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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-13 - Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 13, 2008 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Call to Order The Corcoran City Council met on March 13, 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 Interim City Administrator Bodem, City Planner Gartner, City Engineer Rhein, 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 Interim City Administrator Bodem added to the consent agenda: Item 8a -1 — Bond Resolution 2008 -16 General Obligation Certificate of in debtness He also mentioned that the council and staff have received a copy of the draft council minutes for February 28, 2008 to be approved under consent agenda. Mayor Guenthner added that under Miscellaneous Reports he will be discussing some emails and concerns residents have expressed regarding the comprehensive plan update. It was suggested to add Item 6E - Temporary Pool Permits A suggestion was made to add Item 7E — Behavior of the mayor during a Planning Commission Meeting It was suggested that the council talk about the process of the minutes in detail during the minute approval discussion. A suggestion was made to discuss the status of Metropolitan Council's rep It was suggested to add Item 7F — Lighted sign MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok to approve the agenda as modified. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) OPEN FORUM & ANNOUNCEMENTS Jack Curly, 6210 Rolling Hills Road, explained that he has lived on his property for approximately 22 years and is looking into building a universal design home. He would like to have a comprehensive plan amendment so his 5 acre lot could be subdivided into 2 %2 acre lots. He also suggested that there be a comprehensive amendment to have water and sewer proposed for east side of Rolling Hills Road. He explained that if the subdivision isn't allowed than he would like to propose to keep the existing home as an accessory building. He is asking for the council input on whether or not this is something he could pursue. Mayor Guenthner explained that Mr. Curly had called him about this and that he told Mr. Curly that this is unique enough that it should be brought up to the Council during Open Forum and for him to request a zoning review of his area during the Comprehensive Plan Update. It was suggested that Mr. Curly speak to City Planner Gartner further about his plans. There was some discussion about the accessory buildings located on the property and about the use of the existing home after the new home is built. Patrick Hank questioned what the status is of the Road Transportation Fee. Mayor Guenthner answered that because of the past events with staffing issues, this item has taken a back burner and there hasnt been any action taken on it. He explained that time lines of letter of credits have been verified and they are further out and so Agenda Approval Open Forum & Announcements: Page -1- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 13, 2008 there wasn't a need to rush into getting this resolved. Planner Gartner added that the last direction he received from Council was to look at some of the vacant land in the community and to look into increasing density and he is almost done with putting those numbers together to present to the council at an upcoming council meeting. PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS: Decentralized Evolution Article Planner Gartner presented an article that was forwarded to him by Councilor Jacobs as an alternative method of managing sanitary sewer waste versus connecting to the Metropolitan Council's system. This provides an option for consideration while waiting an unknown period of time for the Metropolitan Council's pipe. It has the benefit of allowing growth to occur at ay location within the MUSA area and at the developers cost. There was discussion on different methods and systems that could be used throughout the city. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Review /Approve — City Administrator Job Description Interim City Administrator Bodem presented a copy of a merged document utilizing the existing City Administrator job description and the bullet point notes from the previous City Administrator. He also presented his rendition of the job description that takes the existing merged document and adding a few more bullet points of duties. It was suggested to change the wording in Item 1.7 to read "Provide material and information as needed to various Commissions, Committees and Ad Hoc Groups." Item 4.3 was questioned on the purpose of this item. Interim Administrator Bodem answered that it is to make sure the City Clerk is performing all functions of a clerk. It was suggested to change it to state something to the effect that the City Administrator oversees the City Clerk functions. There was a question about the minimal qualifications and the years of related experience being required. After some discussion it was decided to require six years of related experience. There was some concern with the FLSA status and excluding individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. It was suggested to strike it from the job description. It was suggested to add to item 3 that the administrator oversees the yearly audit. There was a question about the degree required. It was suggested that a "Master's Degree preferred" be stricken. There was some discussion of editing that needs to be done to the Position Profile and council members will be giving Interim Administrator Bodem their editing Planning Commission Business: Decentralized Evolution Article Unfinished Business: Review /Approve City Administrator Job Description Page -2- 1 CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 13, 2008 notes to be corrected in the profile. Mayor Guenthner asked for an update on the City Clerk hiring process. Interim Administrator Bodem answered that they have done some pre - interviews and have the top three candidates are picked out and interviews will be done on Thursday, March 20, 2008. Recommendation to hire will be done at the March 27, 2008 meeting. It was suggested for the Interim City Administrator to revise the job description and profile with corrections mentioned and submit to council for review at the next council meeting. Request official authorization to prepare the LSWMP Mayor Guenthner explained that Bonestroo is to prepare the LSWMP and this will be partially funded by a grant that was given to the city from Met Council. MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski, to authorize Bonestroo to proceed with tasks 1 through 3 of the Local Surface Water management Plan with the $4,900 amount, required in excessive of the $20,000 grant from Met Council, coming from the Comprehensive Plan Budget Line Item. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Graowski, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) 2/28/2008 Comp Plan Special Workshop Update Mayor Guenthner presented that council members were given emails and memos that staff has received regarding the Comprehensive Plan Update. It was suggested that staff copy all of the information received and the outlines that have been completed and to be given to all of the council members and planning commission members before the next joint meeting. It was also suggested that these be made available to the public. There was some discussion about summarizing the outlines and concerns expressed and documenting them on a white board for the next joint meeting. Staff stated that they would be able to use an easel and summarize the points for the next joint meeting. Interim City Administrator added that the Metropolitan Council Representative will be present at the next joint meeting. It was suggested that staff call her to be sure she is prepared to answer the questions that were asked to her during a previous meeting with staff and some council members. Temporary Pool Permits Councilor Grabowski explained that he went through previous permit files and found that there were five temporary pool permits filed since 2006. He explained that he was told by previous staff that there wasn't any temporary pool permits filed and therefore he is suggesting that staff refund the five residents that have applied for a temporary pool permit because the fee that was collected was unauthorized and not legal. MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Jacobs, to refund the five residents that applied for a temporary pool permit since 2006. Request Official Authorization - LSWMP 2/28/2008 Comp Plan Special Workshop Update Temporary Pool Permits Page -3- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 13, 2008 A question was asked on why the city would have collected these fees and asked residents to get a temporary pool permit. Councilor Grabowski answered that it was stated in the newspaper that a one time fee and permit was going to be required for temporary pool permits. He also explained that there were four meetings to discuss this item and it was decided that the city was going to allow the state to take care of this. He also explained that the former city inspector received revenue from these inspections and it was suggested that he be contacted and refunds the city that money. A question was asked on whether or not there was an ordinance in 2006 that required a building permit for a temporary pool. There was some discussion about previous meetings that were held regarding this topic and it was recommended that there be an ordinance but one was never drafted. There was some discussion about the fee's that were collected and whether or not there was verification on whether or not there was an ordinance for a temporary pool permit. It was suggested that staff take a look at the ordinances and evaluate whether or not the city should have required the permits to be done. AMENDED MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Jacobs , to authorize staff to evaluate the permits and ordinances and to verify if it was adequate for staff require a temporary pool permit. Voting Aye: Grabowksi, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2008 -14 Renew Lease for Lawful Gambling Maple Grove Lions @ Mama Gee's MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Hudok to approve Resolution 2008 -14, A Resolution to Renew Lease for Lawful Gambling for the Maple Grove Lions at Mama Gee's. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) Resolution 2008 -15 Crop Rental Bids Mayor Guenthner presented a list of people that sent in bids for rental of the crop land. There was some discussion about a bid stating per planted acre and other's only stating per acre. The bid proposal and resolution does read that the bid is based on a per acre dollar amount. MOTION made by Hudok, seconded by Thomas to approve Resolution No. 2008- 15, A Resolution accepting Greg Leuer's bid. A suggestion was made that a certificate of insurance be required for renting of the land. It was suggested that staff check with the city's insurance agent to see if this is necessary. Bonestroo Street Lights Mayor Guenthner explained that the Traffic Operations Engineer at Hennepin County was contacted regarding their request to have street lights at new entrances onto county roads. Currently there is no written policy requiring street lights at the intersections, it is only a recommendation for safety. Based on the conversation with Hennepin County it appears that the city may choose whether or not it wishes New Business: Resolution 2008 -14 Renew Lease for Lawful Gambling — Maple Grove Lions @ Mama Gee's Resolution 2008-15 Crop Rental Bids Bonestroo Street Lights Page -4- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 13, 2008 to follow the recommendation. The county will not force compliance. Bonestroo has reviewed this issue and it is their opinion that the recommendation of Hennepin County is reasonable and the main beneficiary of a street light at an intersection would be the vehicle on the city street that is attempting to enter onto or travel across the county road. There was discussion about what expenses the city would incur. Staff was directed to draft language to be inputted into the subdivision ordinance and to bring back to council for review. Mayor behavior at Mayor's behavior at the February Planning Commission Meeting Planning Commission Councilor Grabowski explained that it came to his attention that the mayor had an Meeting outbreak and threatened to reprimand the City Planner during the February Planning Commission meeting. It was suggested that the mayor be cautious of losing his temper in the future and to not create a hostile work environment. Mayor Guenthner noted that creating a hostile work environment doesn't pertain to consultants. A suggestion was made to conduct performance reviews on the City Planner and department heads to allow time for the mayor and the council members to present concerns regarding their performances. Staff was directed to find forms that have been used in the past and then to present to council the best process to perform evaluations on department heads and maybe consultants. Lighted Sign Councilor Jacobs explained that he was asked from a local gas station on why a neighboring gas station was able to install a lighted sign; when last summer they applied for a lighted sign but was told they had to wait until the city adopted a new sign ordinance. City Planner Gartner answered that the gas station did submit a permit in February for a digital gas pricing sign. The ordinance currently doesn't allow that type of signage. The applicant was asked to wait on installing this sign to allow staff, time to amend the ordinance to allow that type of sign. He explained that the sign is an LED type sign. He has reviewed the ordinance since than and the ordinance does allow for those type of signs. There was some discussion about the language of the ordinance and enforcement of the ordinance. It was suggested to issue a short term conditional use permit to allow the sign until the ordinance is changed. Planning Commission Chair Milbrandt explained that the planning commission has done some research on this topic and it was suggested that she provide the council with the bullet points of her research. There was some discussion about enforcing the issue of the sign being installed without a permit. Staff was directed to provide council with the sign ordinance, the facts regarding the sign and the inputs from the Planning Commission and the Parks and Trails Commission for the April 10, 2008 meeting. CONSENT AGENDA 8a. February 28, 2008 Council Minutes MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Jacobs , to approve the February 28, Lighted Sign Consent Agenda Items Approved: February 28, 2008 Page -5- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 13, 2008 2008 Council Minutes with the following modifications: Page 2, 1' paragraph, last word should be "compliant" Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) Councilor Jacob's expressed his concerns regarding an article that was in the newspaper that presented the engineer being directed to check into the best way to reroute the sewer in the downtown business park. But after speaking with the engineer and staff Councilor Jacobs had found that it was an error and the error came from the minutes. A suggestion was made that everything be reviewed and approved by the City Administrator before the media is able to get the information. It was also suggested that staff contact the newspaper and request a formal correction to the article. 8a -1. Bond Resolution 2008 -16 General Bond Obligation Certificate of indebtness Paul Donna presented the General Obligation Certificate. He explained in detail about the General Bonds. There was discussion about council wanting more time to review the documents and the impact it has on the purchases requested from public works. Public Works Meister answered that their maybe an impact of a price increase if there is a delay in purchasing of the paver. Mayor Guenthner called a special meeting of the Council for March 20, 2008 starting at 6:40 p.m. to consider the certificate of General Bond Obligations and the CIP Purchases. 8b. CIP Purchase of Paver To be discussed on March 20, 2008. 8c. CIP Purchase of Wood Chipper To be discussed on March 20, 2008. 8d. Joint Planning Minutes MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Hudok to approve the Joint Planning Minutes of February 21, 2008 with the following modifications: Page 1 — Service Water Management Plan, should be "Surface Water Management Plan" Page 2, 4th paragraph - Chatsick should be "Chastick" and Mapleton should be "Maple Hills" Page 2, 4th paragraph — ultimate should be "alternate" Page 3, 3rd paragraph, 4th sentence should read "He also explained that there isn't much flexibility for change of the density of 3 to 5 unites per acre." Page 3, 4th paragraph — brining should be "bringing" Page 3, 4th paragraph — strike last sentence Page 4, 1St sentence should be Washick Property Council Minutes Bond Resolution 2008 -16 General Bond Obligation Certificate Joint Planning Minutes Page -6- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING March 13, 2008 Page 4, 3rd paragraph, add to the end of the paragraph "The issue arrives through the definition of the agriculture zoning district" Page 4, 7th Paragraph should read "A suggestion was made from a Planning Commission member for the city engineer to check into the best way to route a sewer system into the down town business district" VOTE ON MOTION: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) CLAIMS a. All Other Claims MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski, to approve the all other claims as presented. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) Councilor Thomas noted that he would like to be sure that staff uses the temporary accountant as much as is needed so the finances of the city stay afloat. Council and Staff Reports Miscellaneous Correspondence Mayor Guenthner explained that they have received some comments regarding the Comprehensive Plan update. Planning Commission Councilor Grabowski explained that he wasn't able to attend the March 6, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting. Mayor Guenthner explained that he will be on vacation the week of March 27 and therefore co -chair Jacobs will be chairing the meeting. He also will not be able to attend the April 9, Planning Commission meeting and asked if Councilor Hudok would be willing to switch months with him. Councilor Hudok answered that he doesn't have a problem with that. ADJOURNMENT MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok, to adjourn at 08:54 p.m. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Jacobs, Hudok and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) Todd Bodem, Interim City Administrator Approval of Claims Council and Staff Reports: Miscellaneous Correspondence Planning Commission Adjournment Page -7-