HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-11-25 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Meeting Minutes
November 25, 2019 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on November 25, 2019 at City Hall in Corcoran, Minnesota.
Present were Mayor Thomas, Councilor Schultz, Councilor Bottema, Councilor Dejewski, and
Councilor Keefe.
Also present were City Administrator Martens, Administrative Services Director Beise, City
Attorney Thames, Public Works Director Mattson, and Director of Public Safety Gottschalk.
1. Call to Order / Roll Call
Mayor Thomas called the meeting to order at 7:01 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 asked that agenda item 7c. Tobacco License be added to agenda.
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Schultz to approve the agenda as modified.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe and Schultz.
(Motion carried 5:0)
Council asked for clarification of business sale and of applicant for the Tobacco License
application. Administrative Services Director Beise noted the sale date was prior to the next
Council meeting.
4. Commission Representatives
Mayor Thomas noted Planning Commissioner Vehrenkamp and Parks and Trails
Commissioner Christenson were present. The Commissioners were invited to speak on items
related to their respective commissions.
5. Open Forum
Mayor Thomas invited residents to speak. No residents came forward to speak.
6. Presentations /Recognitions
7. Consent Agenda
a. Draft Minutes of November 14, 2019 Council Meeting
b. Financial Claims
c. Tobacco License
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Bottema to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe and Schultz.
(Motion carried 5:0)
8. Planning Business
a. Adopting the 2040 Comprehensive Plan
City Administrator Martens cited the adoption and resolution of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
City Administrator Martens thanked the Council, staff, and the Corcoran community for
resident participation. Council and staff discussed final copy distribution options, and
notification to owners of rezoned properties. Council also discussed submission of
comprehensive plans and the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Council.
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Schultz to approve Resolution 2019-79 Adopting
the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe and Schultz.
(Motion carried 5:0)
9. Unfinished Business
No unfinished business was presented.
10. New Business
a. Public Works Facility Closeout
With the resolution of the floor settling issue at the Public Works facility, Public Works Director
Mattson reviewed the facility fund balance, and requested allocation of the remaining fund
balance be utilized for two improvements at the Public Works facility. Public Works Director
Mattson presented the requested items to Council and include a necessary upgrade to the fire
panel to add a transfer switch for backup power generation, and a safety improvement of
adding asphalt or a concrete slab within the outside lean-to building at the Public Works facility.
Council and staff reviewed why the backup power for the fire panel was not installed during
construction of the facility in 2013-2014. Staff and Council addressed the history of the
construction of the Public Works facility. Council inquired if additional concrete and electrical
bids are being requested for the project, and if asphalting would be a more logical cost option
than concrete for the lean-to building. Public Works Director Mattson confirmed the Public
Works facility is paved with asphalt outside of the facility with a fence around the perimeter of
facility operations. Council discussed the importance of compliance with the City's ordinances
regarding landscape screening for outdoor storage at the Public Works facility. Council
questioned the bond status of the facility fund balance, and if remaining funds could be utilized
for repairs, other needs, or to paydown interest on the bonds. Council asked if concrete was
necessary for the entire area within the lean-to building, or if a specific concreted area of the
lean-to building was acceptable if used for supply storage needs. Council and staff discussed
the fire panel and the transfer switch issue and the number of false alarms that have occurred.
Council inquired about items stored in the lean-to building, and if the items are seasonal
equipment and supplies, or yearly equipment and supplies. Council discussed if asphalt would
be a better cost-savings use of the remaining facility fund balance. City Administrator Martens
clarified the improvements outlined above would be included within a future Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP) and bonding if the projects are not completed as part of the project
close out.
MOTION: made by Dejewski, seconded by Bottema authorizing staff to proceed in order of
priority as follows, and includes the upgrade to the fire panel at the Public Works facility, to
review the current landscape screening for outside storage at the Public Works facility, to
upgrade landscape screening so it is compliant with the City code ordinance, and to review
additional options pertaining to asphalt or concrete paving options within the lean-to building.
Voting Aye: Bottema, Dejewski, and Keefe Voting Nay; Thomas and Schultz.
(Motion carried 3:2)
b. 2019 Code Enforcement Update and 2020 Code Enforcement Priorities
Administrative Services Director Beise reviewed the 2019 proactive code enforcement
directive, the number of violations, and the status of the violations. Administrative Services
Director Beise reviewed code compliance options for the remainder of 2019 and priorities for
2020. Council discussed 2020 priorities for code enforcement. City Administrator Martens
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clarified the reason for establishing code enforcement priorities now with CUP and I U P
research is to utilize funds for code enforcement through the end of 2019 budget. Council
addressed the focus on home occupation businesses should be for notification of fire and
safety requirements for home-based businesses within Corcoran. Council discussed street
signs for home-based businesses and the impact of state regulations. Council discussed
campaign signs and noxious weeds as a low or high-priority for code compliance in 2020.
