Cokato public meetings in 2022
14 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
12-12-2022
The City Council approved the 2023 budget and established a 5% property tax levy rate. Other key actions included adopting a new fee schedule for water and sewer rates and amending the floodplain ordinance. The council also approved a three-year audit contract and an agreement with the Cokato Development Corporation.
- Approved 2023 property tax levy rate at 5% (all aye)
- Adopted 2023 annual fee schedule for water and sewer rates (all aye)
- Approved 2023 Budget Adoption via Res 2022-54 and Res 2022-55 (all aye)
- Approved 3-year contract with auditors (all aye)
- Approved Ordinance 2022-09 amending Floodplain Ordinance regulations (all aye)
- Approved agreement between Cokato Development Corporation and City of Cokato (all aye)
- Approved $755,913.30 in claims (all aye)
- Approved hiring Nick Vergin for Public Works Worker (all aye)
11-14-2022
The City Council approved several equipment purchases for public works and updated ordinances regarding city conference room deposits and illegal dumping. The council also authorized a Joint Powers Agreement with DC Schools and appointed new ambulance drivers.
- Approved $150 damage deposit for City Conference Rooms (all aye)
- Approved ordinance prohibiting illegal dumping at compost facility (all aye)
- Approved Resolution 2022-47 appointing ambulance drivers with pay option 2 (all aye)
- Approved $11,700 purchase of a 14-foot snow pusher (all aye)
- Approved $210,941 pay application for Ailie Avenue (all aye)
- Approved trade-in of 2016 mower for new mower at $28,000 and $4,500 broom purchase (all aye)
- Approved Joint Powers Agreement with DC Schools with $8,000 rate increase and 3-year renewal (all aye)
- Approved claims totaling $471,414.30 (all aye)
10-10-2022
The Cokato City Council approved a five-year contract renewal with Waste Management for residential trash pickup, effective when the current contract expires at the start of 2023. The council also approved a 50/50 cost share with Dassel-Cokato Schools for a feasibility study of a water extension to the high school, and authorized Houston Engineering to apply for a stormwater planning grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. An ordinance was approved banning animals (except service animals) in Peterson Park during Corn Carnival, and the council voted to create a new ordinance regulating compost site use to address improper dumping.
- Approved five-year contract renewal with Waste Management for residential trash pickup
- Approved 50/50 cost share with Dassel-Cokato Schools for water extension feasibility study
- Approved Ordinance 2022-06 banning animals in Peterson Park during Corn Carnival (service animals excepted)
- Approved final $24,110 payment for water tower project (total project $482,200)
- Approved first pay application of $68,052.01 for Ailie Avenue project
- Approved having Houston Engineering complete stormwater planning grant application
- Approved creating an ordinance for compost site use to address improper dumping
- Approved claims totaling $324,432.02 and cash/budget reports
09-12-2022
The council approved a preliminary tax levy of $1,615,882, an 8.9% increase, for the 2023 budget year. They also approved new ambulance fees, an ordinance on dead/diseased tree removal, and a $172,358.50 payment for the water tower project. A seasonal ice rink flooding position was authorized to reduce overtime costs.
- Approved preliminary tax levy of $1,615,882 (8.9% increase) (unanimous)
- Approved ambulance fees: BLS $900, ALS $1,300, $21/loaded mile (unanimous)
- Approved Ordinance 2022-5 on diseased/dead tree removal (unanimous)
- Approved pay application #2 for water tower project: $172,358.50 (unanimous)
- Authorized advertising for seasonal ice rink flooding position at $20/hour (unanimous)
- Approved applying for county tax abatement for turn lanes at Fieldcrest & CSAH 3 (unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda items including Kwik Trip liquor license and fire department donations (unanimous)
- Approved claims totaling $682,973.87 (unanimous)
08-22-2022 Special Meeting
The council discussed using Tax Increment Financing for the North Cokato Industrial Park, lot pricing for Ailie Avenue based on infrastructure costs, and a preliminary 5% to 9% property tax levy increase for the 2023 budget. No formal votes were taken; the levy will be discussed and approved at the September 12 meeting.
