TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026
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, May 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and Shannon Guetter 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.
Mayor Quackenbush requested a motion to remove from the table and add to the Agenda as Old Business, Ordinance No. 104, Fourth Series and Resolution No. 31 of 2026.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to remove from the table and add to the Agenda as Old Business, Ordinance No. 104, Fourth Series and Resolution No. 31 of 2026, and approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the May 5, 2026, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Richard Messer resident at 413 E. Broadway Street was present to address a concern regarding a neighbor parking a commercial semi-truck in the alley behind his house. Mr. Messer stated the commercial semi-truck is causing damage to the alley and was left running over night in a residential neighborhood. Mr. Messer stated he filed a complaint with the Police Department and City Hall and the neighbor is continuing to park in the alley.
City Administrator Muetzel stated City Staff is aware of the complaint and the owner of the semi-truck has been notified of the violation. City Staff was not aware the resident was continuing to park in the alley. Mr. Messer was advised to contact the non-emergency Police Department phone number the next time he observes the truck so the Police Department can address the violation.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
- Accept Police Department Body Worn Camera Audit
- Housing and Redevelopment Authority Appointment
- Fire Department Appointment
- Request to use M&L Parking Lot for Worship in the Streets – The Circle of Healing
- 2025 Water Consumer Confidence Report
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Ordinance No. 104, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, As Provided In §14.04 of the Redwood Falls City Code, For the Purpose of Regulating the Use of Portable Storage/Shipping Containers Within the City of Redwood Falls.
Mr. Dammann stated the proposed ordinance was tabled at the May 5, 2026, City Council Meeting after waiver of a second reading. Ordinance No. 104 creates a new chapter in the Unified Development Ordinance for the regulation of portable storage/shipping containers. The goal of the ordinance is to provide for the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community and its people through the establishment of standards to ensure that portable storage/shipping containers are used for the short-term, temporary storage and transport of personal property; are not used as accessory buildings in residential and central business district zones; and do not impede vehicular access, traffic flow or circulation, or create public safety hazards.
Mr. Dammann stated on April 14, 2026, after published notice in the Redwood Gazette on April 2nd, a public hearing was held by the Planning Commission to discuss Ordinance No. 104, Fourth Series. After the hearing, the Planning Commission adopted the Findings of Fact found in Section 2 of Ordinance No. 104 and recommended approval of Ordinance No. 104. After the first reading of the ordinance on April 21, 2026, concerns were made known to City Staff as to the nature and extent of the ordinance’s regulation of portable storage/shipping containers. Revisions were made to the ordinance to address those concerns. The ordinance was presented to the Council on May 5th for a second reading after amendments and was tabled at that time. Council requested additional information regarding the number of shipping containers and current placement based on zoning districts, as well as suggested possible edits to the Ordinance as presented.
Mr. Dammann stated City Administrator Muetzel requested a committee be formed to discuss the edits Council would like to make. Council Member Smith and Mayor Quackenbush agreed to meet with City Staff to evaluate the Ordinance and provide feedback. Further edits to the ordinance were made following that meeting. State law requires that all ordinances adopted be published prior to becoming effective. As Council is aware, Ordinance No. 104, Fourth Series is lengthy. However, Minnesota Statutes, Section 412.191, subd. 4, allows publication by title and summary in the case of lengthy ordinances or those containing charts or maps. Staff have prepared Resolution No. 31 of 2026 and Exhibit A, which contains the summary of Ordinance No. 104 for publication as a separate agenda item.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the third reading of Ordinance No. 104, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, As Provided In §14.04 of the Redwood Falls City Code, For the Purpose of Regulating the Use of Portable Storage/Shipping Containers Within the City of Redwood Falls. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Ordinance No. 104, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, As Provided In §14.04 of the Redwood Falls City Code, For the Purpose of Regulating the Use of Portable Storage/Shipping Containers Within the City of Redwood Falls. Motion passed by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Kerkhoff, Smith, Guetter, and Sandgren,
NO: None
City Attorney Dammann introduced Resolution No. 31 of 2026 – A Resolution of the City of Redwood Falls Providing for the Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 104, Fourth Series, An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, as Provided in §14.04 of the Redwood Falls City Code, for the Purpose of Regulating the Use of Portable Storage/Shipping Containers Within the City of Redwood Falls.
