[0:00] Let me take the head off with it and we'll I'll call the meeting to order. Uh

[0:04] we'll start with uh a roll call. McKe here. Lantern here.

[0:09] » Friedrich >> here.

[0:10] » Veron >> here. Nicholls

[0:12] » also here. >> Perfect. You like to stand and join me

[0:16] in the pledge of allegiance.

[0:20] » I pledge to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

[0:25] for which it stands. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and

[0:31] justice for all.

[0:40] » Mr. Mayor. >> Yeah.

[0:41] » I'd like to ask for a moment of silence. Uh just to acknowledge the recent loss

[0:47] of life in Minneapolis. Moments like this should remind us that

[0:51] justice and liberty demand our constant care and restraint. A free society is

[0:56] judged by whether liberty and justice are truly secured for all under the rule

[1:00] of law and with respect for human dignity. So I ask that we observe a

[1:04] moment of silence and reflect on our common principles.

[1:24] Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:27] » Appreciate you bringing that up. It's sad. Anytime there's a loss of life for

[1:30] sure and definitely keeping I hope many are um Minnesota residents and and um

[1:38] federal agents and everyone that temperatures can cool down and and uh

[1:43] hopefully everyone stays safe. for sure. Thank you. All righty. Um on

[1:49] to agenda approval. Um so does anyone the staff have any

[1:56] changes for staff? >> Uh we just had an update to the city

[1:59] council schedule which was put on the dis and it's now uh published.

[2:03] » Okay. >> No other changes besides that. Mr.

[2:06] Mayor, >> any changes from council? I had one

[2:09] suggest.

[2:12] » Okay. My suggestion was we'd move 9A to six to be part of 6C. And

[2:18] process-wise, I would recommend that we just eliminate 9A. When it gets to

[2:23] consent, I'll pull 6C. We can amend it to include acting mayor, discuss that,

[2:32] and then approve all the annual appointments together like we usually

[2:36] do. Um, and then get do the rest of consent, and then we just have the one

[2:41] item remaining. If that works for council, I will

[2:44] entertain a motion to approve the agenda as amended.

[2:47] » So move. >> Second.

[2:49] » All those in favor say I. >> I. I.

[2:51] » I. >> Hi I.

[2:52] » No gets to pick. >> Okay.

[2:57] No presentations. And now we have open forum for uh items not on tonight's

[3:04] agenda. NJ. >> Uh, so this is an opportunity for

[3:08] anybody who wants to speak on something that's not on this evening's agenda. Uh,

[3:12] need to fill out a white card which is over on the table over there. Bring it

[3:16] to me. Uh, when called upon, state your name and address at the podium. Uh,

[3:21] limit your remarks uh to three to five minutes. Um, and make sure that you

[3:26] address the dis uh address the council with your remarks. Uh, Mr. Mr. Mayor, we

[3:31] only received one email of which you have uh and uh no other emails.

[3:37] » Sounds good. If there's no one else, I will go ahead and read uh the email that

[3:40] was sent in and requested to be read from I'm assuming he'd want his name uh

[3:47] stated with it. Uh Wendell Brainer, uh who wrote in um stating that he is

[3:55] I'm unable to attend the January 8th city council meeting. So, here is my

[3:59] emailed comment. Uh, read Mayor McKe's public memo regarding adding government

[4:04] space. It is my opinion that adding a new government building to Corkran

[4:08] landscape is asking too much from the citizens of Corkran to support this tax

[4:12] liability, particularly on the heels of a significant city tax increase payable

[4:17] in 2026. There is a is there a comprehensive

[4:21] uh rationale to the need? is a Corkran fire department and needed facilities

[4:26] going to benefit the residents over hiring local fire department. Just

[4:32] saying we need more space is tough. Where uh where can people see the exact

[4:37] reasons why it's necessary? Thank you, Wendell Brainer uh on Le Pond Lane.

[4:44] That's what he had to say. And I and that just does remind me um probably a

[4:48] good time to mention a couple things. Um in terms of the process and public

[4:54] engagement opportunities, we do have a number uh council. It's in your and I'm

[4:59] assuming in the packet online. It's in the updated um schedule looking ahead

[5:05] » which will also be published in the quarterly newsletter.

