HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-17 Parks and Trails Minutes1
Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission Minutes
April 17, 2025 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran Parks and Trails Commission met on April 17, 2025, at City Hall in Corcoran, MN. Present were
Commissioners Anderson, Christenson, Erzberger, Nybo, Schmidt, Strehler, and Walsh.
Present at City Hall was City Administrator Tobin, Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck and Community
Development Administrative Assistant Gellman.
1. Call to Order / Roll Call
Chair Christenson called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Christenson invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Agenda Approval
Motion: Made by Christenson, seconded by Nybo, to approve the agenda as presented for the April 17th, 2025
Parks and Trails Commission Meeting.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Erzberger, Nybo, Schmidt, Strehler, and Walsh
(Motion carried 7:0)
4. Minutes
Motion: Made by Anderson, seconded by Nybo, to approve the minutes as presented.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Erzberger, Nybo, Schmidt, Strehler, and Walsh
(Motion carried 7:0)
5. Open Forum – Public Comment Opportunity
6. Presentations – None
7. Unfinished Business
8. New Business
a. Commissioner Training
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck and Community Development Administrative Assistant Gellman
presented the Commissioner Training.
Commissioner Anderson said that another entity involved in Corcoran matters is the Elm Creek Watershed
Management Commission.
City Administrator Tobin said the City of Corcoran has a Charter Commission as well. He went on to describe the
general structure and history of the Corcoran Charter Commission.
2
Commissioner Anderson asked if commissioners have city related questions that aren’t parks and trails specific
whether they should ask Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck or ask elsewhere.
City Administrator Tobin said it depended on the scope of the question and whether it was related to parks and
trails, or other city matters. If it was related to parks or trails it would be appropriate to address the matter with
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck. If it was related to another city matter it would be appropriate to bring it
to the proper staff member in charge of the matter.
Vice-Chair Erzberger asked for clarification on the Commission's decisions on the Diamond Lake Regional Trail
concerning Corcoran and how they should navigate those decisions.
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck said that details will be included in future staff reports to help guide
those decisions.
City Administrator Tobin said that the trail is an ongoing project and partnership with Three Rivers Parks District
with some phases of the plan going out to 2040. He said the 2040 Comprehensive Plan map is helpful to
understand the possible future of the trail.
City Administrator Tobin elaborated (in relation to the Park Dedication Fund slide) on the city’s strategy on
acquiring land and accepting cash in lieu of land. He answered some general questions from commissioners on
that strategy.
City Administrator Tobin elaborated (in relation to the 2040 Comprehensive Plan slide) on the purview of the Met
Council and their relationship to the MUSA. He answered general questions from the Commission regarding the
Met Council’s influence and purview.
Commissioner Anderson asked about the status of funding for Corcoran City Park.
City Administrator Tobin said that the City Council has committed to the scope of City Park. He said other
neighboring cities will bond or use other strategies for funding but that it will negatively impact taxes. He said that
the project will be done in phases as funding is available. He explained further about the streams of funding that
are intended for the City Park project.
Vice Chair Erzberger asked about naming rights or sponsorship options.
City Administrator Tobin said solicitation as a city is dangerous but that individual citizens could find potential
options.
Chair Christenson asked further about bonding, city taxes, and whether all current tax revenue was spoken for.
City Administrator Tobin said that the revenue was spoken for, and that the city portion of property taxes was
small. He said that the Parks and Recreation budget was small, and that the city operates lean overall.
Commissioner Walsh asked what the financial strategy was going forward considering the 2040 Comprehensive
Plan with further expansion in the city. He asked if that would be a future boon to funding.
City Administrator Tobin said there would be incremental change overtime financially. He said the budget will
need to be increased but that time is not yet.
9. Reports/Information
a. Planning Project Update – Information Only
b. Parks, Recreation, and Trails Update
Recreation Supervisor Christensen Buck presented the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Update.
3
10. Subcommittee & Miscellaneous Reports
a. Garden Club Report
Commissioner Anderson gave a brief update and answered some general questions about recruitment. He also
gave a brief update regarding the Tree Giveaway event.
b. Park Dedication Fund
11. Other Business/Announcements
12. Adjournment
Motion: Made by Anderson, seconded by Walsh, to adjourn the meeting at 8:43 pm.
Voting Aye: Anderson, Christenson, Erzberger, Nybo, Schmidt, Strehler, and Walsh
(Motion carried 7:0)
Submitted by Seth Gellman, Community Development Administrative Assistant