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Home My WebLink About2008-10-23 - Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 23, 2008 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Corcoran City Council met on October 23, 2008, at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota. Present were Mayor Guenthner, Councilor Jacobs, Councilor Grabowski, Councilor Hudok and Councilor Thomas. Also present were Interim City Administrator Bodem, Police Chief Gormley, Public Works Superintendent Meister, City Planner Gartner, Building Official QuaIle and City Engineer Rhein. Mayor Guenthner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. AGENDA APPROVAL MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Thomas to approve the agenda with the following additions: Under Unfinished Business 7 e. add the City Inspector Contract Add under Unfinished Business 7 e. for the Animal Ordinance discussion Add under Consent Agenda 10 b. St. Thomas of the Apostle Exempt Permit. Councilor Jacobs would like to talk about his memo under 7a of Unfinished business regarding Police budgets philosophy. Mayor Guenthner discussed about a question he received feedback about how he conducts the city council meetings. There was general discussion about how they should address the public who want to be recognized. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs, Grabowski and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) 4. OPEN FORUM Dorthy Theis was present to discuss her concern about money being spent on the Memorial Park instead of in other areas. She also talked about sections of the City's Personnel Policy. 5. PRESENTATIONS None 6. Planning — Norm Gartner a. Bechtold Family Acres — Preliminary/Final Plat Planner Gartner presented background information provided by Mary and Arnold Bechtold for Preliminary and Final Plat approval of Bechtold Family Acres. They are proposing a 1 lot and 1 outlot subdivision on 46.7 acres. The project is being submitted under the preliminary plat requirements of Section 930 of Subdivision Ordinance. Pursuant to City Ordinance a sketch plan for this project is not required. The property is farmland and there are no existing homes located on the property. Call to order Roll Call Pledge of Allegiance Agenda Approval Open Forum Presentations Planning Page -1- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 23, 2008 At their July 24th meeting, the City Council approved Resolution 2008 -30, granting a topography and wetland waiver for the area proposed as Outlot A. The staff recommendation is: A. Approve the renaming of the plat from "Bechtold Family Estates" to "Bechtold Family Acres." B. The Planning Commission (6 -0) and the Planner recommended approval of the Preliminary Plat for Bechtold Family Acres. C. Planner Gartner recommended approval of the Final Plat for Bechtold Family Acres. D. That the Park Dedication requirements be met by the donation of a 20 foot wide trail easement on the adjacent 80 acre parcel (PID No. 05- 119- 23 -44- 0001). The donation of the trail easement shall satisfy the park dedication requirements for Lot 1, Block 1, Bechtold Family Acres only. The easement shall be recorded with the final plat. E. The applicant shall comply with all comments received from Bonestroo, the Elm Creek Water Management Commission, Gartner Engineering and the Hennepin county Human Services Department. MOTION made by Thomas seconded by Grabowski to approve Resolution 2008- 40 for the preliminary plat for `Bechtold Family Acres" on property located on Bechtold road following all of the recommendations. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs, Grabowski and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) MOTION made by Thomas seconded by Grabowski to approve Resolution 2008- 41 for the final plat for "Bechtold Family Acres" following staff recommendations to modify language to conform with the preliminary plat. Additionally, under line 3 of the Resolution, strike "No future subdivision is allow" and instead add that property has no building rights until Bechtold road is paved, city ordinance are modified or other legally allowed circumstance. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs, Grabowski and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Budget — Performance -To -Date for the Police Department Police Chief Gormley presented the 3rd quarter budget performance -to -date to the City Council demonstrating that expenditures are within budget. Council asked for the department to provide feedback to the city about the police department budget projections, trends and equilibrium on the personnel side of the budget. b. Heating System Update Mayor Guenthner updated the Council that we are still waiting for a cost estimate proposal from a HVAC company about the broken geo thermo heat system. It should be ready by next meeting time. The system is functioning but is losing fluid. Unfinished Business Page -2- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 23, 2008 c. Draft Fireworks Ordinance The paired down fireworks ordinance and scope of the fire works ordinance came back with favorable review by the City Council for display of fireworks. It was the Council consensus to follow legal notifications for future meeting date. d. Employee Handbook revision/approval The City Council reviewed the proposed employee handbook following amended language from the City Attorney. Council wanted self directed contributions into a segregated city fund. The issue of short term disability and other time off needs to be studied. On page 2, a question what is the definition of "significant other" and obligation for the term. On page 5, there was a question about part-time being probation for 1 year. There was a question about the "at will" -- "probation" and promoted employee connection. On page 13, under comp time cap, it was stated that there should be a "sunset clause" allowing for the cap of 240 be allowed time to reduce down to 80 by no later than June 30, 2010. MOTION made by Thomas seconded by Grabowski to approve the employee amended handbook as presented with clarification on questions raised and removing the definition of "significant other." Voting Aye: Thomas, Hudok, Jacobs and Grabowski Voting Nay: Guenthner Motion Carried 4:1 e. MNSPECT — 3 year contract proposal MOTION made by Grabowski seconded by Hudok to approve a three -year contract with MNSPECT for building inspection services with the idea that the city will save money. Councilor Thomas stated that MNSPECT costs over $30,000 per year more than the previous inspector and that the contract cost increases in the 2nd and 3rd year. He further objected to the Council taking definitive action on an item that was added to the agenda at the last minute. This is in clear violation of the Council's policy to not take action on items that are not on the agenda. He also objected to committing to a long term contract without going out for competitive bids. Voting Aye: Hudok, Jacobs, Grabowski Voting Nay: Guenthner and Thomas Motion Carried 3:2. New Business e. Draft Animal Ordinance Discussion There was a brief discussion and review of the draft ordinance amending the text of chapter 81 and section 1030 of the city code with respect to animal units and review for the next meeting. Page -3- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 23, 2008 8. NEW BUSINESS 8a. Hidden Valley Drive Paving Discussion The Interim City Administrator was asked to review the assessment procedures and present the information to the benefited property owners along the street. He was asked to contact the property owners on the street and follow city procedure. 8b. Waste Management Contract MOTION made by Grabowski seconded by Hudok to approve a 1 year contract extension from the 2008 rate of 2.54 /unit/home to a proposed rate $2.61 / unit/home with fuel charge for 2009. Also, allow for a contract opener to investigate the idea of single sort ability. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs, Grabowski and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) 8c. Tree Ordinance — Authorize Draft Ordinance Update There was some discussion about the proposed tree ordinance language about section 930 and 935 identifying the location and the type of all trees 8 inches or larger measured with a caliper at a point 4 feet above ground level. It was the consensus of Council to direct the City Attorney to prepare the ordinance with recommended changes. 8d. Employee Health Benefits MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Hudok to carry forward the same percentage of city contribution in 2008 as against the cost for 2009 and that council will consider further review of city contributions if handed more detailed data. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs, Grabowski and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) 9. CLAIMS AS PRESENTED 9a. Escrow Claims (Fund 500), Claims MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Hudok to approve Escrow Claims (Fund 500). Voting Aye: Thomas, Hudok, Grabowski, Jacobs, and Guenthner. (Motion carried 5:0) 9b. Building Inspection MOTION made by Jacobs, seconded by Hudok to approve Escrow Claims (Fund 500). Voting Aye: Thomas, Hudok, Grabowski, Jacobs, and Guenthner. (Motion carried 5:0) Claims as presented Page -4- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 23, 2008 9c. All Other Claims as Presented MOTION made by Hudok, seconded by Thomas to approve All Other Claims. Voting Aye: Thomas, Hudok, Grabowski, Jacobs, and Guenthner. (Motion carried 5:0) 10. CONSENT AGENDA 10. b. St. Thomas Application MOTION made by, Thomas, seconded by Hudok to approve the application for lawful gambling permit for St. Thomas The Apostle and waiving the waiting period. Voting Aye: Thomas, Hudok, Jacobs, Grabowski and Guenthner. (Motion carried 5:0) Council went into closed session to discuss Personnel matters. Council reconvened the closed session with no action taken. 10. a. October 9th City Council Minutes MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Thomas to approve the October 9, 2008 minutes with the following changes. On page 3, change the word to "unintended consequences." Please note on page 6, show the time of adjournment. On bottom of page 1, current city code prevents uses not listed as said use otherwise legal and being utilized historically in the city. Voting Aye: Thomas, Hudok, Jacobs, Grabowski and Guenthner. (Motion carried 5:0) 11. COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS 11a. October 2, 2008 Parks and Trails Commission Report No report given. 11b. September 18th Subcommittee Land Use minutes Mayor Guenthner wanted to comment about the minutes where it states the Mayor was present as an advisor. The Mayor said he was there as an observer. The Subcommittee meeting dates were noted as follows: Land Use Meeting. The 3`d Thursday at 7 p.m. Infrastructure Meeting time. The lst Monday at 7 p.m. 12. UNSCHEDULED ITEMS Consent Agenda Council and Staff Reports Unscheduled Items Adjournment Page -5- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 23, 2008 Mayor Guenthner asked about the status of the sign ordinance and the financial policies and procedures. 13. ADJOURNMENT MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Hudok to adjourn at 9:58 p.m. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Jacobs, Hudok, Grabowski and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) eAL-- Kim Bachmeier, City Clerk Treasurer Page -6-