[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6174167,"mediaKeyId","5371573-2584d15bdf88249537fea096b8d57b1f","parentId",5371573,"title","Bellwether residents press council over delayed escrow work, ask pause to new escrow rule","audioSeconds",761,"startMs",113000,"endMs",874000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5371573-2584d15bdf88249537fea096b8d57b1f&start=113&end=874","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5371573-2584d15bdf88249537fea096b8d57b1f/thumbnail_113000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6174167/Corcoran-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Bellwether-residents-press-council-over-delayed-escrow-work-ask-pause-to-new-escrow-rule","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174167-e0ea80862bdcc9b7250c0d646ddbc2a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160498&Signature=hu51hSJwS~O8EWB11NgqxzzseUwxlMXvw3IhpLohKIaWuR5S83ZZqI5zdmba~zW~XnDiFYTIatEtdEA-aKhWoGFmY9MaeUKj4RIDCWThXs6JXdlRGH9~7KpgLsnCVCmZeQoQX-x0e8G0pvnY6wdtyuP~2iUi6uWk9Y68f5p5qDxLGUXaBS3cq97ebPo~RuEcP81K8AMv2UaxzyQRzlDOENRfOjTipVJU14w1E3ndgmJV1kv5NY69qsmul2KDsWXhMPY98U0dzLgyzMBwkv6tnkJU1NwpwJotr2Z6ycz6hm2xffHWlHyfeeCPSxP~uCkY84ZwxTEWG6T2LB-6w5GakA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Corcoran, MN","date","2025-07-11T14:59:46Z","article","A Bellwether neighborhood resident urged the City Council to pause enforcement of a new housing escrow ordinance after several homeowners reported that yards and final grading remain incomplete more than a year after closing. Jay DeCamp, who said he was representing residents of the Bellwether neighborhood, told the council that builders are repeatedly extending timelines for final escrow work and that some homeowners whose closings were more recent have received yard work while older cases remain unfinished.

The matter arose during the meeting’s open forum when DeCamp said the city’s new policy \"requiring builders to complete escrow work within 60 days from closing\" has produced a second-order effect: developers are pushing completion deadlines and some have sought extensions of 60 to 120 days. DeCamp detailed visible yard problems, including 3- to 4-foot weeds and lack of final grade, sprinklers and sod, and asked council to consider pausing aspects of the policy for Pulte until the builder “gets caught up.”

The council and staff discussed the rule’s scope and legal limits. A staff member told the council the policy took effect on 01/01/2025 and \"when we enact a policy, it's looking forward,\" adding the city does not have a simple look-back ability. Council members asked whether the council could amend the policy to cover homes that closed in 2024 or whether the city could cease issuing building permits to Pulte; staff and the city attorney said they needed additional analysis and legal review. The city attorney (John) said retroactive application tied to building permits would be difficult, while conditioning future approvals might be possible depending on development agreements.

Council direction and next steps were procedural rather than decisive. City staff said they would \"look at what we can do to help\" and promised to follow up with DeCamp and the council; staff also said the matter would be discussed at the Development Review Committee (DRC) on Wednesday. No formal motion or ordinance amendment was made during the meeting.

Why it matters: residents contend long-standing, uncompleted site work affects property values, neighborhood appearance and quality of life. The council’s options are legally constrained by when the ordinance took effect and by the terms of development agreements, and staff indicated additional analysis and attorney review are required before the council takes formal action.

Items for follow-up include: staff analysis of retroactivity/legal options, attorney guidance on conditioning future permits, possible DRC recommendations, and direct communication from staff to affected homeowners.

