HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-08 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Meeting Minutes
February 8, 2018 - 7:00pm
The Corcoran City Council met on February 8, 2018 at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota.
Present were Mayor Thomas, Councilor Bottema, and Councilor Dejewski. Councilors Keefe and
LaFave were excused.
Also present were City Administrator Martens, City Clerk /Administrative Services Coordinator Beise,
Public Works Director Mattson, 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 Item 8c. Canine Appointment Process, Item 11 a.
Maintenance Operator Offer, and Item 11b. Appraisal and Environmental Site Analysis - 20400
County Road 50.
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Bottema to approve the agenda as amended.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, and Dejewski
(Motion carried 3:0)
4. Open Forum
No persons were present to speak.
5. Presentations
No presentations were heard.
6. Consent Agenda
a. Draft Minutes of January 25, 2018 Council Meeting
b. Draft Minutes of January 27, 2018 Council Work Session
c. Renumbering Resolutions 2018 -17 and 2018 -18
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, and Dejewski
(Motion carried 3:0)
7. Claims as Presented
a. Escrow Claims (Fund #500)
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Bottema to approve escrow claims as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, and Dejewski
(Motion carried 3:0)
b. All Other Financial Claims
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to approve all other claims as presented with
the additional claims.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, and Dejewski
(Motion carried 3:0)
8. Staff Reports / Memos /Commissions
a. Commissioner Representatives
Mayor Thomas noted Planning Commissioner Schultz, Planning Commissioner Theis, and Parks
Trails Commissioner Vybo were in attendance and invited them to speak on items related to their
commissions.
b. Comprehensive Plan Open House Recap
City Administrator Martens presented the report noted that attendance was low, however of those
persons who attended, typically stayed quite long and were able to get questions answered from
staff .
c. Canine Appointment Process
Director of Public Safety Gottschalk provided a verbal report noting that due to the notice that the
canine would be arriving February 12, 2018 the canine appointment process was expedited and
officer Cody Vojacek was selected to serve as the canine officer. Director of Public Safety
Gottschalk shared pictures of the canine. Council inquired about the name of the canine and the
naming process. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted no name had yet been selected as the
trainer will need to confirm the name does not interfere with commands and the canine officer will
have some input into the naming. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted public naming contests
have worked in some communities but not well in others and was not pursued. Council inquired
about why a canine was selected from Europe. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted dogs
from Europe come from a lineage of police dogs and typically have reduced health problems.
Council inquired about the status of the canine officer vehicle. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk
noted the vehicle had been ordered and the vehicle will then be fitted with equipment. Council
inquired about the timing in between arrival and training. Officer Vojacek noted there will be bonding
and socialization which will take place.
9. Planning Business
No planning business was presented.
10. Unfinished Business
No unfinished business was presented.
11. New Business
a. Maintenance Operator Offer
City Administrator Martens provided a verbal report outlining the hiring process and providing some
information about the preferred candidate's background.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to authorize the Mayor and City Administrator
to draft a conditional offer and complete the process to hire the Maintenance Operator position.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, and Dejewski
(Motion carried 3:0)
b. Appraisal and Environmental Site Analysis - 20400 County Road 50
City Administrator Martens provided a verbal report noting per authorization from the City Council
the City has begun negotiating with the school district on the purchase of park land. City
Administrator Martens noted due to confidentiality the school district is unable to release the
appraisal and in order have the needed information for negotiations an appraisal is requested. City
Administrator Martens noted that additionally typically when the city purchases land a Phase 1
Environmental Assessment is completed to understand if there were any previous uses that would
impact the future use of the site. Council inquired about the timing of the environmental study and if
an appraisal can be completed and price agreed upon prior to completing the environmental
analysis to allow for spending the money on the environmental assessment only if needed. City
Administrator Martens noted the process would be slowed down by completing the steps
separately. Council discussed the process. City Administrator Martens noted he can discuss with
the school district the timeline for the process and complete the environmental assessment based
upon the required schedule.
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Bottema to authorize the City Administrator to obtain an
appraisal and Phase 1 Environmental Assessment for property at 20400 County Road 50.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, and Dejewski
(Motion carried 3:0)
12. 2017 Council Schedule
City Administrator Martens reviewed the upcoming schedule. Councilor Bottema noted he would be
able to attend the February 22, 2018.
13. Council Liaison Calendar
The council liaison calendar was not reviewed, but was available in the Council packet.
14. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to adjourn.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, and Dejewski
(Motion carried 3 :0)
Meeting adjourned at 7:19pm.
Brad Martens- City Administrator