Progress

We have all learned just how critical having access to high-speed internet is in todays world.  Whether you're working remotely, doing distance learning, having virtual meetings, streaming video or just about anything else - Broadband is a necessity.  

With nearly 500 unserved homes (and an incredibly large unserved land area) in Corcoran, finding a way to facilitate Broadband expansion for our residents has been one of my top priorities. 

After speaking with other Minnesota mayors, advocating for the legislature to increase funding for Minnesota's Border-to-Border grant program, working with Hennepin County and having discussions with several internet service providers - an opportunity emerged to expand Broadband access throughout Corcoran! 

On Thursday July 14, 2022 the City Council approved partnering with Comcast to apply for a State Border-to-Border grant, and move forward with a project that would expand fiber-based internet access throughout the entire city!    

The $4,329,000 project to install fiber throughout Corcoran would be funded as follows:

• 30% State Border-to-Border grant (seeking this amount maximizes our chances of a successful grant application)
• 65% Contribution from Comcast
• 2.5% Hennepin County match of City contribution  
• 2.5% City contribution - paid entirely from our American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds

In other words, this project ensure that all Corcoran residents have access to Fiber-based high-speed internet without burdening Corcoran taxpayers.   

As mayor I will always make sure that you have the opportunity to make your voice heard.  This is why we have continued hybrid (in person and virtual) city meetings, while many other cities have transitioned back solely to in-person meetings.  

I believe its important that residents can attending a meeting from their home, while out of town, or even when they're just not feeling up to a late evening at City Hall.  I am committed to permanently keep the hybrid meeting format, and hope you find the added flexibility helpful.  

Additionally, we are always looking for ways to improve communication and get community feedback.  I will continue to prioritize holding project open houses, actively seek resident input through community surveys and make sure you can always reach me with any questions, concerns or feedback. 

We have implemented a number of significant technological improvements.  Last year we implemented new payroll and accounting software that has made us much more efficient as an organization.  Additionally, this software has allowed us to implement online utility billing, payments and building permit applications.

We are currently in the process of digitizing all city documents (Item 7f) through Laserfiche.  Once complete, residents will have easy access to City Council minutes, agendas, resolutions, and much more!  

With the significant number of unpaved roads in Corcoran, dust control is an important part of annual road maintenance.  

Historically, the City has assessed residents who live on/near an unpaved road for a portion of the cost.  Starting this year we have ended dust control assessments and have incorporated the cost into the city budget.

I have supported, researched and helped draft a number of updates to our city code to better suit the needs of our residents.  These updates include:

An amendment to allow residents more flexibility with outdoor storage.  

Last summer, a number of residents started reaching out regarding code enforcement issues.  These were mostly related to outdoor storage of recreational vehicles (such as boats, RVs, or snowmobiles), unoccupied trailers, and firewood.  Additionally, many residents with unique lots with double frontage had especially limited space to store these items.  After researching the issue, speaking to other mayors in our area and sending out a community survey I proposed a solution that gave residents more flexibility to store these items, as well as 

• Code amendment text - Agenda Item 8A

An amendment to add performance standards to protect existing residents from disproportionately large non-residential conditional uses in residential zoning districts.

Another issue of concern was the lack of any reasonable limit to the size of assembly uses in residential areas.  After significant discussion amongst the City Council and Planning Commission, I drafted language that allowed these uses to remain in residential zoning districts, while adding key performance standards including:

• Increased setbacks that scale proportionally to the square footage of the building
• A 50% limit on impervious surface
• Adding landscaping zones along property lines that abut existing homes
• Adding parking lot landscaping to screen headlights and require large lots to have internal landscaping, and
• Requiring the site has access to a road that can appropriately handle the traffic impact 

• Code amendment text - Agenda Item 8A
• Additional Council discussion: Agenda Item 9B

There are a number of other items we are working to address.  For reference, here are some of the potential updates we plan to consider.  From that list we recently selected 4 items to prioritize, with the hope of implementing by the end of 2022: 

• Fences and lots with multiple frontages 
• Creation of a rental ordinance
• Several amendments to our Planned Unit Development (PUD) Ordinance 
• Establishing buffer zones 

Stay tuned for more updates on these items in the near future! 

With the significant amount of construction happening in Corcoran, it became clear that we needed to help mitigate the impact of loud construction activities for our existing residents.  Which

With the change, construction activities - including the operation or idling of any loud equipment - are permitted from 7AM-7PM Monday through Friday and 8AM-4PM weekends and holidays.  

Prior to the change, all construction activity was allowed between the hours of 7AM-10PM Monday through Friday and 9AM-9PM on weekends and holidays. 

Importantly, we made sure to add language to allow residents working on their own property to receive extended hours through the building permit process.

Since January 2021 we have made a number of staffing changes, including bringing on an in-house City Planner, a Finance Manager, and administrative support for Public Works, the Police Department and Planning department.  Additionally, I have supported several important changes to the organizational structure of the city to help maximize efficiency and better position us for the future.