City Council Meeting – June 6, 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, June 6, 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, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet. Finance Director Kari Klages was absent.

A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the agenda.  Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the May 16, 2023, minutes as presented.  Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.

1. Temporary On-Sale Liquor License – Redwood Co Ag Society

2. City Assistance with Celebrate Redwood Falls – Summer Splash

3. Parade Permit for Celebrate Redwood Falls – Summer Splash

Motion passed by unanimous vote.

Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 29 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Agreement for Professional Services.

Mr. Doering stated Resolution No. 29 of 2023 is to approve the agreement for professional services provided by Braun Intertec Corporation of St Cloud, MN to provide construction materials testing services for the 4th Street Reconstruction Project contingent on the successful bidding and award of the project. The cost for services outlined in the agreement are unit based and not to exceed $63,543.00.  Braun Intertec Corporation has been apprised of the long duration to get the 4th Street Improvement Project out for bid and has, by email, agreed to honor the initial quote dated March 28, 2023.

Mr. Doering stated two quotes were received for the project from Braun Intertec Corporation and America Engineering and Testing (AET). It is required by the Federal and State grants funding the project, for the owner to provide the Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) in addition to the awarded contractor. The QAQC report is subject to a federal audit. Braun Intertec Corporation has provided this service in the past for the City of Redwood Falls. AET was also asked to provide a quote for QAQC services that meet Federal reporting requirements. The quote provided by AET does not meet what is federally required by the owner. The quote pertains to the basic testing a contractor would need to provide for a non-grant funded project and as a result is priced less.

A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 29 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Agreement for Professional Services with Braun Intertec Corporation. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 29 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute Agreement for Professional Services with Braun Intertec Corporation. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

City Administrator Muetzel introduced the City Council Work Session Review.

Mr. Muetzel stated Police Chief Cotner and Officer Tucker Machart attended the work session to provide Council a brief law enforcement update and introduce Officer Machart to the Council members. Council appreciated the introduction of Officer Machart and suggested additional officers should also introduce themselves at another meeting. Shannon Guetter also attended the Work Session to provide the Council with an update on the recently formed Downtown Redevelopment Group and some goals the group has for downtown Redwood Falls.

Mr. Muetzel stated Council began the discussion for developing a strategy for marketing the Reflection Ridge Business Park to potential employers. The topic was referred to the Port Authority for additional focus. Council requested Staff seek proposals from Commercial Realtors to present to the Port Authority before discussing marketing options.

Mr. Muetzel stated the Golf Course Board Members were present at the Work Session to introduce a proposal to Council for the City to purchase and operate the Golf Course. Following the meeting, Staff researched other municipal golf courses and reported that the few courses they researched were operating with a loss annually to the cities that maintained the courses. Council indicated the Golf Course Board would need to provide additional information about the course’s current operations before they would be able to make a decision. To provide the Golf Course Board with a timely response, Council agreed to make a decision by the Council meeting on July 18, 2023. Council Members indicated there is no additional information requested from City Staff at this time.

No action was taken by Council.

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 Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 5:42 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.