City Council Meeting – August 17, 2021

MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2021

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 17, 2021, at 5:00 p.m.

Roll call indicated Council Members Jim Sandgren, John T. Buckley, Matt Smith, and Larry Arentson were present constituting a quorum. Mayor Tom Quackenbush was present via electronic means. Council Member Kerkhoff was absent.

Also present were City Administrator Keith Muetzel, City Attorney Trenton Dammann, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, and Council Secretary Caitlin Kodet.

A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the agenda. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.

AYE: Council Members Sandgren, Arentson, Smith, and Buckley
NO: None

A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the August 3, 2021, minutes as presented. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.

AYE: Council Members Sandgren, Arentson, Smith, and Buckley
NO: None

Council Member Denise Kerkhoff arrived via electronic means at 5:06 p.m.

Christopher Schmitz, resident at 109 W. Bridge Street, was present to address the Council regarding a discrepancy with his property lines. Mr. Schmitz stated his concerns are regarding the current power plant road stabilization project being completed adjacent to his property. Mr. Schmitz feels that the work being completed is on his property and the contractors should not be accessing his property through the utility easement. Mr. Schmitz stated contractors have also been cutting down trees that he feels are on his property. Mr. Schmitz stated the City failed to contact him regarding work being done on his property.

City Administrator Muetzel stated City Staff had a conversation with Mr. Schmitz regarding the work being done and the expectations Mr. Schmitz had for his property after the project is completed.

Public Works Project Coordinator Doering provided Mr. Schmitz with a survey of the power plant road property and stated based on the recorded survey, the work is only being completed on City property. City Staff agreed to complete additional research and obtain an additional survey of the property, if necessary, to clear up any discrepancies.

Mr. Schmitz stated he would like to consult his legal counsel and will be contacting City Administration regarding a follow-up.

Mayor Quackenbush administered the Oath of Office to Officer Nickolas Haupt.

Marty Seifert with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities was present to give an update on the
2021 legislative session.

Fire Chief Jeff Bommersbach was present to introduce the Purchase of a Fire Department Utility Vehicle.

Fire Chief Bommersbach stated the Redwood Falls Fire Department is requesting the department’s 2010 Polaris Ranger and 2010 12’ Trailer be deemed Surplus Property with the intentions to place the ranger and trailer for sale and the proceeds going to the purchase of a 2022 Polaris Ranger Crew Cab and Tandem Axle Trailer. The new Ranger will cost $24,042.00 and a budget of $6,000.00 is in place for a Tandem Axle Aluminum Trailer. The department has agreed to use $10,000 from past fundraisers to help pay for the upgrade of this piece of equipment. The current ranger was also purchased with fundraiser dollars. The department is also requesting $10,000 from the Fire Department budget in addition to proceeds from the sale of the 2010 Ranger and trailer. The Sked, which is the back pump, tank, and storage, would be removed from the 2010 Ranger and placed in the new machine after it is purchased.

A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to approve the request to deem the 2010 Polaris Ranger and 12’ Trailer surplus property and authorize the sale of the surplus equipment. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.

AYE: Council Members Sandgren, Arentson, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None

A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the purchase of a 2022 Polaris Ranger and Trailer with funds from the surplus property sale, $10,000 from past fundraisers, and a portion of the Fire Department budget in the amount not to exceed $10,000. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.

AYE: Council Members Sandgren, Arentson, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None

City Administrator Muetzel introduced the Certificate of County Board’s Classification of Tax-Forfeited Land.

Mr. Muetzel stated there is one parcel in Redwood Falls that is eligible for a Forfeited Tax Sale due to delinquent taxes. The parcel number is 88-865-0040 and the address is 315 E. Bridge Street. In order for the County to proceed with the sale, the City of Redwood Falls needs to approve the Certificate of County Board’s Classification of Tax-Forfeited Land. The property consists of a single-family home and the County has classified the land as non-conservation land. If the City is interested in acquiring the property for public use the City could acquire the property before the sale. The City could also acquire the property at the Tax-Forfeited sale. City Staff prepared a demolition quote for this property if Council decides to purchase the property. The demolition quote, not including asbestos removal, is $15,100.

A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the Certificate of County Board’s Classification of Tax-Forfeited Land. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.

AYE: Council Members Sandgren, Arentson, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None

City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 43 of 2021 – Authorization to Execute Drew Street Distribution Relocation DGR Project #421123 With Castrejon Incorporated.

Mr. Muetzel stated this project is being completed to make way for the rebuilding of Drew Street. Currently, the poles are located too close to the intersection curbs and the overhead construction does not allow for Staff to easily relocate the poles. This also ties into the overall goal of installing the entire electrical system underground. This project is not in the 2021 capital budget. Staff is working with Shannon Sweeney of David Drown Associates to determine the best way to pay for this project.

Mr. Muetzel stated six bids for the project were received, opened, and publicly read on August 10, 2021, at 1:15 pm. All bidders are very qualified to complete this project. DGR had given a budget estimate of $680,000 for this portion of the project. DGR reviewed the bids for completeness and mathematical errors. DGR has issued a letter of recommendation that the bid be awarded to Castrejon Incorporated of Blaine, Minnesota in the amount of $589,932.50.

A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 43 of 2021 – Authorization to Execute Drew Street Distribution Relocation DGR Project #421123 With Castrejon Incorporated. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.

AYE: Council Members Sandgren, Arentson, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve Resolution No. 43 of 2021 – Authorization to Execute Drew Street Distribution Relocation DGR Project #421123 With Castrejon Incorporated. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.

AYE: Council Members Sandgren, Arentson, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None

City Attorney Dammann introduced Ordinance No. 72, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls Code of Ordinances §6.25 Relating to Taxicabs.

Mr. Dammann stated City Staff recently received inquiry from a private citizen about starting a licensed Taxicab service within the City. Upon receiving this request, Staff met and discussed the current taxicab ordinance, §6.25. City Staff have reviewed the taxicab licensing ordinance § 6.25 and have identified and made several changes to the licensing requirements and process, in order to make the taxicab vehicle licensing process more efficient and enhance overall service delivery and public safety. The proposed ordinance includes the removal of the public hearing requirement for all new licenses. Staff recommends adoption of the proposed changes. The Ordinance will be placed on the September 7th Council agenda for consideration of final approval.

A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 72, Fourth Series – An Ordinance Amending Redwood Falls Code of Ordinances §6.25 Relating to Taxicabs. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.

AYE: Council Members Sandgren, Arentson, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None

City Administrator Muetzel discussed the agenda for the Tuesday, August 31, 2021, City Council work session.

Mr. Muetzel stated Council Members suggested agenda items for the Council work session. To prepare for the meeting, and to ensure adequate time is allowed for each agenda item, staff is requesting the Council formally establish a work session agenda.

City Council Work Session Agenda Topics

1. VantagePoint Marketing Update
2. Bolton & Menk Development Site Design Update
3. 315 E. Bridge Street – Tax-Forfeited Property Sale

A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the City Council work session agenda for Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.

AYE: Council Members Sandgren, Arentson, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None

City Administrator Muetzel gave an update regarding the release of the 2020 Census information for the City of Redwood Falls. The 2020 Census reported a total population of 5,102 for the City of Redwood Falls. It is critical for the City to be above 5,000 in population because of the State Aid for Local Transportation funding distributed by MnDOT. The population reported on the 2020 Census remains in place until the next census in 2030. Council and Staff are hopeful that the housing developments in the works will increase the population over the next few years.

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 Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to adjourn the meeting at 6:17 p.m. Motion passed by the following roll call vote.

AYE: Council Members Sandgren, Arentson, Smith, Buckley, and Kerkhoff
NO: None

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