MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 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 16, 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 Arentson to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the August 2, 2022, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering introduced the North Redwood Watermain Looping Project – Final Pay Request.
Mr. Doering stated City Staff recommends for approval the Final Pay Application No. 6 (2021 North Redwood Falls Watermain Looping) for $41,860.65. The final total contract price totals $737,235.00, which finalizes under budget of the original bid amount plus approved change orders of $830,160.00. The Council’s authorization to make final payment shall initiate the beginning of the two-year maintenance period. Upon approval, the final acceptance date will be August 16, 2024. Any material deficiencies observed during the warranty period must be brought to the attention of the Contractor, in writing, before the expiration date. All lien waivers, consent of surety of final payment, IC134s and contractor affidavits of payment have been received by Staff.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the North Redwood Watermain Looping Project – Final Pay Request in the amount of $41,860.65. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel introduced Agenda Item 9B – Establish City Council Work Session Agenda.
Mr. Muetzel stated the next City Council work session is scheduled for August 30, 2022. 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. VantagePoint Marketing Update
2. Downtown Redevelopment
3. Lake Redwood Improvements
4. Ramsey Park Traffic Controls
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the City Council Work Session Agenda as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Attorney Trenton Dammann introduced Ordinance No. 81, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending The Redwood Falls City Code of Ordinances § 5.52 Pertaining to Temporary Liquor Licenses.
Mr. Dammann stated City Staff previously received inquiry as to whether certain licensees (clubs, non-profits, charitable and religious organizations) need to meet City and State insurance requirements prior to the issuance of temporary on-sale liquor licenses for social events. Current City practice is to require proof of insurance coverage prior to issuing a temporary on-sale liquor license for these events and licensees. City Code § 5.52, along with State statute, regulates the issuance of temporary liquor licenses within the City. Upon examining Minn. Stat. § 340A.404, subd. 10 and contacting League of Minnesota Cities staff members, it was determined that insurance requirements for temporary liquor licenses are not mandated by statute, but rather recommended by the League of Minnesota Cities. Upon meeting with the City’s budget committee, it was determined that a proposed ordinance would be drafted for Council approval. The proposed ordinance would no longer require prospective licensees to meet City and State insurance requirements for temporary on-sale liquor licenses, however, those requirements would continue to apply to those licensees hosting a social event on City owned property.
Mr. Dammann further stated the State Legislature also amended State liquor laws allowing for a new seven-day temporary liquor license allowing county agricultural societies to sell alcoholic beverages at county fairs. This change in statute was also contemplated and included in Proposed Ordinance No. 81.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 81, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending The Redwood Falls City Code of Ordinances § 5.52 Pertaining to Temporary Liquor Licenses. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the Hwy 19 bridge project does not currently have a third closure scheduled. City Staff will communicate that with the public as soon as it is scheduled.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering stated, as reported at the previous meeting, the Lake Redwood dredge is now operating on Sundays and Staff has not received any complaints. Additionally, Council Members are invited to a tour of the dredge on Friday, August 19th at 2:00 p.m. with Staff from the City of Cottonwood.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering stated beginning Monday, August 22, Highway 67/East Broadway Street will close in Redwood Falls from its intersection with U.S. Highway 71/South Mill Street to Drew Street for a city utility project. The roadway is scheduled to reopen August 31. Traffic will be detoured to Redwood County Road 101 and Hwy 71/19.
City Administrator Muetzel stated the Candidate Filing Period for the City Election closed Tuesday, August 16, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. Four people have completed an Affidavit of Candidacy. Mayor Tom Quackenbush has filed for Mayor, Larry Arentson has filed for City Council Member Ward 3, Jim Sandgren has filed for City Council Member At-Large, and Don Hazen has filed for City Council Member At-Large.
City Administrator Muetzel stated seal coating is scheduled to begin on Monday, August 22, 2022. The Ramsey Park Road is in the seal coat route. The speed bump located by the swayback bridge will need to be removed prior to seal coating and it will not be replaced due to the risk of damage to the road surface. Additional traffic controls would be used instead of replacing the speed bump at that location.
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 Buckley to adjourn the meeting at 5:28 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.