HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-12 Council MinutesCITY OF CORCORAN
City Council Meeting Minutes
November 12,
2020 - 7:00 pm
The Corcoran City Council met on November 12, 2020, 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.
Mayor Thomas was present at City Hall and present via telephonic or other electronic means were
Councilor Anderson, Councilor Lother, and Councilor Schultz. Councilor Bottema was excused.
Also present were City Administrator Martens and Administrative Services Director Beise. Public Works
Director Mattson and Director of Public Safety Gottschalk were present via telephonic or other electronic
means.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
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 at 7:00 pm.
3. Agenda Approval
itional item 7d. Claims and encompassed additional payments to
City Administrator Martens added add
election judges; and added item 10b. Certifying Delinquent Fees to the agenda. City Administrator
Martens noted the public hearing was noticed and each property owner with delinquent fees was sent
individual notification of the hearing.
MOTION: made by Anderson, seconded by Lother to approve the agenda as modified.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 4:0)
Commission Representatives
Mayor Thomas noted Planning Commissioner Dickman was present, and Parks and Trails
Commissioner Nybo was excused from the meeting.
5. Open Forum_(Public Comment_Opportunity_)__
Mayor Thomas invited residents to communicate telephonically during the Open Forum discussion for
items not on the agenda. 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 telephone or computer. No residents participated in the Public Comment Opportunity.
B. Presentations/Recognitions
a. Police Officer Oath — Clayton Decker
Director of Public Safety Gottschalk issued the Oath of Office to Clayton Decker. Council
congratulated Officer Decker and welcomed him to the Police Department.
7. Consent Agenda
a. Draft Minutes of October 22, 2020 Council Work Session Meeting
b. Draft Minutes of October 22, 2020 Council Meeting
c. Draft Minutes of October 29, 2020 Council Special Meeting
d. Financial Claims
e. Utility Installation and Service Agreement — 19233 81 St Place North
f. Purchase Agreement Outlot A, Hunters Place — PID 12-119-23-22-0008
g. Resolution Authorizing Special Assessment
Council requested item 7b. be pulled for clarification.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Anderson to approve the consent agenda items 7a.,7c., 7d.,
7e., 7f., and 7g. as presented.
Voting Aye by Roll Call
(Motion carried 4:0)
Vote: Thomas, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
Council clarified the Motion made on Item 9, from the Draft Minutes of October 22, 2020 Council
should include MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Anderson to authorize City Administrator
Martens to approve change orders for the remodel project, under $10,000 individually, and nofi to
exceed 10 percent of the total construction project
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Lother to approve item 7b. Draft of October 22, 2020 Council
Meeting with clarification of City Administrator Marten's approval within the Motion.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 4:0)
Planning Business
Unfinished Business (Public Comment Opportunity)
Mayor Thomas invited residents to communicate telephonically during the Open Forum discussion for
items not on the agenda. 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 telephone or computer. No residents participated in the Public Comment Opportunity.
a. CARES Act Expenditures
City Administrator Martens reviewed the CARES Act expenditures in the amount of $439,309 on
Resolution 2020-83 to adopt and codify use funds. City Administrator Martens noted all expenses
were to be paid by November 15, per the CARES Act requirements. City Administrator Martens read
Resolution 2020-83 Authorizing CARES Act Expenditures.
MOTION: made by Anderson, seconded by Schultz to approve Resolution 2020-83 as presented.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 4:0)
b. Deferred Special Assessments
City Administrator Martens outlined the assessments and the correspondence with each property
owner regarding special assessments. City Administrator Martens reviewed the option to enter into
agreements with property owners to pay the assessments over 10 year and the option to allow
deferment to continue until property is out of Green Acres program and waiving right to the 30-year
deadline. City Administrator Martens noted property owner Shirly Reiss, requested interest not be
charged on her property. City Attorney Thames noted correspondence from City Administrator Bob
Derus on October 2, 1989, to property owners regarding interest on special assessments and how
- interest -Would -be -applied.City Administrator -Martens noted Council Minutes from -1989 indicated
assessment notices were sent and Mr. Reiss attended the certification of assessment Council
meeting. City Administrator Martens reviewed the interest percentage rate and discussed consistency
of interest charges. Staff and Council discussed agreements regarding property sales with pending
Green Acres status and offering two agreement options. City Administrator Martens noted if no
agreement is signed by property owners the assessment will be added to the 2021 assessment rolls.
City Administrator Martens and Council reviewed options including payment due immediately or in
2021 with taxes, entering into an agreement and pay over 10 years with interest, or entering into an
agreement to defer assessment until property comes out of Green Acres. Council and staff discussed
parameters of Green Acres, and consensus regarding Green Acres property sale, would be for the
deferred assessment to be due upon sale of property.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Lother to offer two agreement options to impacted property
owners:
a. Agreement to pay deferred assessment over 10 years with an interest rate of 2% with
requirement to pay deferred assessment immediately upon sale of property.
b. Agreement to pay deferred assessment upon removal of the Green Acres program.
c. Due immediately upon sale of property.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 4:0)
10. New Business (Public Comment Opportunity)
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Mayor Thomas invited residents to communicate telephonically during the Open Forum discussion for
items not on the agenda. 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 telephone or computer. No residents participated in the Public Comment Opportunity.
a. 2021 Benefits Summary
Administrative Services Director Beise outlined the 2021 Employee Benefits Summary distributed
annually to staff and prior to open enrollment each year. Administrative Services Director Beise
indicated Health Partners had a favorable 5.7 percent increase rate for 2021. Administrative Services
Director Beise indicated the 70/30 city and employee contribution remains consistent with prior years.
