MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF REDWOOD FALLS, MINNESOTA
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2019
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 20, 2019, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Larry Arentson, Jim Sandgren, John T. Buckley, and Denise Kerkhoff were present constituting a quorum.
Also present were Director of Finance & Administrative Services Melissa Meyer, Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering, City Attorney Amy Busse and Council Secretary Caitlin Kodet. City Administrator Keith Muetzel was absent.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Buckley to
approve the August 6, 2019, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda.
1. Liability Insurance Coverage Waiver Form.
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Marty Seifert with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities was present to give an update on the 2019 legislative session.
Zoning Administrator Tim Hanna was present to introduce the Conditional Use Permit Application for a Communications Tower at 303 East Third Street.
Mr. Hanna stated the City received a request for a Conditional Use Permit from Redwood County to construct a 170’ communications tower (“tower”) on the property described as 303 East Third Street, parcel #88-729-1190. Due to a building construction project and the age of the existing tower, Redwood County is requesting to remove the existing tower located near the southwest corner of the Law Enforcement Center with a new self-support tower that is 170’ in height at the northeast corner of the building. Per City Ordinance, any new tower construction in a non-residential district requires a Conditional Use Permit. The applicant stated the tower is responsible for all emergency services and it cannot be down for the duration required to replace it on the existing location, so a secondary site must be utilized. Also, the State of Minnesota requires this type of communications tower to be in place.
Mr. Hanna further stated based on these statements, the Planning Commission felt the applicant met all the required findings pursuant to Redwood Falls Unified Development Ordinance 3.31 and recommends approval of the Conditional Use Permit with the following conditions:
a. The tower construction complies with all FAA, FCC, and any other applicable governmental
regulations.
b. The tower complies with all City Ordinances and/or approved variances in terms of type of
construction, height, and location.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to approve the Conditional Use Permit Application with the proposed conditions for a Communications Tower at 303 East Third Street. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Zoning Administrator Hanna introduced the Variance Application for the Communications Tower at 303 East Third Street.
Mr. Hanna stated the City also received a request from Redwood County for a variance to have the tower setback from residential property reduced from 200’ to 87’on the same property, 303 East Third Street. The request for the variance was dependent upon the approval of the Conditional Use Permit.
Mr. Hanna stated since there is no portion of the property that meets the required 200’ setback, and the tower is required to remain in operation, the applicant felt that constituted a practical difficulty and requested approval of the variance.
Mr. Hanna further stated the Planning Commission heard input from a neighboring property owner who was present at the meeting and voiced a concern about the tower being located right across from his home. The property owner suggested additional screening be provided for the residential side of the base of the tower. The Planning Commission felt the applicant met all the required findings pursuant to Redwood Falls Unified Development Ordinance 3.48 in order to recommend approval of the variance but also felt the property owners concern was valid and therefore also included in the recommendation to approve the variance request a condition that the applicant provide screening for the tower base consistent with the minimum standards of screening provided for other districts.
City Attorney Busse read a letter dated August 20, 2019 submitted by the neighboring property owners at 321 East Second Street, Amy and Eric Kester-Mabon as they were unable to attend the Council meeting. The letter outlined the property owners request for screening around the tower if the variance was approved by the City Council.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the Variance Application for a Communications Tower at 303 East Third Street with the condition that the applicant provide screening for the tower base consistent with the minimum standards of screening provided for other districts. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering introduced Resolution No. 27 of 2019 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for the 2019 RACC RTU Replacements Project.
Mr. Doering stated in response to the invitation for Bids, the City received three proposals for the RACC RTU Replacement Project. The bids ranged between $162,000.00 and $148,541.00. The low responsible bidder was Chappell Central Inc. of Willmar, MN with the low apparent bid of $148,541.00. NAC of Vadnais Heights submitted a bid of $155,500.00 followed by a GAG Sheet Metal Inc. of New Ulm with a submitted bid of $162,000.00. Staff recommends that the contract be awarded to Chappell Central of Willmar, MN.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 27 of 2019 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for the 2019 RACC RTU Replacements Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 27 of 2019 – Authorization to Execute Award of Contract for the 2019 RACC RTU Replacements Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Doering introduced the Authorization to Solicit Bids for the 2019 Swayback Bridge Repair Project.
Mr. Doering stated the 2019 Swayback Bridge Repair Project has an estimated cost of $195,000.00 for the replacement of approximately 40’ of hand cut stone curbing and additional fascia stones. As the water recedes, additional fascia work may be needed. The bid request will be based on per unit pricing. Damages were submitted to FEMA disaster DR-4442 for flood damages incurred from March 12-April 18, 2019 and are eligible for reimbursement.
Mr. Doering further stated Bolton & Menk Inc. were in contact with various masons to complete the project. The solicitation will provide a better understanding of the estimated unit costs that are associated with the repair of the historical bridge. A pre-bid meeting will be held on site and will be required of all potential bidders.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Authorization to Solicit Bids for the 2019 Swayback Bridge Repair Project. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
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 5:46 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.