HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-27 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Meeting Minutes
July 27, 2017 - 7:00pm
The Corcoran City Council met on July 27, 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. Agenda Approval
City Administrator Martens noted the addition a fee for Car Seat Checks for Item 6b. and Parks and
Trails Commissioner Regan was not able to attend the meeting.
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by LaFave to approve the agenda as amended.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
4. Open Forum
No persons were present for open forum.
5. Presentations
a. TIF Presentation
City Administrator Martens introduced Mike Fischer, LHB, Inc., who has experience with assisting in
the creation of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. Mr. Fischer presented an overview of TIF
including the requirements for redevelopment TIF districts. Council discussed the impact of TIF on
schools, the" but for" requirement, benefits of a TIF district, requirements to utilize TIF, and
affordable housing TIF districts. Tammy Omdal, Northland Securities, the City's financial advisor
noted the requirements for affordable housing TIF districts.
b. 1 -94 West Chamber of Commerce
DJ Hartley, Executive Director, 1 -94 West Chamber of Commerce, provided an overview of the
chamber's services and how the chamber works with its local communities. Council discussed how
to attract businesses. Ms. Hartley noted that the 1 -94 West Chamber is a non - profit organization
with affiliations to for - profit chamber groups, but is independent.
6. Consent Agenda
a. Draft Minutes of the July 13, 2017 Council Meeting
b. 2017 Fee Schedule Update
c. Temporary Liquor License — Corcoran Country Daze
d. Charitable Gambling License — Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
e. Fundraising and Expending of Funds on Police Events Promoting Police Community
Relations
f. Liquor License Approval — Stanchion Bar Update
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to approve the consent agenda.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
7. 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 LaFave, 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; report accepted.
b. Planning Project Update; report accepted.
c. Code Compliance Report
Council discussed having Michael Pritchard, Code Compliance Official, attend an upcoming
meeting and provide an update on code enforcement.
d. Financial Performance Report; report accepted.
9. Planning Business
a. Final PUD Development Plan, Vacation, and Final Plat for U.S. Home Corporation (dba
Lennar) for Ravinia 7th Addition (City File 17-013)
City Planner Lindahl presented the report outlining the seven additional lots requested since the
Planning Commission Review, the vacation of the drainage and utility easement, and park
dedication. Mayor Thomas called the public hearing to order for the easement vacation. No persons
were present to speak.
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Dejewski to close the public hearing.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
Council discussed the connection to County Road 116. City Administrator Martens noted that staff
is reviewing the plan and conjunction with the western water loop project that is anticipated as a
2018 or 2019 project. Council discussed erosion issues. City Administrator Martens noted the 5th
Addition received approval for the road connection and the water flow is being pumped but will be
rerouted when the road connection is made. Council discussed the neighbor project impact and the
additional seven lots. City Planner Lindahl noted the location of the lots. Council discussed the park
and the process. City Administrator Martens outline the park process.
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Bottema to approve Resolution 2017-37 Approving Final
PUD Development Plan.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Dejewski to approve Resolution 2017-38 Approving Final
Plat and Development Contract.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
MOTION: made by LaFave, seconded by Keefe to approve Resolution 2017-39 Drainage and Utility
Easement Vacation.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
b. Bass Lake Crossing —Amendment Request
City Planner Lindahl presented the report outlining the applicants request to remove the condition
for sidewalks on both sides of the streets due to the steep grades it creates on a portion of the lots.
Council discussed the process for amending resolutions. City Clerk/Administrative Services
Coordinator Beise noted the resolution amending the original resolution is to provide a clear record
of the amendment versus the original conditions. Council discussed the sidewalk location. John
Rask, M/1 Homes, noted the sidewalks would be on one side of the road.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by LaFave to approve Resolution 2017-42 Amending
Resolution 2017-42 Approving Preliminary PUD Plan for Bass Lake Crossings.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
c. Solar Ordinance Update
City Planner Lindahl presented the report outlining that staff heard concerns with the community
solar garden section of the ordinance and provided options that Council has for amending the
ordinance during the moratorium period. Council discussed views on the ordinance and inquired
about the definition of community solar gardens. City Planner Lindahl reviewed the types of allowed
solar in the ordinance. Council discussed their views on the community solar gardens. Council
discussed providing an option for Corcoran residents for land use, the proximity to residential
neighborhoods, decommissioning concerns, and concerns with ground mounted solar. City Planner
Lindahl noted the ground mounted solar was limited to the allowed size for an accessory structure.
