HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-27 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Meeting Minutes
April 27, 2017 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on April 27, 2017 at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota.
Present were Mayor Thomas, Councilor Bottema, Councilor Keefe and Councilor LaFave. Councilor
Dejewski was excused.
Also present were City Administrator Martens, City Planner Lindahl, City Attorney Thames, City
Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator Beise, and Director of Public Safety Gottschalk.
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. Agenda Approval
City Administrator Martens noted the addition of two claims, Item 11 f.Awarding Gravel Hauling
Contract and Item 12. Closed Session — Public Works Floor Settling Settlement
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by LaFave to approve the agenda as amended.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 4:0)
4. Open Forum
Ken Kluck, 21800 County Road 50, addressed the Council regarding nearby property which has
junk on it and illegal home occupations. Mayor Thomas noted the complaint had be turned over to
the Attorney's office and that the City is evaluating its code enforcement practices.
5. Presentations
a. Katie Rodriguez — Metropolitan Councilmember
Metropolitan Councilmember Rodriguez presented a report noting the role of the Metropolitan
Council, current objectives, and current projects. Council discussed with Metropolitan
Councilmember Rodriguez the following: Highway 55, Light rail and transit, traffic counts, local
control and aging demographics.
6. Consent Agenda
a. Draft Minutes of the April 13 , 2017 Council Meeting
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by LaFave to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 4:0)
7. Claims as Presented
a. Escrow Claims (Fund #500)
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Keefe to approve escrow claims as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 4.0)
b. All Other Financial Claims
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Bottema to approve all other claims as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 4.0)
8. Staff Reports / Memos /Commissions
a. Commissioner Representatives
Mayor Thomas noted Planning Commissioner Theis and Parks and Trails Commissioner Kreuger
were in attendance.
b. Planning Project Update; report received.
c. Code Compliance Report
Council inquired about the process after referral to the City Attorney, legal fees and the type of
charge for most items that are code complaint criminal matters. City Attorney Thames provided an
overview of the process, noted legal costs are not recouped through the process and that most
charges are misdemeanors. Council received the report.
d. Open Book Meeting Report
City Administrator Martens presented the report from the assessors' office noting the open book
process and the value increases for non-residential uses which will need to be considered as part of
the next budget cycle.
9. Planning Business
a. Interim Use Permit for a Conditional Home Occupation License for a Upholstery Business
(Designer Choice Upholstery) Located at 20125 County Road 117 (PID 02-119-23-12-0005)
(City File 16-013)
City Planner Lindahl presented the report, noting there were no customers and employees. Council
discussed the tax rate. City Administrator Martens noted he would look into the commercial tax rate.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Keefe to adopt Resolution 2017-17 Approving an Interim
Use Permit for Robert Borgen at 20125 County Road 117 (PID 02119-23-12-0005) (City File 16-
013)
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe and LaFave
(Motion carried 4:0)
b. Pheasant Ridge OPS Sketch Plan Application for the Property Located on County Road 117
(PID 03-119-23-13-0002)
Greg Thyr, 20909 County Road 117, addressed the Council on the item. Mr. Thyr noted concerns
related to the project, location of a road, water and drainage issues. City Planner Lindahl presented
the report, noting the sketch plan meets the current Open Space Preservation ordinance but may
not meet the intent of the ordinance. Council discussed the proposed development, the Open
Space and Preservation ordinance requirements, the road extending to the property line, the
transfer of building rights to adjacent lots. Planning Commissioner Dorothy Theis provided feedback
related to transfer of building rights and the open space preservation ordinance. Council discussed
being neighborly.
10. Unfinished Business
a. Extension to Roehlke Purchase Agreement
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting the support of the Parks and Trails
Commission support for the extension of the purchase agreement option. Parks and Trails
Commission Chair Tom Anderson addressed the Council related to park purchase agreement
extension. Mr. Anderson noted the need for parkland in the future. Council discussed the options for
the property owner related to finances, tax breaks, extension of the option, location, and looking at
alternative sites.
