TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 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, June 16, 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.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the June 2, 2026, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
1. Fire Department Appointments
2. Airport Commission Appointment
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Bonnie Schwieger, Audit Partner with Abdo was present to give an overview of the 2025 audit results for the City of Redwood Falls.
Ms. Schwieger stated this was an unmodified clean audit with no internal control findings. Due to the amount of Federal funds received for Highway Planning & Construction, a Single Audit was required. The Single Audit found that the City complied with the specific funding requirements. The audit findings are an indication of the City’s high-quality internal control process, reviews that are in place, and overall attention Staff gives to the year-end balances.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to accept the 2025 City Audit results and reports as submitted. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Zoning Administrator Randy Thole was present to introduce a Variance Request – Thielen Bus Lines.
Rick and Joe Thielen were present. Rick Thielen provided an overview of the request.
Mr. Thole stated the City received a request for a variance from Rick and Joe Thielen, owner’s of Thielen Bus Lines, Inc., to reduce the rear yard setback from 30’ to 10’ on the north side of the property at 229 W. 11th Street, Parcel #88-001-3200. Rick and Joe Thielen are requesting to reduce the setback on the north side of the property from 30’ to 10’ in order to construct an 84’ x 54’ building to be used as a bus garage. The property was purchased by Rick Thielen in 2012 and rezoned to B-3 at that time to allow for future expansion of Thielen Bus Lines. The parcel is currently a vacant, gravel lot and is occasionally used to park buses. Due to the length of the buses, more space is needed in front of the proposed building to provide a better line of site for the driver and help to eliminate a safety concern while backing the buses out of the garage. By reducing the rear yard setback and allowing for more space in front of the building, drivers can completely exit the garage without impeding traffic.
Mr. Thole stated concerns were raised at the Planning Commission public hearing regarding the potential for stormwater runoff to impact neighboring properties. Mr. Thielen informed the Planning Commission that the proposed garage will be equipped with gutters and downspouts connected to an underground drainage tile system designed to capture and direct runoff, thereby minimizing the potential for water to flow onto adjacent properties.
Mr. Thole further stated the Planning Commission reviewed the request and determined the variance to reduce the rear yard setback and construct a bus garage meets the required findings as stated in Article 9, Chapter 3.48 of the Unified Development Ordinance. The variance is putting the property to use in a reasonable manner. The Planning Commission feels that the building is consistent with the neighborhood and would not alter the essential character of the neighborhood. The variance will also help to eliminate a valid safety concern. The Planning Commission recommends approval of the variance request.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the Variance Request – Thielen Bus Lines to reduce the rear yard setback from 30’ to 10’. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Zoning Administrator Randy Thole introduced the Conditional Use Permit Request – Edman Builders (Ziggi’s Coffee).
Mr. Thole stated the City received a request from Joseph and Ashlee Edman on behalf of Edman Builders, to construct a fence in a non-residential zoning district, along a public alleyway, and reduce the setback along the north property line from 10 ft. to 2 ft. at the property located 321 E Bridge St, Parcel #88-865-0100. According to the City of Redwood Falls Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Article 6, Chapter 7.26, “In non-residential districts, fences shall be constructed no closer than ten feet from all public right-of ways (including alleyways) without a conditional use permit.” The reduced setback is being requested as part of the required screening plan for the recently constructed Ziggi’s Coffee. Screening is required by the UDO between a business and the abutting residential district.
Mr. Thole stated in addition to the screening requirement, Edman Builders must comply with additional UDO requirements, including a required number of parking spaces and adequate space for efficient traffic flow. In order to meet all of the necessary lot requirements and install the required screening, a reduced setback from 10’ to 2’ is being requested because of the alley located along the north side of the property. The proposed fence will be setback from S. Lincoln Street and will not affect the sightline for drivers entering or exiting the property. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed plan for the fence placement and did not have any concerns with the placement.
Mr. Thole stated Planning Commission and City Staff recommend approval with the following conditions:
1. All fence posts and supporting members shall be erected so that the finished side or sides of the fence face the adjacent property or public right-of-way.
2. Fence shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height based on measurement from the average point between highest and lowest grade.
3. Fence shall provide a minimum of 90% opacity as required by screening requirements.
4. Fence shall be constructed of durable, weather-treated materials widely accepted in the fencing industry and shall blend with the overall character of the neighborhood.
5. Fence and retaining wall base shall be maintained in good repair and safe condition at all times and shall not be permitted to deteriorate to the extent that it becomes hazardous or constitutes a nuisance. Any damage and/or deterioration to the fence and retaining wall base shall be repaired by the property owner and be restored to its original approved condition within a reasonable period of time.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Conditional Use Permit Request – Edman Builders (Ziggi’s Coffee) to construct a fence in a non-residential district and reduce the rear yard setback from 10’ to 2’ with the stated conditions. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 34 of 2026 – A Resolution Approving Addendum to Library Expansion Project Reimbursement Agreement and Accepting Donations to the City.
Mr. Muetzel stated in October of 2025, the Redwood Falls City Council and Redwood Area Library Foundation approved a reimbursement agreement outlining the terms under which the Redwood Area Library Foundation agreed to reimburse the City of Redwood Falls for library expansion project expenses. The total estimated project cost was $4,902,030, of which $1,358,589 is covered by a State of MN grant and prior donations that have been remitted to the City. Under the terms of the agreement, the Foundation committed to reimbursing the City the remaining anticipated balance of $3,543,441 with the actual amount being determined by the final construction cost.
Mr. Muetzel stated the project cost estimate referenced in the original reimbursement agreement does not include any costs related to the furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) needed for the new addition as those numbers were not available when the agreement was prepared. Pricing has been obtained for FFE and the cost estimate of $149,686 will be paid by the Foundation as an additional project expense. The attached addendum updates the reimbursement agreement to formally include the cost of the furniture, fixtures, and equipment as a reimbursable project expense.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Resolution No. 34 of 2026 – A Resolution Approving Addendum to Library Expansion Project Reimbursement Agreement and Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 34 of 2026 – A Resolution Approving Addendum to Library Expansion Project Reimbursement Agreement and Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Ordinance No. 105, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, As Provided In §14.05 of the Redwood Falls City Code, For the Purpose of Amending Permitted Uses in Residential Districts Within the City of Redwood Falls.
City Attorney Dammann stated the City of Redwood Falls has the authority to adopt an ordinance pursuant to Minn. Stat. Sec. 462.357, allowing a local unit of government to adopt zoning regulations for the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare by regulating on the earth's surface, in the air space above the surface, and in subsurface areas, the location, height, width, bulk, type of foundation, number of stories, size of buildings and other structures and the uses of buildings and structures for trade, industry, residence, recreation, public activities, or other purposes, and the uses of land for trade, industry, residence, recreation, and agriculture.
City Attorney Dammann stated Ordinance No. 105 amends Table 11.1 within the Unified Development Ordinance to allow for the use of single family dwellings and duplexes in the R-4, R-M, and R-B zoning districts; the use of single family dwellings – attached – two to four units in the R-2, R-4, R-M, and R-B zoning districts; and the use of single family dwellings – attached – five to eight units in the R-4, R-M, and R-B zoning districts. Currently, none of these uses are permitted in the listed zoning districts. Ordinance No. 105 also amends and allows for nursing homes in the R-B zoning district. The amendments within Table 11.1 are noted in italicized and underlined text. On June 9, 2026, after published notice in the Redwood Gazette on May 28, 2026, a public hearing was held by the Planning Commission to discuss Ordinance No. 105, Fourth Series. After the hearing, the Planning Commission adopted the Findings of Fact found in Section 2 of Ordinance No. 105 and recommended approval of Ordinance No. 105.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 105, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending the Unified Development Ordinance, 2014 Edition, As Provided In §14.05 of the Redwood Falls City Code, For the Purpose of Amending Permitted Uses in Residential Districts Within the City of Redwood Falls. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 35 of 2026 – A Resolution Governing Write-in Vote Counting.
Mr. Muetzel stated in 2024, a new law was passed that would allow a city to adopt a resolution governing the counting of write-in votes for local elective office (see MN Statute 204B.09 subd. 3b). This new law allows for one of the two methods for counting write in votes: (1) require the candidate to file a written request with the chief election official no later than the 19th day before the city election if the candidate wants to have the candidate's write-in votes individually recorded; OR (2) require that write-in votes for an individual candidate only be individually recorded if the total number of write-in votes for that office is equal to or greater than the fewest number of non-write-in votes for a ballot candidate.
Mr. Muetzel stated the Redwood County Auditor/Treasurer is recommending City Council approve a Resolution to authorize option one, which would require the candidate to file a written request with the Election Administrator on or before Thursday, October 15, 2026, for the November 3, 2026, election. This way, if someone files a written request, then the election judges will know which person to count the write-in votes for that office. They would not need to include non-registered or frivolous write-in names such as “Donald Duck” for local city office. Staff recommend Council approve Resolution No. 35 of 2026.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 35 of 2026 – A Resolution Governing Write-in Vote Counting. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 35 of 2026 – A Resolution Governing Write-in Vote Counting. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 36 of 2026 – Amending Resolution No. 25 of 2026 for $97,833.00, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Grant Funding Assistance for the Redwood Falls Public Library Meeting Room Renovation Project.
Mr. Doering stated this is an amendment to Resolution No. 25 of 2026 passed by Council on April 7, 2026. The MDE has requested an addition to clarify the fund account that the remaining $202,167.00 balance, minus the grant, will be sourced from. The “City’s Capital Projects Fund” has been added to paragraph 4 of the revised Resolution No. 36. The addition is underlined for reference. In addition, MDE requested that page 41 of the grant agreement reflecting the sources and uses of funding be changed to show the remaining funding to be paid by the City to provide assurance the funding is in place and secured prior to the project start.
Mr. Doering stated on April 7, 2026, Council approved the draft (Redwood Falls Public Library Meeting Room Renovation Project) grant agreement of $97,833.00 as it relates to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) notice of award dated February 11, 2026, for the Mary C. Murphy Library Construction Grant - FY2026. The grant agreement is in draft form, for the MDE to add and approve their portions highlighted in yellow. The resolution certifies funds on hand as of April 7, 2026, and the sources and uses of funds. Approval also authorizes the mayor to execute the final agreement once routed back from MDE as the listed signatory in the original application. Staff recommend approving this amendment.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 36 of 2026 – Amending Resolution No. 25 of 2026 for $97,833.00, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Grant Funding Assistance for the Redwood Falls Public Library Meeting Room Renovation Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 36 of 2026 – Amending Resolution No. 25 of 2026 for $97,833.00, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Grant Funding Assistance for the Redwood Falls Public Library Meeting Room Renovation Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced the Library Expansion Project – Change Order #2.
Mr. Doering stated staff is recommending the approval of Change Order (CO) No. 2 for the addition of a 220V exterior outlet on the building, a youth height toilet with necessary plumbing and grab bars in the family bathroom space. In addition, the unplanned costs incurred with discovery and sealing of a well, an associated cistern, previous home foundation removal, and necessary soil corrections due to these discoveries. Approval will allow the City Administrator to execute the CO. Change Order No. 2 is being presented due to additions and circumstances described above. Change orders will be drawn from the 5% contingency allocated in the project budget.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the Library Expansion Project – Change Order #2. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 37 of 2026 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City.
Ms. Klages stated Minnesota Statute Sec. 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. 37 authorizes the acceptance of a financial contribution in the amount of $10,820 from Reforest Redwood Falls. This donation is for the replacement of trees at Johnson Park and Perks Park, which were removed due to the presence of Emerald Ash Borer. The donation covers the total cost of replacement trees.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 37 of 2026 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 37 of 2026 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced the Final Pay Request for Airport Hangar and Taxi Lanes Pavement Maintenance.
Mr. Doering stated Council approved the FAA grant submission for the MNDOT Aeronautics Hangar and Taxi lanes Pavement Maintenance (A6401-63 Project) Grant Application project at the regularly scheduled meeting held on December 2, 2025, through Resolution No. 83 of 2025. MnDOT Aeronautics has issued the state companion grant agreement 1062007 for Council approval and signature.
Mr. Doering stated Council approved Resolution No. 5 at the January 20, 2026, meeting that allowed access to reimbursable funds through MNDOT Aeronautics. The State funding portion is $46,614.75 and the local share of $19,977.75 (70/30) will be funded through the Airport Project Fund. The total project cost is $66,592.50 per the approved quote provided by Pearson Brothers Inc. on December 2, 2025, with Resolution No. 83 of 2025. Staff recommend approval of the final pay request for $66,592.50 with check disbursement contingent upon receipt of the certified prevailing wage payroll reports and MN IC134s.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the Final Pay Request for Airport Hangar and Taxi Lanes Pavement Maintenance. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Agenda Item 9K - Establish City Council Work Session Agenda.
Mr. Muetzel stated the next City Council work session is scheduled for June 30, 2026. In order to prepare for the meeting and ensure adequate time is allowed for each agenda item, Staff is requesting Council formally establish the work session agenda. The following items have been suggested as agenda items:
1. Regulations for Fences Constructed within Utility Easements
2. Regulations for E-Bikes and E-Scooters
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the City Council Work Session Agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council Member Smith requested an update on the repairs that had been completed on Hwy 71/Bridge Street.
City Administrator Muetzel stated MnDOT completed short-term pavement maintenance repairs on Bridge Street and that will most likely be all the repairs completed this year. Staff will continue to have conversations with MnDOT regarding the long-term approach for repairs on Bridge Street and a start date for the planned construction work on the Y-intersection.
City Administrator Muetzel stated there is a lot of utility work being completed in the community, including burying electric lines and replacing underground gas lines by Great Plains Natural Gas. Nuvera will also be continuing the project to install new fiber lines in the community.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the recently constructed spec home in Reflections Prairie has received a purchase agreement and the sale is pending.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the fencing was installed at the new pickleball courts in Ramsey Park. The courts are scheduled to be ready for use by the end of July.
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 Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 5:54 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.