Per consensus, Council directed staff to draft an ordinance amendment to eliminate community
solar gardens from the ordinance.
10. Unfinished Business
No unfinished business was presented.
11. New Business
a. Five Year Financial Management Plan
City Administrator Martens introduced Tammy Omdal, Northland Securities, the City's Financial
Advisor. Ms. Omdal provided an overview of the Five Year Financial Management Plan. Council
inquired about the project decrease in tax rate. Ms. Omdal noted that current growth in the tax base
is projected to outpace increases in the levy making a lower tax rate. Ms. Omdal reviewed the
property tax projects on page 4 of the plan, outlining the process for getting to tax rate. Ms. Omdal
continued to provide an overview of the plan noting the plan is conservative in housing development
and that if no additional development occurs the utility funds would need general property tax
assistance in the future. Council inquired about increasing the City's bond rating and obtaining a
secondary rating. Ms. Omdal noted the impacts to the rating. Current positive impacts to the credit
rating are meeting the cash balance objectives and having a long-term plan showing adherence to
those objectives. One negative impact to the credit rating is the utility debt which is based on
planned growth to pay off the general obligation bonds. Ms. Omdal noted that several cities have
sought secondary ratings in certain cases but would not recommend a second rating for Corcoran.
Council inquired about alternative revenue sources. Ms. Omdal noted franchise fees have become
more common. Council inquired about local government aid. City Administrator Martens noted with
the current formula the City does not qualify for local government aid. Council inquired about 152
water units for the downtown project. City Administrator Martens noted that each business has four
residential equivalent units resulting in the higher unit number projection. Council inquired about
comparisons to other cities on financial stability. Ms. Omdal noted she had some comparative data
and would provide it to City Administrator Martens. Council inquired on the impact of being
conservative in budgeting and having surpluses at the end of the year. Ms. Omdal noted the plan
was conservative and does not show surpluses. Per consensus, Council accepted the report and
directed staff to update the plan with the final levy numbers.
b. 2018 Budget — Draft 1
City Administrator Martens presented the report outlining the timeline for adoption of the preliminary
and final tax levy at the first meetings of the September and December due to reporting deadlines.
City Administrator Martens noted the new construction tax capacity will support approximately
$100,000 and reviewed the proposed budget changes. Council discussed dust control, a budget
work session, animal control. City Administrator Martens noted an additional $37,000 would need to
be allocated for the City to pay for the dust control program. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk
noted the new animal control contract. Council discussed the fire service contracts increase and the
health insurance increase. Director of Public Safety noted the increase for Fire Service is based on
the total market value formula. City Administrator Martens noted the past practice of splitting the
cost increases for health insurance with seventy percent paid by the employer and thirty percent
paid by the employee. Council discussed the impact of development on tax rate. Per consensus,
Council directed staff to prepare a budget work session prior to the August 24th Council meeting at
5:30pm.
c. 4M Fund — Minnesota Municipal Money Market
City Clerk /Administrative Services Coordinator Beise presented the report outlining the 4M fund and
the use of the 4M fund as a holding location for a large escrow. Council inquired about risk of the
fund and risk for bankruptcy. Per consensus, Council directed staff to bring back additional
information on the insurances or risk with the fund.
12. 2017 Council Schedule
City Administrator Martens reviewed the upcoming schedule. Council inquired about notification to
residents for Willow Drive /Larkin Road. City Administrator Martens noted a separate notification had
not been sent but should the project move forward two public hearings would be held and notices
would be sent to all impacted residents with the hearings.
13. Council Liaison Calendar
The Council liaison calendar was not reviewed, but was available in the Council Packet.
14. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Bottema to adjourn.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and LaFave
(Motion carried 5:0)
Meeting adjourned at 9:22pm.
4.4-ad- r U.
Je sica Beise — City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator