Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-01-10 - Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 10, 2008 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Call to Order The Corcoran City Council met on January 10, 2008, at city hall in Corcoran, Roll Call Minnesota. Present were Mayor Guenthner, Councilor Grabowski, Councilor Jacobs, Councilor Hudok and Councilor Thomas. Also present were Administrator Vergin, Police Chief Gormley and Public Works Director Meister. Mayor Guenthner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Agenda Approval AGENDA APPROVAL MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski, to approve the agenda as presented. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) OPEN FORUM & ANNOUNCEMENTS Tom Goodrum from MFRA, a planning engineering firm, offered his companies services if ever the City is in need of planning engineering assistance or assistance with the comp plan update. Pat Cook, Cain Road, expressed her concerns with the way the money is being spent in the city. She questioned numbers of employees in each department and each one of the department heads gave her the amount of employees in their department. She explained one of her concerns being the amount of plows out plowing at one time and questioned if that was necessary. Public Works Director Meister explained the process for preparing to plow and the importance of having that many plows out at one time. It was suggested that this topic be placed on a future agenda. Ms. Cook can come back and the Council can spend more time discussing her concerns with her. RECOGNITION Corcoran Resident receives Top Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotan Award — Chad Robran Mayor Guenthner explained that Chad Robran is a recipient of one of the Top Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotan Awards from the Minnesota JC's organization for 2007. Mr. Robran spends a lot of his time volunteering assisting different communities in need. Mayor Guenthner congratulated Chad Robran for receiving the award and thanked him for all of his time volunteering to help the community. Chad Robran thanked the Mayor and Council for the recognition. PARKS & TRAILS COMMISSION BUSINESS RFP Phase 1 Recommendation Mayor Guenthner took a moment and explained the process that was taken to get to this point. Chad Robran, Chair of Parks and Trails Commission presented that after numerous hours spent by the commission on research and interviews the commission is recommending Council to support a resolution directing the City to contract with TKDA, a professional planning and architectural firm to complete the Phase 1 Feasibility Study. This is a study to see what is needed in the park for the growing Open Forum & Announcements: Recognition Parks & Trails Commission Business Page -1- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 10, 2008 community. A memo was received from Councilor Jacobs regarding his concern with there being no mention that the proposed hiring of the TKDA firm relied heavily on the movement of Sherri Buss from the Bonestroo firm to TKDA in 2007. Mr. Robran explained that TKDA had the lowest price and the best offer, he also added that TKDA was picked before Sherri transferred to TKDA. The council expressed their concerns about Sherri being involved with the study. The consensus was that the decision was based on TKDA credentials and Sheri transferred to TKDA after the vote was made, therefore the council doesn't have a reason to be concerned. MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Guenthner to approve the Parks and Trails Commission recommendation, to enter into contract with TKDA to complete the Phase 1 Feasibility Study. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Hudok and Thomas Voting Nay: Jacobs (Motion carried 4:1) UNFINISHED BUSINESS Extension of County Road 117 Mayor Guenthner explained that a developer is proposing to put in a big development north of Corcoran, involving the cities Hassan Township and Dayton. A consultant was hired to do a traffic study. Mayor Guenthner attended an open house where the consultant presented picture boards about their findings and future traffic projections. As result of a lot of input and feedback, the City of Corcoran needs to establish their position. After some discussion the Council feels that this extension of County Road 117 causes a burden to the city but they feel the developer needs to present the city with the specifics of what is being proposed with the County Road 117 extension. MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Thomas, objecting to the extension of County Road 117 because there is no benefit, it causes a burden to the residents of the City and it conflicts with the City's Comprehensive Plan. Administrator Vergin noted that there will be another meeting with the cities of Hassan Township, Dayton, Rogers and Corcoran on January 30, 2008. VOTE ON MOTION: Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) Mayor called for a short recess at 7:55 p.m. Mayor called the meeting to order at 8:01 p.m. NEW BUSINESS 2008 Appointments, Resolution No. 2008 -01 MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok to approve the following 2008 appointments: Official Newspaper — Crow River News, 33 2nd Street N.E., PO Box 280, Osseo, MN 55369 Council Meetings — Regular Council Meetings from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Unfinished Business: Extension of County Road 117 New Business: 2008 Appointments, Resolution No. 2008 -01 Page -2- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 10, 2008 unless extended by a simple majority vote of the Council, on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Special meetings may be held in accordance with state law and local ordinance. Vice Mayor /Acting Mayor — The acting Mayor shall be Councilor Jacobs. Planning Commission Meetings — Regular Commission Meetings are held from 7:00 — 10:00 p.m., unless extended by a simple majority vote of the Commission, on the first Thursday of the month. Special Meetings are held in accordance to state law and local ordinance. Parks & Trails Commission Meetings — Regular Commission Meetings are held from 7:00 — 10:00 p.m., unless extended by a simple majority vote of the Commission, on the third Tuesday of the month. Special Meetings are held in accordance to state law and local ordinance. Insurance Agent — Anderson Insurance Agency, 312 Central Avenue S.E., #488, Minneapolis, MN 55414 -1064. Animal Control Officer — Monticello Animal Facility, 203 Chelsea Road, Monticello, MN 55362 Official Depositories/Financial Advisors: • Farmers State Bank of Hamel • BANK WEST • 21st Century Bank (Formerly State Bank of Loretto) • Northland Securities • Smith Barney Citigroup • Piper Jaffray • FTN Financial VOTE ON MOTION: Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski to appoint Mayor Guenthner as the NW League of Cities Delegate and council as the NW League of Cities Alternate. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) MOTION made Hudok, seconded by Thomas to approve the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council Advisory Commission as being an un- appointed opening and appointing Dean Fransell to the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission and Ken Kluck is appointed as the alternate to the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) MOTION made by Hudok, seconded by Grabowski, to reappoint city staff except for the position of City Administrator, which is to be immediately open for applications and the position and job description to be posted. The city clerk is to contact the League of Mn Cities for a listing of interim city administrators and for the city clerk to contact the persons on the list to get their terms, rates and availability. The city clerk is to present this information to the Council at the next council meeting. The current administrator is to receive six weeks severance pay Page -3- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 10, 2008 from today. Upon final exit, all personal things are to be removed, city files and property are to be secured. Mayor Guenthner asked Councilor Hudok to explain his reasoning for the motion. Councilor Hudok explained that there have been some personnel matters that have raised some concern and he would like to discuss these matters in detail during a closed session instead of an open session. A question was asked if there are specific issues regarding personnel management or if this is a general concern or allegation. Councilor Hudok answered that there are specific issues. This lead into discussion of when the issues were brought to Councilor Hudoks attention and why they weren't discussed with the mayor prior to this meeting. One of the specific concerns and reasoning for this termination is the management of the Laurent Escrow Fund. This lead into a discussion on how the management of this fund is related to the City Administrator's job performance and the purpose of the termination without notice. Some concerns were raised on whether or not the termination of the City Administrator was discussed between certain Councilmember's violating the Open Meeting Law. After some discussion it was determined that the Open Meeting Law wasn't violated. Mayor Guenthner called a Closed Session to discuss employee management and review in specific to the motion to terminate the City Administrator at 8:28 pm. Mayor Guenthner called the Regular Council Meeting to order at 9:20 pm. Councilor Hudok read his motion. VOTE ON MOTION: Voting Aye: Grabowski, Hudok and Thomas Voting Nay: Guenthner and Thomas (Motion carried 3:2) Mayor Guenthner announced that the City Administrator is terminated as of January 10, 2008. Upon leaving the council meeting Sue Vergin announced that she has enjoyed working with the City and she will miss everyone. A question was raised of which councilmember would like to proceed with taking notes for the minute process. A suggestion was made that Police Chief Gormley or another staff member take notes instead of a council member. After some discussion it was decided to proceed with the meeting. MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok to appoint Patricia Ellinger and Rosalyn Milbrandt to the Planning Commissioners and Darrell Krueger and Dean Fransell as alternates. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski to appoint Steve Kohnen, Trish Krueger, and Joan Parks to the Parks and Trails Commission and Joan Parks and Dean Fransell as alternate. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok to appoint Gartner Engineering as the Planning Consultant. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Hudok, and Jacobs Voting Nay: Guenthner and Thomas (Motion carried 3:2) MOTION made by Hudok, seconded by Grabowski to appoint Waldron & Page -4- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 10, 2008 Associates as Building Inspector. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Hudok, and Jacobs Voting Nay: Guenthner and Thomas (Motion carried 3:2) MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Thomas to appoint Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik & Associates as the Engineering Consultant. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Hudok and Thomas Voting Nay: Jacobs (Motion carried 4:1) MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok to appoint Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney PA as the Civil Attorney. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Hudok to appoint Carson, Clelland & Schreder as the Criminal Attorney. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski to appoint ABDO, ABDO, Eick & Meyers, LLP as Auditor. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok and Thomas Voting Nay: Jacobs (Motion carried 4:1) MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok authorize the following as official signatories for the city: Kenneth Guenthner, Mayor Paul Jacobs, Vice - Mayor /Acting Mayor Barb Larson, City Clerk/Treasurer Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) 2008 Fee Schedule, Resolution No. 2008 -02 MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok to approve Resolution No. 2008 -02, A Resolution setting fees for the City of Corcoran for 2008. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) CONSENT AGENDA 9a. December 27, 2007 Council Minutes MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok, to approve the December 27, 2007 Council Minutes with the following changes: Page 2, 31.d paragraph, add "Councilor Jacobs questioned, as a long time resident, if the area in the Co. 10 R/W could legally be blocked off, because there is a long history of the public driving over the area later defined as a "berm "." Page 5, 5d~ paragraph, add "Councilor Grabowski stated that as council members they are under an obligation to the citizens of this community to limit the growth of the government. And if we allow the government to grow at 9 — 10% per year, in then years no one will be able to live in the City because they can't afford to pay the taxes." VOTE ON MOTION: Voting Aye; Grabowski, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas Voting Nay: Guenthner (Motion carried 4:1) 9b. Schedule Local Board of Appeal, April 10, 2008 MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok to schedule the Local Board of Appeal for April 10, 2008. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs 2008 Fee Schedule, Resolution No. 2008 -02 Consent Agenda Items Approved: December 27, 2007 Schedule Local Board of Appeal Page -5- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING January 10, 2008 and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) 9c. Agriculture Preserve Designation, Resolution No. 2008 -03 MOTION made by Hudok, seconded by Grabowski to approve Resolution No. 2008 -03 with the following changes: Striking "WHEREAS, the City of Corcoran has designated certain lands in their Comprehensive Plan to be eligible for designation as an agriculture preserve; and" Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) CLAIMS a. Escrow Claims (Fund #500) $0 b. Building Inspection Claims $4,653.67 MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok, to approve the building inspection claims as presented, totaling $4,653.67. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) c. All Other Claims $ 87,183.72 MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok, to approve the all other claims as presented, totaling $87,183.72. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) Council and Staff Reports Nanning Commission Councilor Jacobs gave an overview of the January Planning Commission Meeting. Agriculture Preserve Designation, Resolution No. 2008 -03 Approval of Claims Council and Staff Reports Planning Commission Northwest Suburban Chamber of Commerce Merger Northwest Suburban Chamber of Commerce Mayor Guenthner announced that the Northwest Suburban Chamber of Commerce Merger has merged with the I94 Chamber and will not be renewing their lease in April. Miscellaneous Correspondence Miscellaneous Mayor Guenthner reported that an email was received from a St. Michael resident Correspondence regarding the 3% cap. This lead into a discussion on what type of correspondence should or shouldn't be distributed to all of the council members. ADJOURNMENT Adjournment MOTION made by Hudok, seconded by Grabowski, to adjourn at 9:44 p.m. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Jacobs, Hudok and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) ) Barb Larson, City Clerk Page -6-