Cokato public meetings in 2023
22 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
12-11-2023 Regular Council
The Cokato City Council will hold a Truth in Taxation public meeting and public hearings on a lot split and the 2024 fee schedule, which includes water, sewer, and storm sewer rate increases. The council will also consider adopting the final property tax levy and 2024 budget, along with several routine resolutions for licenses, donations, and hires.
- Public hearing on 2024 fee schedule: water +4%, sewer +5%, storm sewer +4%
- Public hearing on lot split/combination for properties at 800 and 820 Broadway Avenue South
- Resolution 2023-47: Final property tax levy and Resolution 2023-48: 2024 budget adoption
- Resolution 2023-43: Accept $95,000 donation from Cokato Fire Relief Association for fire equipment
- Resolution 2023-49: Authorize $123,115 year-end transfer from General Fund to Fire Department
10-09-2023 Regular Council
The Council will review reports on the Industrial Park, the compost site, and 1st Street SW paving. The agenda also includes a discussion regarding a possible new ambulance for Cokato Ambulance.
- Discussion of a possible new ambulance
- Industrial Park pay application and adjustments
- 1st Street SW Paving update
- Resolution 2023-34 regarding the resignation of Teresa Martinson
- Personnel Policy Amendment
09-11-2023
The City Council adopted a preliminary tax levy increase of 9% (Option 4). The council also approved several public works expenditures, including a new mower and compost site gates, while tabling the 2024 Sheriff's Agreement for further negotiation.
- Approved 9% preliminary tax levy increase (all aye)
- Tabled 2024 Sheriffs Agreement (all aye)
- Tabled Fire Mutual Aid Agreement Amendment (all aye)
- Approved Industrial Park Pay Application 4 for $140,433.93 (all aye)
- Approved Ailie Ave Pay Application 5 for $30,757.20 (all aye)
- Approved $20,040.00 quote from Twin City Gate for compost site gates (all aye)
- Approved purchase of city mower at low bid of $28,250.77 (all aye)
- Approved limited service field analysis for a hotel study (all aye)
08-14-2023
The City Council approved two ordinances regulating the public use and smoking of cannabis products. The council also authorized a three-month trial of a four-day workweek for Public Works and approved several land-use variances and lot splits.
- Approved Ordinance 2023-07 regarding public use of hemp and cannabis products (all aye)
- Approved Ordinance 2023-08 prohibiting cannabis use in public parks (all aye)
- Approved 3-month trial of four 9-hour days and half-day Fridays for Public Works starting Aug 21 (all aye)
- Approved overtime pay to be calculated after 40 hours worked per week (all aye)
- Approved lot split at 755 Johnson Avenue Southwest with storm sewer easement condition (all aye)
- Approved variance for 34'x 56' detached garage at 590 3rd Street SE with four conditions (unanimous)
- Approved lot split and variance for accessory building at 680 Johnson Avenue SW with three conditions (all aye)
- Approved Industrial Park Pay Application 3 for $120,084.47 (all aye)
07-10-2023
The council approved an interim ordinance imposing a moratorium on cannabis businesses and granted a conditional use permit for an industrial building on Omer Avenue. Other actions included approving a signage ordinance for Broadway Avenue and a city mitigation plan. A rezoning request for 275 Prairie Ave SE was tabled.
- Approved interim ordinance authorizing a study and moratorium on cannabis businesses (All Aye)
- Approved lot combination and conditional use permit for industrial building at 4525 and 4529 Omer Avenue with noise restrictions (3-2)
- Approved variance for east side driveway at 590 3rd Street SW, pending west driveway setbacks (4-1)
- Approved ordinance allowing sandwich board signs for Broadway Avenue businesses (All Aye)
- Tabled rezoning of 275 Prairie Ave SE from R-3 to C-2 (All Aye)
- Approved Wright County Mitigation Plan (All Aye)
- Approved $445,844.90 Industrial Park pay application and $22,887.95 Ailie Ave pay application (All Aye)
- Approved hiring MaKayla Gustafson into a full-time public works position (All Aye)
6-27-2023 Work Session
The City Council will hold a work session to discuss updates regarding the North Industrial Park and the Public Works position. The meeting also includes an update on the Sheriff’s contract.
- North Industrial Park updates
- Public Works position update
- Sheriff’s contract update
6-12-2023 regular council
The City Council will consider several property variances and updates on the TIF District and Industrial Park. The meeting also includes presentations on the 2022 audit and discussions regarding natural gas franchise fees.
- Variance for a second driveway at 590 3rd Street SW
- Variance for a 4-lot subdivision at 430 and 440 Omer Avenue SE
- Resolution 2023-26 approving capital project funding submittal for 2024
- Bids for street patching
- Resolution 2023-21 regarding a donation to the Fire Department fund
06-12-2023
The City Council awarded a street patching contract to Diversified Paving and approved several infrastructure pay applications. The council also approved a variance for a second driveway at 5903 3rd St SW but denied a 4-lot subdivision request on Omer Avenue SE.
