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 15, 2025, 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 Guetter to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the April 1, 2025 minutes and April 7, 2025 minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the following item on the Consent Agenda:
1. Parade Permit – Dakota Wicohan MMIR Walk
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush opened a public hearing at 5:02 p.m. to discuss delinquent utility accounts and surcharges.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 21 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts and Resolution No. 22 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Surcharges.
Ms. Klages stated the proposed Resolutions are to adopt assessments for delinquent utility accounts and surcharges that are more than 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 billing and the ability to disclose the information to new property owners. The delinquent account resolutions will be presented each year at the first meeting in January, April, July, and October.
Ms. Klages further explained the delinquent process. Delinquent letters are first mailed to the utility account holders. Delinquent letters are then mailed to the property owners if not collected from the account holders. Electricity consumed by a tenant is not assessable to the property. Any unpaid balance is then brought to Council to be approved by resolution. Any pending assessments passed by resolution and still outstanding as of November 1st will be charged a $50.00 fee and are then transferred to Redwood County to be assessed on the tax rolls.
No one was present to provide comments during the hearing.
Mayor Quackenbush closed the public hearing at 5:03 p.m.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Resolution No. 21 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 21 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Delinquent Accounts. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 22 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Surcharges. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 22 of 2025 – Resolution Adopting Assessments for Unpaid Surcharges. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Ordinance No. 96, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Real Property Located Within the City of Redwood Falls.
Mr. Dammann stated the proposed Ordinance was introduced at the April 7, 2025, Special City Council Meeting. On February 10, 2025, the Redwood Falls Port Authority held a public hearing on the sale of the subject property located at 750 South Dekalb Street, Redwood Falls, Minnesota, identified by Parcel ID #88-655-0400, and legally described as, Lot One (1) of Block Four (4) of the Prairie Knoll Addition to the City of Redwood Falls, to JJ Holdings LLC, whose proposal includes plans to construct an orthodontic clinic on the property. The Port Authority approved the submitted plans and specifications and found that the proposal was in the best interests of the district and its people, and that the transaction furthered the general plan of Port Authority improvement. The Port Authority authorized sale and closing on the approved purchase agreement.
Mr. Dammann stated it was later discovered that the subject property is actually owned by the City of Redwood Falls, not the Port Authority. Pursuant to Section 12.05 of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Redwood Falls, Minnesota, as amended December 5, 1978, no real property of the City shall be disposed of except by Ordinance. To effectuate the sale of the subject property as originally planned, Staff recommends approval of Ordinance No. 96.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Ordinance No. 96, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Certain Real Property Located Within the City of Redwood Falls. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.
AYE: Council Members Smith, Kerkhoff, Sandgren, Arentson, and Guetter
NO: None
City Attorney Dammann introduced Ordinance No. 95, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending The Redwood Falls City Code of Ordinances §6.23 Pertaining to the Regulation and Sale of Tobacco.
Mr. Dammann stated Staff is proposing changes to the Redwood Falls City Code of Ordinances to make the City’s regulation of tobacco consistent with Minnesota law, to enforce and further existing laws, to further the official public policy of the state to prevent young people from starting to smoke, and to avoid adverse impact upon the health, safety, and general welfare of the city. Proposed amendments to Redwood Falls City Code §6.23 include, raising the minimum legal sales age for commercial tobacco products to 21; modifying fines and penalties for violations of the ordinance, updating compliance check protocols, eliminating criminal penalties for underage possession and use, requiring licensees to check photo identification to verify the age of anyone under the age of 30, requiring MLSA signage at every licensed retail location, and updating pertinent definitions. If there are no concerns, the proposed ordinance will be discussed again at the next Council Meeting on May 6, 2025, and request for approval by motion in accordance with Chapter 4 of the City Charter.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 95, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending The Redwood Falls City Code of Ordinances §6.23 Pertaining to the Regulation and Sale of Tobacco. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Library Director Connie Lechner was present to introduce Resolution No. 23 of 2025 – Resolution Accepting Donations to the City.
Ms. Lechner stated Resolution 23 of 2025 authorizes the acceptance of a donation from the Redwood Area Library Foundation (RALF) in the amount of $76,686.37. The majority of this donation will reimburse the City for library expansion-related expenses paid to Engan Associates, Inc., including the final payment for schematic design services, mileage for an on-site engineering visit, and full payment for completed design development work. Additionally, $515.37 of the donation is designated by a specific donor to support the children’s area and related programming. Staff is requesting approval to accept the financial donation from RALF for the expenses.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 23 of 2025 – Resolution Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 23 of 2025 – Resolution Accepting Donations to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Street Maintenance Worker Position.
Mr. Muetzel stated the hiring committee has completed the selection process for the street maintenance worker position. The committee interviewed three applicants and recommends approval of an internal transfer of Pete Albu. Pete is the current water/wastewater foreman. Considering recent staff changes in the water/wastewater department, the proposed transfer is planned to take effect on September 15, 2025.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the Street Maintenance Worker Position to Pete Albu. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 24 of 2025 – Authorization to Execute Task Order No. 2025-4 For Redwood Falls Municipal Airport 80’ x 80’ Hangar Construction and Administration Including Bid Award With Contingencies.
Mr. Doering stated Resolution No. 24 authorizes the bid award to Everstrong Construction Inc. for the Airport 80’ x 80’ hangar construction contingent upon approval and subsequent grant agreement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for $837,042.32. The award approves the 80’ x 80’hangar base bid with Bid Alternate No. 1, price increase for a hydraulic door and bid alternate No. 2, price increase for in-floor heat. In addition, Resolution No. 24 approves the Construction and Administration Task Order No. 2025-4 with Bolton & Menk Inc. which would fall under the same contingencies.
Mr. Doering stated bids were received digitally and opened at 11:00 a.m. on April 9, 2025. Two bids were received for the Bid-Design-Build solicitation:
Everstrong Construction $837,042.32
APX Construction Group $1,015,522.00
The engineer’s estimate for the project was $1,004,000.00. The anticipated funding participation rates are 95% Federal, 2.5% State, and 2.5% Local.
Mr. Doering stated Council approved the Airport Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) on September 17, 2024. This hangar project is listed on the CIP for 2025 construction and the 2025 proposed budget. Council also approved the solicitation of bids by Resolution 18 of 2025 on March 18, 2025. Execution of the Federal and State grants by Council is anticipated to take place at the first meeting in August 2025. Construction can then commence upon execution of the grant. The expected first draw of the grant to cover accrued expenses would begin in September 2025. Staff recommends approval.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to waive the reading of Resolution No. 24 of 2025 – Authorization to Execute Task Order No. 2025-4 For Redwood Falls Municipal Airport 80’ x 80’ Hangar Construction and Administration Including Bid Award With Contingencies. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 24 of 2025 – Authorization to Execute Task Order No. 2025-4 For Redwood Falls Municipal Airport 80’ x 80’ Hangar Construction and Administration Including Bid Award With Contingencies. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Agenda Item 9E - Establish City Council Work Session Agenda.
Mr. Muetzel stated the next City Council work session is scheduled for April 29, 2025. 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. Library Expansion Project Update
2. Tree Committee
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the City Council Work Session Agenda as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush requested an update from Staff on tariff concerns, tree removal process, and the City’s Nuisance Tree Policy.
City Administrator Muetzel stated Staff have not noticed any contractual changes or increases due to impending tariffs but have noticed the duration that quotes are valid for has been shortened.
City Administrator Muetzel stated tree removals have ceased for the year. Staff will begin with stump grinding and grass restoration. The only trees that would be removed at this time of year would be time-sensitive because it is a hazardous or a nuisance tree. The City doesn’t currently own a stump grinder large enough to handle a majority of the tree stumps. The City contracts out the work to remove the tree stumps. Staff will investigate the cost of purchasing a stand-alone stump grinder. There is currently a Nuisance Tree Policy in place to handle dead or diseased trees. Staff will evaluate that policy and determine if it needs to be updated with the potential for increased nuisance trees from Emerald Ash Borer.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering stated Holtmeier Construction will be digging in an emergency sewer service at the entrance of the Presbyterian Church on Fourth Street. It was revealed that there were two sewer services coming out of the Church and only one was connected and the other one that serviced the old part of the church was missed. In order to tie in the missed sewer line, they will have to dig from the front doors of the Church and east 30 feet starting on Wednesday, April 16.
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 Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 5:42 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.