Cokato public meetings in 2024
15 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
12-9-24
The City Council will hold public hearings to adopt the 2025 budget and final property tax levy rate. The body will also review fee increases for water, sewer, and storm sewer services, as well as a cannabis ordinance.
- Res 2024-39 and 2024-40: Final Property Tax Levy Rate and 2025 Budget Adoption
- Ordinance 2024-7: 4% increase for Water, Sewer, and Storm Sewer rates
- Ordinance 2024-8: Review of Cannabis Ordinance and Licensing
- Res 2024-38: Application for a Trail grant
- Discussion on extending sewer and water utilities to the Keith Raisanen Lot
12-9-2024
The Cokato City Council approved the final 2025 property tax levy and budget, choosing an option that includes a $15,000-$20,000 tax increase. The council also adopted a 4% increase in water, sewer, and storm sewer rates for 2025. Several other items were approved, including employee wages with a 2.75% cost-of-living increase, and a joint powers agreement with Wright County for cannabis licensing.
- Approved 2025 final property tax levy (Res 2024-39) and budget (Res 2024-40) with a $15,000-$20,000 tax increase (all aye)
- Adopted 2025 water, sewer, and storm sewer rate increases of 4% each (all aye)
- Approved 2025 employee wages with 2.75% cost-of-living increase (all aye)
- Approved joint powers agreement with Wright County for cannabis licensing (all aye)
- Approved consent agenda including liquor, auction house, and waste hauler licenses for 2025 (all aye)
- Approved final pay application for Southwest Holding Pond project (all aye)
- Approved claims and financial reports (all aye)
11-12-2024
The City Council approved a grant agreement for a stormwater pond and authorized final payments for Industrial Park and Southwest Holding Pond projects. The council also approved liquor licensing and election canvassing board resolutions.
- Approved Stormwater Grant Agreement for pond south of Dollar Store (All Aye)
- Approved final payments for Industrial Park and Southwest Holding Pond project pay applications (All Aye)
- Approved Res 2024-29 Liquor Licensing (All Aye)
- Approved Res 2024-28 Canvassing Board Elections (All Aye)
- Approved Res 2024-30 Public Work Licenses testing increase (All Aye)
- Approved Res 2024-27 Accepting Donations to City of Cokato (All Aye)
- Directed Bolton and Mink to research compatible GIS devices (All Aye)
- Approved street condition updates for Lee Avenue and Borg Road (All Aye)
11/12/24
The Cokato City Council will meet to approve consent agenda items, including minutes and donations, and will discuss a proposed cannabis ordinance and stormwater grants.
- Approval of claims and budget report
- Res 2024-29 Liquor Licensing
- Res 2024-28 Canvassing Board Elections
- Cannabis Ordinance – Zoning Regulations
- Stormwater Grant Agreement – South of Dollar General
10-14-24
The Cokato City Council will hold its regular meeting on October 14, 2024. Council members will consider routine items such as approval of the agenda, minutes from the September 9, 2024 meeting, and financial claims. They will receive updates on the Dassel‑Cokato Path state grant application, the Southwest Holding Pond project pay applications, and various reports from the mayor, public works, and city administrator. No new ordinances or contracts are listed for decision.
- Approval of minutes from September 9, 2024 City Council meeting (consent agenda)
- Review of resolutions 2024‑25 for donations to Ambulance and Fire Department (consent agenda)
- Update on Dassel‑Cokato Path grant application at state level (City Administrator Report)
- Project Pay Applications for Southwest Holding Pond (Public Works Report)
- Review of street conditions and GIS System – Silversmith (Public Works Report)
10-14-2024
The City Council approved the rezoning and conditional use permit for the Cokato Solar Farm. A conditional use permit for Levi Hendrickson was also approved. The council authorized partial payment #3 for the Southwest Holding Pond project.
- Approved rezoning and conditional use permit for Cokato Solar Farm (all aye)
- Approved conditional use permit for Levi Hendrickson (all aye)
- Approved partial payment #3 for Southwest Holding Pond (all aye)
- Approved Resolutions 2024-25 for donations to Ambulance and Fire Department (all aye)
- Approved claims (all aye)
- Approved cash and budget reports (all aye)
- Determined resident Dennis Lanska owes his bill (all agreed)
9-9-24
The Cokato City Council meeting will review the 2025 preliminary budget and adopt a resolution for the 2024-25 preliminary tax levy. Additional items include reports on public works projects, bids for an asphalt roof replacement, and financial statements. The council will also approve minutes from the August 19, 2024 meeting and hear the sheriff's report.
