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, December 2, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Larry Arentson, and Shannon Guetter were present, constituting a quorum. Council Member Jim Sandgren was absent.
Mayor Tom Quackenbush attended via electronic means.
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 Kerkhoff to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the November 18, 2025, minutes as presented. 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:
1. 2026 Business License Applications
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Human Resources Coordinator Sheila Stage was present to introduce the Minnesota Paid Leave Policy.
Ms. Stage stated Minnesota's paid family and medical leave program, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, will provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for medical or family reasons, or a combined total of up to 20 weeks per year. The program is funded by the City and the employees through payroll contributions. The City is a participant in Minnesota’s Paid Leave program through an approved private insurance carrier Madison National Life Insurance. The premium cost will be split between the City at 50% of the required premium and the employees will pay the other 50% of the cost through payroll deductions. Minnesota Paid Leave (MNPL) provides partial wage replacement and job protection for qualifying leave events.
Ms. Stage stated all employees who meet paid family medical leave eligibility criteria may apply for paid family or medical leave through this private insurance carrier. Employees can use this leave for their own serious health condition, bonding with a new child, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or for certain situations related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or military deployment. Staff developed this policy using a sample policy from the League of MN Cities and followed the Minnesota Department of Labor information and Minnesota Statute for MN Paid Family and Medical Leave Section 268B, signed in 2023, effective January 1, 2026.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the Minnesota Paid Leave Policy. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Parks & Recreation Director Ross Nachreiner was present to introduce the RACC Roof Replacement Project and Authorization to Bid.
Mr. Nachreiner stated on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Council approved Task Order 2025-6 by Resolution No. 51 of 2025 with Bolton & Menk Inc. The scope of services for Task Order 2025-6 included developing plans and specifications, soliciting bids, and developing an award recommendation for the roof replacement project at the RACC.
Mr. Nachreiner stated Bolton & Menk Inc. developed the plans and specs for the roof replacement that will meet or exceed industry standards. Bid period will open December 5th, 2025, with the bids being opened on January 12th, 2026. We will then plan to award the bid (if authorized by both City of Redwood Falls and the Redwood Area School District) on January 30th, 2026. The roof replacement schedule will begin on or around May 1st, 2026, with a substantial completion date of August 3rd, 2026.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the RACC Roof Replacement Project and Authorization to Bid. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Jason Cotner was present to introduce the Schedule Anywhere Contract Proposal.
Chief Cotner stated the current program used by City departments for payroll and scheduling is Time and Attendance. This program has been in use for several years, however, the scheduling portion of the Time and Attendance program has not been effective for scheduling a 24/7 operation like the Police Department. The problems with the Time and Attendance schedule program came to a head in September of 2025 when Police Chief Cotner began building the 2026 schedule. Errors within the system would not allow the schedule to be made for staff members. The issue was brought to the attention of Staff at City Hall, who immediately began working with the Time and Attendance staff. By November of 2025 the problem was still not resolved, and only work-around solutions were offered.
Chief Cotner stated in an effort to find a program that is specifically designed for 24/7 operations, including law enforcement operations, a meeting was scheduled with Schedule Anywhere. They provided a contract proposal for the software program. The first-year cost of the program is $1,839.00 which includes implementation costs. The subsequent annual cost of the program is listed at $1,296.00. These costs represent discounts if the City commits to a three-year contract with the company.
Chief Cotner stated the scheduling portion of the current software has an annual cost of $6,800. With this change, the City will be saving approximately $5,500 a year. At this time, the Time and Attendance program is paid through the City’s IT budget, however, Schedule Anywhere will be paid out of the RFPD budget. The implementation of the Schedule Anywhere software will result in unbudgeted expenses on the police department’s 2025 budget but will be built into future budgets.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Schedule Anywhere Contract Proposal. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 80 of 2025 – Resolution Establishing Rates for Municipal Electric Utilities.
Ms. Klages stated every year, DGR updates the overall cash flow projections and proposes any necessary rate changes. The proposed rates have been developed to provide an overall increase in revenues of 2%. Staff recommend approval of the proposed 2026 electric rates.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 80 of 2025 – Resolution Establishing Rates for Municipal Electric Utilities. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 80 of 2025 – Resolution Establishing Rates for Municipal Electric Utilities. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 81 of 2025 – Resolution Adjusting Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Storm Sewer Service Charges.
Ms. Klages stated staff worked with consultants at Waterworth to update the overall cash flow projections and determine proposed rate adjustments for water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer utilities. Like last year, the proposed rates have been developed to continue the focus on the need to increase base charges to keep up with the cost of infrastructure replacement, as well as reviewing billing equity between various customer classes (commercial versus residential).