- Approved street patching bid to Diversified Paving up to $120,000 (all aye)
- Approved $2,400 payment to Cokato Township for dust coating (all aye)
- Approved 2022 audit (all aye)
- Approved variance for second driveway at 5903 3rd St SW (4-1, 1 abstention)
- Denied variance for 4-lot subdivision at 430 and 440 Omer Avenue SE (all aye)
- Approved TIF District resolution and selected David Drown Associates for reporting (all aye)
- Approved resolutions for capital project funding for Akerlund Studio and HVAC replacement (all aye)
- Approved automatic aid agreements with Dassel and Howard Lake Fire Departments (all aye)
6-12-2023 regular council
The City Council met to approve several resolutions including a $10,000 donation from the Fire Relief Association to the Fire Department. The meeting also addressed seasonal Public Works hiring and various property variances.
- $10,000 donation from Cokito Fire Relief Association to Fire Department for equipment
- Hiring of Isiah Kalis as part-time Public Works employee at $15.00 per hour
- Wage increase for Nick Vergin to $22.84 per hour
- Variance for a second driveway at 590 3rd Street SW
- Variance for a 4 lot subdivision at 430 and 440 Omer Avenue SE
05-08-2023
The Council approved a 15% match for a museum grant and authorized approximately $120,000 for street repairs. They also approved summer hiring resolutions and a wage increase for the City Clerk. A proposed business signage ordinance and a TIF district resolution for the Industrial Park were tabled.
- Approved Resolution 23-20 for a 15% museum grant match (all aye)
- Approved approximately $120,000 for suggested street repairs (all aye)
- Approved final payment of $49,029.32 for Phase II Reconstruction Project (all aye)
- Approved Resolution 23-17 to waive statutory limits for insurance (all aye)
- Approved Resolution 23-18 to hire summer Public Works workers and lower application age to 16 (all aye)
- Approved Resolution 23-19 to hire summer swimming pool workers (all aye)
- Approved wage increase for City Clerk Megan Gustafson (majority aye, Martinson abstained)
- Tabled Ordinance 2023-06 regarding business signage for city sidewalks (majority aye, Martinson opposed)
04-24-23_Planning_and_Zoning_Agenda
The Planning & Zoning Commission will consider a request from Cokato Land Company. The proposal involves rezoning property from Highway Commercial to Industrial with a conditional use permit for a new building.
- Rezoning of 150 Swendra Boulevard NE from C-2, Highway Commercial to I, Industrial
- Conditional use permit for a new building in the Industrial District
04-24-2023 Special Council
The City Council will consider a request from Cokato Land Company to rezone property at 150 Swendra Boulevard NE. The proposal seeks to change the designation from Highway Commercial (C-2) to Industrial (I) with a conditional use permit for a new building.
- Rezoning request for 150 Swendra Boulevard NE from C-2 to I
- Conditional use permit request for a new building in the Industrial District
04-10-2023
The City Council approved a solar ordinance and granted a liquor license to Double Shot. The council also authorized a grant application for the Akerlund Studio and updated park and parking ordinances.
- Approved Resolution 2023-12 for Double Shot Liquor License (3-1)
- Approved Resolution 2023-13 appointing Brad Hendrickson as Ambulance Driver (unanimous)
- Approved moving forward with Akerlund grant for museum construction (unanimous)
- Approved solar ordinance (unanimous)
- Approved ordinance updating park activities and hours (unanimous)
- Amended parking ordinance to change 2-hour parking to 48-hour parking (unanimous)
- Approved conditional use permit for Travis Furness on Pheasant Drive (unanimous)
- Approved two reserved parking spots for Keaveny Drug customers (3-1)
03-13-2023
The council approved a resolution for Tax Increment Financing District 4-9 and updated the fee schedule for ambulance services. The council also authorized the engineer to research the cost of a pavement management plan.
- Approved Resolution 2023-11 for Proposed Tax Increment Financing District 4-9 (all aye)
- Approved new ambulance fees: Basic Life Service $1,100, Advanced Life Support $1,900, $27 per loaded mile, and a $200 first responder fee (all aye)
- Approved Resolution 2023-10 accepting donations to Cokato Fire and Cokato Ambulance (all aye)
- Approved $84,676.91 in claims (all aye)
- Approved cash and budget reports (all aye)
- Approved motion to research cost of a pavement management plan with the engineer (all aye)
- Tabled amendment to city ordinance for snow removal fees for further research
- Decided to request BNSF Railroad keep the Oliver Avenue underpass open
3-13-2023 Regular Council
The Cokato City Council will discuss and potentially act on several items, including a proposed Tax Increment Financing District 4-9 for the North Industrial Park, closing Oliver Street at the railroad overpass, and amending city fees for snow removal and ambulance services. The meeting also includes presentations on radon prevention and community education, and a resolution accepting donations to the fire and ambulance departments.
