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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-25 - Council Minutes CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 25, 2007 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Call to Order The Corcoran City Council met on October 25, 2007, at city hall in Corcoran, Minnesota. Present were Mayor Guenthner, Councilor Grabowski, Councilor Roll Call Jacobs, Councilor Hudok and Councilor Thomas. Also present were Administrator Vergin, Police Chief Gormley, City Planner Gartner, and City Engineer Vander Top. Mayor Guenthner called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. AGENDA APPROVAL Agenda Approval MOTION by Grabowski, seconded by Thomas, to approve the agenda with the following changes: Adding “Budget” under Unscheduled Items Adding “Roads” under Unscheduled Items VOTE ON MOTION : Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) Open Forum & OPEN FORUM & ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements: Hazel Lutz expressed her concerns regarding the developments happening in Corcoran. She is disturbed with the idea of merging back into having only one Commission for 2008. She doesn’t want to see the Parks and Trails Commission taken away, she feels this commission does a lot for the city. City Engineer Vander Top spoke about his resignation with Bonestroo and explained that he has taken a position with another company. He expressed his gratitude and enjoyment working with the council and staff. Mayor Guenthner thanked Engineer Vander Top for all his hard work and stated that the city will miss him. City Engineer Vander Top introduced Joe Rhein from Bonestroo. Mr. Rhein gave a background about his experiences and stated he is excited to start working with the city. Northwest Hennepin NORTHWEST HENNEPIN HUMAN SERVICES COUNCIL Services Council PRESENTATION Presentation Director Susan Blood presented information on what the Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council offers the community. She explained the different departments and the different types of service that are provided for citizens. TH 55 Presentation, TH 55 PRESENTATION, RESOLUTION NO. 2007-79 Resolution No. 2007-79 Jim Grube, Hennepin County Engineer, presented the future of Trunk Highway 55 in the Corcoran area. They are asking the City to approve a resolution endorsing the concept plan for future improvements to Highway 55 and include the layout in the City’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan for reference to acquire right of way as development occurs along the TH 55 corridor. Rick Brown of MFRA, consultant to the project, explained the steps and the schedule for approvals in moving forward on the layout of TH 55. The environmental review process has just been completed, the document will be ready for public review in January at which time public hearing will be held. It was asked how the public hearing would be published and how the residents will know when the public hearing is. Mr. Grube answered that the public hearing Page -1- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 25, 2007 would be advertised in the local paper and a mailing will also go out to residents along the corridor notifying of the date, time and location of the public hearing. City Staff will also coordinate with the consultant staff for a news release for the upcoming city newsletter. An issue of accesses to resident roads was discussed and there was some discussion on what the plans are for these accesses. A question was asked about an over pass on County Road 116. Mr. Grube answered that there would be an over pass on County Road 116. This lead into a discussion about how the over pass would be constructed. Council consensus was to add the issues relating to access to the resolution and approve the resolution at the next council meeting. 2007-2008 Insurance Policy 2007 – 2008 INSURANCE POLICY Shaun Irwin, League of MN Cities Insurance Agent, provided an overview of the 2007-2008 policy. There was discussion about the property insurance premium increasing 10%. The increases are related to exposure increases. A question was asked about the disability and life insurance coverage. City Administrator answered that the League of MN Cities doesn’t offer this type of coverage for employees. However, the City does provide disability coverage through the League for volunteers. Mr. Irwin stated that he would provide the council with information regarding tort immunity per the request from Mayor Guenthner. PLANNING BUSINESS Planning Business: Public Hearing – Velch/Larson Easement Vacation Public Hearing Called to order at 7:44 pm Called to Order Staff Report Staff Report City Planner Gartner presented that the Final Plat for Velch/Larson will need to be approved, but in order for that to be done, the council needs to first act on the vacation of the existing drainage and utility easement. Questions from Councilors Questions from No questions from Council Councilors Public Comment: Public Comment No public comment MOTION by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski, to close the Public Hearing at 7:46pm. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Jacobs, Hudok and Thomas. (Motion passed 5:0) Council Council Discussion/Decision, Resolution No. 2007-80 Discussion/Approved MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski, to approve Resolution No. Resolution No. 2007-80 2007-80, A Resolution Approving the Vacation of the Drainage and Utility Easements on Property Located at 6655 & 6645 County Road No. 19. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion passed 5:0) Velch/Larson Final Plat, Resolution No. 2007-81 Velch/Larson Final Plat – Resolution No. 2007-81 City Planner Gartner presented that Vincent and Laura Velch along with Larson Page -2- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 25, 2007 Properties, LLC are requesting approval of the final plat for “Sugar Maple Farms nd 2 Addition.” The plat will consist of a 2-lot subdivision on 19.25 acres. Concern was raised as to the legality of a non-conforming accessory structure now existing on one of the newly created lots. Planner Gartner answered that a condition could be added to the Resolution. Mayor Guenthner questioned the deadlines and whether or not an extension was granted. There was discussion about the application being approved due to the 60- day rule and whether or not the resolution actually needs approval. MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok, to approve Resolution No. nd 2007-81, A Resolution Approving the Final Plat for “Sugar Maple Farm 2 Addition” on Property Located at 6655 & 6645 County Road No. 19, with the addition of Condition #6 – The action of approving this plat, creates a legal non- conforming accessory structure on Lot 2, Block 1. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas. (Motion carried 5:0) Heitke Final Plat, Resolution No. 2007-82 City Planner Gartner presented that Mr. Clinton Heitke is requesting approval of Heitke Final Plat, the final plat for “Heitke Farm”. The plat will consist of 2 lots and 2 outlots, Resolution No. 2007-82 subdividing 155.03 acres. It was suggested from Ali Durgunoglu, Elm Creek Water Management Commission, that the wetlands be deleted from the final plat because they have not been delineated. He would like to have the areas that are prone to flood way or flood plain have a drainage easement placed upon them, because it a requirement from the watershed district. There is some concern because there is a state statute for platting that the wetlands need to be on the final plat. Discussion with the surveyor concluded that if there is an area with cattails it will be shown on the plat. The City Engineer is recommending that a drainage and utility easement be added on the west side of Rolling Hills Road just in the event of utility installation. There was some discussion about whether a developer’s contract is needed and Administrator Vergin explained that a developer’s contract would only be needed when conditions of the approval are not enforceable through the city’s ordinances and if there are public improvements being constructed. Planner Gartner added that he had included the contract due to the area transportation fee. There was discussion about the approval of the application with the 60-day or 120- day approval rule and this approval happening past the deadline. The issue of the location of the wetlands on the plat was discussed. It was suggested to add Condition No. 11 noting that the applicant must provide location of wetlands, ponds and creeks on the final plats MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok, to approve Resolution No. 2007-82, A Resolution Approving the Final Plat for “Heitke Farm” on Property Located at 7200 Rolling Hills Road with the addition of Condition No. 11 – Applicant must provide a wetland delineation on the final plat. There was discussion about the letter of credit for the Transportation Area Charge and the importance of the council getting the Transportation Area Charge formula resolved. VOTE ON MOTION: Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) Page -3- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 25, 2007 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Unfinished Business: Schedule Public Works Facility, Joint Meeting with Planning Schedule Public Works Commission/City Council Facility Joint Meeting Mayor Guenthner explained the purpose of the council having a joint meeting with the Planning Commission to address a public works facility. Mayor Guenthner called a joint meeting to be held with the Planning Commission on November 1, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Pavement Management Area Charges Pavement Management City Engineer Vander Top explained that with the transitions occurring at Bonstroo Area Charges this item hasn’t been worked on and currently there are no updates to report on. Mayor Guenthner directed staff to have this discussion added to the next council agenda. It was suggested that the Pavement Management Committee meeting be canceled th on November 7 and ask the committee to join the Council Meeting on November th 8 for it to be discussed. Building Inspection Fees & Forecasts Building Inspection Fees Mayor Guenthner presented a breakdown of the past building inspection fees and future building inspection fees. There was discussion about the differences in amounts the residents have had to pay in the past compared to what they will be paying with Waldron and Associates. It was suggested that the fees be negotiated with Waldron and Associates. The Council directed staff to provide the fee analysis to Waldron and Associates and address renegotiation of the fees. NEW BUSINESS New Business: Commission Operating Policies Commission Operating Mayor Guenthner explained the purpose of the operating policy and explained that Policies this topic is up for discussion because of the cancellation of a previous Planning Commission Meeting. The Council was in consensus and directed staff to modify the policy stating that the chair has the right to cancel a meeting due to lack of discussion items, unless there is an sufficient amount of members that feel a meeting is needed, then a quorum of that commission can call the meeting. Coordination through the City Clerk on noticing requirements will need to be done. This will be brought back to the Council for approval at a future meeting. Resolution to Simplify Land Use , Resolution 2007-84 Resolution to Simplify Councilor Jacobs presented an overview of the need to simplify the land use Land Use – Resolution advisory process. This will help to reduce costs to the city and the applicants. No. 2007-84 There was discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of combining the two commissions. There was discussion about the burdens to the staff and the impacts this could have if the commissions would be combined. This lead to a discussion of what each commission’s responsibilities are. Page -4- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 25, 2007 With combining the commissions it was suggested that the there be an increase in the amount of members on the commission. There was some discussion on if increasing the commission size would really benefit the city. Chad Robran, Chair to the Parks and Trails Commission expressed his concern about the combination of the two commissions. He explained that he feels the Parks and Trails Commission needs to remain a separate commission. He suggested that both commissions, staff and council review the numbers and really look at the facts before eliminating a commission. Roz Milbrandt, Chair of the Planning Commission, suggested that the commissioners be presented with the actual numbers and this resolution not be approved until all members have the opportunity to review and have more opportunity to discuss this. She expressed her concerns and the disadvantages of combining the commissions. One major disadvantage being the lack of citizen participation. There was discussion on the burden an applicant has to go through with having the two commissions compared to only having one commission to work with. MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok to table this item to give staff time to provide council with what authority the council has to make the change and what the cost savings would be if the commissions were to be combined. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Hudok, Jacobs, and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) Councilor Jacobs requested that an updated summary of the 500 fund be provided to the Council identifying consultant fees. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Thomas, to approve Consent Agenda: Consent Agenda Items Approved: Item 11a: October 11, 2007 Council Meeting Minutes October 11, 2007 Council with typographical corrections to be made. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Minutes Jacobs, Hudok and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) 11b. Bechtold Road Speed Study, Resolution 2007-83 Bechtold Rd Speed Study, City Engineer Vander Top explained the purpose of this speed study. There was Resolution 2007-83 discussion on whether or not a study is going to accomplish anything. It was suggested that the study not be done, but a blind intersection sign be posted. After further discussion the Council agreed that the issue is more wide spread. That the Council should look at what they can and can not do to set speed limits within the City. Staff was directed to communicate back to Mr. Weber that the City is going to look at this further, a more wider community review. MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok to table this discussion until further information is received from staff. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Jacobs, Hudok and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) CLAIMS a. Escrow Claims (Fund #500) $ 3909.34 Approval of Claims MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Thomas, to approve the escrow claims as presented, totaling $3,909.34. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) Page -5- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 25, 2007 b. Building Inspection Claims $ 4426.50 MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski, to approve the Building Inspection Claims as presented totaling $4426.50. Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, Jacobs and Thomas (Motion Carried 5:0) c. All Other Claims $ 64,838.85 MOTION made by Grabowski, seconded by Hudok, to approve the all other claims as presented, totaling $64,838.85. There was discussion about the Nichols Project Payment. VOTE ON MOTION : Voting Aye: Grabowski, Guenthner, Hudok, and Jacobs Voting Nay: Thomas (Motion carried 4:1) COUNCIL AND STAFF REPORTS: Parks & Trails Commission Council & Staff Reports Mayor Guenthner presented an overview of the October 16, 2007 Parks and Trails meeting. Two of the key organizers of the Athletic Association and Soccer organization are resigning this year, and there is concern in the ability to recruit others to organize and facilitate these activities. Unscheduled Items: UNSCHEDULED ITEMS Budget Budget There was a news article in a local paper that stated an amount the council has reduced the 2008 budget by, but after some review it was concluded that the amount in the newspaper was wrong. That raised a question on what the actual amount was that the Council reduced the budget by. Administrator Vergin answered that she doesn’t have that information with her at this time. It was suggested that staff provide the council with the exact amount the 2008 budget has been reduced. There were some questions about the staffing levels which lead into a discussion about staffing duties and needs, and how services provided by city hall have changed since past years. Roads Roads Councilor Jacobs explained that he has received many phone calls regarding Public Works taking great care of the roads; especially with all of the rain the city has received. He also received a complaint from a farmer that felt he was being unfairly treated from city staff because he was using the roads to haul manure or feed to his cattle. Staffs concern was with the material that was being left on the roadway. ADJOURNMENT Adjournment MOTION made by Thomas, seconded by Grabowski, to adjourn at 9:57 p.m. Voting Aye: Guenthner, Grabowski, Jacobs, Hudok and Thomas (Motion carried 5:0) Page -6- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL MEETING October 25, 2007 ______________________________ Barb Larson, City Clerk Page -7-