MOTION: made by LaFave, seconded by Keefe to direct staff to coordinate an amendment to the
purchase agreement to the purchase agreement.
Voting Aye: Bottema, Keefe, and LaFave Nay: Thomas
(Motion carried 3:1)
11. New Business
a. Action Steps to Retain and Attract Business
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting the variety of options including TIF, tax
abatement, marketing and promotion of the City as presented as part of the downtown market
analysis. Council discussed creating a TIF district, marketing, a work session on Economic
Development Authorities and participation in Chambers of commerce. Per consensus, staff was
directed to bring back a work plan for consideration based on Council feedback.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by LaFave to authorize staff to spend up to $500 to
investigate the creation of a TIF district.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe and LaFave
(Motion carried 4:0)
b. Action Steps to Increase Communication
City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator Beise noted the report outline the variety of options
for increasing communication both digital and traditional options including community surveys and
community listening sessions. Council discussed social media, emergency alert sessions,
applications (See/Click/Fix), community listening sessions, creating a moto, and articles in the Crow
River News. Per consensus, staff was directed to bring back a work plan for consideration based on
Council feedback.
c. Labor Agreement Negotiation Process
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting the negotiation process would begin in May.
Council discussed the negotiation process and availability of council members to participate in the
process.
MOTION: made by LaFave seconded by Bottema to appoint Councilors Dejewski and LaFave to
work with the City Administrator and Director of Public Safety to begin negotiating a new agreement
between the City of Corcoran and Minnesota Teamsters Pubic and Law Enforcement Employee's
Union Local No. 320.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 4:0
d. 2017 Road Stabilization Program
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting the proposed process.
MOTION: made by Bottema seconded by Keefe to adopt Resolution 2017-18 Calling for a Public
Hearing on the Potential Assessment for Costs of Dust Control Treatments to be Applied to City
Streets in 2017.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 4:0)
e. Ravinia Neighborhood Park — Grading and Landscaping
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting the proposed process and estimated costs.
Council discussed pricing and costs. Council discussed costs and community input. Parks and
Trails Commissioner Kreuger and Chair Anderson noted the parks commission is cost conscious
and anticipates involving community members.
MOTION: made by Bottema seconded by Keefe to authorize staff to coordinate grading and
landscaping work with Lennar and to obtain quotes for costs under the responsibility of the City.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 4:0)
f. Awarding Gravel Hauling Contract
City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator Beise presented the report noting that quotes were
lower than 2016.
MOTION: made by Bottema seconded by Keefe to adopt Resolution 2017-19 Awarding 2017
Gravel Hauling Contract.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 4:0)
12. Closed Session
Mayor Thomas stated
"Under the authority of Minn. Stat. § 13D.05 subd. 3(b) the City is permitted to close a meeting as
permitted by the attorney client privilege.
The city council is going into closed session to discuss litigation strategy in regards to floor
settlement at the Public Works facility at 9100 County Road 19. The need for confidentiality in this
matter exceeds the public's right to know."
Mayor Thomas recessed the regular meeting at 9:14pm.
Mayor Thomas reconvened the regular meeting at 9 :29pm.
Mayor Thomas Stated:
"In the closed session the city council discussed items related to attorney - client privilege on the
previously disclosed issue, staff and the City Attorney were provided direction."
Mayor Thomas the noted Resolution 2017 -20 was to be added to the agenda outlining the
settlement agreement terms.
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by LaFave to adopt Resolution 2017 -20 Approving Settlement
Agreement Resolving the City's Pending Claim Related to Settlement at the Public Works Facility.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 4:0)
13. 2017 Council Schedule
City Administrator Martens reviewed the upcoming schedule.
14. Council Liaison Calendar
The Council liaison calendar was not reviewed, but was available in the Council Packet.
15. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by LaFave to adjourn.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 4:0)
Meeting adjourned at 9:33pm.
-W &d�k
Je ica Beise — City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator