MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2023
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 1, 2023, 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, and Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet. Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering was absent.
City Administrator Muetzel requested to add Consent Agenda item 6B. Approve Temporary On-Sale Liquor License Application – Church of St. Catherine’s and Regular Agenda item 9F. Declare New Holland Backhoe Attachment as Surplus Property.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the agenda with the additions of agenda items 6B and 9F. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the July 18, 2023, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the following item on the Consent Agenda.
1. Liability Insurance Coverage Waiver Form
2. Temporary On-Sale Liquor License Application – Church of St. Catherine’s
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Jason Cotner was present to introduce Resolution No. 37 of 2023 – Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on Behalf of its Police Department Regarding the Minnesota Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program.
Chief Cotner stated the State of Minnesota, through the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), has made funds available to reimburse law enforcement expenses related to opioids and opioid related investigations and enforcement activities. While primarily used by drug task forces, the funds can be distributed to local law enforcement agencies who are involved in these investigations.
Chief Cotner stated RFPD has accessed these funds in the past to cover wages and overtime related to these types of investigations and enforcement activities. Until recently, RFPD was required to request these funds through the Brown/Lyon/Redwood/Renville Drug Task Force (BLRR/DTF) who sent it to the BCA. Now, the BCA is requiring local agencies who request reimbursement to enter into a Joint Powers Agreement and request reimbursement directly from the BCA. Opioids and opioid related substances such as heroin and fentanyl are still widely used in our area. RFPD will likely be involved in future opioid related investigations and enforcement. Staff anticipates needing to request reimbursement from the BCA for expenses related to these investigations.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to waive the reading of Resolution No. 37 of 2023 – Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on Behalf of its Police Department Regarding the Minnesota Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 37 of 2023 – Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on Behalf of its Police Department Regarding the Minnesota Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Request for Bids for City-Owned Farmland.
Mr. Muetzel stated staff is recommending the publishing of a request for bids on 152.66 acres of agricultural land owned by the City of Redwood Falls located at T112 R36 S33 and T113 R35 S32. Currently, a single rental agreement contract will expire November 1, 2023. The current lessee will maintain weed control and will remove the 2023 crops without any additional inputs after harvest. The new lessee would then assume the responsibility of fall tillage and fertilizer inputs in preparation for the 2024 crop year. The new contract will cover a period of three years to November 1, 2026, with the opportunity of two, one-year extensions assuming both parties agree. Utilizing the terms of the contract and both one-year extensions, that would extend the term through crop years 2024-2028, expiring November 1, 2028.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Request for Bids for City-Owned Farmland. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Memorandum of Understanding with Law Enforcement Labor Services.
Mr. Muetzel stated Law enforcement agencies throughout Minnesota are struggling to attract and retain police officers. On the MN Police Officers Standards and Training website there are currently 197 law enforcement job openings listed. The City of Redwood Falls posted a police officer job opening over two weeks ago and at this time no applications have been received. In an effort to address this crisis, the State of MN has approved the distribution of a one-time Public Safety Aid payment to Minnesota cities and counties. Public Safety Aid funds must be used for public safety purposes and eligible uses include personnel and equipment costs. The City of Redwood Falls is scheduled to receive $221,727 in Public Safety Aid.
Mr. Muetzel stated the Personnel Committee, City administration, and LELS union representatives have been discussing several officer retention strategies, one of which is to ensure we are providing competitive compensation to attract and retain police officers. Based on market surveys, the compensation for Redwood Falls police officers is below that of several comparable departments. Therefore, the Personnel Committee and LELS union representatives are proposing to adopt a Memorandum of Understanding to increase the current wage schedule for licensed police offices by $2.00 per hour. The proposed wage increase is estimated to cost $85,000 over the remaining term of the current union contract that expires on December 31, 2024 and will be funded by a portion of the City’s Public Safety Aid payment. This initiative is supported by the Personnel Committee, City administration, and LELS union representatives and those involved believe it is a critical step to help with the attraction and retention of police officers to our community.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Law Enforcement Labor Services. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Fire Department Cascade Air System Replacement.
Mr. Muetzel stated the Fire Department uses a Cascade air system to fill the air tanks that are used with a firefighter’s self-contained breathing apparatus. Our existing Cascade system was purchased in 1996 and metal shavings were found in the compressor’s oil during the last two annual service inspections. During the 2024 budget development process, staff planned to allocate $60,000 to replace this unit in 2024. In light of the new State of MN Public Safety Aid program, staff recommends using those funds to replace the Cascade system in 2023. Two quotes were received, and staff requests approval to purchase a Cascade air system from Alex Air Apparatus in the amount of $63,121.00 and funded by the State of MN Public Safety Aid program.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the Fire Department Cascade Air System Replacement from Alex Air Apparatus in the amount of $63,121.00. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Finance Director Klages introduced the Allocation of State of MN Public Safety Aid.
Ms. Klages stated the 2023 legislative session’s tax bill included $210 million dollars in one-time public safety aid for cities. The City of Redwood Falls’ portion of that public safety aid is $221,727.00. The funds will be disbursed to cities in December of 2023. Aid recipients are required to use the proceeds for public safety. Eligible uses include community violence prevention and intervention programs, community engagement, mental health crisis responses, victim services, training programs, first responder wellness, equipment related to fire, rescue, and emergency services; or to pay other personnel or equipment costs. Ineligible expenses include employer contribution to the public employee police and fire fund, any expenses with alleged misconduct, purchase of tactical vehicles or tear gas, or the construction or improvements to a police station or related facilities.
Ms. Klages stated staff worked with Police Chief Jason Cotner and Fire Chief Joe Probst to determine the best use of the one-time funds. Discussions determined the most efficient use of the funds would be to allocate the funds to personnel costs and equipment. The proposed uses and designated amounts include police salaries at $85,000, a police squad car at $64,000, police squad cameras at $12,727, and a Fire Department cascade system at $60,000. Approval of the allocation authorizes the purchase of a police squad car and police squad cameras. Staff recommends approval of the proposed allocation.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the Allocation of State of MN Public Safety Aid as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced the request to Declare New Holland Backhoe Attachment as Surplus Property.
Mr. Muetzel stated Weltsch Equipment made a request to staff to purchase a City owned 2015 backhoe “thumb” attachment for a New Holland Backhoe for $1,000.00. The piece of equipment is no longer being used by any department because the Street Department is currently operating a Case Backhoe which can only operate Case attachments. Staff is requesting to declare the New Holland Backhoe Attachment surplus property and list the equipment for private sale.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the request to Declare New Holland Backhoe Attachment as Surplus Property. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Council Member Smith requested an update regarding roadway paint on City streets and an update on the current road work taking place on Bridge Street (US Hwy 71/MN 19).
City Administrator Muetzel stated the Street Department is currently working on patching the streets in preparation for the sealcoat work beginning August 21, 2023. Once sealcoat work is started, the department can focus on painting the road lines and crosswalks. The Department has limited the amount of roadway painting that it could complete since COVID caused paint supply issues and increased prices.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the current patching work being done on Bridge Street (US Hwy 71/MN 19) is regular maintenance. In February, the City submitted a Resolution of Support for a Corridors of Commerce application completed by Redwood County. The application is for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the segment of US Hwy 71 between the Redwood River bridge in Redwood Falls and the Minnesota River bridge near Morton, Minnesota. If the funding is approved this project would begin in 2028.
Mayor Quackenbush stated the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery – Redwood Falls will be hosting a dedication ceremony on Saturday, August 19 at 2:00 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend the dedication ceremony and view the newly constructed facility.
City Administrator Muetzel requested Council provide staff with agenda topics for the next City Council Work Session on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Council discussed a couple topics including the recent legalization of cannabis and an update on the former hospital redevelopment, Red Skye Lofts. Council will continue to decide on additional agenda items and the final Work Session agenda will be set at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, August 15.
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 Smith to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.