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, April 3, 2018, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Council Members Paul DeBlieck, Matt Smith, Larry Arentson, Jim Sandgren and John T. Buckley were present constituting a quorum. Mayor Corey Theis was absent.
In the Mayor’s absence, Council President John T. Buckley presided over the meeting.
Also present were Administrator Keith Muetzel, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering and Council Secretary Amy Kerkhoff. Director of Finance & Administrative Services Melissa Meyer and City Attorney Amy Busse were absent.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith approving the agenda as presented. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member DeBlieck and seconded by Council Member Arentson approving the March 20, 2018, minutes as presented. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren unanimously approving the following Consent Agenda items:
1. Recommendations from Hospital Credentialing Committee
2. Front-End Loader Trade Agreement
3. 2017 Fixed Asset Disposal List
Council President John Buckley opened the public hearing at 5:02 p.m. to discuss Resolution No. 22 of 2018 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts.
No one was present to voice any concerns and Council President Buckley closed the public hearing at 5:03 p.m.
City Administrator Keith Muetzel discussed the notification process of delinquent utility charges and unpaid maintenance costs 30 days past due. Similar resolutions are brought to the City Council on a quarterly basis in order to improve the time between the delinquent utility bills and the City’s ability to disclose the information to new owners. A delinquent account resolution will be presented at the first meetings in January, April, July and October of each year.
Mr. Muetzel stated delinquent letters are mailed to the utility account holders on a quarterly basis. If the balances are not collected from the account holders, delinquent letters are then mailed to the property owners. Delinquent balances meeting the assessment guidelines are published as a requirement of the public hearing process. Any unpaid balances are brought to the City Council to be approved by resolution. The pending assessments already passed by resolution that remain outstanding as of November 1, 2018, will be charged an administrative fee of $50.00 and transferred to the Redwood County Assessor’s Office to be assessed on the tax rolls.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck to waive the reading of Resolution No. 22 of 2018 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member DeBlieck and seconded by Council Member Smith approving Resolution No. 22 of 2018 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 23 of 2018 – A Resolution to Authorize a PERA Actuarial Study under Minnesota Statute § 353F was presented by Redwood Area Hospital CEO Bryan Lydick and Human Resource Manager Jody Rindfleisch.
Mr. Lydick stated the Hospital is a public employer participating in the Coordinated Plan of PERA and both the employer and employees contribute to the plan. Minnesota Statute § 353F provides enhanced benefits to employees in the event of privatization. These benefits are designed to offset some of the adverse effects of terminating PERA-covered services prior to retirement. The Hospital Commission approved the request to conduct the PERA Actuarial Study at the Hospital Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, and recommended approval.
Ms. Rindfleisch stated PERA has an established process under the terms of Chapter 353F. This process requires a resolution supporting the enhanced termination benefits available under Chapter 353F, authorizing the PERA Actuarial Study and agreeing to pay the full cost of preparing the necessary actuarial calculations with half of the amount paid prior to the commencement of the study.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 23 of 2018 – A Resolution to Authorize a PERA Actuarial Study under Minnesota Statute § 353F. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson approving Resolution No. 23 of 2018 – A Resolution to Authorize a PERA Actuarial Study under Minnesota Statute § 353F. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Resolution No. 24 of 2018 – In the Matter of the Orderly Annexation between the City of Redwood Falls and Redwood Township Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 414.0325 was presented by City Administrator Keith Muetzel.
Mr. Muetzel stated Joe Thielen filed a petition requesting annexation into the City in order to be connected to City’s utilities. The total area to be annexed is 6.0 acres and is currently part of Redwood Township. The lump sum payment due to Redwood Township for the lost property taxes is $126.30. Pursuant to Minnesota Statute § 414.0325, annexing the property can occur when a property owner files a petition requesting the annexation and the respective township is in agreement with the annexation. The Redwood Township addressed the proposed annexation at their board meeting on March 26, 2018, and are not opposing the request and signed the proposed Joint Resolution of Orderly Annexation.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member DeBlieck to waive the reading of Resolution No. 24 of 2018 – In the Matter of the Orderly Annexation between the City of Redwood Falls and Redwood Township Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 414.0325. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Sandgren approving Resolution No. 24 of 2018 – In the Matter of the Orderly Annexation between the City of Redwood Falls and Redwood Township Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes § 414.0325. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering discussed the 2018 Seal Coat Improvement Project.
Mr. Doering stated the 2018 Seal Coat Improvement Project has a budgeted construction estimate of $250,000 for streets and alleyways. Development of bid specs, hosting and contract development will be $9,500. Construction costs with the work order are estimated at $268,000.
Mr. Doering stated staff recommends the solicitation of bids in anticipation of a competitive response within budget. On April 26, 2018, a bid opening will be conducted with an award and financing recommendation to be presented on May 1, 2018. The anticipated start date will be after August 1, 2018, to allow the Street Department time for crack sealing and patching of the project area, which is budgeted for an additional $75,000.
Mr. Doering stated the project area consists of all streets east of the MnDOT Bridge on TH 19, north of TH 19/71 (Bridge Street) and west of County Highway 101. In addition, to seal coating, the project scope includes seal coating of the public parking lots by the ELCA Synod offices, Johnson Park trails, Legion Park trails, Ramsey Park parking lots and roadways and the River Link Trail down to South Main Street.
A motion was made by Council Member DeBlieck and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the advertisement for bids for the 2018 Seal Coat Improvement Project and to execute Work Order 2017-3 for $9,500. 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 Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to adjourn the meeting at 5:17 p.m. Motion was carried by unanimous vote.