A petition with 200-plus signatures urged the Corcoran City Council not to approve personal services contracts "without following appropriate business practices."

The council also discussed several budget-related items leading up to the Monday, Nov. 24, budget meeting, and discussed the proposal animal ordinance.

These and other actions took place at the Thursday, Nov. 13, meeting.

PETITION

A petition was delivered to the council expressing disapproval with the council's recent actions to enter into a three-year building inspection contract with current provider MNSPECT, which was approved on a 3-2 vote.

"This contract was approved by a three-person, 'lame duck' majority without competitive bids, without review by the city attorney, and for fees that will cost the city and applicants more than the previous inspector," the petition read.

It further demanded that outgoing city councilors Paul Jacobs and Chuck Grabowski, whose terms end this year, take no action to approve personal services contracts or restructure city departments and budgets without observing " following minimum, appropriate business practices."

These practices include that all non-temporary personal services contracts (such as planning, legal and building inspection) must be put out for competitive bids; all personal services contracts must receive review by the city attorney prior to approval and signature; no personal services contract should last for a term extending past the next election; and no action should be taken by retiring council members to permanently restructure city departments.

The petition was relevant to an agenda topic under new business, "Contract Planning and Engineering Proposal - Gartner Engineering."

City planner Norm Gartner presented the council with a proposal for a three-year fixed fee contract for planning and engineering services, followed by significant discussion among the city council.

Gartner said he could save the city money with his proposal, but other councilors said these items should go for competitive bidding.

The council then unanimously approved a motion to "respectfully decline" the proposal from Gartner for planning and engineering services.

NOV. 24

BUDGET MEETING

In other news, the council heard from consultant Joe Rigdon of the Kern DeWenter Viere firm (KDV), who presented nine financial policies and procedures for council review, comment and consideration.

Rigdon summarized a memo prepared by his firm that was related to the city's preliminary 2007 draft audit financial statements. Mayor Ken Guenthner said he would meet with the city administrator to prepare appropriate action on three or four items to clear out funds.

KDV was also asked to provide a brief analysis of the city's proposed 2009 budget and tax levy. Rigdon provided a summary of the city's revenues and expenditures and said the levy, market rate, tax capacity and class rate has been historically consistent.

Administrator Todd Bodem provided materials on the performance for general city government with a presentation of third quarter expenditures. The council suggested this information be presented in spreadsheet format for the next budget meeting.

The council then set a budget workshop meeting for Monday, Nov. 24, at 5 p.m. and working it into the regular council meeting that night with minimal items to be added (the council is meeting Monday due to the Thanksgiving holiday).

ANIMAL ORDINANCE

In further matters, the council reviewed the legal opinion of the draft animal ordinance, requiring a public hearing process due to a setback modification.

There was discussion about developing language to allow for manure spreading depending on parcel size (for parcels 3 acres or less) and that no amount of manure should be allowed to create a nuisance.

A resident sought clarification regarding providing shelters and stables with size designation. It was decided the city has to comply with state law anyway.

There was also discussion about the animal unit equivalent definition standard formula and who is the arbiter (USDA, State of Minnesota or other). Another question concerned setbacks, such as agricultural areas having a 100-foot setback.

These changes will be brought back to the council for review.

In other action, the council:

HEARD an update about the faulty underground heating system at city hall, which is leaking. There was discussion about whether the repair would be covered by the city's insurance. The work won't be done this year, and the council also expressed interest in obtaining more competitive bids for the work.

DISCUSSED the status of the failing Shannon Lane bridge (culvert). The council asked staff to come back with a proposal on how to pay for the bridge repair.

APPROVED a fireworks ordinance.