[5:07] » Yes. Cool. And there'll be a whole bunch more coming out about it I'm sure on the

[5:10] website and all sorts of stuff. Um but just off Off the bat, we do have public

[5:17] engagement, input, opportunities, open houses, that type of thing already

[5:21] scheduled for January 27th, 6:30 to 7:30 in the council chambers. February 12th,

[5:28] 10:30 to noon at the Bellweather Clubhouse.

[5:31] March 3rd, 6 to 7:30 at St. Thomas. April 28th, 6:00 to 7:30 at Public

[5:37] Works. May 5th, uh, TVD for the time and location, but that should hopefully be

[5:43] figured out soon. June 2nd, 6:00 to 7:30 at Hope Community Church and August 4th

[5:50] at night to unite at public works. And then there'll be some other stuff. I

[5:54] think one other thing will be mentioned later today in the meeting. Um, that uh

[5:58] will be part of the public engagement process. So, it will be pretty

[6:01] extensive. Um, and and we really look forward to the feedback because it'll be

[6:05] super helpful to figure out exactly what the future campus looks like. So, just

[6:11] wanted to get those data out there earlier. Like Jay said, it'll be online

[6:16] and all over the place. It'll be hard to miss. So, uh, but just wanted to get it

[6:19] on people's radars early. And with that, seems like that's it for

[6:25] open form. So, we will move on to consent, which consists of 6 A through

[6:32] six uh J. I will pull 6C. Does anyone like to pull

[6:39] anything else?

[6:43] » Okay. Uh then I will entertain a motion to approve consent agenda items A, B,

[6:49] and D through J. >> So move.

[6:51] » Second. >> All those in favor say I.

[6:53] » I. >> Perfect. Thank you guys. And then six C.

[6:59] First of all, I'll go ahead and um make a motion to amend the annual

[7:06] appointments list to include the acting mayor for 2026.

[7:10] Um and then

[7:14] well, I guess maybe we should have that discussion now to amend the whole thing

[7:17] in there with the name. My recommendation if you're interested,

[7:21] Jeremy, would to have you continue in the role um kind of as we've done with

[7:25] past president um seniority. Uh John served in that capacity uh when he was

[7:31] on council and uh then since then which was just this past year you have and I

[7:38] try to keep it as a minimal commitment so it's not having to do meetings all

[7:43] the time but >> I hope you remain healthy and in office

[7:47] » do my best but are you interested if >> I will be

[7:52] » um then I would make uh the motion to amend 6C the annual appointments to

[7:58] include clude 2026 acting mayor of Jeremy Nichols.

[8:03] » Second. >> Second.

[8:06] » Uh, did I make the motion? Actually, >> you can.

[8:08] » I entertained it. >> Move made. Seconded. There we go.

[8:14] » That works. Um, any. >> No. Uh, all those in favor say I.

[8:18] » I. >> Opposed.

[8:21] » Abstain. >> For God's sakes. Vote for yourself for

[8:26] once. Would you >> pull the bottom up?

[8:30] » All righty. >> Yeah.

[8:33] » All right. >> Okay. And then on to our remaining item.

[8:37] Um, we have a public hearing for Woodland

[8:40] Hills Event Vacation. So, I will go ahead and open the public hearing. If

[8:46] anyone would like to speak on this item, now is your opportunity.

[8:51] And not looking like it. So, I will entertain a motion to close the public

[8:55] hearing. Go ahead.

[8:58] » Second. >> Second.

[9:01] You can There was three people that your choice.

[9:05] » I got one. >> Good deal. Um

[9:10] and then yeah into the item itself. >> Sure. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yeah. Item

[9:14] 7A is a ease vacation uh for a lot within Woodman Hills. This is a request

[9:20] from Hansen Builders who are requesting indication for a portion of a drainage

[9:25] and utility easement around the perimeter of lot 8, block three of

[9:30] Woodland Hills. Um when this property was platted in as part of the Wooden

[9:35] Hill subdivision in 2024, uh the developer and surveyor u dedicated what

[9:42] would be considered probably a generous amount of DNU around the perimeter of

[9:47] the property and um exceeds what our typical um DNU requirements are um for

[9:54] this law. Mr. >> Yes,

[9:56] » DNU means what? >> Sorry, my apologies. Drainage utilities.