Council discussed Maple Hill Estates code compliance violation monitoring and remaining a
priority in the spring of 2020. Administrative Services Director Beise clarified there are five
remaining code violations of 70 in Maple Hills Estates, and code compliance will remain a
priority in 2020. Council inquired about laws or changes in state status that need to be reflected
within the City codes and ordinances, and what thresholds or criteria exist for home-based
businesses within statute. City Administrator Martens indicated the process of CUP and IUP
permitting could include reviewing requirements prior to issuance by the City. Council and staff
discussed maintaining a resident complaint-based code enforcement action regarding home-
based businesses versus the proactive approach to code compliance violations. Per
consensus, staff was provided direction to move forward with the remaining 2019 code
enforcement priorities, and Council will finalize code enforcement priorities for 2020 at the goal
setting session.
c. 2025 Staff Planning
City Administrator Martens outlined an internal 2025 staff planning forecast based on growth
from new housing developments within the City. City Administrator Martens reviewed
assumptions in residential planning and projections for single family home permits through
2025 with an anticipated city population of 8,290. City Administrator Martens noted there is an
insufficient number of staff positions to keep up with the significant population growth. City
Administrator Martens indicated the 2025 staff planning item is for discussion purposes only
and future city services needs will impact staffing recommendations. City Administrator Martens
noted staff will incorporate the 2025 staff planning forecast into the five-year financial
management plan for Council review. Council asked about the outsourced staff and full-time
staff forecast numbers relating to future city services and tax base. City Administrator Martens
noted the importance of the planning exercise to help refine the priorities of services the City
will offer based on population growth.
d. Resolution Authorizing Entry
City Administrator Martens explained the Resolution Authorizing Entry for purposes of testing,
surveying and boring activities located at the Gleason Parkways road access to County Road
116, the process of negotiating right of entry to support the needs of greater Corcoran, and
authorizing staff to seek entry for the purposes stated. City Administrator noted staff has met
with the three property owners and will continue to work with owners regarding access and right
of entry. City Attorney Thames outlined the legal purpose of the Resolution as a perfunctory
action to move forward formally with a court order if the City is not able to obtain the requisite
permission. Council inquired about the concerns being presented to property owners. City
Administrator Martens discussed concerns included the future impacts to property owners,
usability of the property with easement adjustments, and future value to properties such as city
sewer and water access on the property. Council inquired about financial concerns if land is
taken by the City from the property owner. City Attorney Thames explained if any land is taken,
the owner would be compensated for the land. City Attorney Thames also noted there is a level
cooperation needed by all parties at the front end of the process regarding what land is needed,
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what the best route is and what is feasible, and the Resolution with Council endorsement
required by state statute allows for the pre-formal process to figure logistics, what will work best
financially to continue, and what will not work, in the absence of the level of cooperation
between parties. Council clarified that eminent domain should be a last resort by government.
City Attorney Thames concurred with Council's statement regarding eminent domain. City
Attorney Thames noted eminent domain would always be a last resort and is a process that is
in place when no other feasible options are present. City Administrator Martens referenced an
example of the greater good for the City of Corcoran in the feasibility studies relating to sewer
and water in the Gleason Parkway area discussed, and the costs associated with constructing
numerous lift stations to push sewer versus systems that utilize gravity, highlighting lift stations
are more costly, and in this scenario would affect more property owners, than the systems that
utilize gravity for providing city sewer. Council asked if Resolution approval signifies eminent
domain by the City. City Attorney Thames explained by approving the Resolution the Council is
approving staff to pursue what the proper path would be moving forward, and allows for
continued collaboration with the property owners, to determine what needs to be done. Council
discussed the positive and negative aspects of utilizing eminent domain, both from a City
perspective and a property owner perspective, regarding planning and development of the City.
MOTION: made by Keefe, seconded by Schultz to approve Resolution 2019-80 Authorizing
Entry for Purposes of Testing, Surveying, Boring or Other Similar Activities.
Voting Aye: Thomas, Bottema, Dejewski, Keefe and Schultz.
(Motion carried 5:0)
a. City Administrator Performance Evaluation Distribution
City Administrator Martens indicated the City Administrator Performance Evaluation due date of
December 9, 2019, and Administrative Services Director Beise will follow up with Council in
collection of the evaluation.
11. Staff Reports
a. Active Corcoran Planning Applications. Report received.
b. Five-Year Financial Management Plan Status Update
City Administrator Martens reviewed the significant updates to the financial plan and suggested
a work session to review the document prior to approval. Council called for a work session to
be held on February 13, 2020, at 5:00 pm to review the Five-year Financial Management Plan.
12. Closed Session
a. Consider an Offer for the Purchase of Real Estate at 8200 County Road 116
Mayor Thomas stated:
"Under the authority of Minn. Stat. 13D.05 Subd. 3(c)(3), the City is permitted to close a
meeting to consider offers and counter offers for the purchase or sale of real or personal
property. The City Council is now going into closed session to consider an offer for the sale of
real estate; the following property is the subject of the closed meeting: 8200 County Road 116.
Mayor Thomas recessed the Council meeting at 8:34 pm.
Mayor Thomas reconvened the Council meeting at 9:00 pm.
"In closed session, the City Council discussed an offer for real estate; staff was provided
direction."
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13.2019 City Council Schedule
City Administrator Martens outlined the upcoming agenda items, and the upcoming Wessel
EAW neighborhood open house meeting on December 5, 2019.
14. 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 9:01 pm.
Michelle Friedrich — Deputy Clerk
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