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, February 20, 2018, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Corey Theis, Council Members Paul DeBlieck, Matt Smith, Larry Arentson, Jim Sandgren and John T. Buckley were present constituting a quorum.
Also present were Director of Finance & Administrative Services Melissa Meyer, City Attorney Amy Busse, Public Works Projects Coordinator Jim Doering and Council Secretary Amy Kerkhoff. City Administrator Keith Muetzel was absent.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley approving the agenda with the following changes: Add Consent Agenda 6.D. “Approve Commission Appointment.” Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith approving the February 6, 2018, minutes as presented. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson unanimously approving the following Consent Agenda items:
1. Purchase of Crack Filling Tar Kettle.
2. Fire Department Secretary Stipend.
3. Commission Appointment.
City Attorney Amy Busse presented Ordinance No. 59, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Enacting and Adopting a Supplement to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Redwood Falls.
Ms. Busse stated the proposed ordinance was introduced at the February 6, 2018, City Council meeting. Notice of tonight’s meeting was posted on February 9, 2018, as required by law. As part of the City’s Supplement Service Plan with American Legal Publishing Corporation for the codification service agreement, staff received the Eighth Supplement to the Code of Ordinances. Ordinance No. 54-58, Fourth Series, and other amendments have now been incorporated into the code and are ready for your adoption.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Ordinance No. 59, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Enacting and Adopting a Supplement to the Code of Ordinances for the City of Redwood Falls. Motion was passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members DeBlieck, Smith, Arentson, Sandgren and Buckley.
NO: No one
City Attorney Amy Busse presented Ordinance No. 60, Fourth Series – An Ordinance of the City of Redwood Falls Extending the Term and Modify Section 4.1 (a) of the Franchise Agreement with New Ulm Telecom, Inc.
Ms. Busse stated the proposed ordinance was introduced at the February 6, 2018, City Council meeting. Notice of tonight’s meeting was posted on February 9, 2018, as required by law.
Ms. Busse stated per City Charter Chapter 10, Section 10.05, every extension, renewal or modification of any existing franchise or of any franchise granted hereafter shall be subject to the same limitations and shall be granted in the same manner as a new franchise. As such, the request by New Ulm Telecom to extend their franchise and modify one section of the franchise can only be granted by ordinance.
Ms. Busse stated the initial franchise agreement with New Ulm Telecom was executed in 2002. Despite it being 15 years since the execution of the agreement, the vast majority of the terms and conditions are still applicable, relevant, and current. New Ulm Telecom is only requesting to modify Section 4.1 (a) which pertains to minimum channel capacity. The requested modification indicates that New Ulm Telecom now provides internet protocol (IP) technology to deliver a minimum of seventy-six (76) channels instead of 550 MHz equipment. Upon adoption of the ordinance, the franchise will be extended for ten (10) years.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck to approve Ordinance No. 60, Fourth Series – An Ordinance of the City of Redwood Falls Extending the Term and Modify Section 4.1 (a) of the Franchise Agreement with New Ulm Telecom, Inc. Motion was passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members DeBlieck, Smith, Arentson, Sandgren and Buckley.
NO: No one
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering discussed Redwood Falls Industries development proposal.
Mr. Doering stated the City received a request from Redwood Falls Industries to rezone 100 Airport Road to a Planned Unit Development (PUD). The proposed plans are to construct six (6) commercial buildings to be used as business incubators or storage buildings for contractors. The Planning Commission has reviewed Redwood Falls Industries’ request for zoning and platting and recommends approval.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley approving the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve Redwood Falls Industries’ request to rezone 100 Airport Road, Airport Second Addition, Lot 3, Block 4, parcel 88-216-0140 from a B-3 to a PUD. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith approving the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve Redwood Falls Industries’ proposed plat. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering discussed Redwood Falls Industries plat amendment and vacation of easements.
