MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 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, April 4, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and John T. Buckley were present, constituting a quorum. Mayor Tom Quackenbush was absent.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Finance Director Kari Klages, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet. City Attorney Trenton Dammann was absent.
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 March 21, 2023, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.
1. Approve Assistance with Celebrate Redwood Falls – NightFalls Event
2. Approve Backhoe Annual Trade
3. Approve Trencher Purchase
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council President Jim Sandgren opened a public hearing at 5:02 p.m. to discuss delinquent utility accounts & maintenance charges.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 19 of 2023 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts and Resolution No. 20 of 2023 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Maintenance Costs.
Ms. Klages stated the proposed Resolutions are to adopt assessments for delinquent utility accounts and maintenance cost charges 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.
Council President Sandgren closed the public hearing at 5:03 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 19 of 2023 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve Resolution No. 19 of 2023 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 20 of 2023 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Maintenance Costs. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 20 of 2023 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Maintenance Costs. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Temporary Utility Worker Position.
Mr. Muetzel stated historically, the Electric Department has operated with five Lineman positions. In the fall of 2022, one of the Lineman positions became vacant and due to workload uncertainty, staff postponed the decision to fill the position. Now that we have a better understanding of the 2023 projects, staff would like to create a 1,000-hour Temporary Utility Worker position to assist with this summer’s utility work.
Mr. Muetzel stated under the proposed scenario, a temporary employee will be employed for up to 1,000 hours (6 months) and then the position will end. The minimum requirements for the position include the completion of at least one year of post-secondary training as a utility worker and a Class A Commercial Driver’s License. The proposed compensation is 85% of the step 1 Lineman wage schedule which results in a wage of $26.10 per hour. The 2023 operating budget fully funds a fifth Lineman position. Creating this position will provide the electric department with the workforce necessary to complete the planned 2023 projects with a cost savings and potentially provide an opportunity to recruit a permanent full-time employee.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the Temporary Utility Worker Position. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Full-Time Water/Waste-Water Operator Position.
Mr. Muetzel stated the 2023 operating budget includes funding for the addition of a full-time Water/Waste Water Operator position. After advertising for this position, an interview team consisting of Keith Muetzel, Sheila Stage, Tom Stough, and Pete Albu interviewed six candidates. The position has been offered to Calvin Mannz and he has accepted the offer and terms of employment. Staff requests Council approval for appointment of Calvin Mannz as full-time Water/Waste-Water Operator.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Full-Time Water/Waste-Water Operator Position. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced the 2023 City Deer Hunt Recommendation.
Mr. Doering stated the 2022 Archery Deer Hunt Committee met on March 29, 2023, to review the 2022 results and review the program policies. The Committee and Staff recommend approval of the 2023 hunt application to the DNR with no changes to the previous year’s provisions. The 2023 hunt application provisions include: set the 2023 fees at $20.00 for the application fee and $40.00 for the hunting fee; 20 participants selected by a minimum proficiency test and lottery draw; a 20-hour minimum in-stand expectation to qualify to participate in the following year; Double Earn A Buck, 20 hunters with a maximum bag limit of 40; season to coincide with the full archery season September 16 – December 31; discretion for the Deer Hunt Coordinator and City Staff to replace a participant if they drop out during the hunting season due to unforeseen circumstances; and continue with Hunt Coordinator, Paul Parsons. The Committee is also recommending to provide education materials for residents to keep deer off their yards, and maintain set/tending times during trapping season between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., to minimize interference between the two activities.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the 2023 City Deer Hunt Recommendation. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced the Request to Waive Fees Related to a Data Request.
Ms. Klages stated Staff received a letter from Jessica Kluever, legal secretary at Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), requesting that $25.75 in data request charges be waived. All fees related to this data request have been charged in accordance with Minnesota State Statutes, Chapter 13 and the City’s Data Practices Act Guidelines and Procedures. According to Chapter 13, the City is not allowed to charge for the time of searching for and retrieving data when the requestor is the data subject, however the City is able to charge for the actual costs of making and certifying copies of the requested data. The identity of the actual requestor has been redacted to maintain the integrity of any private data connected to this request. In addition, it is not normal practice for the City to adjust fees based on income level. Due to past practice, Staff is recommending the request be denied.
Police Chief Cotner stated the data requested is regarding calls for service by the Redwood Falls Police Department. The Police Department and City are not referenced in any of the proceedings.
Council Member Kerkhoff declared a conflict of interest and abstained from voting.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Smith to deny the Request to Waive Fees Related to a Data Request. Motion passed by the following vote:
AYE: Council Members Smith, Arentson, Sandgren, and Buckley
NO: None
ABSTAIN: Council Member Kerkhoff
Deputy City Clerk Kodet introduced Ordinance No. 84, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls City Code of Ordinances §10.46 Pertaining to Animal Licensing and Regulation.
Ms. Kodet stated City Staff met and discussed the current conditional lifetime licensing process for dogs found in §10.46 of the Redwood Falls City Code. Upon reviewing §10.46 in conjunction with the dog kennel licensing regulations found in §6.28 of the Redwood Falls City Code, Staff have identified and made several changes to both ordinances to more logically identify and regulate land use for dog kennels as well as to better locate the license limitation for dogs within §10.46 instead of §6.28.
Ms. Kodet stated proposed changes to §10.46 include a limitation of five (5) conditional lifetime licenses for dogs per “household;” adding a definition of “household;” better identifying the “Shelter,” as defined in §10.46; adding a provision to make it a petty misdemeanor violation for owners of dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs to allow those dogs to use the Redwood Falls City Dog Park; and a change to the dangerous dog hearing procedure to provide for two council members, at large, to serve on a dangerous dog review panel. Staff recommends adoption of these proposed changes.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 84, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls City Code of Ordinances §10.46 Pertaining to Animal Licensing and Regulation. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Deputy City Clerk Kodet introduced Ordinance No. 85, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls City Code of Ordinances §6.28 Relating to Dog Kennels.
Ms. Kodet stated City Staff met and discussed the current dog kennel licensing ordinance, §6.28. Upon reviewing the dog kennel licensing ordinance in conjunction with the conditional lifetime licensing process for dogs provided in §10.46, Staff have identified and made several changes to both ordinances to more logically identify and regulate land use for dog kennels as well as to better locate the license limitation for dogs within §10.46 instead of §6.28. Staff recommends adoption of these proposed changes.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 85, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls City Code of Ordinances §6.28 Relating to Dog Kennels. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Chief Cotner gave an update on the Police Department’s current staffing.
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 Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:34 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.