Mr. Dammann stated the proposed resolution was tabled at the May 5, 2026, City Council Meeting. State law
requires that all ordinances adopted be published prior to becoming effective. As the Council is aware, Ordinance No. 104, Fourth Series, is lengthy. However, Minnesota Statutes, Section 412.191, subd. 4, allows publication by title and summary in the case of lengthy ordinances or those containing charts or maps. Staff have prepared Resolution No. 31 of 2026 and Exhibit A, which contains the summary of Ordinance No. 104 for publication.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 31 of 2026 – A Resolution of the City of Redwood Falls Providing for the Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 104, Fourth Series, An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, as Provided in §14.04 of the Redwood Falls City Code, for the Purpose of Regulating the Use of Portable Storage/Shipping Containers Within the City of Redwood Falls. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 31 of 2026 – A Resolution of the City of Redwood Falls Providing for the Summary Publication of Ordinance No. 104, Fourth Series, An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, as Provided in §14.04 of the Redwood Falls City Code, for the Purpose of Regulating the Use of Portable Storage/Shipping Containers Within the City of Redwood Falls. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Jason Cotner was present to introduce Agenda Item 9A – Police Officer Position.
Chief Cotner stated in March of 2026, a hiring process was initiated to fill a vacant police officer position. An interview panel met with several candidates and at the conclusion of the process Jacob Hildebrandt was identified as the leading candidate.
Chief Cotner stated since then, Mr. Hildebrandt has completed his education at Alexandria Technical College, passed a psychological examination and physical examination, and submitted his background packet to the department’s background investigator. In addition, he was scheduled to take the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) test. City Staff received confirmation just prior to the Council Meeting that he passed the POST test and is now eligible to begin work at Redwood Falls Police Department. Staff recommend Council approve hiring Jacob Hildebrandt to fill the vacant police officer position.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the Police Officer Position Offer to Jacob Hildebrandt. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Resolution No. 33 of 2026 – Authorization to Execute Lease Agreement with Fernelius Enterprises, LLC.
Mr. Dammann stated in 2001, the City of Redwood Falls and the Redwood Falls Golf Club entered into a lease agreement allowing the Golf Club to construct and operate a portion of the golf course on land owned by the City. The lease agreement included provisions granting the City the right of First Refusal and the right of Last Refusal to purchase the golf course in the event it was ever sold. On November 22, 2022, Fernelius Enterprises, LLC presented Golf Club member shareholders with a proposal to acquire the course for the outstanding debt. At the December 6, 2022, City Council meeting, Ryan Fernelius made a request to Council to not exercise the rights of First and Last Refusal. At that time a motion was made and seconded to approve the request to not exercise the City’s rights of First and Last Refusal. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mr. Dammann stated County records indicate that a contract for deed was entered into by the Redwood Falls Golf Club and Fernelius Enterprises in December of 2023. Due to the change in ownership, a new lease agreement is needed for Fernelius Enterprises. A draft lease agreement was prepared using the previous lease agreement as a template with several updates and removal of several provisions that were no longer required, such as the rights to First and Last Refusal. Staff recommend Council approve of the updated lease agreement, with authority given to the Mayor and City Administrator to negotiate further amendments in good faith.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 33 of 2026 – Authorization to Execute Lease Agreement with Fernelius Enterprises, LLC. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 33 of 2026 – Authorization to Execute Lease Agreement with Fernelius Enterprises, LLC. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council Member Smith requested an update on the road conditions of US 71/MN 19, Bridge Street.
City Administrator Muetzel stated MnDOT is in the process of discussing options for repairing the deteriorating highway. MnDOT has not made a decision on how to address the issue. City Staff will be following up with MnDOT staff in early June. A full mill and overlay of the Y-intersection is still planned with the contract to start in September.
Mayor Quackenbush asked if anyone had an update on the new Kayak Rentals at Lake Redwood. Council Member Guetter stated she tried the rental process and it was easy to use.
Council Member Smith requested an update on the pickleball court project in Ramsey Park.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the site is ready for paving, but the contractor is waiting for warmer weather before completing the final paving.
Council Member Arentson stated the Library Expansion construction is underway with cement being poured at the site today.
City Administrator Muetzel stated new additions to the Ramsey Park Zoo were scheduled to be delivered today. The park zoo will be home to the Scottish Highlander cattle for the summer.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering stated the City was approved for $1.3 million from the House and Senate bonding bill to make repairs to the historic swayback bridge. The repairs will be scheduled in 2027.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering stated Sweetman Sanitation is partnering with the City to start promoting designated summer clean-up days. Sweetman Sanitation will be offering garbage drop-off days in Redwood Falls this summer on the last Friday of each month, May through August. The first Clean-Up Day will be Friday, May 29, 2026, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Items must be brought to the drop-off location at 1200 S. Mill Street.
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 Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to adjourn the meeting at 5:43 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.