MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2020
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Redwood Falls City Council was called to order by telephone and other electronic means on Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Larry Arentson, Jim Sandgren, John T. Buckley, and Denise Kerkhoff were present constituting a quorum.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Director of Finance & Administrative Services Melissa Meyer, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and Council Secretary Caitlin Kodet.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the agenda. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Sandgren, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the June 2, 2020, minutes as presented. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Sandgren, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None
Mayor Quackenbush introduced the Police Commission Appointment.
Mayor Quackenbush expressed his appreciation to the members of the community, organizer Dan Kates, Chief of Police Jason Cotner, Police Department, Street Department, and other City staff for the successful Community March that took place on June 5, 2020.
Mayor Quackenbush stated in preparation for the March on June 5, 2020 staff had the opportunity to meet Dan Kates and learn more about him and understand his mission. After consulting with Chief Cotner regarding the current vacant position on the Police Commission, Mayor Quackenbush requested Council approval to appoint Dan Kates to the Police Commission.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Police Commission Appointment to Dan Kates. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Sandgren, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan for Approval.
Mr. Muetzel stated the Governor’s Executive Order 20-74 requires critical sector businesses, including local government entities, to adopt a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. Previously, only non-critical businesses were required to have a Preparedness Plan. On May 15, 2020, City administration developed a Preparedness Plan and distributed it to all City departments and employees. The Preparedness Plan addresses the following items: Prompt identification and isolation of sick workers and workers exposed to sickness; Reducing the spread of
COVID-19 in the workplace; Additional information and resources; and Communication and Training. To ensure compliance with Executive Order 20-74, staff requests Council adoption of the City’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Sandgren, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None
Parks & Rec Director Ross Nachreiner was present to provide Council with an update regarding Parks & Rec operations.
Mr. Nachreiner stated the Governor announced updated guidance regarding Parks & Rec activities on June 5, 2020. The Redwood Area Community Center (RACC) opened on June 10 to members only, no daily passes would be allowed. The RACC is currently allowed to have a maximum capacity of 25 patrons at a time. All memberships have been extended for three months.
Mr. Nachreiner stated the Governor has categorized youth and adult activities into three categories. The activity categories are low, moderate, and high risk. Low-risk activities are allowed to return and the youth activities will begin in July with groups of 10 or less. Adult leagues will begin later in June.
Mr. Nachreiner stated staff received 27 certified lifeguard applications for employment with the Aquatic Center. Due to the unknown opening date, almost half of the original applicants have chosen employment elsewhere. There will be six new lifeguards taking the certification class. Due to staffing and sanitizing requirements, there will not be any pool parties, water aerobics, private lessons, tent rentals, or chairs available. Customers will be allowed to bring in their own chairs for use at the pool. Maximum occupancy of the Aquatic Center is 595 people, under the current guidelines the pool is allowed to be open at 50% occupancy. Pool staff has decided to allow a maximum of 200 total occupants and no seasonal passes will be sold, only day passes or 20 and 40 punch passes. The scheduled opening for the Aquatic Center is June 29. Open swim hours will be different from previous years due to extra cleaning between swimming lessons and open swim.
Mr. Nachreiner stated the campground is being reserved at the current maximum capacity on the weekends and being utilized by a large number of campers during the week. Staff is not allowing reservations in the tent area. Campers that would like to tent can reserve a camper spot and have up to two tents on each site. Shelters can still be reserved with groups of 25 or less or up to 250 people for weddings or funerals as long as social distancing is followed.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering introduced the Airport Entitlement Repayment Agreement.
Mr. Doering stated staff is recommending approval for the entitlement repayment and transfer of funds to the City of Rushford, MN for repayment of loaned entitlement funds for the “2018 7-Bay Hangar Project” in the amount of $263,805.00. Funds include $124,370.00 from 2019 and $139,435 from 2020. Council’s approval will authorize the City Administrator to sign and execute required transfer documents.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Airport Entitlement Repayment Agreement in the amount of $263,805.00 to the City of Rushford, MN. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Sandgren, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 29 of 2020 – Minnesota Department of Transportation Cooperative Construction Agreement.
Mr. Doering stated the MN Department of Transportation Cooperative Agreement number 1035946 is for the Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon construction and maintenance at the intersection of Lincoln and TH 19-US71. The agreement outlines work in the right of way, contract award responsibilities, needed permits, maintenance by the City, and supply of power to the units. Staff is in support of approving Resolution No. 29 of 2020.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 29 of 2020 – Minnesota Department of Transportation Cooperative Construction Agreement Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Sandgren, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 29 of 2020 – Minnesota Department of Transportation Cooperative Construction Agreement Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Sandgren, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None
City Administrator Muetzel stated the June 30, 2020 City Council Work Session is canceled based on staff recommendation.
City Administrator Muetzel stated due to the lightened COVID-19 restrictions, beginning in July the regularly scheduled Council meetings could resume in the Council Chambers and will no longer be hosted by telephone or other electronic means only. Council members and staff will maintain the recommended six-foot spacing throughout the meeting.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to resume the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting, in-person, in the Council Chambers. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Sandgren, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None
Bills and Claims were presented to Council for informational purposes. No questions, comments, or concerns were raised.
There being no further business, a motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 5:56 p.m. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Arentson, Sandgren, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None