Quotes (from meeting):
\"requiring builders to complete escrow work within 60 days from closing\" — Jay DeCamp, Bellwether resident
\"when we enact a policy, it's looking forward\" — Staff member
\"it would be difficult to do that now\" (on retroactive applicability) — John (city attorney)
\"we'll look at what we can do to help\" — Staff member

Ending: The council acknowledged the problem and asked staff and the city attorney to analyze legal and contractual options and report back; no change to the ordinance or formal enforcement action was taken at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Corcoran City Council Meeting July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Bellwether neighborhood resident urged the City Council to pause enforcement of a new housing escrow ordinance after homeowners reported yards and final grading remain incomplete more than a year after closing.","taxTitle","Corcoran City, Hennepin County, Minnesota","taxId",71421,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6174151,"Council appoints watershed commissioner after interviews; appointee not named on record",99,2698000,2797000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5371573-2584d15bdf88249537fea096b8d57b1f&start=2698&end=2797","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5371573-2584d15bdf88249537fea096b8d57b1f/thumbnail_2698000.jpg","/articles/6174151/Corcoran-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Council-appoints-watershed-commissioner-after-interviews-appointee-not-named-on-record","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174151-9c9caa4e925614f3c4948d6240bf57b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160498&Signature=DMzNIz2ubIKCANwnIu3IHBsG9EFm4teSyBCvO97yxrzfn4GosLHsJ6xVRYZyEHXUW8aufZDPmWBEoicxJmbUd2c5KKnMjHU4VDbHTVU6zvChHuq13-rEl2col8neOfBTkqBIJDiKGmiQRiiK74EP~ptOZah4hNIjQToXGIwgrd6HwfYzGMpcBOgi9TGjQ6Kt7Mngd~W2xtjsUvbq4gntPJSQiwEfBIRi6azGUkZg9r7PO5FoEqO7Htt-GPHTgN03l2UFTWxxAcwegUPVqIi1p8dnEVa4POlDAmKZiomX1yVgnWdzcyMDEIlAa82KRq0eqWlZ6IN9vZ3N9Zq8gZ-TQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council interviewed candidates for a watershed commissioner vacancy and appointed one candidate following interviews by a panel that included council and staff. Council members described both finalists as having different but suitable experience and said either would have been acceptable. The meeting record shows a motion, a second and a voice vote in favor of an appointment, but the transcript does not include the appointee’s name.

Councilors said the successful candidate \"stood out\" in the interview and that there will be a learning curve regardless of which candidate was chosen. A council member thanked staff and interviewers for conducting the process.

Why it matters: watershed commissioners advise on water quality and watershed-related projects; the appointment fills an advisory role on a council-appointed body. The transcript does not include the name of the person appointed; staff should confirm and publish the appointment for the public record.

Ending: The council approved the appointment by voice vote; staff will update the official roster and notify the appointee and the public.","Council interviewed candidates for a watershed commissioner position and appointed one candidate by voice vote; the transcript does not record the appointee’s name, but councilors said both finalists had relevant experience and the choice was acceptable.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6174153,"Park construction to start; city to remove 30+ ash trees struck by emerald ash borer",127,2803000,2930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5371573-2584d15bdf88249537fea096b8d57b1f&start=2803&end=2930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5371573-2584d15bdf88249537fea096b8d57b1f/thumbnail_2803000.jpg","/articles/6174153/Corcoran-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/Park-construction-to-start-city-to-remove-30-ash-trees-struck-by-emerald-ash-borer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174153-08d1c60a198d390e7f04b0194a61f2ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160498&Signature=NOTGoVBqjg9uQhTEE-eVtLYMKjBpqQA-1W4gBICCcEQDsuu-SwH2-SjIAZ-8SAXRneUVpWexG2KplKkmYOnyibXshxWlwIJ0Xmbari4sD0rbHE3XJizfLXO6uN8bOPrHf8XrwGRpE~Kfxq2epWnNPXODj2ePA8NH6KKL8j1bNKhha3HfCe3Ez~q~NGnKOP~rUHp2aV-cQRFaWXHZatYnMP48y045q5k918ZKxAU-jh0MTvS2-kTzA9jfDTvNX3-OkTvIxwmDLZfbFJJG~ImMZDGIKq~yi5p88abywGescIR0bJxGCcLl0P~fWM3B4P9e-ATY~HFIk9yOlGRilhYgkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the council that construction on a city park will begin next Wednesday (identified as the 16th), and that park operations will close most park areas during construction. Staff also said an infestation of Emerald Ash Borer has damaged a high number of ash trees on the park property and on adjacent land the city purchased last year.

Staff reported plans to remove more than 30 ash trees in the park and additional trees on the newly acquired property. The contractor’s quoted disposal price was reported at about $150 per tree for removal, stump grinding and hauling; staff estimated a total cost in the neighborhood of $16,000 and said the work would be authorized under the staff’s spending authority. Staff described disposal as cutting trees, grinding stumps and hauling away debris.

Councilors suggested checking for grant programs for tree removal; a council member mentioned the Metropolitan Council (MET Council) or state grants that may help residents and the city with removal costs. Staff said they would follow up on potential grant opportunities for future removal programs and noted the timing may preclude applying for funding for the coming week’s removal work but that grants could help future removals and assist residents.

Staff also noted the city could direct tree-planting credits or replacement planting under existing landscaping policies for new developments to offset tree-loss effects.

Quotes (from meeting):
\"construction on the park will begin next Wednesday ... fields ... will be closed\" — Staff member
\"Emerald Ash Borer has attacked like crazy ... we have over 30 in the park\" — Staff member
\"I believe MET Council and/or the state has a program for some funding for this type of removal\" — Council member

Ending: Work is planned to begin quickly; staff will proceed with tree removal under existing authorization, search for grant opportunities for future removals and explore replacement-planting options under city policy.","Staff announced park construction will begin next Wednesday (the 16th) and that Emerald Ash Borer has killed many trees; city plans to remove more than 30 ash trees and adjacent trees, at about $150 per tree and an estimated total around $16,000, and will explore grant options for future removals and replanting alternatives.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6174159,"City auditor reports clean opinion after resolving prior audit backlog",937,917000,1854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5371573-2584d15bdf88249537fea096b8d57b1f&start=917&end=1854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5371573-2584d15bdf88249537fea096b8d57b1f/thumbnail_917000.jpg","/articles/6174159/Corcoran-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/City-auditor-reports-clean-opinion-after-resolving-prior-audit-backlog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174159-5b6e11982e123a7e0cd50dfb24a76f78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160499&Signature=ZVW~16J3a4deol5LGoJJz1y71RMy-4FFvEhgm-eLQtTXHWJYFBO0fkWUv4k80ZeIpzHWeIt~UiTB4f-Y4ODPjsOViBoSfx9WK3gTgOsCG-dILYWqf1u1IoaWZsELEytt7JafZE~1tUbzRugGyPtt9ZqgYaKREjB0GtVIPs4JtwBueP-x26LFzVn-gf930yCWVplymAvMlN2HljqeQIXa1Hn~VfpwLRny65WyQrP0007EfLjCboqFf-fAQx6Bl67zKjTbnfDp7eftSR2FIDk1b-eiJhpkskFDKWU6ssUt4B1oG6c9PUO0BL7jIzovzC2kvjXREnhsSjpEzHJbwGza8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ryan Schmidt of Schleiner, Wenner and Company presented the city’s audit update to the City Council and reported a clean opinion after staff addressed legacy audit issues. City administration thanked staff for work completing past audits and fixing accounts-payable and escrow items that had delayed previous work.

Council and administration described the audit progress as substantial: when the new city manager started in December, the 2022 audit was incomplete and the 2023 audit had not been initiated; staff subsequently addressed records and processes so the auditor could issue a clean opinion. The auditor’s presentation included trend analysis of the general fund and budget comparisons; staff noted public works had been under budget by about $260,000 in one example cited.

The auditor and staff said the findings remaining were minor, already resolved or beyond the city’s immediate control. No council action was required on the audit presentation.

Quotes (from meeting):
\"we have a clean opinion, which is not where we were a year ago\" — Staff member
\"things went really well\" — Ryan Schmidt, Schleiner, Wenner and Company

Ending: The council received the audit presentation and had no formal motion; staff will continue to monitor financial controls and follow up where the auditor recommended enhancements.","An independent auditor from Schleiner, Wenner and Company reported a clean opinion for the city after staff addressed outstanding 2022 and 2023 audit issues; council praised staff for resolving accounts payable and escrow issues that previously delayed audits, and the auditor noted only minor findings, several already resolved.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6174164,"City Council approves public works on-call policy to cover 24/7 utilities response",825,1862000,2687000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5371573-2584d15bdf88249537fea096b8d57b1f&start=1862&end=2687","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5371573-2584d15bdf88249537fea096b8d57b1f/thumbnail_1862000.jpg","/articles/6174164/Corcoran-City/Hennepin-County/Minnesota/City-Council-approves-public-works-on-call-policy-to-cover-247-utilities-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6174164-751e17a918a007fb6e06e1a9caab6c03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160499&Signature=jZFk63NW8aBz-HOz8HajI7ciT8RkHpoK7vTAhA~Mo4e0PAW2wCE11KYQcG4nKScAoqwFDFN4hxuH2D-6vXSAfV2Zp2IR7cuBuUvhTEUrF~6fhbXvCDO7fsl5lcr4UzRzTUIG4qg4FPqU99FDdvnjH8XWmPs4IT4p5zyjT0TF3~f3Tg4Bg52mnSzIwUdSzWn0-9wWMGKDVGQKZJ~Z4wtxpdHXRial5kVRkjdeZs5pKB~u5DXzHFzlTPxkQTj6Tg5zZLe9AIy-7RfLYSOp~UXYA-~z~cU7XiRtxJW76w~nLIoxt10lu~IH44Mic5Ig9zc1i19m~a7ZiR5AL2xMk28dVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council approved a new public works on-call policy designed to provide 24-hour coverage for utilities and other critical infrastructure, addressing a gap between the city and peer municipalities. Staff presented a draft policy that establishes standby pay and callback pay for public works employees and recommended immediate adoption.

Public works staff explained the policy’s structure: standby (holding the phone) is paid as a per-period minimum based on an employee’s base pay (weekday standby shown as one hour, weekend standby as three hours), while callback pay applies when employees are required to respond and includes a two-hour minimum paid at time-and-a-half for callbacks. Holidays remain at double pay; scheduled weekend rounds are compensated at time-and-a-half but are not treated as callback. Staff proposed an effective date in the next pay period (presented as July 19) and said the program would be tracked and adjusted as needs grow.

Staff estimated the direct cost to utilities divisions at about $25,000 per division per year, to be paid from the sewer and water funds for those divisions; operations (streets, parks) costs would be prorated and tracked to appropriate funds. Staff said the city had added three public-works employees since the previous year and that needed vehicles were already planned and budgeted.

Council members asked for clarifications on standby versus callback, whether callback time would “eat into” standby time and how overtime and scheduled work interact with the new policy. Staff provided examples: weekend standby is a set minimum; if an employee is called back they enter the callback window and receive the callback minimum; if the employee is already working a callback and must respond to additional alarms, the additional time is treated as part of the existing callback. Staff also described a diagnosis period to determine false alarms or the need to escalate response.

The council moved, seconded and approved the policy by voice vote. Staff said they would monitor the program and revisit compensation as actual call volumes and costs are tracked.

Quotes (from meeting):
\"In the on call policy, there's stand by pay, which is essentially what we call holding the phone\" — Public works staff
\"We anticipate approximately $25,000 to cover each of those divisions per year\" — Public works staff

Ending: The council approved the on-call policy and directed staff to implement the program, charge appropriate funds (sewer/water for utilities), and report back with tracked costs and any recommended adjustments.","Council approved a new on-call and callback pay policy for public works to ensure 24-hour coverage for utilities and infrastructure; the policy sets standby minimums (weekday 1 hour, weekend 3 hours), callback minimums (two-hour time-and-a-half minimum), proposes an effective date in July and estimates roughly $25,000 per utilities division per","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bellwether residents press council over delayed escrow work, ask pause to new escrow rule

Council appoints watershed commissioner after interviews; appointee not named on record

Park construction to start; city to remove 30+ ash trees struck by emerald ash borer

City auditor reports clean opinion after resolving prior audit backlog

City Council approves public works on-call policy to cover 24/7 utilities response