- 2025 Preliminary Budget
- Resolution 2024-25 Preliminary Tax Levy Resolution
- Project Pay Applications Southwest Holding Pond and Turn Lanes
- Silversmith GIS System
- Bids for City Structures – Asphalt Roof Replacement
8-19-24 Planning Commission
The Planning & Zoning Commission will review an old‑business item to amend the city code. The amendment would allow storage and shipping containers, as well as paving and hard‑surfacing, in designated zoning districts. The commission will discuss whether to adopt the proposed code change.
- Amend City Code to permit storage/shipping containers and paving/hard‑surfacing in zoning districts (CY 07‑24)
8-19-24
The City Council will review the 2025 budget update and a policy regarding street assessment payments for improvements. The meeting includes reports on public works projects and planning and zoning regulations for storage containers and asphalt surfaces.
- Street Assessment Policy for paying for street improvements
- 2025 Budget Update
- Planning and Zoning regulations for storage containers and asphalt surface areas
- Agreement with School District regarding watermain to school
- Bids for Akerlund Studio
8-7-24
The Cokato City Council work session on August 7, 2024 will review the 2025 budget information. Council members will consider street funding and assessments, a watermain extension project on Omer Avenue to Pleasant Avenue, proposed landscaping for Unity Park, and updates on ambulance purchase options. The meeting is for discussion and information; no final actions are indicated in the agenda.
- 2025 Budget Information
- Street Funding / Street Assessments
- Watermain Extension – Omer Avenue to Pleasant Avenue
- Unity Park – Proposed Landscaping
- Ambulance Purchase Options Update
7-8-24
The Cokato City Council will discuss planning and zoning requests, including a proposed solar farm on Omer Avenue North. The meeting also covers public works items such as sidewalk removals and watermain work. Additionally, the council will receive a 2024 audit presentation.
- Solar farm request for 4825 Omer Avenue North
- Twinhome conditional use permit for lot between 540 and 570 Borg Road SE
- Watermain work from Omer Avenue SW to Pleasant Avenue NE
- Resolution placing Courtney Mattson on Cokato Ambulance
- Wastewater facility grant discussion
Special Meeting Council
The City Council is reviewing street assessment policies that could use property assessments as an alternative to property taxes for improvements. The meeting also includes discussions on ambulance purchase options and the Wright County Sheriff contract.
- Review of street assessment policies (30% to 50% of improvement costs)
- Park plan for Veteran’s Memorial Park
- Ambulance purchase options
- Wright County Sheriff contract
- Discussion regarding the City Administrator position
1-13-25 Council
The January 13, 2025 meeting includes the oath of office for Mayor Harju and Council members Erickson and Hermansen. The council will also review annual reports for the Fire Department, Ambulance, and Cokato Museum.
- Oath of Office for Mayor Harju and Council Members Erickson and Hermansen
- Approval of 2025 Sewer, Storm and Water budgets
- Discussion regarding a skidster purchase and mower purchase
- Review of 2026 Fire Contract Amounts for Townships
- Southwest Holding Pond pay application
1-8-24 Council
The Cokato City Council will meet on January 8, 2024, to review several mayoral reports and public works items. The agenda includes discussions regarding a fire truck acquisition, an industrial park TIF agreement, and a bid award for the Southwest Holding Pond Area.
- Fire Truck Acquisition discussion
- Industrial Park TIF Agreement review
- Bid Award for Southwest Holding Pond Area
- Sewer Pipe and Street Repair at 635 7th Street SE
- Hillmeyer Subdivision payment discussion
1-8-2024
The City Council approved a 3.5% cost-of-living wage increase for employees and authorized a $117,001 grant for the Cokato Museum. The council also approved the Industrial Park TIF Agreement and awarded a bid for the Southwest Holding Pond Area to Ashwill.
- Approved 3.5% employee wage increase (all aye)
- Approved $117,001 Mn and Cultural Heritage Grant for Cokato Museum (all aye)
- Approved Industrial Park TIF Agreement (all aye)
- Approved Southwest Holding Pond Area bid award to Ashwill (all aye)
- Approved SCDP Grant Extension Letter (all aye)
- Approved Fire Department and Ambulance officers and annual reports (all aye)
- Approved payment of $14,172 for Hillmeyer Subdivision (all aye)
- Approved Res No 2024-01, 2024-02, and 2024-03 via consent agenda (all aye)