- Proposed Tax Increment Financing District 4-9 – North Industrial Park
- Oliver Street closing at railroad overpass
- Amending city ordinance for snow removal fees and increasing ambulance fees
- Resolution 2023-10 accepting donations to City Fire and Ambulance
- Sealcoating in 2023 – confirm scope of work
03-03-2023 Special Meeting
The City Council approved a construction bid for the North Cokato Industrial Park and authorized an amendment to a DEED grant application. The city will file for tax increment financing once the bid is approved.
- Approved DEED grant application amendment (all voted aye)
- Accepted $1,214,461.51 bid from La Tour Construction for North Cokato Industrial Park Improvements (all voted aye)
02-13-2023
The Council approved a one-step increase on the employee pay scale and adopted several city code amendments. Annexation petitions for Veterans Park and Southwest Holding Pond were moved forward, and a grant application for the Historical Museum was approved. A decision on the North Industrial Park bids was postponed to a special meeting on March 3.
- Approved one-step increase on the employee pay scale (all voted aye)
- Approved grant application process for Historical Museum via LMC Grant Navigator (all voted aye)
- Approved annexation petitions for Veterans Park and Southwest Holding Pond (all voted aye)
- Approved amendments to City Code regarding Police Commission, utilities, parking, and burning permits (all voted aye)
- Approved purchase of a sign and use restrictions for tennis courts (all voted aye)
- Approved $254,404.02 in claims (all voted aye)
- Approved January 2023 and February 6, 2023 meeting minutes (all voted aye)
- Tabled North Industrial Park bid award to March 3 special meeting
02-13-2023 Regular Council
The City Council will swear in Hutch Erickson and review several municipal resolutions. Discussion items include employee wage increases, grant navigation for the Historical Museum, and various updates to the City Code.
- Resolution 2023-08: 2023 Employee Wage Increase
- Resolution 2023-07: LMC Grant Navigator for Historical Museum
- Amendments to City Code regarding Police Commission, utility accounts, and parking
- Bids and specifications for North Industrial Park
- Orderly Annexation Petitions for Veterans Park and Southwest Holding Pond
02-06-2023 Special Meeting
The City Council interviewed three candidates and voted to fill a vacancy on the council. Members also discussed the process for appointing members to the Economic Development Authority.
- Appointed Hutch Erickson to the empty council seat (3-1)
01-09-2023 Regular Council
The Cokato City Council will appoint a replacement for the council seat vacated by newly elected Mayor Carl Harju, make annual appointments, and authorize bids for the North Cokato Industrial Park and CSAH 3 turning lanes. The meeting also includes approval of a county stormwater grant and acceptance of annual reports from the fire department, ambulance service, and museum.
- Resolution 2023-05: appointing a council member to fill the vacancy left by Carl Harju
- Resolution 2023-04: approving plans and specs for North Cokato Industrial Park and CSAH 3 turning lanes, and ordering advertisement for bids
- Approving a county stormwater grant
- Resolution 2023-01: approving annual appointments
- Fire department and ambulance annual reports and officer approvals
01-09-2023 City Council
The Cokato City Council will consider appointing a new councilmember to fill the seat vacated by Carl Harju, who was elected mayor. They will also vote on plans and bid advertising for the North Cokato Industrial Park and CSAH 3 turning lanes, and approve annual appointments and reports from the fire and ambulance departments.
- Resolution 2023-03: Appointment to vacant council position formerly held by Carl Harju
- Resolution 2023-04: Approving plans and ordering bids for North Cokato Industrial Park and CSAH 3 turning lanes
- Resolution 2023-01: Approving annual appointments
- Approval of a county stormwater grant
- Fire Department and Ambulance annual reports and officer approvals
01-09-2023
The City Council approved plans and bid advertisements for the North Cokato Industrial Park and CSAH3 turning lanes. The council also authorized an application for a county stormwater grant requiring a 25% match. Additionally, the council began the process to fill a vacant council seat.
- Approved application for stormwater grant (all aye)
- Approved plans and bid advertisements for North Cokato Industrial Park and CSAH3 turning lanes (all aye)
- Approved process to fill vacant council seat with applications closing Jan 30 (all aye)
- Approved $917,160.12 in claims (all aye)
- Approved 2023 Fire Department officers and annual report (all aye)
- Approved 2023 Ambulance Service officer nominations and annual report (all aye)
- Approved annual appointments with corrections (all aye)
- Accepted resignation of Carl Harju as council member (all aye)