HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-25 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Meeting Minutes
May 25, 2017 - 7:00pm
The Corcoran City Council met on May 25, 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, 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 Planning Commission Chair Jacobs was in attendance as the
Planning Commission Liaison in the place of Commissioner Russell.
MOTION: made by LaFave, seconded by Keefe to approve the agenda presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5 :0)
4. Open Forum
Greg Hoglund, 19220 Hackamore Road, addressed the Council regarding the erosion and his
property. Specifically Mr. Hoglund addressed erosion issues with the development bordering his
property and requested the City create an erosion control policy.
Mayor Thomas addressed the audience and noted that former Councilmember Chuck Lymangood
passed away, Mr. Lymangood served the City for many years. Mayor Thomas and provided funeral
services information.
5. Presentations
a. Years of Service Recognition —Mike Pritchard (5 Years)
Mayor Thomas presented Mr. Pritchard with a service award and thanked him for his years of
service.
b. 2016 Audit
Andy Berg, Abdo, Eick and Meyer, the City's the Audit firm presented the 2016 audit report. Mr.
Berg noted the audit was a clean report and that the auditors recommend an update the financial
guidelines to include new functions such as utility billing. Council thanked staff for their work on the
audit and acknowledged their record keeping.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to accept the audit as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5 :0)
6. Consent Agenda
a. Draft Minutes of the May 11, 2017 Council Meeting
b. Fee Schedule Update
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by LaFave to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
7. Claims as Presented
a. Escrow Claims (Fund #500)
MOTION: made by LaFave, seconded by Dejewski 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 Keefe, seconded by Bottema to approve all other claims as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
8. Staff Reports / Memos/Commissions
a. Commissioner Representatives
Mayor Thomas noted Planning Commissioner Jacobs and Parks and Trails Commissioner Wu were
in attendance.
b. Planning Project Update; report received.
c. Code Compliance Report
Report was received. Council discussed a newsletter item related to the more proactive approach to
code enforcement.
9. Public Hearing for Road Stabilization
a. Public Hearing — 2017 Dust Control Project
City Administrator Martens presented the report outlining the proposed costs, petition for Maple
Lane and Maple Lane East to be included in the project, and the anticipated project start date of
mid-June. Mayor Thomas opened the public hearing.
Lavern M Skutley, 9405 Fox Valley Drive, addressed the Council requesting the Council consider
allowing a petition to not have dust control applied to Fox Valley Drive.
Judy Herwig, 9410 Fox Valley Drive, addressed the Council on not applying dust control to Fox
Valley Drive. Ms. Herwig specifically addressed concerns over the conditions of the road.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by LaFave to close the public hearing.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
City Administrator Martens noted that in the past, Council has amended the resolution to allow
roads who present a petition with a majority of property owners asking to be excluded from the
program if the petition is received by a certain date. Council discussed allowing all roads in the
program to have the opportunity to submit a petition and require a petition of the majority of Maple
Lane property owners to be included in the program. City Administrator Martens provided sample
language to such effect to be added as Item 3 in the Resolution.
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Keefe to adopt Resolution 2017-23 Ordering
Improvement of Dust Control Treatment to be Applied to City Streets in 2017 with the addition of
Item 3.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
10. Planning Business
a. Ordinance Amendments (City File 17-005)
City Planner Lindahl presented the report noting the changes were for compliance with state statue,
compliant with current practice, correct errors, and address minor issues. Council discussed the
removal of a section related to construction debris and 100 foot setback on County Roads. City
Planner Lindahl noted that the debris section was removed in this section of code as it was
duplicated and the setback on County Roads can be reduced with additional screening.
MOTION: made by LaFave, seconded by Bottema to adopt Ordinance 2017-348 Amending the
Text of the Corcoran City Code (City File 17-005).
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Dejewski to adopt Resolution 2017-21 Approving Findings
of Fact for an Ordinance Amending the Text of the Corcoran City Code (City File 17-005).
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Bottema to adopt Ordinance 2017-349 Summary
Ordinance of 2017-348.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
b. Interim Use Permit for Community Solar Garden at 23850 County Road 50
Bruce Mack, 8185 County Road 19, Corcoran, addressed the Council regarding the proposed solar
garden. Mr. Mack spoke in opposition of the solar garden noting the industrial, large size, and
impacts to aesthetics.
Mark Steffenson, representing John and Ruth Eliason of 4930 Rebecca Park Trail, Greenfield,
addressed the Council regarding the proposed solar garden. Mr. Stephanson spoke in opposition of
the solar garden noting an impact of the home values, impact of glare, concerns with barb wire
fence, and requested additional screening be required.
Shelia Hendel, 4900 Rebecca Park Trail, Greenfield, addressed the Council regarding the proposed
solar garden. Ms. Hendel addressed concerns with property values, ecological worries, and
requested additional screening and moving the transformer.