Ms. Klages stated the proposed water rates provide an increase of 4% per 100 cubic feet sold, increase the residential infrastructure replacement charge by $.75, and increase the commercial infrastructure replacement charge by $2.50. The sanitary sewer rates have been developed to provide an increase of 10% per 100 cubic feet used, increase the residential infrastructure replacement charge by $3.00, and increase the commercial infrastructure replacement charge by $6.00. The storm sewer rates have been developed to provide an increase of 3% per infrastructure replacement charge. Staff recommend approval of the proposed 2026 rates.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 81 of 2025 – Resolution Adjusting Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Storm Sewer Service Charges. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 81 of 2025 – Resolution Adjusting Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Storm Sewer Service Charges. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 82 of 2025 – Resolution Setting Fee Schedule for 2026.
Ms. Klages stated City Staff reviewed the proposed fee schedule. Proposed changes to the 2026 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 recommend approval of the proposed 2026 Fee Schedule.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 82 of 2025 – Resolution Setting Fee Schedule for 2026. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 82 of 2025 – Resolution Setting Fee Schedule for 2026. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 83 of 2025 – Resolution Supporting Grant Application, Grant Acceptance and Project Approval for Pavement Maintenance for Hangar Taxi Lanes.
Mr. Doering stated Resolution No. 83 authorizes the MNDOT Aeronautics Hangar and Taxi Lanes Pavement Maintenance Grant Application/Acceptance and project development and approves the quote from Pearson Brothers Inc. in the amount of $66,592.50 to complete the project. MNDOT Aeronautics provided a 2026 Capital Grant Offer of up to $150,000.00 on October 17, 2025, and requested a response by November 14, if the Airport was interested in securing the available grant dollars. The grant offer was based off the submitted Airport Capital Improvement Plan. This grant is a 70/30 grant where the local share is 30% of the project costs. MNDOT will cover $46,614.40 with the local share being $19,978.10. Funding for the unbudgeted local share would be sourced from the Airport Projects fund.
Mr. Doering stated based on the quotes and airport project budget, Staff reported to MNDOT Aeronautics the City’s interest in the grant in order to meet the initial inquiry deadline on November 14. Approval of Resolution 83 by Council is the next step in securing the funds and commissioning the project for 2026. Staff recommend approval of the grant application, grant acceptance, and subsequent low quote approval from Pearson Brothers Inc. A second quote from MR Paving was also received, which was slightly higher.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 83 of 2025 – Resolution Supporting Grant Application, Grant Acceptance and Project Approval for Pavement Maintenance for Hangar Taxi Lanes. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 83 of 2025 – Resolution Supporting Grant Application, Grant Acceptance and Project Approval for Pavement Maintenance for Hangar Taxi Lanes. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced the 4th Street Improvements – Final Pay Application.
Mr. Doering stated Staff recommend for approval Final Pay Application No. 17 (4th Street Improvements) for $155,631.51 with check disbursement contingent upon receipt and execution of the original copies of the required close out documents. The final contract price totals $3,112,630.23. The substantial completion of the project was July 7, 2025. Approval sets the two-year warranty period to July 7, 2027, which by contract is two years from substantial completion.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the 4th Street Improvements – Final Pay Application. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council Member Arentson requested an update from staff on how the first snow removal event of the season went for the Street Department.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the extended duration of the snowfall, and the timing of a weekend snow event is always challenging. The most significant issues come from vehicles being parked on the street. When vehicles are left on the street it slows down the snow removal process. Residents are reminded to move vehicles off the street during snowfalls for a cleaner and more efficient snow removal process.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering stated the steps, and temporary railings were installed at the walking bridge located at the end of Sunrise Boulevard over the ditch connecting the Sunrise neighborhood with the elementary school site.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering stated the Senate Bonding Committee made a stop in Redwood Falls today, Tuesday, December 2 to allow the City and the MN Valley Rail Authority to meet with the Committee. Mr. Doering presented to the committee on behalf of the City of Redwood Falls for bond proceeds for S.F. No. 146 and S.F. No. 884. The City is requesting $3,386,000 in bond proceeds for installation of a stormwater management system at the Airport and reconstruction of the Airport’s Aircraft Parking Ramp and Parallel Taxiway. The City is also requesting $1,300,000 in bond proceeds for necessary repairs on the WPA 1938 Swayback Bridge from five flood disasters since 2013.
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 Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to adjourn the meeting at 5:33 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.