MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2022
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 19, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and John T. Buckley were present, constituting a quorum. Council Member Matt Smith was absent.
Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Finance Director Kari Klages, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and Council Secretary Caitlin Kodet.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the April 5, 2022, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the April 5, 2022, Board of Equalization and Review minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the following item on the Consent Agenda.
1. Appoint Administrative Hearing Officer
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush opened a public hearing at 5:02 p.m. to discuss the Small Cities Development Program Grant.
Jeff Buesing, Housing Rehab Coordinator with United Community Action Partnership was present to give an update on the progress of the Small Cities Development Program Grant.
Mr. Buesing stated there are two categories of the grant available to residents. In regard to the commercial portion of the grant, there are two (2) projects completed, two (2) projects in progress, and three (3) projects out for bids. $135,926 of the designated commercial grant dollars have been spent. Progress has been a little slower for residential applicants. One (1) project has been completed, five (5) are out for bids, and four (4) need to be inspected prior to approval. The increase in material cost is slowing the completion of projects. The grant deadline for commercial and residential projects is September 30, 2023. There are two target areas of the City that can apply for the grant. If a previous application was denied due to income levels, individuals can reapply if their income has changed. All residents in the target areas are encouraged to apply.
No one was present to voice any concerns.
Mayor Quackenbush closed the public hearing at 5:14 p.m.
Parks & Recreation Director Ross Nachreiner was present to discuss the Celebrate Redwood Falls – NightFalls Event City Assistance Request.
Mr. Nachreiner stated City Staff received a request from the Celebrate Redwood Falls Committee for assistance with the upcoming NightFalls event to be held on Thursday, May 5, Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 8:30 to 11:00 p.m. at Ramsey Park.
Craig and Cindy LaBrie were present on behalf of the Celebrate Redwood Falls Committee to answer questions regarding the NightFalls event.
Mr. Nachreiner stated the committee is requesting the following for the NightFalls event:
• Use of the park for setup scheduled for April 30-May 4 and teardown scheduled for May 8-May 13.
• Use of the Falls & Zeb Gray Shelter (use would include decorating with lights but open for daytime use/reservations)
• Event attendees will have the option to walk the trails or drive through the park to see the light displays. Walking the park will be encouraged as many of the trails will be lit. One-way traffic would enter Grove St. and exit Oak St. The entrance and exit will be staffed by Celebrate Redwood Falls volunteers. They will also have volunteers at all parking entrances/exits to ensure traffic goes the correct direction.
• Volunteers will be at all pedestrian crossings within the park to halt traffic for walkers.
• Closure of the park road from one direction Grove Street through to the Swayback Bridge from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. for all 3 evenings.
• Use of various City equipment such as barricades & cones etc. Event Time: 8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. (park does close at 11:00 p.m.).
• Request Redwood Falls Police Department assistance throughout the event.
Ms. LaBrie stated MnDOT will have the Hwy 19 bridge open with two lanes of traffic on the date of the event. There will be lighted signs on the east and west ends of the City advertising “Event Traffic” to help direct event and non-event traffic. The Redwood Falls Police Department will have one officer, not on-call, available for assistance. State Patrol will have an on-call officer available in the area and Redwood County Sheriff’s Office will also be available if additional support is needed.
Mayor Quackenbush stated any additional details can be worked out between the Committee and City Staff.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Celebrate Redwood Falls – NightFalls Event City Assistance Request. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Zoning Administrator Matt Johnson was present to introduce the Plat Approval for Reflection Ridge Business Park and Reflection Prairie Addition.
Mr. Johnson stated the City received a request from the Redwood Falls Port Authority for a preliminary and final plat approval for the parcels described as the Reflection Prairie Addition (Parcel #62-008-2020) and Reflection Ridge Business Park Addition (Parcel #62-005-4020). Both parcels have been previously annexed into the City. Under the provisions of the Redwood Falls Unified Development Ordinance, the Zoning Administrator may allow a final plat to be submitted concurrently with a request for preliminary plat approval. City Staff worked with the City Engineer, Bolton & Menk Inc., to prepare the preliminary and final plats for both parcels. Planning Commission recommends approval of the preliminary and final plats.
City Administrator Muetzel stated Planning Commission held a public hearing on the plats at the meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. No public comments were received at the meeting.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the Final Plats for the Reflection Ridge Business Park and the Reflection Prairie Addition. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Zoning Administrator Johnson introduced Ordinance No. 76, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Zoning Ordinance.
Mr. Johnson stated the City received a request from the Redwood Falls Port Authority for a re-zone of the Reflection Ridge Business Park Addition (Parcel #62-005-4020) from R-R (Rural Residential District) to I-1 (Limited Industrial District). Under the provisions of the Redwood Falls Unified Development Ordinance, all annexed property is zoned as R-R (Rural Residential District) by default unless otherwise designated at the time of annexation. Specific action was not taken at the time of annexation because the plats for the property were not finalized at that time. In conjunction with the final plat approval, the Redwood Falls Port Authority would like to rezone the parcel to better fit the intended use. The request to re-zone the property was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on April 12, 2022. The Planning and Zoning Commission, along with City staff, recommend approval of the re-zone and consequently the Amendment of the Zoning Ordinance.
City Attorney Dammann stated no action needs to take place at tonight’s meeting, solely discussion of the proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. City Staff will provide the required 10-day notice of the Ordinance prior to the final approval of the proposed Ordinance. On May 3, 2022, City staff will request Council approve the proposed Ordinance by roll call vote in accordance with Chapter 4 of the City Charter and Chapter 3 of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 76, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Zoning Ordinance. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Zoning Administrator Johnson introduced Ordinance No. 77, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Zoning Ordinance.
Mr. Johnson stated the City received a request from the Redwood Falls Port Authority for a re-zone of the Reflection Prairie Addition (Parcel #62-008-2020) Lot 1, Block 1; Lot 1, Block 2; Lot 1, Block 3; and Outlot A from R-R (Rural Residential District) to R-4 (Multiple Family Residential District) and all remaining parcels to R-2 (Single and Two Family Residential). Under the provisions of the Redwood Falls Unified Development Ordinance, all annexed property is zoned as R-R (Rural Residential District) by default unless otherwise designated at the time of annexation. Specific action was not taken at the time of annexation because the plats for the property were not finalized at that time. In conjunction with the final plat approval, the Redwood Falls Port Authority would like to rezone the parcel to better fit the intended use. The request to re-zone the property was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission on April 12, 2022. The Planning and Zoning Commission, along with City staff, recommend approval of the re-zone and consequently the Amendment of the Zoning Ordinance.
City Attorney Dammann stated no action needs to take place at tonight’s meeting, solely discussion of the proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. City Staff will provide the required 10-day notice of the Ordinance prior to the final approval of the proposed Ordinance. On May 3, 2022, City staff will request Council approve the proposed Ordinance by roll call vote in accordance with Chapter 4 of the City Charter and Chapter 3 of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance.
City Attorney Dammann stated a correction will be made to Ordinance No. 77, Section 1 prior to approval at the following Council meeting. Section 1 of the Ordinance currently references property in Section 2 and will be corrected to reference property in Section 2 and Section 3.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 77, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Zoning Ordinance. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 33 of 2022 – A Resolution to Elect the Standard Allowance Available Under the Revenue Loss Provision of the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Established Under the American Rescue Plan Act.
*Due to a clerical error Resolution No. 33 of 2022 was originally presented as Resolution No. 28 of 2022, and later renumbered as Resolution No. 33 of 2022.
Ms. Klages stated the American Rescue Plan Act final rule was published on January 6, 2022, and includes a key change to the revenue replacement provision. The final rule offers a standard allowance for revenue loss of up to $10 million, allowing recipients to select between a standard amount of revenue loss or complete a full revenue loss calculation. For the City, this means we can elect our full award to be reported under the revenue loss category. Reporting under the revenue loss category provides the most flexibility in the use of funds as well as streamlined reporting. Staff recommends approval of electing the standard allowance under the revenue loss provision of ARPA.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Resolution No. 33 of 2022 – A Resolution to Elect the Standard Allowance Available Under the Revenue Loss Provision of the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Established Under the American Rescue Plan Act. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve Resolution No. 33 of 2022 – A Resolution to Elect the Standard Allowance Available Under the Revenue Loss Provision of the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund Established Under the American Rescue Plan Act. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 29 of 2022 – Local Government Resolution for Revised Business Development Infrastructure Application.
Ms. Klages stated Council approved the execution of the Business Development Public Infrastructure (BDPI) Application at the Council meeting on January 18, 2022. The full application was submitted to DEED based on the estimated costs of the project at that time and the City was approved for a grant of $1,063,951. On March 29th, bids for the project were received and came in higher than estimated. Staff has determined it is in the City’s best interest to resubmit the application with the updated numbers. Submitting the new application will not jeopardize the current funding that has been awarded.
Ms. Klages stated Staff is revising the application to include the actual costs per the construction contract awarded. The revised application requests $1,257,685 in BDPI grant funds, an increase of $193,734, and commits a City match of the same amount.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 29 of 2022 – Local Government Resolution for Revised Business Development Infrastructure Application. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 29 of 2022 – Local Government Resolution for Revised Business Development Infrastructure Application. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Dammann introduced Resolution No. 30 of 2022 – Resolution Amending Resolution No. 44 of 2021 – Setting Fee Schedule for 2022.
Mr. Dammann stated the 2022 Fee Schedule was approved by City Council on September 7, 2021. Since that time City Staff fielded a request from the Redwood Area Chamber of Commerce to examine the fee amount for On-Sale Temporary Liquor Licenses, which is currently set at $125 per day. After collecting data from neighboring municipalities, it was determined that the City’s current fee is higher than other municipalities. On April 5, 2022, the matter was brought before the Budget Committee and a decision was made to lower the current fee from $125 per day to $50 per day. The proposed change would be effective as of April 19, 2022.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 30 of 2022 – Resolution Amending Resolution No. 44 of 2021 – Setting Fee Schedule for 2022. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 30 of 2022 – Resolution Amending Resolution No. 44 of 2021 – Setting Fee Schedule for 2022. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 31 of 2022 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for the 2022 Seal Coat Improvements.
Mr. Doering stated in response to the Advertisement for Bids, the City received three proposals for construction of the 2022 Seal Coat Improvements. The proposals were opened and publicly read at 10:00 a.m. on April 14, 2022. The low responsible bidder was Allied Blacktop Company of Maple Grove, MN for the 2022 Seal Coat Improvements per bid unit prices for CRS2P bituminous oil, FA-2, Class A Aggregate, and flexible chip seal markers. The resulting base bid was $304,502.20. The engineer’s estimate was $308,141.50. Staff recommends the award to Allied Blacktop Company of Maple Grove, MN.
Mr. Doering stated in accordance with Minnesota Statute § 16C.285, Allied Blacktop Company furnished the executed Responsible Contractor Verification and Certification of Compliance form. The bidder did not indicate that any subcontractors will be used. The approved 2022 budget includes $215,000.00 from Streets and the balance sourced from the Capital Projects budget. The start date would be after August 22, 2022 to allow the Street Department time for patching and bituminous maintenance of the project area. The work shall be completed by September 23, 2022.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 31 of 2022 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for the 2022 Seal Coat Improvements. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 31 of 2022 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for the 2022 Seal Coat Improvements. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 32 of 2022 – Authorization to Execute Phosphorus Trade Agreement Between the City of Redwood Falls and City of New Ulm, Minnesota.
Mr. Doering stated the City entered into an agreement with the Public Utilities Commission of the City of New Ulm in February of 2016 to purchase 1,522 kg/yr to meet phosphorus limits in regards to the MPCA imposed Lake Pepin Limit. New Ulm is able to remove more phosphorus than its limit requires creating a tradeable commodity and has helped the City of Redwood Falls meet the MPCA limit without implementing a multi-million dollar wastewater treatment upgrade.
Mr. Doering stated per Resolution No. 65 of 2020 and a letter dated December 1, 2020 from the New Ulm Public Utilities Commission citing the increased cost based on a recent rate study while also establishing a fixed fee, the City will pay $30/kg for phosphorus credits. The total purchase price for 2022 is $45,660.00. As a result of developing the new wastewater permit with the MPCA, the 2016 agreement to trade with New Ulm was deemed out of date. Staff recommends the approval of Resolution No. 32 and submission to the City of Redwood Falls Public Utilities Commission for final approval and submission to the MPCA.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 32 of 2022 – Authorization to Execute Phosphorus Trade Agreement Between the City of Redwood Falls and City of New Ulm, Minnesota. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve Resolution No. 32 of 2022 – Authorization to Execute Phosphorus Trade Agreement Between the City of Redwood Falls and City of New Ulm, Minnesota. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Full-Time Liquor Store Clerk Position.
Mr. Muetzel stated after posting for a full-time position internally, Staff received one application from a current part-time Liquor Store Clerk, Rocky Olerud. Mr. Olerud has been offered the position of full-time Liquor Store Clerk, contingent upon Council approval. Pay will be $20.810/hourly Step 3, Grade 3 of the 2022 RFPEA Step Structure and will be effective on or about April 20, 2022, this will include a 6-month probationary period.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Full-Time Liquor Store Clerk Position to Rocky Olerud. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering reminded Council of the Lake Redwood dredging kick-off event on Friday, April 22, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
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 Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:57 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.