Council and staff reviewed employee satisfaction regarding Health Partners as a provider.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Anderson to approve the 2021 Employee Benefits Summary
as presented and authorize staff to complete necessary documents for completion.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 4:0)
b. Charter Commission Resignation — Dorothy Theis
Mayor Thomas read the resignation submitted by Charter Commissioner Theis. Council reflected on
Commissioner Theis' contributions to individual Commissions and Council throughout the past 30 plus
years.
MOTION: made by Lother, seconded by Anderson to accept Dorothy Theis' resignation from the
Charter Commission effective immediately. Council expressed appreciation for Mrs. Theis' assistance
and guidance on the Planning Commission, the Charter Commission, and her involvement with the
City.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Anderson, and Lother Nay: Schultz
(Motion carried 3:1)
c. 2020 Election Canvassing
Administrative Services Director Beise reviewed the 2020 canvassing results, noted the percentage of
absentee voting turnout was 57 percent, with 285 new registrations on election day. Council reviewed
total number of persons voting and the difference in the number voting for municipal offices.
Administrative Services Director Beise noted the final canvassed results included all mail -in ballots
postmarked November 3 and received by November 10, 2020.
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Anderson to approve Resolution 2020-81 Canvassing the
November 3, 2020 Municipal Election Returns and Declaring Results.
--Voting-Aye by Roll-Call-Vote:--Thomas,--Anderson,-Lother,-and Schultz__
(Motion carried 4:0)
d. Certification of Delinquent Fees
Administrative Services Director Beise reviewed the notices required by Statute to certify special
assessments and delinquent fees and noted the City has noticed the public hearing and sent individual
letters to all properties affected, and all legal requirements were met per City Attorney Thames.
Administrative Services Director Beise reviewed dust control and recycling special assessments
amounts with certification to Hennepin County on November 16.
Mayor Thomas opened the Public Hearing. Mayor Thomas invited residents to communicate
telephonically during the Public Hearing. Administrative Services Director Beise explained the
instructions to participate in the Public Hearing via the Zoom video format and reviewed instructions
for participation through telephone or computer.
Vitally Svistun, 22992 County Road 50, resident indicated he does not use services, but continues to
receive invoices, and would like to understand if this service could be removed from his address.
Council responded all residents are required to pay for recycling services in Corcoran and the fee is
paid by the City with a portion passed onto each property in Corcoran and is mandated by Hennepin
County. City Administrator Martens stated the resident could reach out to the county commissioner to
relay concerns regarding recycling fees, as recycling in Corcoran is mandated by Hennepin County
and the City is required to participate. City Administrator Martens noted resident can reach out to staff
for further clarification of details regarding the recycling fee.
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MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Lother to close the Public Hearing.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 400)
MOTION: made by Anderson, seconded by Schultz to approve and certify Resolution 2020-84
Delinquent Dust Control Fees to the Hennepin County Auditor for Collection in 2021 and authorize
staff to edit the resolution to include the levy number which will be provided by Hennepin County.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 4:0)
MOTION: made by Schultz, seconded by Lother to approve and certify Resolution 2020-85 Delinquent
Recycling Fees to the Hennepin County Auditor for Collection in 2021, and authorize staff to edit the
resolution to include the levy number which will be provided by Hennepin County.
11. Staff Reports
a. Pandemic Response Update
Director of Public Safety Gottschalk updated Council on COVI D extensive testing, infection rates that
continue to rise between 5-7,000 infected daily with over 194,000 positive cases and 2,700 fatalities to
date in Minnesota from the COVID pandemic. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk reviewed status of
statewide ICU capacities, and the need activate contingency plans to reallocate patients to other
facilities with more capacity. Director of Public Safety Gottschalk reviewed Minnesota Resolution
Order 20-96 noting all private, social gatherings should not exceed 10 people and limited to 3 different
families, limitations on bars and restaurants not to exceed 50 percent normal capacity and not to
exceed 150 persons internal and external capacity while still maintaining the 6400t social distance rule
with closing between 10:00 pm and 4:00 am, places of worship are exempt from resolution but limited
to 25 persons and time limitations between 10:00 pm and 4:00 am. Director of Public Safety
Gottschalk noted the City continues to examine practices to keep citizens and community safe.
Director of Public Safety Gottschalk noted a recent report indicating drug manufacturers are claiming a
vaccine with 90 percent effectiveness will be available in the spring of 2021. City Administrator
Martens noted city staff will continue to rotate schedules and remain open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm,
however could change at some point in the future depending on pandemic. Administrative Services
Director Beise noted staff with school -age children are impacted with distance learning, staff will work
remotely, with City Hall staffed with at least one staff member during business hours. Council inquired
about shortages in PPE and if staff have been affected by shortages. Director of Public Safety
Gottschalk indicated currently staff PPE supply is acceptable.
=12: -2020 City Council Schedule
City Administrator Martens reviewed remaining Council items scheduled for 2020 and requested the
Fire Work Study be moved into 2021. City Administrator Martens noted Councilmember Anderson's
last meeting is tonight and thanked him for his willingness to serve on the Council. Council thanked
Councilmember Anderson for his service on the Council, his energy, perspective, and his anticipated
return to the Parks and Trails Commission.
13. Adjournment
MOTION: made by Anderson, seconded by Schultz to adjourn.
Voting Aye by Roll Call Vote: Thomas, Anderson, Lother, and Schultz
(Motion carried 4:0)
Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.
Michelle Friedrich —Deputy Clerk