Cokato public meetings in 2021
15 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
10-11-21 - Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is reviewing proposed land uses for the Northeast Planning Area, specifically the Pleasant Street area and land between Olsen Boulevard and Omer Avenue. The body is also considering a rezoning request for a community solar garden.
- Review of Northeast Planning Area land uses between Olsen Boulevard and Omer Avenue
- Request by USS Charger Solar LLC to rezone 4825 Omer Ave NE from R-2 Multi Family Residential to I Industry District
- Conditional use permit request for a 1 megawatt community solar garden at 4825 Omer Ave NE
- Discussion of potential water line looping from Pleasant Street to Omer Avenue
- Proposed November 1, 2021 public meeting for area property owners to discuss land usage
09-13-21 - Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is reviewing a conditional use permit request from AA Properties of Cokato LLC for multifamily buildings. The commission is discussing whether a proposed 8-plex meets current R-3 Single Family District zoning ordinances, which typically allow up to four-plexes.
- Conditional use permit request for multifamily buildings at 185 Pleasant Avenue NE and 205 Pleasant Avenue NE
- Discussion on dividing a proposed 8-plex into two four-plexes to comply with R-3 zoning
- Review of R-3 district requirements including 6,000 square foot minimum lot size
08-16-21 - Planning Commission
The Planning and Zoning Commission is discussing proposed rules for the placement and storage of boats, trailers, fish houses, and campers. The proposal includes specific requirements for hard-surfaced driveways and setback distances from property lines.
- Proposed requirement for 30 feet of concrete or asphalt hard-surfacing from the public street
- Proposed driveway width limit of 32 feet or 40% of the front yard
- Proposed 10-foot property line setback for boats and fish houses
- Proposed rear yard limit for temporary vehicles of 10% of the yard or 500 square feet
- Review of existing § 70.07 Recreational Vehicle Parking Regulations
08-16-21 Regular Council
The Cokato City Council approved a mill and overlay project bid of $205,703.40 to Mid Minnesota Hot Mix, approved a $625,359 fund transfer, and accepted the 2020 financial audit. They also approved a compensation study, a credit card policy, and various pay requests and claims. No action was taken on a possible development plan east of Cowgirl Tuff.
- Approved Resolution 2021-27 Mill and Overlay Project bid to Mid Minnesota Hot Mix for $205,703.40 (all aye)
- Approved transfer of $625,359.00 from TD Ameritrade to Kensington Bank (all aye)
- Approved Line Road Agreement with Cokato Township including 3rd St SW (all aye)
- Approved Compensation Study to be completed by Paul Ness (all aye)
- Approved Credit Card Policy and City Hall credit card with $2,000 limit (all aye)
- Approved pay requests for WWTP and City Center Phase II projects (all aye)
- Approved claims totaling $1,744,665.43 (all aye)
- Approved Cash & Budget Reports (all aye)
07-26-21 - Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding a request from Josh Wuollet to rezone a 1.9-acre property. The change from R-1 to R-3 would allow for the construction of townhomes or multi-family dwellings.
- Public hearing for rezoning 680 Johnson Street SE from R-1 Single Family District to R-3 Single Family District
- Proposed site plan for three twinhomes and potentially four-plexes
07-26-21 Special Council
The Cokato City Council approved a rezoning request for 680 Johnson Street SE from R-1 to R-3, allowing up to four-unit townhome buildings, subject to conditions including a conditional use permit, possible city cost-sharing for oversized water/sewer, and a stormwater plan. The council also accepted a bid for Highway 12 street light replacement, reaffirmed a ban on drawing water from a city stormwater pond, and approved a Wright County Sheriff's contract for 2022-2023.
- Rezoning 680 Johnson St SE from R-1 to R-3 approved with conditions (unanimous)
- Approved $49,625 bid from Brandel Electric for Highway 12 street lights (unanimous)
- Reaffirmed decision not to allow drawing water from city stormwater pond
- Approved Wright County Sheriff's contract for 2022-2023 (unanimous)
07-12-21 Regular Council
The Cokato City Council approved a $100 per month fine for property owners who do not have the new water meter installed by August 1, 2021. They also approved a housing study contract with Maxfield Research for $14,500, purchased land from the Cokato Development Corporation for $56,000, and approved claims totaling $1,328,313.05. Several items were discussed but no action was taken, including the Line Road Agreement, fence setback ordinance change, and compensation study.
- Approved $100/month fine for late water meter installation (all aye)
- Approved 5-year validity for sewer inspections at point of sale (all aye)
- Approved Maxfield Research housing study for $14,500 (all aye)
- Approved land purchase from Cokato Development Corporation for $56,000 (all aye)
- Approved winter parking ban on city streets 12 a.m.–6 a.m. during snow removal months (all aye)
- Approved mill and overlay project specifications and put out to bid (all aye)
- Approved claims totaling $1,328,313.05 (all aye)
- Approved consent agenda including fund transfer of $582,776 (all aye)
07-01-21 Special Council
The Cokato City Council met in a special session and discussed potential acquisition of industrial property north along County Road 3 and land east of Cowgirl Tuff. After a closed session, the council agreed on a possible purchase price and will contact property owners. No formal purchase was approved; the meeting was procedural and adjourned without further action.
- Entered closed session to discuss property acquisition (motion by Martinson, seconded by Harju)
- Agreed on possible price for parcels and will inquire with property owners
- Adjourned meeting unanimously (motion by Wilson, seconded by Harju)
06-14-21 Regular Council
The Cokato City Council approved a roof bid from West Central Roofing for $69,152 for City Hall and the Library/Museum. They also approved the 2021-2022 LMCIT insurance renewal, a small grant up to $10,000 for the Akerlund Studio with a match up to $5,000, and changed winter parking dates to November 15–April 15, with a public hearing scheduled for the next meeting. The council approved final pay requests for Phase I and Phase II of the Central City Project and the WWTP project, and approved claims totaling $944,369.99.
- Approved roof bid from West Central Roofing for $69,152
- Approved 2021-2022 LMCIT insurance renewal
- Approved small grant up to $10,000 for Akerlund Studio with match up to $5,000
- Changed winter parking dates to November 15–April 15, with public hearing next meeting
- Approved final pay request to RL Larson Construction for Central City Project Phase I
- Approved pay request 1 to Landwehr Construction for Central City Project Phase II
- Approved pay request 3 to Rice Lake Construction for WWTP Project
- Approved claims in the amount of $944,369.99
05-28-21 Special Council
The Cokato City Council discussed community strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, along with long-term land use and growth areas. They decided to issue a Request for Proposals for development of the remaining 8 lots on Ailie Avenue, including construction of the adjacent road. No decisions were made on potential industrial property north of County Road 3 or land east of Cowgirl Tuff.
- Decided to pursue a Request for Proposals for 8 lots on Ailie Avenue and adjacent road construction
05-10-21 Regular Council
The Cokato City Council approved a bond sale for the Phase II Street Project and a $766,717.60 claims payment. It also approved a $100 fee for properties without new water meters, with disconnection after two months. The council tabled the Ailie Street extension and discussed street patching with Centerpoint Energy.
- Approved Resolution 2021-20 for Phase II Street Project bond sale (all aye)
- Approved claims totaling $766,717.60 (all aye)
- Approved $100 fee for non-compliant water meters, with disconnection after July/August (all aye)
- Approved mill and overlay projects as presented (all aye)
- Approved variance at 220 4th St SE for new single-family dwelling (all aye)
- Approved amended EDA membership guidelines (all aye)
- Approved Wright County EDA membership (all aye)
- Tabled Ailie Street extension for next month (no vote)
04-22-21 Special City Council
The Cokato City Council held a special meeting on April 22, 2021, and unanimously approved an amended resolution to bond $2,955,000 for Phase II of the street reconstruction project. The amendment reduced the bond amount from a previously discussed 15-year bond and preserved $314,495 in city reserves for potential mill and overlay work. The decision was based on finding excess funds from the 2020 project fund that could be used for other projects.
- Approved amended resolution to bond $2,955,000 for Phase II street project (unanimous)
- Preserved $314,495 in city reserves for mill and overlay work
04-12-21 Regular Council
The Cokato City Council approved Resolution 2021-14, awarding the Central City Project Phase I bid to Landwehr Construction Inc. for $2,627,408.02. They also approved a 15-year bond (Resolution 2021-15) for the project, and approved consent agenda items including donations, rental contracts, and a grant agreement. The council directed staff to bring back cost estimates for a possible mill and overlay project.
- Approved Resolution 2021-14 awarding Central City Project Phase I bid to Landwehr Construction Inc. for $2,627,408.02 (all aye)
- Approved Resolution 2021-15 for a 15-year bond (all aye)
- Approved consent agenda items a, b, c, e, f, g (all aye)
- Approved consent agenda items d and h (all aye)
- Approved claims totaling $248,219.61 (all aye)
- Approved cash and budget reports (all aye)
- Directed staff to bring back cost estimates for possible mill and overlay project
- Council took property maintenance enforcement and Yard of the Month under consideration
03-08-21 Regular Council
The Cokato City Council approved the 2020 Wright County Sheriff's Annual Report, an amended 2021 Fee Ordinance (water meter and ambulance fees), a stormwater exception for the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, a conditional use permit for M&W, and a final payment to MNDOT for the Highway 12 project (conditional on written confirmation of manhole repairs). The council also approved bidding for the Central City Project Phase II (with one nay vote), a part-time seasonal public works position, claims totaling $224,241.55, and a museum grant application. Several items were deferred for more information, including parking lot layout, line road agreements, and property maintenance regulations.
- Approved the 2020 Annual Report from the Wright County Sheriff
- Approved the amended 2021 Fee Ordinance for water meter and ambulance fees
- Approved a stormwater exception for the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery
- Approved final payment to MNDOT for Highway 12, conditional on written confirmation of manhole repairs
- Approved up to $5,000 for backup system batteries for Hwy 12 and County Rd 3
- Approved the M&W Conditional Use Permit
- Approved bidding the Central City Project Phase II (motion passed 4-1)
- Approved claims in the amount of $224,241.55
🗳️ How they voted (1 roll-call vote)
02-08-21 Regular Council
The Cokato City Council approved DSI to administer the Small Cities Development Grant and authorized applying for the grant. It also adopted a stormwater fee adjustment methodology for two properties, approved a conditional use permit for zero lot line homes at 281 and 285 Arbor Curve, and approved wastewater pump repairs totaling $28,370. The council tabled the Comprehensive Plan amendment until March 8, 2021.
- Approved DSI as grant administrator for Small Cities Development Grant (all aye)
- Authorized application for Small Cities Development Grant (all aye)
- Adopted stormwater fee adjustment methodology (all aye)
- Approved conditional use permit for zero lot line at 281 and 285 Arbor Curve (all aye)
- Approved wastewater pump repairs totaling $28,370 (all aye)
- Approved claims totaling $385,395.39 (all aye)
- Tabled Comprehensive Plan amendment until March 8, 2021