning. I think we both can agree that United Properties has been working diligently to
present a viable project that meets the zoning standards. Unfortunately, the reception from the city council was lukewarm at
best. It seems to us that the council was more concerned with the use versus how the application meets the existing zoning.
Since then, United Properties has attempted to work with the council to provide additional details on these types of projects.
From our understanding, we’ve been told that the council isn’t able to schedule a time to see examples of these types of
buildings. They would be able to see successful projects (with similar zoning) that provide significant amount of jobs while
diversifying the tax base in neighboring communities. As a land owner, we’d expect our elected officials to do everything
possible to inform themselves to make an educated decision. We hope that the staff is in a position to help the council take
action on proposed plan and provide viable feedback so we are able to sell our property.
Thank you for your help and understanding.
Sincerely,
Sherri and Todd Oswald
Kevin Oswald
Added Attachment Item: 11a2.
11
Page 1 of 4
2023 City of Corcoran Core Strategies, Short-Term Goals, and Measurables
Core Strategy
Enhancing Corcoran’s sense of place and identity.
Strategic Objectives
1.Engage residents
through proactive
outreach and
communication.
2.Provide and/or support
high quality community
events for community
gathering.
3.Identify and develop a
place where people
identify with Corcoran.
Short-Term Goals
1.Identify/Plan City trail
corridors, including off-
road trail plan, more
input/direction from
Parks and Trails &
Planning Commission.
Measurables
1.Create a map of existing
trails that can be utilized
for reviewing future trails
by 4th quarter.
Status Update – September
22
1.Map creation has begun
in coordination with the
trail maintenance
program.
Core Strategy
Provide diverse community amenities and recreational opportunities.
Strategic Objectives
1.Plan for and provide
multi-seasonal and
multi-use trail and park
systems.
2.Provide high quality
parks that are unique,
innovative, and
accessible.
Short-Term Goals
1.Develop a new
approach for creating
park standards, design
and more rapidly
construct dedicated
parks.
2.Develop a trail
maintenance plan.
Measurables
1.Hire an engineering
consultant to assist in
outlining processes for
park creation and
construction which can
be utilized to develop
City Park and dedicated
parks.
Status Update – September
22
1.RFQ for Park Design
Services is out and
interviews are
anticipated on October
10th
2.Need to schedule a
Work Session when the
Attachment Item: 2a4.
12
Page 2 of 4
2. Meet with the Parks and
Trails Commission in a
work session to outline a
park standards
document.
3. Create a plan for trail
maintenance to bring
forward to the Parks and
Trails Commission by
the end of the 2nd
quarter.
4. Bring the trail
maintenance plan
forward to the Council
for review by the end of
the 3rd quarter.
Park Consultant is
brought on board.
3. Staff has met to outline
a draft and the trail
maintenance policy was
brought to Parks and
Trails Commission in
July and staff was
provided feedback to
incorporate in the final
draft.
4. A final draft of the trail
maintenance policy will
be brought to the
Council in October.
Core Strategy
Maintain excellence in safety and security for our community.
Strategic Objectives
1. Promote public safety
engagement with the
community.
2. Maintain position as one
of the safest cities in
Minnesota.
Short-Term Goals
1. Evaluate road
designations and
pedestrian
crossings/crosswalk
standards to ensure
pedestrian safety.
2. Deploy automatic
license plate readers for
use by Police/Public
Safety.
3. Accelerate planning and
action for fire, rescue,
and first responder
services.
Measurables
1. Host a work session to
understand desires for
pedestrian
crossing/crosswalk
standards by the end of
2nd Quarter.
2. Create a financial and
deployment plan for
automatic license plate
readers.
3. Complete two action
steps within phase one
of the Fire Service
Action Plan.
Status Update – September
22
1. Held a work session on
March 9 and are
reviewing a draft policy
on June 8.
2. Staff has begun work on
the financial and
deployment plan. A work
session will be
scheduled in the 4th
Quarter.
3. Staff will be working on
the action steps.
13
Page 3 of 4
Core Strategy
Ensure high quality, market driven growth.
Strategic Objectives
1. Be innovative in molding
market forces and
organic growth into the
community.
2. Protect natural
character,
environmental features,
and agricultural roots.
3. Preserve our
distinguishing features
through market driven
development.
4. Be responsive to the
needs of businesses,
both current and
prospective.
Short-Term Goals
1. Review zoning around
commercial and
industrial, consider types
of land uses, buffers,
impacts.
2. Finish the PUD project,
end cookie-cutter
developments.
Measurables
1. Approve an ordinance
update work plan related
to underlying zoning for
commercial and
industrial land uses by
end of 3rd Quarter.
2. Incorporate feedback
from the Joint Work
Session; bring back a
draft for review by the
end of 2nd Quarter.
Status Update – September
22
1. Staff met with Council
on September 14th to
being to develop a
workplan.
2. Adopted the PUD
Ordinance Amendment
at the May 25 meeting.
Core Strategy
Provide high quality, innovative municipal services.
Strategic Objectives
1. Maintain fiscal stability
and affordability.
2. Perform exceptionally
within the structure of
limited government
services.
3. Excel at managing
change.
Short-Term Goals
1. Align budget process
with population growth +
inflation
Measurables
1. Draft the 2024 budget to
meet the goal of
equaling growth and
inflation.
Status Update – September
22
1. Staff drafted the 2024
preliminary budget with
this philosophy in mind
The General Fund
Budget increased by
10.7% lower than the
7.4% population
increase and inflation
6% (as of 2/2023 from
Bureau of Labor
Statistics) The total levy
with debt service in
14
Page 4 of 4
increase was 17.1%
15
Page 1 of 2
.
