TUESDAY, JULY 21, 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, July 21, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Jim Sandgren, Denise Kerkhoff, and Shannon Guetter were present, constituting a quorum. Council Member Larry Arentson 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 Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the July 7, 2026, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the following item on the Consent Agenda:
1. Temporary On-Sale Liquor Application – Church of St. Catherine’s
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced the Lead Water Service Line Replacement Project – Plans, Specs, and Bid Advertisement.
Mr. Doering stated Resolution No. 27 of 2025 authorized the application to the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for grant dollars to replace up to 149 inventoried lead/galvanized service lines. This also authorized the submittal to be listed on the project priority list for the Drinking Water Revolving Fund Dollars. The project grant was for 100% of the replacement costs which would start at 50% grant and 50% forgivable loan dollars upon project completion. On March 17, 2026, Council approved a grant application with Resolution No. 20 of 2026. Bolton & Menk Inc. (BMI) have put together the advertisement for bids, bid specifications and plan set for Phase I of Lead Service Line Replacements 2026.
Mr. Doering stated BMI and Staff are required to provide as-bid results to finalize the “Project Order” (PO) document that accompanies the Master Service Agreement with MDH. Upon receipt of an approved PO securing the MDH funding and reimbursement channels, the contracts can be finalized and the replacements can commence. Bids are planned to be opened at 10:00 a.m. on August 13th, 2026 to be reviewed and acted upon at the August 18th, 2026 Council Meeting.
Mr. Doering stated the volume of requests has exceeded the budgeted amount that MPFA was legislatively authorized for, and they have reduced the City’s replacement project to a multi-year-phased approach of up to $1,000,000.00 per year. The total cost of the project for the projected 40 replacements is $1,000,000.00. The current inventory has 167 services inventoried as lead or galvanized to be replaced with an estimated cost of $5,010,000.00 that will continue to grow as more lead services are identified. Staff recommend approving the plans, specs, and authorizing advertisement for bids, for Phase I of Lead Service Line Replacements 2026.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the Lead
Water Service Line Replacement Project – Plans, Specs, and Bid Advertisement. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 45 of 2026 – A Resolution Accepting Donations to the City.
Ms. Klages stated Minnesota Statutes §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. 45 authorizes the acceptance of three financial contributions totaling $175,000 in support of the local match requirement for the Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation trail project. The contributions include $10,000 from St. John Lutheran, $40,000 from the Redwood Area School District, and $125,000 from the CentraCare Foundation.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Resolution No. 45 of 2026 – A Resolution Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 45 of 2026 – A Resolution Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush thanked Council Member Sandgren and the Redwood County Fair Board for a successful Redwood County Fair.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the candidate filing period for elected City Office positions opened on July 14th and remains open until 5:00 p.m. on July 28th. Positions on the ballot for the November General Election include Mayor, Ward 3 Council Member, and At-Large Council Member. As of today, the City has received three affidavits of candidacy, one affidavit for Ward 3 Council Member from Larry Arentson, two affidavits for Mayor from Tom Quackenbush and Dennie Moore Jr. Staff have not received any affidavits for candidacy for the At-Large Council Member position.
City Administrator Muetzel stated Street Superintendent Darren Hacker announced his resignation from the Street Department. The Street Superintendent position will be posted and open to receive applications until August 24th, 2026.
Mayor Quackenbush requested an update on the airport construction project.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering stated crews will be working through the night to complete the grooving on the runways to keep the pavement cool while working. Crews are also continuing to complete the lighting. The airport’s tentative opening date remains on August 7th with a potential opening date of July 31st in order to accommodate airport traffic for Farmfest. Staff will be reaching out to the FAA to request a partial opening for Farmfest traffic during daylight hours only.
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 Guetter and seconded by Council Member Smith to adjourn the meeting at 5:11 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.