HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-10 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Meeting Minutes
September 10, 2020 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran City COuncil met on September 10, 20203 in Corcoran, Minnesota. Pursuant to Minnesota
Statute Section 13D.021 and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City Council meeting was held
remotely through electronic means using the audio and video conferencing platform Zoom.
Present were Mayor Thomas at City Hall and present via telephonic or other electronic means were
Councilor Anderson, Councilor Bottema, Councilor Lother, and Councilor Schultz.
Also present were City Administrator Martens
Director Mattson was present via telephonic o
Gottschalk was excused.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
and Administrative Services Director Beise. Public Works
r other electronic means. Director of Public Safety
Mayor Thomas invited all in attendance to rise and join in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Call to Order / Roll Call
Mayor Thomas called the meeting to order.
3. Agenda Approval
City Administrator Martens noted public comment opportunity sections.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz to approve the agenda as presented.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
4. Commission Representatives
Mayor Thomas noted Planning Commission Chair Vehrenkamp and Parks and Trails Commissioner
Christenson were present through telephonic or other electronic means.
5. Open Forum (Public Comment Opportunity)
Mayor Thomas invited residents to communicate telephonically during the Open Forum discussion.
Administrative Services Director Beise explained the instructions to participate in the meeting via the
Zoom video format and reviewed instructions for participation in the meeting through smartphone or
computer.
Sarah Nichols, 6334 Steeple Chase Lane, requested direction from Council for a public comment
she would like to submit on September 24, and would like Council approval to utilize power point
slides within her public comment. Ms. Nichols noted her public comment with the slides on
September 24 would remain within 5 minutes of individual public comment decorum and requested
the slides be included within the Zoom meeting presentation for residents to view. Council granted
the request reflecting on the typical process. Council requested Ms. Nichols adhere to the Council
meeting schedule due date for the slide submission. City Administrator Martens stated staff would
correspond with Ms. Nichols regarding the slide submission.
6. Presentations/Recognitions
No presentations or recognitions were heard.
T. Consent Agenda
a. Draft Minutes of August 27, 2020 Council Meeting
b. Financial Claims
c. Resolution 2020-68 Police Officer Declaration of PERA Contributions Clayton Decker
d. Fee Schedule Amendment
e. Resolution 2020-69 Authorizing the Towards Zero Deaths Grant Agreement
f. CSAH 101 & Stieg Road Turn Lane Improvements — Pay Request 2
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Lother to approve the consent agenda as presented.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
8. Planning Business
No Planning Business was discussed.
9. Unfinished Business
No Planning Business was discussed.
10. New Business (Public. Comment Opportunity)
Mayor Thomas noted each Of the items to be discussed by Council under New Business and invited
residents to communicate telephonically prior to New Business Council discussions. Administrative
Services Director Beise explained the process for residents to participate in the meeting. NO
City Administrator Martens noted the calendar schedule for adoption of 2021 preliminary levy by
Council, the proposed levy, the projected tax rate reduction from the prior year, projected impacts,
and average cost per month for City government services of approximately $131. City Administrator
Martens reviewed revenue and expenditures, noting the downward trend of City revenue generated
by property taxes, and noted expenditure percentages within each department. City Administrator
Martens reviewed the additions and enhancements to City services and additional investment in
capital improvement plan fund. Council discussed the capital improvement plan fund and the
importance of the fund within the budget and asked for a brief summary of the fund. City
Administrator Martens explained the capital improvement fund began in 2014 and operates on a 5
is
y
ear financial plan of projected city needs; sets funds aside for purchases such as fleet which
usually reserved for items with expenditures more than $5,000; allows for reduction in borrowing
needs and is a planful approach to managing fleet and large expenditures for the City. Council and
staff discussed the City's budget in comparison to other similar sized communities and the
differences in amenities in similar sized communities. Council discussed the City's decreasing tax
in comparison to other cities and counties that are continuing to increase tax rates. Council
noted directive has been to lower the tax rate and noted Council has achieved this goal over the last
several years. Council requested a breakdown by property category to see the split between
commercial and residential and non-residential.
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Anderson to approve Resolution 2020-68 Adopting
Preliminary Proposed Tax Levy Collectible in 2021 in the amount %J $5,054,460.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
b. 2021 Proposed Levies and Taxes Insert
City Administrator Martens noted the insert and cost is consistent with what has been provided to
Hennepin County in past years to include with the annual proposed property taxes for 2021. Council
discussed the information provided to residents with the insert.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Lother to authorize staff to include the City of Corcoran
insert with the Hennepin County property tax mailing with an associated cost of $900.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
c. CARES Act Fund Use Plan
City Administrator Martens outlined the funds received by the CARE Acts fund allocation in the
amount of $439,309 and the funding requirements and the proposed allocation plan. City
Administrator Martens outlined the proposed plan allocation of $368,587 including technology, public
safety staffing and FEMA gaps, furniture, masks, a fire department contribution, and extending
Internet to the public works facility. City Administrator Martens also noted additional upgrades
include touchless faucets at City Hall not included in the agenda packet materials that were
presented. City Administrator Martens indicated the remaining CARES Act fund balance potentially
could be utilized for declined FEMA reimbursements, and allow an opportunity to react to other
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needs prior to the November 15. Council and staff discussed the $55,000 estimate on internet
infrastructure and if the cable to the facility will benefit the community. Council inquired about the
Loretto Fire Department costs and the process of passing the cost through the City. City
Administrator Martens indicated the CARES Act Fund allows the City to pass allocated funds to
other organizations with eligible uses through Council Resolution. Council and staff discussed
notification date for FEMA reimbursement before the CARES Act Funds due date of November 15,
2020.
MOTION: made by Lother, seconded by Bottema to authorize staff to utilize CARES Act Funds as
presented.
VotinAe bROII Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Anderson, Lother, and Schult
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(Motion carried 5:0)
d. Park Building Roof Repair
Public Works Director Mattson outlined the roof repairs necessary for the 40-year old warming house
park building and the quotes received. Public Works Director Mattson noted a 5-year warranty
included with the recommended quote. Public Works Director Mattson indicated Public Works is not
able to repair the building with temporary fixes. Public Works Director Mattson noted significant
water damage penetrating the building due to the dilapidated roof created safety concerns with an
electrical short in the garage opener and two furnaces. Public Works Director Mattson stated the
repair an unbudgeted item resulting in a $10,000 overage but can accommodated within the overall
budget. Public Works Director Mattson noted the repair will extend the facility life five or more years
and would align with City decisions in park planning. Council and staff discussed potential mold
issues within the building as a safety issue. Council inquired when phasing for this type of building is
included in the concept park planning. City Administrator Martens indicated it would be phase two.
Public Works Director Mattson indicated the repair would allow the City to continue to utilize the
building until a new building is planned for in phase two of park planning. Council discussed the
repair cost of the roof versus the value of the building and how the internal building structure is cared
for in the future. Council discussed possible community groups assisting with maintenance or
revamping of the park building. Council acknowledged spending staff time on future maintenance for
the park building, including small upgrades for lighting and paint to manage the building in the
interim. Public Works Director Mattson emphasized the roof would be the initial step in maintaining
the park building. Council noted the request by Council for staff to spend some time on maintenance
on the park building after the installation of the new roof.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Bottema to authorize staff to repair the park building roof in
the amount of $11 7621 R
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 5:0)
11. Staff Reports
a. Pandemic Response Update
City Administrator Martens noted the City Hall current hours, the discussion of the CARES Act
Funding, noted the Council Chamber technology update as a high priority, and transitioning the
current Emergency Operations Center into a virtual emergency operations center to allow Council
Chamber to resume normal functions. City Administrator Martens updated Council on in -person
absentee voting, with absentee voting beginning on Friday, September 18, with City Hall hours
resuming 8:00 am — 4:00 pm.
12. 2020 City Council Schedule
City Administrator Martens outlined the upcoming Council schedule with Eagle Brook Church and
Nelson Trucking. City Administrator requested the September 24 residential district standards work
session be postponed to October 22 due to staff resources being consumed and has not allowed
staff to fully prepare for the September 24 work session meeting. Council discussed a work session
and issues relating to discussing items at the work session and then later voting on items related in
Council meeting immediately following the work session. Council discussed alternate date options.
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MOTION: made by Lother, seconded by Anderson to reschedule the September 24 work session to
October 22, 2020. Councilor Schultz noted he will not be in attendance on October 22.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Anderson Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 500)
14. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Bottema, seconded by Schultz to adjourn.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Bottema, Anderson, .other,
(Motion carried 5:0)
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm.
Michelle Friedrich —Deputy Clerk
and Schultz