- Discussed TIF for North Cokato Industrial Park (no vote)
- Discussed Ailie Avenue lot pricing (no vote)
- Discussed 5%–9% preliminary levy for 2023 budget (to be approved Sept. 12)
08-15-2022
The council awarded the Ailie Avenue construction bid to LaTour Construction for $385,329.65, approved a $285,731.50 water tower pay application, and passed a one-year moratorium on cannabinoid sales (4-1). They also signed the Highway 3/Fieldcrest intersection agreement with Wright County and approved several other ordinances and payments.
- Awarded Ailie Avenue bid to LaTour Construction for $385,329.65 (unanimous)
- Approved water tower pay application #1 for $285,731.50 to J.R. Stelzer Company (unanimous)
- Approved Phase II City Center pay application #8 for $189,801.18 to Landwehr (unanimous)
- Approved lighting quote for hockey rink for $14,150 from park funds (unanimous)
- Approved ordinance 2022-07 amending driveway, parking, and curb opening rules (unanimous)
- Removed Chapter 131 of city code as no longer applicable (unanimous)
- Passed moratorium ordinance on cannabinoid sales (4-1, Sebring opposed)
- Signed agreement with Wright County for Highway 3/Fieldcrest intersection project (unanimous)
07-11-2022
The Cokato City Council approved plans and specifications for the Ailie Avenue project, with bids to be opened August 3 and construction estimated at $446,685. The council also approved several consent agenda items, including an ambulance fee increase, election judge appointments, and a tax increment financing resolution. A request to amend the city code to eliminate dog licensing was approved, and a new computer server was authorized for up to $6,600.
- Approved Ailie Avenue plans and specs for bidding (unanimous)
- Approved consent agenda including ambulance fee increase to $450 (unanimous)
- Approved ordinance amendment to eliminate dog licensing (unanimous)
- Approved personnel policy change: overtime for seasonal employees over 40 hours/week (unanimous)
- Approved up to $6,600 for new computer server (unanimous)
- Approved claims totaling $333,654.79 (unanimous)
- Approved cash and budget reports (unanimous)
- No action on Highway 3/Fieldcrest intersection agreement
06-13-2022
The Cokato City Council approved the preliminary and final plat of North Cokato Industrial Park and its rezoning, along with a conditional use permit for industrial development at 195 Swendra Boulevard NE. The council also amended city codes on plumbing materials, noise regulations, and approved several other items including insurance policies and parking lot improvements.
- Approved North Cokato Industrial Park preliminary and final plat and rezoning (all aye)
- Approved conditional use permit for PLS Properties LLC at 195 Swendra Blvd NE (all aye)
- Amended City Code Section 51 on allowable plumbing materials (all aye)
- Amended City Code Section 95.04 to adopt noise regulations (all aye)
- Approved 2022-2023 workers compensation and property insurance policy (all aye)
- Approved parking lot improvements behind Cokato Mall, $24,990 bid (all aye)
- Approved new ambulance wages: $2/hr on-call weekdays, $4/hr weekends/holidays (3-0, 2 abstentions)
- Approved claims totaling $168,187.39 (all aye)
05-09-2022
The Cokato City Council approved the consent agenda items, including minutes, the Ackerlund Studio Grant with a 15% local match, and parking behind the grandstand in Veterans Memorial Legion Park. The council also approved the 2021 city audit, a policy to send unpaid ambulance bills to collections after the third statement, a $38,460 sealcoating bid, and a second ground sign at Kwik Trip. A special meeting was scheduled for May 23 to discuss the Kyle Ashwill development annexation, and a meeting with Todd Smith was set for May 11 regarding a utility bill dispute.
- Approved consent agenda items b, c, d, f (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda items a, e, g (5-0)
- Approved 2021 city audit (5-0)
- Approved sending unpaid ambulance bills to collections after 3rd statement (5-0)
- Approved $38,460 sealcoating bid (5-0)
- Approved claims totaling $206,256.69 (5-0)
- Approved Resolution 2022-24 BDPI Resolution (5-0)
- Approved second ground sign at Kwik Trip (5-0)
04-11-2022
The Cokato City Council approved a conditional use permit for DIVOCSG 2 LLC to build a solar garden in the Industry District, with conditions, by a 3-2 vote. The council also approved a preliminary and final plat for Kenny Raisanen, a moratorium on new solar development for one year, and the hire of Megan Gustafson as City Clerk (4-1).
- Approved conditional use permit for solar garden (3-2)
- Approved preliminary and final plat for Kenny Raisanen (unanimous)
- Approved Option 2 for development west of city (unanimous)
- Approved one-year solar farm moratorium (unanimous)
- Approved Ailie Extension plans and specifications (unanimous)
- Approved hire of Megan Gustafson as City Clerk (4-1)
- Approved final payment on WWTP project (unanimous)
- Approved rebid of sealcoating without Fieldcrest and Trailstone streets (unanimous)
03-14-2022 Planning Commision
The Planning Commission is reviewing a preliminary plat prepared for Ken Raisanen. The provided document contains technical measurements and location data for the project.
- Preliminary plat for Ken Raisanen (Job No: 2022-12)
03-14-2022
The Cokato City Council approved a $514,750 bid from J R Stelzer Co. to recoat the West Water Tower, and approved a conditional use permit for a duplex at 235 Mooers Avenue SE with parking conditions. A solar garden request was tabled to a special meeting that was later cancelled, and a preliminary plat for Kenny Raisanen was approved.
- Approved $514,750 water tower recoating bid to J R Stelzer Co. (unanimous)
- Approved conditional use permit for duplex at 235 Mooers Avenue SE with conditions (3-1, Martinson opposed)
- Tabled DIVOCSG 2 LLC solar garden conditional use permit to March 28 special meeting (later cancelled)
- Approved preliminary plat for Kenny Raisanen
- Approved consent agenda including resolutions on precincts, donations, and resignation
- Approved claims totaling $172,711.74
- Approved cash and budget reports
02-14-2022
The Cokato City Council denied a rezoning request and conditional use permit for a solar garden at 4825 Omer Avenue NE, as the motion failed to get the required 4/5ths majority. The council approved a conditional use permit for a duplex at 245 5th Street SW. A request for a duplex at 235 Mooers Avenue SE was tabled until the applicant reworks the parking design. The council also approved bidding for the water tower recoating project and approved claims totaling $209,419.98.
- Denied rezoning and conditional use permit for solar garden at 4825 Omer Avenue NE (Resolution 2022-06 adopted).
- Approved conditional use permit for a duplex at 245 5th Street SW (Res No 2022-09).
- Tabled conditional use permit request for a duplex at 235 Mooers Avenue SE pending parking design changes.
- Approved bidding for the Water Tower Recoating Project.
- Approved claims in the amount of $209,419.98.
- Approved cash and budget reports.
- Approved consent agenda items b through f, including accepting donations and a resignation.
- Approved minutes from January 10, 2022, with a note that the press was not present.
01-10-2022
The Cokato City Council approved an annexation agreement at $140 per acre for industrial usage, approved the 2022 pay scales and wages, and approved claims totaling $974,498.10. The solar farm rezoning and conditional use permit was tabled until the March meeting. No action was taken on the 2022 sewer, water, and stormwater budgets.
- Approved annexation agreement at $140/acre for industrial usage (all aye)
- Approved 2022 pay scales and wages (all aye, Martinson abstained)
- Approved claims totaling $974,498.10 (all aye)
- Approved annual appointments via Res No 2022-01 (all aye)
- Approved 2022 Fire Department Officer List (all aye)
- Approved Annual Fire Report (all aye)
- Approved 2022 Ambulance Officer List (all aye)
- Tabled solar farm rezoning and conditional use permit until March meeting