City Council Meeting – September 3, 2024

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, September 3, 2024, 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 Deputy City Clerk Caitlin Kodet.

City Administrator Muetzel requested an addition to the Regular Agenda for a Block Party/Street Closure Request from Jena Beller at Retro 71 and noted a change to the promotional flyer with Consent Agenda Item 6A.

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve the agenda with the addition to the Regular Agenda for a Block Party/Street Closure Request from Jena Beller at Retro 71 and the change to the promotional flyer with Consent Agenda Item 6A. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the August 20, 2024, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:

1. Women’s Rural Advocacy Program (WRAP) Display at Ramsey Falls Overlook
2. Temporary On-Sale Liquor License – Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism
3. City Assistance with Redwood Area Chamber & Tourism Fall Festival

Motion passed by unanimous vote.

Jena Beller was present to request approval for a Block Party/Street Closure for a Grand Opening celebration on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Ms. Beller requested the closure of West 3rd Street between South Mill Street and South Minnesota Street as well as the alley between 226 S. Mill Street and 210 S. Mill Street. Ms. Beller stated she has support for the closure from the adjacent business owners.

A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Buckley to approve the Block Party/Street Closure Request for Saturday September 21, 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

Library Director Connie Lechner was present to introduce Resolution No. 49 of 2024 – Authorization to Enter Into An Architectural And Engineering Agreement With Engan Associates P.A.

Ms. Lechner stated in January of 2023, Council approved the predesign plan and proposed estimated budget of the Library Renovation and Expansion project. The initial fundraising initiative and awarded grant from the State Department of Education has achieved the goal of $3.2 million and it is time to move forward with the schematic design, design development, bid packaging, construction documents, and construction.

Ms. Lechner stated approval to hire Engan Associates is necessary to begin the next phase of the Expansion Project. As we move forward through the schematic design and design phases, we will be able to create a project budget that reflects current pricing and alternatives. The original budget was derived a year and a half ago and pricing may fluctuate. As always, the full design and bid package will be brought to Council for approval prior to bidding. The current schedule estimates bidding in February of 2025, with a possible bid award in March and the construction phase starting in April through January of 2026 with a projected completion date in the Spring of 2026.

Ms. Lechner stated the AIA Document B101-2017 agreement form with Engan Associates P.A. will provide Architectural, Engineering, Bidding and Construction Administration services for the Redwood Falls Public Library at a rate of 8.25% of the cost of work as stipulated in Article 11.1.2 of the agreement. Engan Associates P.A. were initially selected through an RFP process to develop concept designs, layouts, cost estimates and provide assistance with legislative funding bills and grant applications. The agreement was contingent upon the success of these efforts and resulting successful funding initiatives. The Redwood Area Library Foundation, Library Expansion Committee, and City Staff recommend its approval.

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 49 of 2024 – Authorization to Enter Into An Architectural And Engineering Agreement With Engan Associates P.A. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 49 of 2024 – Authorization to Enter Into An Architectural And Engineering Agreement With Engan Associates P.A. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

Finance Director Klages introduced Resolution No. 50 of 2024 – Resolution Amending Resolution No. 45 of 2023 – Setting Fee Schedule for 2024.

Ms. Klages stated the City established a Solid Waste Administration fee of $1.00 per account per month in 2009. Since that time, the fee has not been changed. Staff planned to propose an adjustment to the fee in the 2025 fee schedule, however Staff feels it is more appropriate to have the fee adjustment align with the start of the new Solid Waste Collection Franchise Agreement effective September 2024. Staff proposes increasing the fee from $1.00 to $1.50 per account per month. The fee covers customer billing services provided by the City on a monthly basis.

A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to waive the reading of Resolution No. 50 of 2024 – Resolution Amending Resolution No. 45 of 2023 – Setting Fee Schedule for 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 50 of 2024 – Resolution Amending Resolution No. 45 of 2023 – Setting Fee Schedule for 2024. Motion passed by unanimous vote.

City Administrator Muetzel introduced Resolution No. 51 of 2024 – A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 48 of 2024 Adopted on August 20, 2024, And Titled, “A Resolution Adopting A Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Special Assessment As Requested By Property Owner.”

Mr. Muetzel stated on August 20th Council approved an application from Red Skye Lofts to participate in the Minnesota Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE). The PACE program provides developers with energy efficiency loan funds that are repaid solely from special assessments levied against the benefiting property. The resolution approving the application listed the estimated loan amount as $2,250,000.00 with a 20-year term. The lender is requesting that the City of Redwood Falls adopt a revised resolution showing the final loan amount as $2,221,325.00 with a 30-year term.

A motion was made by Council Member Buckley and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Resolution No. 51 of 2024 – A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 48 of 2024 Adopted on August 20, 2024, And Titled, “A Resolution Adopting A Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Special Assessment As Requested By Property Owner.” Motion passed by unanimous vote.

A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to approve Resolution No. 51 of 2024 – A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 48 of 2024 Adopted on August 20, 2024, And Titled, “A Resolution Adopting A Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Special Assessment As Requested By Property Owner.” Motion passed by unanimous vote.

Mayor Quackenbush stated he will be hosting a booth for the Reflections Prairie housing development at the Fall Festival downtown on Saturday, September 28.

City Administrator Muetzel stated the Budget Committee would be meeting after the Council meeting to prepare the 2025 budget. The 2025 preliminary budget will be presented at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, September 17.

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 Arentson to adjourn the meeting at 5:25 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.