[10:00] Thank you. Just for anybody that doesn't know.

[10:04] » Yeah, thank you for pointing that out. I alphabet zoom. Um, so this has resulted

[10:10] in um a little bit of a constrained buildable area within this lot. And now

[10:14] the builder uh is requesting on behalf of the property owner that a portion of

[10:20] that drainage utility easement be vacated so that they may be able to

[10:24] construct uh that bump out on the back side of of the proposed house there. Um

[10:30] So staff, planning staff, and engineering have had a chance to review

[10:33] the requested vacation and have no objections with it. So at this point, um

[10:39] staff would recommend that you move to adopt resolution 2026-04,

[10:44] which would approve that, uh easement vacation for lot 8, block three of

[10:48] Woodland Hills. >> Great. Thank you. Any

[10:52] » Yep. Mayor Council, I just actually realized I there's an I just caught this

[10:58] in the figure. The 5 foot sideyard DNU easement at the bottom of that shade

[11:03] needs to be kept in place. So it's just a little bit of a er erroneous emission

[11:08] there. >> Okay.

[11:10] » So if we can if I'm allowed to amend that verbiage so that we maintain a

[11:16] fiveyard sideyard ement. So I think if they just a sketch

[11:21] goes all the way to the property. >> Okay.

[11:25] » Do we need to amend anything in the text of the resolution?

[11:29] So basically this yard should go all the way through

[11:35] here. I apologize. >> No worries.

[11:39] Amend that. My recommendation.

[11:43] » I'll go ahead and make a motion to amend per Kevin's

[11:47] direction there. >> I'll second that.

[11:50] » Any discussion? >> Oh, go ahead.

[11:53] » N I got questions. >> So that Okay. Sorry. That's the right

[11:56] angle tree there. So that's where what I so they just had an issue. So this is

[12:00] actually I don't know how we want to deal with it. This is the correct

[12:05] » that's the correct figure. >> So that's yeah that's the leg the

[12:08] proposed legal description of the um vacation area. So that would address

[12:13] Kevin's amendment to the to the previous exhibit. So if if council were to

[12:20] approve the resolution as drafted, it would reflect the exhibit that's on the

[12:24] screen right now. >> Gotcha. Sorry about that. I just saw

[12:27] that on my figure and I wanted to make sure.

[12:29] » It's all right. My my question is the effect of that easement to neighbors. No

[12:34] real effect other than we notified the neighbors saying

[12:38] there was a change in that easement but no effect to neighboring properties.

[12:44] » No, they they basically have excess easement. So we just make sure it meets

[12:49] our rules. They have excess easement. Sometimes that happens when the grading

[12:52] plan changes. They just don't go back and modify it. Our engineering looks at

[12:57] what's needed and if they give us more, we don't comment on it.

[13:00] » Um, in this case, we did look at this closely with the new plan and there's

[13:03] enough room to maintain the drainage. So, we don't need this. We wouldn't

[13:07] require it. So, we're okay releasing it. >> And I understood that, Mr. Mayor. That

[13:15] makes sense. >> Yeah.

[13:18] » I don't mean to involve, but they're the only neighbors that showed up. So,

[13:23] » there is a the property line setbacks remain

[13:28] unchanged. Yeah. >> So,

[13:29] » yeah. >> Okay.

[13:33] » I I did have one question. This is I think back in the corner where when we

[13:37] did the sidewalk, I think there was a fair number of like dead and dying ash

[13:41] trees and buckthornne and things like that. Do we know if the developer is

[13:47] planning to mitigate any of that before they construct the home sites?

[13:53] » I could follow up on that. I haven't been to the site in a while, so I think

[13:56] they're still This doesn't change any of the conditions of the development

[14:00] contract, so I don't know what's been completed or not. I can look into it

[14:05] follow. >> Thank you.

[14:07] » And then we did have a so I think maybe further questions if there are any might

[14:12] we should do the finish the vote on the amendment first. So, I'll call that

[14:16] vote. Um, which was just amending it to Kevin's changes or uh language.