Mr. Doering stated the City received a request from Redwood Falls Industries to vacate the easements on the south side of lots 8-13 of block 1 and to approve the preliminary plat for the Redwood Valley Fifth Addition. The Planning Commission has reviewed the request to vacate the easements and the preliminary plat and recommends approval.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley approving the Planning Commission’s recommendation to approve Redwood Falls Industries’ request to vacate the easements along the south side of the Redwood Valley Fifth Addition. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley approving the amendment of the plat for the Redwood Valley Fifth Addition. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Director of Finance & Administrative Services Melissa Meyer discussed a request to adjust a water reconnection fee for the utility account at 417 East Second Street.
Ms. Meyer stated Rebecca Sheeley is requesting a refund of $12.50 for a water reconnection fee. Ms. Sheeley originally paid both the water reconnection fee in the amount of $37.50 and the electric reconnection fee in the amount of $45.00 on November 9, 2017. At that time, Ms. Sheeley decided to leave the water off at the curb stop and only reconnect the electric service.
Ms. Meyer stated after a month of inactivity, staff reversed the water reconnection fee on the account. On January 11, 2018, Ms. Sheeley requested the water be reconnected. Due to a rate increase on January 1, 2018, the water reconnection fee increased to $50.00. Staff recommends denying the request to be consistent with past practices.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson denying Ms. Sheeley’s water reconnection fee refund. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 11 of 2018 – MnDOT State Aid for Local Transportation Municipal State Aid Street Funds Advance Resolution was presented by Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering.
Mr. Doering stated the City is allotted $248,353.00 in construction funds for upgrading the MSAS routes in the City limits. The 2018 reimbursement requests for Gould Street and signal replacements on Swain Street, DeKalb Street and the new Union Drive signal will exceed the City’s MSAS allotment. After the 2017 advance dollars have been repaid, the current balance is $160,591.71.
Mr. Doering stated MnDOT allows advancement requests that do not exceed (4) four years of allotments. The Gould Street Reconstruction Project will require an additional $320,000.00 in MSAS funds. Signal replacements and other City responsible costs will require an additional $312,000.00 in MSAS eligible funds. Staff is recommending the advancement request of $471,408.29 to meet reimbursement needs to complete the Gould Street Project and signal replacement in 2018.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 11 of 2018 – MnDOT State Aid for Local Transportation Municipal State Aid Street Funds Advance Resolution. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley approving Resolution No. 11 of 2018 – MnDOT State Aid for Local Transportation Municipal State Aid Street Funds Advance Resolution. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 12 of 2018 – Resolution for Parallel Parking on DeKalb Street from Meadow Lane to Bridge Street as Required by State Aid Standards was presented by Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering.
Mr. Doering stated in conjunction with the DeKalb Street Reconstruction Project with Redwood County, the approved State Aid design standards limit parking on DeKalb Street to parallel parking. This requirement needs to be ratified by the City Council prior to the submission of final plans and specs. Staff recommends the approval of the resolution.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck to waive the reading of Resolution No. 12 of 2018 – Resolution for Parallel Parking on DeKalb Street from Meadow Lane to Bridge Street as Required by State Aid Standards. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck approving Resolution No. 12 of 2018 – Resolution for Parallel Parking on DeKalb Street from Meadow Lane to Bridge Street as Required by State Aid Standards. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 13 of 2018 – Resolution for Approving County Project within Municipal Corporate Limits State Aid for Local Transportation was presented by Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering.
Mr. Doering stated it is required that municipalities review and approve plans for County road construction projects that are within the municipal corporate limits. Appointed City Engineer Andrew Kehren, P.E. and staff have worked extensively with Redwood County developing the plan set and specifications and are recommending approval.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 13 of 2018 – Resolution for Approving County Project within Municipal Corporate Limits State Aid for Local Transportation. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member DeBlieck and seconded by Council Member Buckley approving Resolution No. 13 of 2018 – Resolution for Parallel Parking on DeKalb Street from Meadow Lane to Bridge Street as Required by State Aid Standards. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 14 of 2018 – Authorization to Execute the Plum Creek Library System Agreement with All Changes was presented by Library Director Teri Smith.
Ms. Smith stated the Plum Creek Library System Agency Agreement is made and entered into by the counties of Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 471.59 and § 134.20 and by those municipalities within these counties having a public library and those libraries, whose names appear as signatories on the agreement.
Ms. Smith stated the members have agreed that the extension and improvement of public library services in these jurisdictions can be accomplished as authorized and described in the agreement.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck to waive the reading of Resolution No. 14 of 2018 – Authorization to Execute the Plum Creek Library System Agreement with All Changes. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith approving Resolution No. 14 of 2018 – Authorization to Execute the Plum Creek Library System Agreement with All Changes. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 15 of 2018 – Authorization to Approve Quote and Proceed with the Demolition of the Building Located at 420 East Fifth Street, Redwood Falls, MN was presented by Library Director Teri Smith.
Ms. Smith stated three demolition and site restoration quotes were obtained from local area contractors. TNT Construction/Kerkhoff, Inc. provided the lowest qualified quote in the amount of $31,000.00. All three quotes did not include asbestos remediation which is to be performed under a separate contract.
Ms. Smith stated staff requests City Council approval to accept the quote of $31,000.00 from TNT Construction/Kerkhoff, Inc. for the demolition of the former Harvest Baptist Church building on the property adjacent to the library.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck to waive the reading of Resolution No. 15 of 2018 – Authorization to Approve Quote and Proceed with the Demolition of the Building Located at 420 East Fifth Street, Redwood Falls, MN. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley approving Resolution No. 15 of 2018 – Authorization to Approve Quote and Proceed with the Demolition of the Building Located at 420 East Fifth Street, Redwood Falls, MN. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 16 of 2018 – Authorization to Accept Bid and Proceed with the Asbestos Abatement of the Building Located at 420 East Fifth Street, Redwood Falls was presented by Library Director Teri Smith.
Ms. Smith stated Advanced Health, Safety and Security did an inspection of the church property and recommends containment and removal of hazardous materials from the building prior to demolition. Staff requests City Council approval to accept the estimated quote of $2,180.00 from Advanced Health, Safety and Security for asbestos containment and removal.
A motion was made by Council Member DeBlieck and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Resolution No. 16 of 2018 – Authorization to Accept Bid and Proceed with the Asbestos Abatement of the Building Located at 420 East Fifth Street, Redwood Falls. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck approving Resolution No. 16 of 2018 – Authorization to Accept Bid and Proceed with the Asbestos Abatement of the Building Located at 420 East Fifth Street, Redwood Falls. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering discussed the 2018 City Archery Deer Hunt program.
Mr. Doering stated the 2018 Archery Deer Hunt Committee met on February 8, 2018, to review the 2017 results and identified proposed changes to the program.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson approving the submittal of the 2018 Archery Deer Hunt application to the Department of Natural Resources and to implement the 2018 fees at $20.00 for the proficiency test and $40.00 for the hunting fee. Motion was passed by the following roll call vote:
AYE: Council Members Smith, Arentson, Sandgren, and Buckley
NO: Council Member DeBlieck
Police Chief Jason Cotner was present to discuss a recommendation to install a stop sign on Wyoming Street at the Lincoln Street intersection.
Chief Cotner stated in the past several years there has been a higher than normal number of accidents at the Lincoln Street and Wyoming Street intersection. There have also been several near collisions witnessed by Redwood Falls Police officers at this location. A contributing factor for all the accidents was due to the driver’s failure to yield. After an examination of the intersection, staff feels the eastbound and westbound driver’s field of view is obstructed by structures and trees. The Police Commission has reviewed the request and recommends approval.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck approving the Police Commission’s recommendation to install a stop sign on Wyoming Street at the Lincoln Street intersection. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
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 DeBlieck and seconded by Council Member Buckley to adjourn the meeting at 6:03 p.m. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.