MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, JULY 5, 2022
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Redwood Falls City Council was called to order in the Municipal Chambers on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and John T. Buckley were present, constituting a quorum.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, Finance Director Kari Klages, and Council Secretary Caitlin Kodet.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the June 21, 2022, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.
1. Front-End Loader Trade - RDO Equipment
2. Skid Loader Trailer Purchase – Felling Trailers
3. Port Authority Commission Appointments
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush opened a public hearing at 5:02 p.m. to discuss delinquent utility accounts.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 46 of 2022 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts.
Ms. Klages stated the proposed Resolution is to adopt assessments for delinquent utility accounts that are more than 30 days past due. Similar resolutions are brought to the City Council on a quarterly basis in order to improve the time between the delinquent billing and the ability to disclose the information to new property owners. The delinquent account resolutions will be presented each year at the first meeting in January, April, July, and October.
Ms. Klages further explained the delinquent process. Delinquent letters are first mailed to the utility account holders. Delinquent letters are then mailed to the property owners if not collected from the account holders. Electricity consumed by a tenant is not assessable to the property. Any unpaid balance is then brought to Council to be approved by resolution. Any pending assessments passed by resolution and still outstanding as of November 1st will be charged a $50.00 fee and are then transferred to Redwood County to be assessed on the tax rolls.
No one was present to voice any concerns.
Mayor Quackenbush closed the public hearing at 5:03 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 46 of 2022 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 46 of 2022 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Utilities Superintendent Chuck Heins was present to introduce the Final Pay Request for the West Substation Feeder #1 & #2 Relocation Project.
Mr. Heins stated the final contract price for the West Substation Feeders 1 & 2 Relocation project totaled $215,691.95. The original contract price was $232,791.96. The work was not completed within the contract deadline so 57 days of liquidated damages were assessed in the amount of $17,100.00. Michels Power, Inc. has submitted all necessary paperwork and DGR has approved and submitted the final pay request in the amount of $11,639.60.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Final Pay Request for the West Substation Feeder #1 & #2 Relocation Project in the amount of $11,639.60. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Miranda Wendlandt, CPA and CFE with CliftonLarsonAllen was present to give an overview of the 2021 audit results for the City of Redwood Falls.
Ms. Wendlandt stated this was a clean audit with one internal control finding and three material audit adjustments. The internal control finding didn’t change the total ending reserve position for the City. The findings are an indication of the City’s high-quality internal control process, reviews that are in place, and overall attention Staff gives to the year-end balances.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to accept the 2021 City Audit results and reports as submitted. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 47 of 2022 – Appointing 2022 Election Judges.
Mr. Muetzel stated under Section 204B.21, Subdivision 2 of the Election Laws of the State of Minnesota, the City Council of each municipality shall appoint in the manner provided, qualified voters as judges of election. The following qualified voters are hereby designated as Judges of Election for the August 9, 2022, Primary Election and November 8, 2022, General Election with the understanding that amendments can be made by the Election Administrator to the appointments in order to fill vacancies and meet party requirements: Amy Kerkhoff, Caitlin Kodet, Daniel Faugstad, Julie Faugstad, Marcee Stromberg, Mary Wetmore, Mary Liebl, Jenifer Manthei, Bruce Tolzmann, Stephanie Klavetter, Wayne Junker, Ernie Fiala, Julie Fiala, Connie Lechner, Abby Larson, Kari Klages, Mary Walz, Eric Lovett, Jessica Lovett, Jacalyn Lueck, and Mary Bratsch.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 47 of 2022 – Appointing 2022 Election Judges. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve Resolution No. 47 of 2022 – Appointing 2022 Election Judges. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council Member Smith requested an update regarding the new fire truck purchase and delivery.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the fire truck is scheduled to be out of production by July 25th and begin a thorough inspection process. The City is expected to take ownership of the truck by late August or early September. Bids for the old aerial fire truck close on July 12th. At least one other fire department has expressed interest in purchasing the truck. The minimum bid amount is $30,000.00.
Mayor Quackenbush expressed concern for the excessive speed he has witnessed from vehicles driving through the park while the Hwy 19 bridge was closed for construction and is requesting additional speed controls be put in place during the next scheduled closure.
Mayor Quackenbush will have lot information available at the Redwood County Fair for the Reflection Ridge and Reflection Prairie developments.
City Administrator Muetzel stated he is currently working with an interested party to secure a purchase agreement for a lot in the residential development, Reflection Prairie.
Bills and Claims were presented to Council for informational purposes. No questions, comments, or concerns were raised.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 5:46 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.