HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-12 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Meeting Minutes
January 12, 2017 - 7:00pm
The Corcoran City Council met on January 12, 2017 at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota.
Present were Mayor Thomas, Councilor Bottema, Councilor Dejewski, Councilor Keefe, and
Councilor LaFave.
Also present were City Administrator Martens, City Planner Lindahl, Director of Public Safety
Gottschalk, and City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator Beise.
1. Call to Order/ Roll Call
Mayor Thomas called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Thomas invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Oath of Office
City Clerk /Administrative Services Coordinator Beise administered the oaths of office to Mayor
Thomas, Councilor Bottema, and Councilor Dejewski.
4. Agenda Approval
City Administrator Martens noted that staff was informed of a grammatical error in the minutes
related to Mayor Guenthner's award. City Administrator Martens also noted that claims were
provided at the dais for Councilmembers.
MOTION: made by LaFave, seconded by Keefe to approve the agenda as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
5. Open Forum
Loren Kohnen, 22755 Winchester Trail, addressed the Council. Specifically Mr. Kohnen thanked
Mayor Guenthner for his service, welcomed the new Mayor and Council, and noted he looked
forward to working together.
6. Presentations
a. Years of Service Recognition — Steve Warren (20 Year)
Mayor Thomas presented Police Officer Warren with a service award for his twenty years of
service. Mayor Thomas thanked Officer Warren for his service.
7. Consent Agenda
a. Draft Minutes of the December 19, 2016 Council Meeting
b. Job Description Approval — Police Technician
c. Elm Creek Watershed Commissioner Resignation — Jonathan Bottema
d. Hennepin County Residential Grant Agreement
Councilor Dejewski asked that Items 6b. and 6d. be considered separately.
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Keefe to approve the consent agenda consisting of
Items 6a. and 6c.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
Councilor Dejewski asked about how the Police Technician position would affect current staffing
levels. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted this position would provide additional
administrative support as the department's responsibilities expand. The goal of the position is to
scale as needed and provide an opportunity to extend service hours depending on the schedule of
the candidate.
MOTION: made by LaFave, seconded by Keefe to approve Item 6b.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
Councilor Dejewski asked about the current funding amount and the future of the program given the
decrease in funding. City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator noted that current funding is
approximately $14,000. City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator Beise noted that staff will be
working with staff at the County to understand the program changes and will be making
recommendation to the Council regarding the program.
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Dejewski to approve Item 6d.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
8. Claims as Presented
a. Escrow Claims (Fund #500)
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by LaFave to approve escrow claims as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
b. All Other Financial Claims
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to approve all other claims as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
9. Staff Reports I Memos/Commissions
a. Commissioner Representatives
Mayor Thomas noted Planning Commission Chair Jacobs and Parks and Trails Commissioner
Kruger were in attendance.
b. City Project Update; report received.
10. Planning Business
a. Expanded Grading Plan — Ravinia
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting the request was withdrawn and Lennar will
bring a grading plan forward with future additions.
b. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update Process
City Planner Lindahl presented the report noting the timeline and proposed process includes Mike
Pritchard taking the lead reducing but not eliminating consultant assistance. City Planner Lindahl
noted in addition to the required topics to include staff anticipates policy discussion on MUSA
boundary, development rights, and the transportation network. City Planner Lindahl noted the
meeting and outreach efforts. Council discussed historical processes, citizen involvement, and
communication of the process to citizens. Planning Commission Chair Jacobs noted that education
on the plan impacts is important. Council discussed development of the Northeast district and
school districts long-term plans. City Administrator Martens noted the progress of the Southwest
district market study. Council discussed the market study and further discussed communications.
City Administrator Martens noted that based on the discussion, the first workshop could be moved
to May. City Planner Lindahl noted that the major requirements didn't change however issues such
as solar and affordable housing have been framed differently. Council discussed resiliency and high
density housing.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by LaFave to approve the preliminary work plan with
amendments and direct the City Administrator to begin working with consulting staff to kick off the
Comprehensive Plan as outlined.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
11. Unfinished Business
No unfinished business was presented.
12. New Business
a. Elm Creek Watershed Commissioner Appointment
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting that staff has begun to reach out to
applicants. Councilor Keefe thanked Councilor Bottema for his service on the Commission. Per
consensus, staff was directed to move forward with the study.
b. Maintenance Operator Recruitment Process
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting that position was budgeted for as part of the
2017 budget and paid for out of the sewer and water utilities. City Administrator Martens noted the
new additional responsibilities for water and sewer, utility locates, and storm water and the position
would assist the additional duties. Council noted the position was budgeted for.
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Bottema to authorize the City Administrator to begin the
recruitment process for the position of Maintenance Operator.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
c. Annual Appointments
Mayor Thomas noted Councilor Keefe expressed an interest in being the acting Mayor.
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Keefe to adopt Resolution 2017-01 Establishing Annual
Appointments for the City of Corcoran for 2017 with addition of Councilor Keefe as acting Mayor.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
d. 2017 City Council Calendar
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting that due to the Thanksgiving Holiday the
second meeting in November will be moved to the Monday of that week. City Administrator Martens
request input if work sessions should be added to the schedule prior to the first meeting of each
month. Councilor a discussed the work session and being provided a list of work session topics at
the goal setting session. City Administrator Martens confirmed there was general support for work
sessions and further discussion will take place as part of the goal setting process.
MOTION: made by LaFave, seconded by Dejewski to adopt the 2017 City Calendar as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
e. Goal Setting Process
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting the process reviews the City's mission,
vision and values in addition to setting the priorities for the Council. Council discussed possible
dates. Per consensus, staff was directed to work with members to find a date for the goal setting
session.
f. Request for a Speed Study
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting the speed study area, current conditions,
and that he had spoken with staff at Hennepin County and the Rockford School Superintendent
regarding the request. Council discussed who sets the speeds. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk
noted that the state sets the speed based on results of the speed study and that the conditions of
the road effect the speed traveled. Council discussed adding additional signage.
MOTION: made by Bottema, second by LaFave direct staff to request the speed study.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
g. Recycling Forgiveness
City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator Beise presented the report noting that the City
received a request to waive fees and the policy decision is whether to forgive the fees.
MOTION: made by Bottema to waive the recycling fees.
City Administrator Martens noted the staff recommendation was to deny the request.
(Motion failed, no second)
Council discussed if the citizens should pay for someone not utilizing the services.
MOTION: made by Keefe, second by LaFave to deny the recycling forgiveness request.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
13. Unscheduled Items
No unscheduled items were presented.
14. 2017 Council Schedule
City Administrator Martens reviewed the upcoming schedule. Council discussed the state Senator
and state Representative visit, a standard format for petitions, and moving forward the draft
assessment policy to the January 26th meeting.
15. Council Liaison Calendar
The Council liaison calendar was not reviewed, but was available in the Council Packet.
16. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by LaFave to adjourn.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
Meeting adjourned at 8 :23pm.
Jessica Beise —City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator