HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-24 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Meeting Minutes
January 24, 2019 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on January 24, 2019 at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota.
Present were Mayor Thomas, Councilor Bottema, Councilor Dejewski, Councilor Keefe, and
Councilor Schultz.
Also present were City Administrator Martens, City Planner Lindahl, 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. Oath of Office
a. Ron Thomas
Mayor Thomas noted the oath had been administered prior to him convening the work session. City
Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator Beise administered a public oath of office to Mayor
Thomas.
4. Agenda Approval
City Administrator Martens noted the addition of Item 11e. Stanchion Water Service Appeal.
Councilor Dejewski asked to add Item 12c. Housing for All Program Update.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Dejewski to approve the agenda as amended.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
5. Commission Representatives
Mayor Thomas noted Planning Commissioner Dorothy Theis and Parks and Trails Commissioner
Phillip Christenson was in attendance and invited them to speak on items related to their
Commissions.
6. Open Forum
No persons were present to speak at open forum.
7. Presentations /Recognitions
No presentations were heard.
8. Consent Agenda
a. Draft Minutes of January 10, 2019 Council Meeting
b. Draft Minutes of January 5, 2019 Council Work Session
c. Financial Claims
d. Plymouth Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan Letter
e. Rogers Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan Letter
f. Independence Draft 2040 Comprehensive Plan Letter
g. Pay Request #1 — 2018 NE Sewer District Improvements
h. Code Enforcement Contract
Councilor Dejewski asked that Item 8h. be considered separately.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Bottema to approve the consent agenda consisting of
Items 8a. through 8g.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
Council inquired about the map included in the packet. City Clerk/Administrative Services
Coordinator Beise noted the map was an example of the product created by Landform. Council
inquired about being proactive with code enforcement. City Clerk/Administrative Services
Coordinator Beise noted the code enforcement consultant would be conducting a comprehensive
review of code enforcement and taking complaints as they come in. City Clerk Administrative
Services Coordinator Beise noted reporting would be done on a regular basis. Council discussed
providing feedback to staff and evaluating success of the contract. City Administrator Martens noted
the consultant works at the direction of the staff and staff has been provided direction to be move
proactive with code enforcement. City Administrator Martens indicated success isn't totally defined
yet, however making an impact and being progressive on code enforcement would be considered
successful. Council discussed reporting of code enforcement activities. City Administrator Martens
noted staff would speak with Council to see what is important to them in reporting. Council inquired
about mileage costs in the proposals. City Planner Lindahl noted the primary Landform contract
does not require additional mileage or copier costs. Council inquired about the billing for WSB. City
Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator Beise noted in speaking with the firm they prefer four
hour increments for their employees. Council inquired about the Landform proposal and if the
individual would be based in Corcoran or would be located out of Landform's office. City Planner
Lindahl noted in other cities the contract consultant works in the field, the City office and may do
some work at the Landform offices. Council inquired about space at City Hall. City Administrator
Martens noted the remodel will have sufficient space for the consultant.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Dejewski to approve Item 8h.
Voting Aye; Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
9. Planning Business
No planning business was presented.
10. Unfinished Business
No unfinished business was presented.
11. New Business
a. Commissioner Appointment Process
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting the City received an application for a new
Planning Commissioner and anticipates receiving applications from the current members. City
Administrator Martens noted the Mayor and Administrator could meet with candidate or interviews
could be conducted. Council discussed the selection process, interviews, balloting, and residency
requirements. Council discussed past appointments and having individuals introduce themselves
before appointment to a commission in the future. Council discussed having a work session to host
interviews for the three candidates.
Mayor Thomas called a work session of the Council for February 14, 2019 at 6:20 pm for the
purpose of interviewing Planning Commission members.
b. Goal Setting Recap — 2019 Action Plan
City Administrator Martens presented the report outlining the mission, vision, values, and action
steps. Council discussed the goal setting process and future meetings.
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Schultz to adopt the 2019 action steps as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
c. Deputy Clerk Hiring Process
City Administrator Martens presented the report outlining the reorganization and the new
organizational chart. Council inquired about the process and the division of duties.
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Dejewski to approve job description for the Deputy Clerk
position; authorize staff to begin an internal recruitment for the Deputy Clerk position.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
d. Tree Inventory/Forest Management Plan
Councilmember Bottema presented the report outlining an opportunity to apply for grant funding for
a tree inventory and forest management plan. Councilor Bottema discussed donating funds for the
study. Council discussed staff involvement in the project and the focus of the study on public lands.
Councilor Bottema noted he would prepare the materials and no staff time would be needed.
Council discussed involving the Parks and Trails Commission. City Administrator noted the final
report could be provided to the Parks and Trails Commission. Council discussed the City paying for
the study and Councilmember Bottema donating the funds. Per consensus, Council directed
Councilmember Bottema to work with the Parks and Trails Commission and staff.
e. Stanchion Water Service Approval
City Administrator Martens presented the report noting the emergency where water needed to be
connected to the Stanchion. City Administrator Martens noted staff approved the permit and Council
is required to approve when water only would be connected. City Administrator Martens noted the
City anticipates a request for a delay in connection to the system. Council discussed delayed
connections. Council inquired about the need for the connection. City Administrator Martens noted
the property's well wasn't functioning and rather than replace the well, water connection will be
required by May 1, 2019. Public Works Director Mattson noted the request meets the connection
deadline. Council discussed delays for connecting to the utility system.
MOTION: made by. Dejewski, seconded by Schultz to authorize the Stanchion Bar to connect to the
water system only temporarily, and require connection to the sewer system on May 1, 2019.
Council discussed the action of approval for the process when approving formally an action that has
already taken place.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Dejewski, Keefe, and Schultz Abstain: Bottema
(Motion carried 4:0)
Council discussed the process for emergency connections.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz to authorize staff to make emergency
connections to the utility system.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
Council discussed criteria for emergency connections.
12. Staff Reports
a. Planning Project Update; report received.
b. Work Plan for Establishing Water Supply System
Public Works Director Mattson presented the report outlining the timeline and components of the
plan. Council discussed the schedule. Council discussed the water and sewer project. Public Works
Director Mattson noted the schedule is aggressive. Council discussed the schedule. Council
inquired about the aquifer for the City's water supply. City Engineer Torve noted the testing allows
the City to see the recharge rate and see if it would be a sustainable for City use, which initial
results are positive. City Engineer Torve noted the aquifer is below the wells for private homes in
the bedrock and is a contained aquifer. Council discussed water from Loretto. City Engineer Torve
noted that Loretto project was a sewer project and possibly a joint water project. City Council
inquired about the location. City Engineer Torve noted the Corcoran water supply would serve the
northeast of Corcoran east of County Road 116 down to County Road 30 but then would be able to
be extended. City Engineer Torve noted water would follow sewer. Council inquired if the capacity
saved by moving the northern connection onto its own water supply could be used in the southeast
district. City Engineer Torve noted Maple Grove has committed to a certain capacity which is not
location dependent. City Administrator Martens noted the City is limited by the sewer capacity in
southeast Corcoran. Per consensus, staff was directed to move forward with the plan as presented.
c. Housing for All
Councilor Dejewski presented a report on a forum on Housing for All. Councilor Dejewski noted
additional affordable housing is needed and the current affordable housing isn't sustainable.
Councilor Dejewski noted the cost for maintaining housing stock is lower than building new
affordable housing. Councilor Dejewski noted the Comprehensive Plan does not address affordable
housing. City Administrator Martens noted the Comprehensive Plan has an action step to create an
affordable housing plan. Council discussed affordable housing.
13.2019 Council Schedule
City Administrator Martens reviewed the Council schedule, noting the work session prior to the
meeting. Council discussed if the work session schedule would be for Planning Commission
candidates or for all Commissioners. City Administrator Martens noted the current work session
would be scheduled for the Planning Commission but could be adjusted if additional Parks and
Trails Commission applications are received.
14. Council Liaison Calendar
Council discussed the council liaison calendar. City Administrator Martens noted the goal of leaving
the liaison calendar on the agenda was a reminder should the liaisons need to request a
replacement for the meeting.
15. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Bottema to adjourn.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
Meeting adjourned at 8 :26 pm.
IL
ssica Beise —City Clerk/Administrative Services Coordinator