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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-08 - Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 8, 2009 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Corcoran City Council met on October 8, 2009, at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota. Present were Mayor Guenthner, Councilor Thomas, Councilor Gmach, Councilor Hudok, and Councilor Milbrandt. Also present were City Administrator Donahue, Director of Public Safety Gormley and City Engineer Vander Top. Mayor Guenthner called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. AGENDA APPROVAL MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Milbrandt, to approve the agenda as modified: Add Item 11A - Fall Newsletter Deadlines Add Item 10C - i. Healthcare Insurance Voting Aye: Guenthner, Gmach, Hudok, Milbrandt and Thomas (Motion Carried 5:0) 4. OPEN FORUM None 5. PRESENTATIONS Executive Director Sue Blood, Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council :02 Executive Director Sue Blood provided the Council with an update of services the Northwest Hennepin Human Services have to offer the residents of Corcoran. The Early Childhood Coordinator gave a brief presentation of his goals for the community's early childhood services. Vanessa Morrell, 1000 Friends — update on Planning Grant :09 Vanessa Morrell with 1000 Friends gave the council a brief update on the Planning Grant and status of the surveys. She also reported on some upcoming events that 1000 Friends are hosting. 6. CLAIMS AS PRESENTED :22 All Other Claims MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Hudok, to approve all other claims in the amount of $37,667.63. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Gmach, Hudok, Milbrandt and Thomas (Motion Carried 5:0) CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 8, 2009 5. CONSENT AGENDA :23 5C. Resolution 2009 -44 Jaycees cash donation to Police Department MOTION made by Hudok, seconded by Thomas, to approve Item 5C of the Consent Agenda. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Gmach, Hudok, Milbrandt and Thomas (Motion Carried 5:0) It was noted that the Corcoran Jaycees presented the City a check in the amount of $2500 for police security during the 6th Annual Corcoran County Daze and for the 1 s` annual Corcoran Outreach Program at Maples Hills Estates. 5A. Draft Minutes of 09/08/09 & 09/24/09 It was noted that the right side summary column wasn't lining up with the left column and it was suggested to eliminate the right summary column. MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Hudok, to approve the draft minutes of 09/08/09 & 09/24/209. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Gmach, Hudok, Milbrandt and Thomas (Motion Carried 5:0) 5B. Authorization to Purchase City Hall Copier It was suggested that staff look into the availability of used copiers, as the market is really good right now and there maybe something better priced and better quality than the quoted new products. This led to a discussion about what type of copier is needed and suggestions were made that staff really needs to have something that will be dependable and where service calls aren't going to be needed on a regular basis. MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Gmach, to table this discussion until the October 22, 2009 meeting. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Gmach, Hudok, Milbrandt and Thomas (Motion Carried 5:0) 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS :32 8A. Shannon Lane Project, Resolution Setting Public Hearing City Engineer Vander Top explained that the last easement contract has been resolved and therefore the project contract has been awarded. A question was asked if the neighborhood would be updated on a regular basis in regards to status of the project. City Engineer Vander Top answered that letters will be mailed to the residents of CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 8, 2009 the neighborhood on a regular basis. This led to a discussion about parking being allowed at St. Johns Church, during the three days of the road closure. MOTION made by Gmach, seconded by Hudok, to approve Resolution No. 2009 -45, A Resolution calling for a Special Assessment Hearing on the Shannon Lane Bridge Project. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Gmach, Hudok, Milbrandt and Thomas (Motion Carried 5:0) 8B. Review of Building and Inspection Fees City Administrator Donahue presented Council with the current ordinance outlining the building code fees. He explained that the fee schedule is really confusing and should be reviewed. The ordinance and fee schedule should be changed in order to present an understandable format to contractors and /or residents. This led to a discussion about plan check reviews and building inspector fees. A builder in the audience gave a brief comparison of fees in surrounding areas. A question was asked regarding what fee schedule is currently being used by the building inspector. The building inspector answered that they are using the fee schedule that was in place when they were hired, which is the 1997 UBC fee schedule, plus 10 %. He also noted this is the same fee schedule many cities are using. He also explained the building inspection curve and the plan check review fee. It was suggested that this item be tabled until the October 22, 2009 meeting to allow Mayor Guenthner, Councilor Thomas and staff time to do some more comparisons and analyzing. 9. PLANNING BUSINESS None 10. NEW BUSINESS 1:00 10A. Mary Bechtold — Escrow Balance City Administrator Donahue updated the council that at the September 24, 2009 meeting Mary Bechtold asked for a balance on her Escrow Account. Her balance is $2,488.36. Ms. Bechtold is disputing a part of the Landform bill that the City has already paid in the amount of $28.75. Ms. Bechtold explained that $28.75 isn't the correct amount; she is disputing a $57 charge as she didn't give authorization for a realtor to contact the planner. City Administrator Donahue presented the council with a review of the planning case fees. It was suggested that the City waive half of the disputed amount and Ms. Bechtold to pay the other half, which would be a total of $28.75. CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 8, 2009 Ms. Bechtold asked if she could receive any copies of the bills that are related to her planning case, before the City pays them. Due to the payables cycle and vendor contract it may not be possible to provide the bills to Ms. Bechtold before they are paid. Ms. Bechtold asked if her escrow account was closed yet. City Administrator Donahue answered that he would check into it and get back to her. 10B. Engagement Letter, 2009 Annual Audit City Administrator Donahue explained the City is required to have an independent audit of the City's finances. The City contracted with Abdo, Eick, Meyers LLP and Steve McDonald, managing partner in 2008. Staff is recommending a contract with Abdo, Eick, Meyers LLP again for the 2009 audit MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Gmach to approve the engagement letter from Abdo, Eick, Meyers LLP. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Gmach, Hudok, Milbrandt and Thomas (Motion Carried 5:0) 10C. Short Term Disability Insurance City Administrator Donahue explained that the City's insurance broker received a draft proposal from Met Life for Short Term Disability Insurance. The rough quote is $3,286.68 per year with a maximum payout for employees a $1,255 per week with a maximum payout for the City of $10,615.00 per week at one tune. It was questioned if the payout amounts were based on the employee's salary. City Administrator Donahue answered that he believed that was correct. There was some discussion regarding advantages and disadvantages of the City accepting the proposal. It was suggested that staff contact Human Resource Departments in surrounding cities and ask to get a copy of their current plan. i. Health Insurance Councilor Gmach explained that he has been speaking with a couple of the surrounding cities and has learned that a lot of the cities are moving away from the traditional Health Insurance and getting lower premiums. It was suggested that next year the City go with a different broker and search for cheaper insurance premiums. Staff was also asked to check into FMLA policy. 10D. Performance Reviews CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 8, 2009 City Administrator Donahue explained included in the packets were job descriptions and proposed evaluation forms. There was some discussion about in the future having department heads also fill out the evaluation forms for the City Administrator and Director of Public Safety. Council members were asked to fill out the evaluation forms and give them back to Mayor Guenthner, by October 15, 2009 for his review and than a Closed Session will be scheduled after his review. 11. STAFF REPORTS /MEMOS 11A. Fall Newsletter It was suggested that all articles be submitted before October 20, 2009 for the Fall Newsletter. 11B. October 22, 2009 Agenda Items Mayor Guenthner reviewed items that will be on the October 22, 2009 Agenda. 12. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS None 13. ADJOURNMENT MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Hudok, to adjourn at 8:50 pm. Voting Aye: Gmach, Guenthner, Hudok, Milbrandt and Thomas (Motion Carried 5:0) Dan Donahue, City Administrator