MEMO
Meeting Date: January 22, 2026
To: City Council
From: Planning Commission
Re: Planning Commission 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Priorities
As requested by the City Council, the Planning Commission is to update the Council on activities of the
previous year and priorities for 2026.
The following are some of the activities completed by the Planning Commission in 2025:
2025 Summary of Reviewed Items
• Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for an accessory structure for Jordan Spaeth.
• Amendment to the Northeast Design Guidelines related to building materials and parking
standards.
• Preliminary Plat, Site Plan, CUP, and Variance for Kwik Trip.
• Preliminary Plat and Site Plan for Brockton Business Park.
• Preliminary Plat and Rezoning for “Chastek Farms”.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment for 10110 County Road 116.
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment to allow Commercial Kennels in the Rural Residential district.
• Site Plan and Variance for St. Thomas the Apostle.
• Site Plan and Conditional Use Permit for New Mahavan Temple.
• Preliminary Plat and Variance for Kariniemi Acres 2nd Addition.
• Site Plan and Variance for Heritage Park.
• Preliminary Plat, CUP, and Variance for Arens Norling OS&P.
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment to allow Agribusinesses in the Rural Residential district.
• Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Heritage Park.
• Site Plan, Interim Use Permit, and Zoning Ordinance Amendment for M&J Creekside Vineyard.
• Site Plan and Interim Use Permit for High Point Gardens.
• Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Amendment for Rush Creek Golf Course.
• Variance for St. John’s Lutheran School.
• Site Plan, Interim Use Permit, and Conditional Use Permit for All-Seasons American Service
Animals.
16
Page 2 of 2
• Site Plan, Conditional Use Permit, and Variance for Phil’s Quality Automotive.
• Preliminary Plat and Subdivision Ordinance Amendment for Schmids Hidden Valley 3rd Addition.
• Conditional Use Permit for an Accessory Structure for Josh Brandsted.
Totals
• Site Plans: 9
• Conditional Use Permits: 8
• Variances: 7
• Preliminary Plats: 6
• Zoning Ordinance Amendments: 4
• Interim Use Permits: 3
• Comprehensive Plan Amendments: 2
• Subdivision Ordinance Amendments: 1
• Rezoning: 1
• Public Hearings: 19
2025 Priorities
At the end of 2024, the Planning Commission identified a number of goals to achieve during the 2025
year. The following are some of the goals that were addressed by this commission:
• Review Landscaping Standards
o How can we preserve a diversity of environmental habitats through these standards other
than requiring planning of trees and shrubs?
o Can we credit projects for preservation of existing trees and habitats?
• Provide support to the City Council in finalizing the Commercial and Industrial standards.
• Community Farms, Community Gardens, and Agribusiness
o How can we support and encourage these uses withing the Zoning Ordinance?
o Also discussed encouraging the creation of “agrihoods”.
Is this supported through the existing Open Space and Preservation plat process?
Are additional Subdivision Ordinance/Zoning Ordinance changes needed?
Is this feasible to incorporate within the MUSA?
• Review Home Occupation Ordinance
o Encourage and support businesses that are compatible with residential neighborhoods.
o Make the ordinance clearer and easier to navigate for residents.
o Where can the current process be improved?
• A Zoning Ordinance Amendment to allow more accessory structures to be approved
administratively to reduce the number of Conditional Use Permits.
• Consider increasing the notice of public hearing radius within the rural area from 500 feet to 1,000
feet.
2026 Priorities
Much of the Planning Commission’s goals established for 2025 will continue into 2026, as many initiatives
are ongoing and require additional time to fully implement. The Planning Commission appreciates the
support of the City Council and requests feedback on its proposed priorities for 2026.
17
STAFF REPORT Agenda Item: 8.a
Council Meeting:
January 15, 2026
Prepared By:
Jessica Christensen Buck, Parks and Recreation
Manager
Topic:
Draft 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Priorities
Action Required:
Approval
Summary
January 15, 2026 marks the first Parks and Trails Commission meeting of the year. Staff looked back at
the progress the Commission made over the past year, and opens discussion to priorities for 2026.
The following are some of the activities completed in 2025:
Appointed Chairperson Christenson and Vice-Chairperson Erzberger for 2025.
Received regular Parks and Trails Commission meeting minutes, planning project updates,
Garden Club updates, and Parks, Recreation, and Trails updates.
Discussed and coordinated the annual tree giveaway.
Reviewed Heritage Park's new playground designs.
Reviewed a preliminary plat for Chastek Family Farm.
Welcomed Commissioner Walsh to the Commission.
Reviewed 90% designs for Heritage Park.
Received annual Commissioner Training.
Reviewed the dog survey results.
Began construction on Heritage Park.
Reviewed picnic tables, bike racks, and benches for Heritage Park.
Discussed renaming City Park to Heritage Park.
Received Program Coordinator updates.
Approved a garden club requests for tools and a shed for the Garden Club to utilize when
maintaining the Memorial Garden.
Reviewed a draft Emerald Ash Borer policy.
Reviewed a PUD amendment for a shade structure in Ravinia 9th Addition.
Reviewed a Wayfinding outline and provided staff with guidance.
2025 Priorities
Diamond Lake Regional Trail
Park Development
City Park Remaster
Wayfinding
Future Financial Obligations
2026 Priorities
Wayfinding: Finish reviewing the draft Wayfinding Policy and provide recommendation to City
Council.
Heritage Park: Complete park construction, re-open the park, and work through closing out
alternative funding opportunity requirements (i.e., grant funding).
Park system plan: In coordination with the 2050 Comprehensive Plan, working through a park
system master plan to establish further park priorities.
Recommendation
Review the 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Priorities and provide staff with any updates or changes.
Council Action
Review the 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Priorities and provide staff with any updates or changes.
7
•Tree Giveaway: Transition coordination from Commissioner Anderson to a new Commissioner
18