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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-10 - Council Minutes CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 10, 2007 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Call to Order The Corcoran City Council met on May 10, 2007, at city hall in Corcoran, Minnesota. Present were Mayor Guenthner, Councilor Grabowski, Councilor Jacobs, Councilor Hudok, and Councilor Thomas. Also present were Chief Roll Call Gormley, and Administrator Vergin. Mayor Guenthner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA APPROVAL MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski, to approve the agenda as modified, adding 9.d Rockford School District Meeting and 9.e. Letter from City Agenda Approval Attorney Langel, regarding Hedgestone. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Jacobs, Hudok, and Thomas. (Motion carried 5:0) OPEN FORUM & ANNOUNCEMENTS Hamel Fire Department Annual Report Open Forum & Fire Chief Brandon Guest of the Hamel Fire Department was present to provide the Announcements: annual report for 2006. In 2006 the department purchased a new engine, with a life expectancy of 20 years. They refurbished an engine to extend the life expectancy Hamel Fire Department by an additional 10 years. Chief Guest described the use of air-compressed foam which acts as a multiplier to water, which helps in the rural areas that lack water service. In 2007 they will be purchasing a new tanker that will hold 2,500 gallons of water; will be seeking a grant to purchase a compressor, and will also be looking at replacing the grass rig, which is owned by the City of Corcoran. Chief Guest stated that the CIP plan that they have put in place is working well. Mayor Guenthner questioned the funding of the Fire Relief Association (pension fund). Chief Guest replied that they are fully funded. Mayor Guenther questioned the use of the excess revenues at year-end. Chief Guest responded that they are utilizing those funds to help finance the equipment that is being purchased, adding that the department has a positive cash flow. Reaffirm Resolution No. 2006-26 – Support for the Fire Departments Reaffirm Resolution No. 2006-26 – Supporting the MOTION by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok, to reaffirm Resolution No. 2006- Fire Departments 26, supporting the fire departments that serve the City of Corcoran. Vote Aye: Grabowski, Goethe, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas. (Motion Carried 5:0) Introduction of City Clerk/Treasurer Administrator Vergin introduced Barb Larson as the City’s new City Clerk/Treasurer. Appointment of City MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski, to approve Resolution No. 2007- Clerk/Treasurer – 33, appointing Barb Larson as the City’s Clerk/Treasurer. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Resolution No. 2007-33 Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs, and Thomas. (Motion Carried 5:0). Thank You to Public Works The City received a thank you from the Hanover Fire Chief, Tracey Franke Thank You to Public expressing his gratitude and appreciation for the assistance that the Public Works Works rd Department provided at a fire near Trail Haven Road and 93 Avenue. MOTION by Grabowski, seconded by Thomas to send a letter of commendation to the Public Works Department for going above and beyond in their assistance to Page -1- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 10, 2007 the Hanover Fire Department. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs, and Thomas. (Motion Carried 5:0) UNFINISHED BUSINESS Planning Services – RFP’s Mayor Guenthner requested that each council member identify planning Planning Services – consultants to interview. RFP’s – Interviews Set Grabowski identified Community Growth Institute, Gartner Engineering, and MK Land Corporation. Hudok identified Loucks Associates and Gartner Engineering. Thomas identified Sanders Wacker Bergly Inc., Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc., TKDA, and Loucks Associates. Jacobs identified Gartner Engineering, Sanders Wacker Bergly Inc., Community Growth Institute, and TBSK. Guenthner identified Loucks Associates, Community Growth Institute, Sanders Wacker Bergly Inc., and TKDA. Based on those identified the council chose the top four to interview as follows: th Gartner Engineering at 7:30 p.m. on May 24; Community Growth Institute at 8:15 th p.m. on May 24; Loucks Associates at 7:30 p.m. on June 14; and Sanders Wacker Bergly Inc. at 8:15 on June 14. Woodland Ordinance Informational Meeting MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski, to accept Consultant Sheri Buss’s Woodland Ordinance proposal to provide a presentation on woodland ordinance. Vote Aye: Grabowski, Information Meeting – Guenthner, Hudok, and Thomas. Vote Nay: Jacobs (Motion Carried 4:1) Authorize S. Buss Revised Cash Flow – Corcoran Business Park A revised cash flow for the Corcoran Business Park infrastructure had been Revised Cash Flow – prepared by Northland Securities using the increased percentage rate of 2% over Corcoran Business Park the city’s borrowing rate. It was noted that his still provides a negative balance