Janelle Maciejny, 7545 75th Lane, Greenfield, addressed the Council regarding the proposed solar
garden. Ms. Maciejny addressed concerns with changing the landscape and a project near
residential homes.
Burnett Hjulberg, 23580 Julie Ann Drive, Corcoran, addressed the Council regarding the proposed
solar garden. Mr. Hiulberg addressed concerns related to the Mission of the City and the impact of
the solar garden.
Mike Hoekstra, 7060 Highway 55, Greenfield City Council Member, addressed the Council
regarding the proposed solar garden. Mr. Hoekstra addressed concerns with property values,
development potential of surrounding properties and the impact of tax classification.
City Planner Lindahl presented the report noting that since the Planning Commission meeting the
applicant submitted additional materials to address questions and concerns about landscaping.
Council discussed fencing and decommissioning. City Planner Lindahl noted the decommissioning
requires the removal and disposal of the panels as well as restoring the site costs of which are
covered in the performance bond and that the City may realize savings from salvaging materials
however it's not calculated into the decommissioning estimate. Council inquired about recycling of
panels and environmental impacts of the panel materials. Mark Zwieg, Sunrise Solar, noted that the
solar panels used today do not contain hazardous materials and are designed to be recycled.
Council inquired about the berm that was discussed but removed from the project. Bill Weber,
Sunrise Solar, noted the due to the slopes a berm was ineffective and trees will be planted instead.
Council inquired about compensation or energy savings to surrounding residents. Dean Leischow,
Sunrise Solar, noting that residents can subscribe to the community solar saving approximately ten
percent on an energy bill and that Sunrise can work with residents affected by the project to be
guaranteed an opportunity to subscribe. Council inquired about the glare tool, the height of the glare
analysis and the results of glare study. Mark Zwieg, Sunrise Solar, noted that Forge Solar now
holds the license from Scanida Solar for the glare tool, that the glare study was done at different
heights, and the results of the glare study was no areas resulting in permanent eye damage.
Council discussed land use and bond requirements. Council discuss the appraisal, property values
and an independent appraisal. Council inquired about Greenway Corridor and fencing. City Planner
Lindahl noted that the Comprehensive Plan does indicate this property is in Greenway Corridor and
development is not prohibited. Bill Weber noted the ecological impacts of the project. Council
discussed landscaping, requirements and involving the input of those property owners who are
adjacent to the property. City Planner Lindahl noted that the condition 9(b)(ii)(3) could be modified
to include the requirement to have adjacent property owners invited to identify mature trees. Council
discussed the transformer location and barbwire fencing. Council discussed property values,
adjacent properties overlooking the site, impacts of zoning and independent appraisal.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to suspend the Interim Use Permit until an
independent appraiser can provide additional data on the property value impact before approving.
City Administrator Martens asked that Council consider a date for tabling the consideration. Council
discussed an independent appraisal and property use.
Councilor Bottema withdrew the motion.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to table decision until June 22, 2017; authorize
staff to obtain an appraisal or similar funded by the project escrow to determine valuation change to
homes on Rebecca Park Trail due to development of any allowed use in the RR district.
Council discussed who would pay for the survey.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, and Dejewski Nay: Keefe and LaFave
(Motion carried 3:2)
Council discussed having the surrounding homeowners pay for the appraisal and having the
applicant pay for the appraisal.
Mayor Thomas recessed the meeting at 9:19pm.
Mayor Thomas reconvened the meeting at 9:27pm.
11. Unfinished Business
a. Action Steps to Retain and Attract Business
City Administrator Martens presented the report outlining cost, effort, and timeframe for the
identified options for retaining and attracting business. City Administrator Martens noted the
Councilor Bottema would be presenting information on an Economic Development Authority at an
upcoming meeting. Council discussed the Economic Development Authority, TIF District, marketing
the community, and meeting with existing businesses. Per consensus, Council would work with staff
and Councilmember Bottema on the presentation of information on Economic Development
Authorities and bring it back to a future meeting.
12. New Business
a. Review Finances for Paving Gravel Collector Roads
City Administrator Martens presented the report outlined financing mechanisms. Council discussed
opinions on Municipal State Aid funding, bonding, increasing the levy, and utilizing the long range
planning funds. Per consensus, Council directed staff to review Municipal State Aid funding and
look at other funding sources.
b. Interim Ordinance — Community Solar Garden
City Administrator Martens noted that a future meeting would take place to review the ordinance.
City Council discussed summary ordinances.
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Dejewski to adopt Ordinance 2017-351 Interim Ordinance
to Permit Study and Amendments to the Official Controls within the City of Corcoran.
Councilor LaFave noted her support for the original ordinance.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, and Keefe Nay: LaFave
(Motion carried 4:1)
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Dejewski to adopt Ordinance 2017-352 Summary
Ordinance of 2017-351.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, and Keefe Nay: LaFave
(Motion carried 4:1)
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 Dejewski, seconded by Bottema to adjourn.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
Meeting adjourned at 10:05pm.
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Je sica Beise —City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator