MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 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, September 19, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, and Larry Arentson were present, constituting a quorum. Council Member John T. Buckley was absent.
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 Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith 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 September 5, 2023, minutes as presented. Â Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the following item on the Consent Agenda.
- City Assistance with Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism Fall Festival
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Ordinance No. 86, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls Code of Ordinances §10.20 - Prohibiting the Use of Cannabis in Public Places.
Mr. Dammann stated on May 30, 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed into law House File 100 relating to the possession, sale, and adult use of cannabis. House File 100 authorizes local units of government to adopt ordinances establishing a petty misdemeanor offense for a person who unlawfully uses cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edibles, or hemp-derived consumer products in certain public places.
Mr. Dammann stated the topic of regulating public use of cannabis within the City of Redwood Falls was previously discussed at a regularly scheduled work session of the City Council on August 29, 2023. After discussion of the topic, Council requested that the City Attorney draft a proposed ordinance prohibiting the use of cannabis in public places within the City of Redwood Falls.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 86, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls Code of Ordinances §10.20 - Prohibiting the Use of Cannabis in Public Places. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 45 of 2023 – Resolution Setting Fee Schedule for 2024.
Ms. Klages stated City Staff reviewed the proposed fee schedule. Proposed changes to the 2024 Fee Schedule are indicated in red, fees in purple are set by City Resolution or City Ordinance, and the fees in blue are set or limited by State Statute. Staff is recommending approval of the proposed 2024 Fee Schedule.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Resolution No. 45 of 2023 – Resolution Setting Fee Schedule for 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 45 of 2023 – Resolution Setting Fee Schedule for 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages gave an overview of the preliminary levy and budgets for 2024 as addressed in Resolution No. 46 of 2023 – Setting Proposed Certified Levy Ad Valorem Taxes for the Year 2024 and Resolution No. 47 of 2023 – Approving 2024 Preliminary Budgets.
Ms. Klages stated state law requires local units of government to establish the preliminary levy for the coming tax year and certify the levy to the County Auditor by September 30th of each year as well as set the dates for the discussion and adoption of the final levy and budgets. The proposed budget includes a tax levy increase of 7.5%. Based on preliminary tax capacity calculations provided by the County Assessor, the City’s tax capacity increased by 10.5% resulting in an estimated decrease in the City’s overall tax rate of 2%.
Ms. Klages stated additional budget development will occur until December to enable the Budget Committee to make a recommendation to the City Council for the final levy and budgets. The date when the final levy and budget will be discussed and approved and at which the public will be allowed to speak will be set for December 19, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Resolution No. 46 of 2023 – Resolution Setting Proposed Certified Levy Ad Valorem Taxes for the Year 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 46 of 2023 – Resolution Setting Proposed Certified Levy Ad Valorem Taxes for the Year 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 47 of 2023 – Resolution Approving 2024 Preliminary Budgets. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 47 of 2023 – Resolution Approving 2024 Preliminary Budgets. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 48 of 2023 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City.
Ms. Klages stated Minnesota Statute §465.03 gives the City authority to receive donations and requires them to be formally accepted by resolution, adopted by a two-thirds vote of the Council. Resolution No. 48 is a resolution accepting a financial donation in the amount of $12,500 from LeSage Reynolds Welter CPA Firm of Redwood Falls. The donation is to be used towards the purchase of a drinking fountain, benches, and play features at the Redwood Falls Dog Park.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 48 of 2023 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 48 of 2023 – Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Resolution No. 49 of 2023 – Authorization of Release of Declaration of Municipal Use Easement.
Mr. Dammann stated in August of 2023, City Staff were contacted by Rinke Noonan, Attorneys at Law, on behalf of their client, Country Village Apartments of Redwood Falls Limited Partnership, owner of a parcel of real property located in Redwood Falls at 600 620 East Broadway Street, which was purchased in 2007. On August 25, 2011, the City recorded a Declaration of Municipal Use Easement, dated June 7, 2011. Rinke Noonan explained that they believed the Declaration of Municipal Use Easement incorrectly included the property owned by County Village Apartments and that the affected parcel should be released from the easement. Rinke Noonan has provided a draft Release of Declaration of Municipal Use Easement for such purposes and has agreed to have their title company record the document once signed. After examination of the issue, City Staff believes that the mistake noted by Rinke Noonan is in need of corrective action and recommends that the Council pass a resolution approving the release.
Mr. Dammann stated pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 462.356, subd. 2, because the City has a comprehensive municipal plan and a planning commission, the statute requires that no publicly owned interest in real property within the municipality be disposed of until after the planning commission has reviewed the proposed disposal and reported in writing to the City Council its findings as to compliance of the proposed disposal with the comprehensive municipal plan. However, City Council may, by resolution adopted by two-thirds vote dispense with the requirements of that subdivision when in its judgment it finds that the proposed disposal of real property has no relationship to the comprehensive municipal plan. Given the need to correct the inadvertent recording in a timely manner and the fact that the City does not own the affected parcel, Staff is recommending that Council adopt the proposed resolution to approve the release/disposal and dispense with the requirements found in Minn. Stat. § 462.356, subd. 2.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 49 of 2023 – Authorization of Release of Declaration of Municipal Use Easement. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 49 of 2023 – Authorization of Release of Declaration of Municipal Use Easement. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 50 of 2023 – A Resolution Authorizing Application for Grant Navigation Support for the City.
Mr. Muetzel stated representatives of the City of Redwood Falls, CentraCare Health, Redwood Area Public Schools, and St. John Lutheran School have had preliminary discussions about the development of a hike/bike trail that would connect the hospital and the two schools to the new Reflection Prairie housing development. Beginning in October, MnDOT will begin soliciting applications to fund eligible bicycle and pedestrian trail projects. Bolton & Menk has provided the attached proposal to prepare and submit two MnDOT program applications for a fee of $8,000.
Mr. Muetzel stated the League of MN Cities (LMC) has a program that provides up to $5,000 in grant funding to assist cities with the preparation of grant applications. Staff is requesting authorization to submit a $5,000 grant request to the League of MN Cities to offset a portion of Bolton & Menk’s fee to prepare the MnDOT grant applications. If the LMC grant is approved, the hospital has agreed to split the remaining $3,000 grant preparation fee with the city.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 50 of 2023 – A Resolution Authorizing Application for Grant Navigation Support for the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 50 of 2023 – A Resolution Authorizing Application for Grant Navigation Support for the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Approval of the Electric Utility Line Foreman Position.
Public Utilities Superintendent Jason Halvorson was present.
Mr. Muetzel stated the recent promotion of Jason Halvorson to Electric Utility Superintendent created a vacancy for the Electric Utility Line Foreman position. The vacancy was posted internally, two applications were received and both candidates were interviewed. Upon conclusion of the hiring process, the hiring committee’s recommendation is to promote Erik Wieneke to the Electric Utility Line Foreman position.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Electric Utility Line Foreman Position to Erik Wieneke. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 51 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute DGR Engineering Task Order #15 Amendment to the Master Agreement for 2024 Distribution Improvements.
Mr. Muetzel stated planning work has begun for next year’s underground electric line conversion project. The area to be converted from overhead to underground electric distribution is in the vicinity of Minnesota Street and portions of 4th Street, 5th Street, Chestnut Street, and Lincoln Street. DGR Engineering has provided Task Order #15 which outlines their scope of work to provide engineering services for the project. The engineer’s cost estimate for the project is $2,010,000 and the proposed engineering fee is $181,200. Staff requests approval of the engineering proposal.
Public Utilities Superintendent Halvorson stated the service area was chosen due to upcoming needs by Redwood County for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at the Redwood County Government Center.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 51 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute DGR Engineering Task Order #15 Amendment to the Master Agreement for 2024 Distribution Improvements. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 51 of 2023 – Authorization to Execute DGR Engineering Task Order #15 Amendment to the Master Agreement for 2024 Distribution Improvements. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush stated there is a Workforce Shortage Workshop at the Redwood Area Community Center on October 4, 2023.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering stated the Senate Bonding Committee will be visiting the Library and the Airport on October 3rd, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to discuss the current bonding requests.
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 Smith to adjourn the meeting at 5:44 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.