MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 2023
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, March 7, 2023, 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, Finance Director Kari Klages, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the February 21, 2023, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Parks & Recreation Director Ross Nachreiner was present to introduce the 2023 Joint City-School Projects.
Mr. Nachreiner stated the Community Center Board met on Monday, February 27, 2023, to review a list of project requests. The Board recommends approval of the 2023 Joint City-School Projects as presented and requests to disperse the 2023 Joint City-School funds to the Independent School District #2897. The Board is also requesting to declare surplus and authorize the trade or sale of two Recumbent Bikes.
Mr. Nachreiner stated the Joint City-School account money that is not spent each year will carry over to the next year allowing for larger purchases to align with the Community Center Board’s Capital Improvement Plan. The School District holds the funds and is responsible for the purchases.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Community Center Board’s project requests and purchases as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the disbursement of the 2023 Joint City-School Funds in the amount of $10,000 to ISD #2897. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the Community Center Board’s request to declare surplus and authorize the trade or sale of two Recumbent Bikes. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering introduced Resolution No. 14 of 2023 – A Resolution to Contract with a City Official.
Council Member Buckley stated a conflict of interest regarding Resolution No. 14 of 2023. Due to the conflict of interest, Mr. Buckley can neither vote nor participate in the discussion regarding the agenda item. Mr. Buckley excused himself from the Council desk and sat in the audience.
Mr. Doering stated Resolution No. 14 approves the quote and tree plan from the Redwood Falls Nursery for the replacement of boulevard trees that were removed during the Drew Street project. Given Council Member Buckley’s interest in the Redwood Falls Nursery, Resolution No. 14 is one that is required by Minnesota Statute for the City to contract with a City official and requires a unanimous vote from all remaining members of the Council for passage.
Mr. Doering stated the replacement plan includes 39 trees. The replacement locations have been identified as well as tree type and species as indicated on the replacement plan. The trees will be purchased from and installed by the Redwood Falls Nursery for a quoted cost of $12,260.00. The quote is considered sole source, meeting the quote requirements of site plan development, installation, and 12-month replacement guarantee which includes labor. The trees are #10 size pots or 1.5” diameter trees. Adjacent parcel owners have the option to upsize the tree and pay the difference in cost for the larger tree. Property owners can contact the vendor for this option.
Mr. Doering further stated under the City of Redwood Falls Boulevard Tree Policy, the City has the authority to plant, remove, maintain, and protect all public trees and shrubs or cause such work to be done, as may be necessary to preserve the beauty of public areas and protect life and property. Species selection and spacing are in accordance with this policy. Staff will inform and interact with all adjacent lot owners throughout the installation.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 14 of 2023 – A Resolution to Contract with a City Official. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 14 of 2023 – A Resolution to Contract with a City Official. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council Member Buckley returned to the Council desk
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering introduced Resolution No. 15 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Task Order 2023-3 for Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey.
Mr. Doering stated Resolution No. 15 authorizes Task Order No. 2023-3 with Bolton and Menk, Inc. (BMI) to provide the listed scope of services for an Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey for the Ramsey Park Bathroom Improvements in the amount not to exceed $13,791.00 without further Council approval. Completion of the project scope is anticipated for June 2023.
Mr. Doering stated the City was awarded $137,000.00 in grant funds from the Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails fund to improve the Falls bathroom and install a new bathroom at the Zeb Gray Shelter play area. As a requirement with state grant funds, a State History Preservation Office (SHPO) review of the project is mandated. The formal SHPO project review solicitation was sent on September 8, 2022 and the review came back requiring a full archeological investigation of the project areas. Task Order 2023-3 will fulfill the required parameters requested. The grant funds need to be expended by June 30, 2025. However, they do not cover the cost for this review. This is an unbudgeted item and Staff recommends utilizing funds from the Capital Project Fund to cover the cost, which requires Council approval. Once the archeological review is completed and approved by SHPO, Staff will receive a notice to proceed. This will allow the DNR to issue the grant award and contract which will be brought to Council again for approval.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 15 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Task Order 2023-3 for Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 15 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Task Order 2023-3 for Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush stated he will be unavailable for the next two Council meetings, March 21 and April 4, 2023.
Council Member Kerkhoff stated she attended the 4th Street Reconstruction Project Open House that took place on Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering stated 12 residents attended the open house on February 28. City Staff and Project Engineers from Bolton & Menk were on site to answer resident’s questions. The next phase of the project will begin by removing boulevard trees along East 4th Street prior to March 30.
Bills and Claims were presented to the 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 Kerkhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:21 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.