[14:22] » I I think Dwight actually clarified that that the description.

[14:26] » So, do we not need >> So, the amendment is not necessary.

[14:28] » Correct. >> Yes.

[14:30] » Yeah. Just I was looking at this markup. So, there's this figure is inacc This

[14:34] figure is correct which has the legal. >> Okay. So, we don't need it. Then I will

[14:40] » take that back. >> Take it back.

[14:41] » Yep. Um, then if there's no further

[14:45] questions, I will entertain a motion to approve resolution 20264

[14:50] approving the easement vacation for lot 8, block 3 of Woodland Hills of Corkran.

[14:55] » I'll make that motion. >> Second.

[14:58] » All those or any further discussion? All those in favor say I.

[15:02] » I.

[15:06] » Then on to staff reports. Uh, two exciting things. Uh, mayor and council.

[15:11] Uh Matt Selmmeer, our new finance director, will begin on Monday.

[15:16] » And I am thrilled. Uh >> he sounds like uh

[15:21] » he's he's coming coming to us from council. We'll have him here in front of

[15:24] you so that you all get a chance to meet him soon enough. Uh but um yeah, staff

[15:30] staff uh did a great job about finding us a good person and I'm really excited

[15:34] to get him started. I had the conversation with Abdo about our

[15:37] transition plan on Wednesday. Uh, and at this point, I think it's wisest for us

[15:42] to let Matt kind of drive the train when he's comfortable to let them go. Uh, but

[15:48] right now, the plan is roughly at about uh 3 months. So, that that gives us a

[15:53] left seat, right seat, and uh I'll call you if I need you. And then so uh by

[15:59] March 31st, we we should be done. When they're no longer consulting,

[16:05] do we want to make them our auditor again instead of the newer vendor we

[16:09] use? >> They're a lot more expensive.

[16:11] » Are they? >> I thought the new group actually did a

[16:14] fantastic job. >> And and and also it's very interesting

[16:17] that they were offsite. They they were faster. They were thorough. Uh so I

[16:22] wouldn't recommend that. >> Okay, great.

[16:24] » But someone we can give in the back. >> They EDTO did a good job for us when we

[16:27] needed them. Yeah. uh to do the things that we needed them to do and then when

[16:30] we had to go out for another auditor I think we found a great one.

[16:33] » Okay. Excellent. >> Uh and then the other comment is uh um

[16:37] staff met yesterday with a company called community perceptions uh which is

[16:41] going to conduct the community survey for us as part of the um facilities

[16:45] analysis and so we're working on the timeline but uh I confess I was

[16:49] skeptical about surveys and they're going to mail the surveys to every home

[16:54] and then the home gets a unique code. So, one of the reasons I don't like it

[16:58] is there's been ballot stuffing when I've done surveys before in which people

[17:02] not even in the community are engaged in the survey and in influencing the

[17:06] results. So, in this case, it's limited to our residents and then even if they

[17:11] have special, it's only for a household that can vote and they can only vote

[17:15] once. >> So, uh very excited. That's all we have

[17:18] to say. >> I was I was on that meeting as well and

[17:20] I was somewhat skeptical at first, too. And I was really impressed with the the

[17:25] breadth of their process uh the accuracy of some of the stuff they process.

[17:30] » 94% accuracy in terms of the feedback that they get and what the outcome will

[17:34] be. >> Yep. in terms of public

[17:36] » and the kind of unique team they have there of

[17:40] everything from construction people to or you know previously construction

[17:45] people to uh data analytics people to a former reporter who reported on small

[17:51] med you know to similar municipalities like us in I think Wisconsin yep

[17:56] previously um so it's just a lot of different perspectives that kind of

[18:00] together >> could have a pretty cool um outcome and

[18:05] and get us some really useful data and it was um quite affordable. Honestly, I

[18:11] think the price was fantastic. Um so yeah, I think it's it's a no-brainer.

[18:16] That coupled with our public engagement opport you know, meetings that I talked

[18:21] about and um kind of putting all that together, I think will give us a really

[18:26] good robust process and get us to the best possible solution for the

[18:30] facilities. >> Yeah, I'm excited, Mr. Mayor.

[18:33] » Likewise, Mr. Mayor. Yeah. >> And a big thank you on this new hire.

[18:38] Thank you to all the staff that put another sardine in the can, if

[18:44] you know what I mean. By by the movement around in the email

[18:49] you sent out already tight places. Please thank staff for their patience

[18:55] while we step through all of this >> offered. Is that still the case with

[19:00] that? >> So, so we did make musical chairs. Uh

[19:03] there's a lot of people in new spaces. I I think I sent that note out to you uh

[19:07] as of Wednesday and also super awesome that staff did it and I had nothing to

[19:11] do with it.

[19:15] » A mutiny. I >> I was going in to check on like, "Hey

[19:17] Kevin, uh how are things going?" And his office was already set up and I was

[19:22] like, >> "What?"

[19:24] » It was it was amazing. >> We have an

[19:30] uh anything else for Sacramento? >> Oh, sure. Anything for council reports?

[19:35] » I can never shut up. You guys already know that. Um, tremendous number of

[19:39] responses to my cell phone on how public works handled the ice.

[19:47] Um, even going above and beyond in one case, but I'm not going to share that

[19:51] one. But, uh, that team

[19:56] is doing a great job. >> Yeah. on very difficult weather

[20:01] conditions. >> Any issues this here in town?

[20:03] » I left my driveway tonight and spun out and

[20:07] whatever. But that's not their fault. That's just me driving onto my icy

[20:12] gravel road. But uh >> Sounds like driver error.

[20:15] » It was It was I was I was distracted by >> by the by the cow looking at me out the

[20:21] garage door window as I was driving out. calls looked great this evening. But uh

[20:28] again, great job. And then I already shared with you Jay on the comments from

[20:32] one the one person. Um that was very neat. And anybody wants to hear that, I

[20:38] can tell you later. But that that's great. Kudos to you.

[20:44] » Awesome. Thanks for sharing. Anything else?

[20:46] » One question. Yeah. >> Um I just want to confirm because I'm

[20:49] starting to do some cleanup. Um, Corkran cleanup day May 2nd.

[20:54] First Saturday in May. Yes. >> Right. Okay.

[20:58] » Sounds first Saturday. >> Okay.

[21:00] » I may not >> I'll be adding some of those other

[21:02] things more on the schedule. >> Yep.

[21:06] » I don't think I'll be here. Unfortunately, I almost always miss I

[21:09] made it last year. It was fun. >> It's fun.

[21:13] » It's a great thing to be at because the stuff that comes is just interesting to

[21:18] see what >> There was like two couples that had like

[21:20] They're trying to beat each other for the number of runs I did. That was like

[21:23] eight or nine rounds. It was >> remember it was something crazy. You and

[21:26] I and and JCB and Malicia, I think, were out front in this.

[21:31] » Tom, it's okay if you're not here. We have a great acting mayor.

[21:35] » There you go. >> There you go. You got to figure out the

[21:38] whole system of what's allowed and what they get

[21:42] » they can drop off. >> Two years ago than it looks. Two years

[21:45] ago, I salvaged the John Deere side by side battery operated

[21:49] and the kids that ended up with that are driving the wheels off of that.

[21:53] » Nice. >> Added some electronics and it works

[21:55] great. >> Love it.

[21:57] » Awesome. Well, with that, um, we have our 2026 schedule as touched on before

[22:02] in the packet. Um, I believe it's goal setting is our next

[22:09] meeting, a 5:00 start for the work session. Uh other than that, as Jay

[22:13] mentioned previously, 5:30 unless otherwise noted uh for future work

[22:17] sessions. Um and

[22:23] I think that's all I had on that. Could be a record.

[22:27] » Could be a record. >> You said 202, correct?

[22:31] » Yes. >> Okay.

[22:33] » For the goal setting. >> Yep.

[22:34] » All right. And with that, >> can I make a motion to adjurnn?

[22:37] » Yes, you may. Do you have a second? >> Second.

[22:39] » All those in favor say I. >> I.

City of Corcoran City Council Meeting January 8, 2026

Transcript