of $28,400. It was also noted that there were assumptions made in the preparation of the cash flow which may change. Request to Reconsider 2006 Audit Correspondence MOTION by Grabowski, seconded by Jacobs to request that the audit identify by Reconsider 2006 Audit footnote, the negative escrow fund balance at year-end, per the auditor’s Correspondence recommendation. Vote Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok and Jacobs. Voting Nay: Thomas. (Motion Carried 4:1) NEW BUSINESS Maple Lane Street Improvement Petition A petition has been received from residents on Maple Lane to consider improving Maple Lane Street the road to a paved standard. It was noted that the petition in no way commits the Improvement Petition residents to an assessment for the improvement. Councilor Thomas updated the council on where the Pavement Management Committee is at with their recommendations for improving streets within the City. Presently the City contributes 30% cost share to neighborhood streets, through the Page -2- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 10, 2007 work performed by Public Works. The Committee is now considering 100% assessment for neighborhood streets, voting on the improvements would be based on buildings rights, Public Works would oversee the projects rather than the engineer to reduce costs, and neighborhood roads that access collector roads would be assessed the same as someone that has direct access to a collector road. Administrator Vergin was directed to provide the legislative requirements on accepting petitions to the Committee. MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski to table the petition until the Pavement Management Committee has provided their recommendations to the City Council. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs, and Thomas. (Motion Carried 5:0) The Committee was also asked to provide models of their recommendations when presenting to the City Council. Priority Rankings for Commissions It was the consensus of the Council to lay this matter over, allowing time for all council members to compile their rankings. Mayor Guenthner suggested the Priority Rankings for Council identify the responsibilities and functions of the commissions. Commissions Liaison Function Mayor Guenthner provided a brief history on how and why the liaison position was created. It was to have council members attend the various commission meetings Liaison Function to increase the level of communication and provide a reporting function between the groups. It is not the intent that a council member acts as a member of the commission or become actively involved in the discussions of the commission. The liaison should act as a facilitator and nurture discussions of the commissions. If the council is directing the discussions there is the potential for a missed opportunity by not allowing a good decision making processes to occur. Questioned if the Council feels that this program should continue, discontinue or be modified. Also noted that if the Council has concerns with what the commissions are doing that should be addressed at the council level. Councilor Grabowski responded that he felt that the liaison program is a good thing, and agreed that the liaison should not influence decisions. Councilor Jacobs stated that the City ordinance states that the liaison is a member, there appears to be some mixed signals. In some cities the liaison acts as a voting member when there is a lack of a quorum. It should also be the liaisons responsibility to inform the commission if they are proceeding in a different direction then the City Council. Mayor Guenthner stated that if there are conflicts the council needs to identify those, but is reluctant to designate the liaison as an extra commission member at a meeting. Councilor Thomas stated that if the ordinance states that the liaison is a sitting member, then it should be changed. The liaison’s role is to report back and answer questions. Appointment of City Attorney – Joe Langel MOTION by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok, to appoint Joe Langel of Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney as the City’s civil attorney and retain Carson, Clelland, and Page -3- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 10, 2007 Schreder as the criminal attorney. City Attorney Appointment Discussion on Motion: Jacobs stated that Langel has done a good job, and would like to keep criminal and civil separate, perhaps seek a recommendation from Langel on who should perform the criminal work. Mayor Guenthner stated that he agrees that Mr. Langel is a good lawyer, however feels that the Council owes the City a better process, should continue with the RFP process. Councilor Hudok stated that he had reviewed the RFPs and that Mr. Langel’s rates are reasonable and that he would be a good choice for the City. Councilor Grabowski stated that this motion does short circuit the process, but owe it to the residents to get something done. Councilor Thomas stated that he likes Mr. Langel, that he has provided good direction, however the Council should go through the RFP process as intended. VOTE ON MOTION: Voting Aye: Grabowski, Hudok and Jacobs. Voting Nay: Guenthner and Thomas. (Motion Carried 3:2) CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok, to approve the following consent agenda items: Consent Agenda Items 7.c. Donations to Police Department, Resolution No. 2007-34 Approved: 7.d. Repeal Chapter 50 and 35, Ordinance No. 242  PD Donations 7.e. Street Maintenance Material, Resolution No. 2007-35  Ordinance No. 242 Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs, and Thomas. (Motion Carried  Street Maintenance 5:0) Material Bid 7.a. April 12, 2007 Regular Council Minutes MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski to approve the April 12, 2007 Council minutes as amended, page 4 – palpation replaced with population, and page 8 Motion Carried corrected to 3:2. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, April 12, 2007 Council Hudok, Jacobs, and Thomas. (Motion Carried 5:0) Minutes Approved 7.b. April 26, 2007 Regular Council Minutes MOTION by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok to approve the April 26 Council minutes with the following changes: “Have paved many roads and the property April 26, 2007 Council owners have paid for them, so is itit is fair for them benefiting property owners to Minutes Approved pay for dust control.” “They have looked into using limestonecrushed granite …” “noting that Trial Trail Haven his does..” “Resolution No. 2--—536 2005-36” “include to identify the pluses top outside firms…” corrected Motion Carried on page 9 from 5:1 to 5:0, and fro to for on page 11. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs, and Thomas. (Motion Carried 5:0) CLAIMS a. Escrow Claims (Fund #500) - None Approval of Claims b. Building Inspection Claims - None Page -4- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 10, 2007 c. All Other Claims $85,060.40 MOTION by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok, to approve all other claims as presented, totaling $85,060.40. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Jacobs, Hudok, and Thomas. (Motion carried 5:0) Acknowledge Donations - The Police Department has been sending thank yous to all of the donors expressing the City’s gratitude. COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS: Council & Staff Reports Planning Commission Councilor Grabowski reported on the Commission meeting, where they reviewed the proposed subdivision of Meadow View. The Commission tabled the matter and Planning Commission requested that the developer look at dedicating right of way on the north and south borders of the property. The Commission has asked that the Council authorize them to work with the City Attorney on the sign ordinance. MOTION by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok to authorize the City Attorney to advise the Planning Commission on the sign ordinance. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs, and Thomas. (Motion Carried 5:0) Administrator Vergin reported that the Planning Commission had created a subcommittee to review the sign ordinance and would like to have a council representative on the commission. After some discussion Mayor Guenthner agreed to participate in the subcommittee. Gartner Statement / Sample Statements Interim Planner Gartner stated that he would be submitting a revised statement for the Council to consider for payment. Consultant Statements Administrator Vergin informed the council that she had also included in the agenda packets copies of statements from Bonestroo and Landform to identify how they breakout and track expenditures. A copy of a weekly detailed statement from Bonestroo was also included, which identifies costs as they are being incurred. This allows the city to be more aware of costs being incurred by applicants. Pavement Management Committee Councilor Thomas stated that he had provided most of the information earlier in Pavement Management the meeting during the Maple Lane petition discussion. He added that the Committee committee is still looking at the building rights incentive. Summer Newsletter Administrator Vergin informed the Council that the deadline for material for the spring newsletter is May 30. Summer Newsletter Rockford School District Meeting Councilor Jacobs reported on the meeting that he attended on behalf of the City on May 7. They reviewed demographics that showed that only 30% of the homes have Rockford School District children in schools, that enrollment could grow 25% before needing to build more Meeting classroom space, are projecting a need for an operating referendum in 2008, addressed the land currently held in Corcoran that perhaps the school district should sell it and Corcoran could acquire for park land. Overall, the meeting was a useful communication tool and anticipates more meetings will be held. Page -5- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING May 10, 2007 Letter from Attorney Langel - Hedgestone The Council acknowledged receipt of the letter from Attorney Langel. ADJOURNMENT Letter from Attorney MOTION by Hudok, seconded by Grabowski to adjourn, 8:40 p.m. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Jacobs, Hudok, and Thomas. (Motion carried 5:0) Adjournment ______________________________ Sue Vergin, City Administrator Page -6-