MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 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, August 2, 2022, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and John T. Buckley 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 Council Secretary Caitlin Kodet.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the July 19, 2022, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the following item on the Consent Agenda.
1. Liability Insurance Coverage Waiver Form
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Fire Chief Jeff Bommersbach was present to introduce the Fire Department By-Laws Updates.
Fire Chief Bommersbach stated the members of the Redwood Falls Fire Department request to update Chapter 2 Section 2.01 Subd. 2 and Chapter 2 Section 2.02. In Chapter 2, Section 2.01 Subd. 2 the department is currently allowed not more than 30 members at a time. The department is requesting to expand the total number of positions to 32 to allow for additional membership availability in order to respond to fire calls.
Fire Chief Bommersbach further stated the department by-laws currently require appointment of the 2nd Assistant Chief. The department is requesting the change to Chapter 2, Section 2.02 to include the 2nd Assistant Chief with the other department elections.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the Fire Department By-Laws Updates as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Fire Chief Bommersbach introduced the Fire Truck Listing and Marketing Agreement.
Fire Chief Bommersbach stated on July 12, the advertisement for bids closed for the sale of the 1992 aerial fire truck, and no bids were received. City Staff has identified Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus as a potential broker to list, market, and attempt to sell the truck on the department’s behalf. Brindlee recommends listing the truck for $25,000 and they will be paid 10% of the sale price if they are successful in selling the truck. As stated in the agreement, if the truck sells without the assistance of Brindle Mountain Fire Apparatus the City is not required to pay a percentage of the truck sale to Brindlee. Staff is requesting approval of the listing and marketing agreement.
Fire Chief Bommersbach stated if a buyer is found for the 1992 aerial truck, the new owner wouldn’t be able to take possession until the new fire truck is delivered. Members of the department will be reviewing the new truck in August and the newly completed truck is expected to be delivered for use in September.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Fire Truck Listing and Marketing Agreement. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced the Request to Waive Sanitary Sewer Charges.
Ms. Klages stated City Staff received a letter from Shayne Johnson, utility account holder at 110 East Wyoming Street, requesting that $112.95 in sanitary sewer charges be waived. Staff review of these requests focuses on whether the water entered the sanitary sewer, which requires treatment. Water introduced into the sanitary sewer system is treated regardless of the cause. Staff was able to determine that the water did not enter the sanitary sewer system and recommends waiving the sanitary sewer charge as is consistent with past practice.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the Request to Waive Sanitary Sewer Charges in the amount of $112.95. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Library Director Connie Lechner was present to introduce the Proposal to Evaluate Library Expansion Opportunities.
Ms. Lechner stated the Redwood Falls Public Library, with support and approval from the Redwood Falls Library Commission requests approval to hire Engan Associates, located in Willmar, MN to provide predesign architectural services for a potential expansion of the library space. Two firms were asked to submit a proposal for services, and the Commission opted to choose Engan Associates. The fee for the proposal is $12,000. A donor has agreed to fund this entire amount. After a meeting with the Redwood Area Library Foundation, which would be an integral part of any expansion project, the Board agreed to move forward with hiring an architectural firm as well. There are no funds necessary through the library budget or City funds for this initial step.
Ms. Lechner stated exploring options for an expansion project has been part of the 5-year plan for the Library beginning in 2015. Details are outlined in the service proposal. In addition, entities involved include the Library Commission, Redwood Area Library Foundation, and City Staff in the preliminary planning of where and how much is needed to ensure the library best serves the needs of our community. Enhancing education, reading, and family activities are becoming very important factors to the growth of communities, and much of the library’s expansion focus would be to create a safe space for all. Engan Associates can deliver the proposal within two months.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Proposal to Evaluate Library Expansion Opportunities from Engan Associates. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Cotner was present to give an update on the Police Department’s activity during the period when the Hwy 19 bridge was closed. Police Chief Cotner stated during the bridge closure there were 26 directed patrol ICRs and six (6) traffic stops directly related to the closure and detour. One of the stops was for speed and the individual received a citation. A similar patrol plan will be used for the next planned closure.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering gave an update on the dredging progress for Lake Redwood. Mr. Doering stated at the weekly progress meetings, J.F. Brennan reported the dredge will no longer be down on Sundays and will start to operate 7-days a week. The tentative completion date is October 2022.
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 Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to adjourn the meeting at 5:35 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.