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 5, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Roll call indicated Mayor Tom Quackenbush and Council Members Matt Smith, Denise Kerkhoff, Jim Sandgren, Larry Arentson, and Shannon Guetter 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.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the agenda. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Marian Brandt, resident at 1205 E. Meadow Lane, was present to discuss the walking bridge located at the end of Sunrise Boulevard over the ditch connecting the Sunrise neighborhood with East Meadow Lane. Ms. Brandt stated there were concerns regarding the lack of notice the area residents received prior to the closing of the bridge during construction. Residents wanted more communication about the status of the bridge.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering stated as part of the Redwood Valley Elementary School construction project, a new bridge was installed over the ditch to connect the staff parking lot with the new school site. To meet accessibility standards and link the existing trail with the new bridge and East Meadow Lane, substantial site work was required which resulted in a change in elevation on the north side of the bridge. Due to these elevation changes, the walking bridge had to be closed during construction. To reopen the bridge to the public, stairs will need to be installed on the north side. Staff is requesting a quote from Voss Construction to install concrete steps once the elementary school construction is complete.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the July 15, 2025, minutes as presented. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve the following items on the Consent Agenda:
1. Temporary On-Sale Liquor License – Church of St. Catherine’s
2. Declare Street Department Equipment as Surplus Property
3. League of MN Cities Liability Coverage Waiver
Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Parks & Recreation Director Ross Nachreiner introduced Resolution No. 45 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City.
Mr. Nachreiner stated Resolution No. 45 of 2025 approves acceptance of a financial donation in the amount of $4,475.00 from the Lion’s Club of Redwood Falls. City staff would like to thank members of the Lions Club for their generous financial donation for the purchase of a Lion’s Head Drinking Fountain located near the Zeb Gray Playground in Ramsey Park. The fountain was purchased in honor of long-time member Joyce Weltsch. Staff is requesting approval to accept the financial donation from the Lions Club of Redwood Falls.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Kerkhoff to waive the reading of Resolution No. 45 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 45 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Parks & Recreation Director Ross Nachreiner introduced Resolution No. 46 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City.
Mr. Nachreiner stated Resolution No. 46 of 2025 approves acceptance of a financial donation in the amount of $1,079.80 from Compassionate Friends of Redwood Falls. City staff would like to thank members of the Compassionate Friends for their generous financial donation for the purchase of a bench located at the Redwood Falls Aquatic Center. Staff is requesting approval to accept the financial donation from the Compassionate Friends of Redwood Falls.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 46 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 46 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Jason Cotner was present to introduce Resolution No. 47 of 2025 – Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on Behalf of its Police Department Regarding the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC).
Chief Cotner stated the Redwood Falls Police Department (RFPD) investigates complaints of internet crimes against children. These crimes usually involve the possession and distribution of pornographic images depicting juveniles. RFPD investigations are often started as a result of leads obtained by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) and are worked in coordination with ICAC.
Chief Cotner stated in March, 2023, BCA approached RFPD to propose a Joint Powers Agreement between RFPD and ICAC. This JPA created a formal relationship whereby RFPD would provide support and assistance to ICAC as well as law enforcement agencies throughout our region that are investigating internet crimes against children. In return, ICAC provided funding to send an RFPD investigator to specialized technology training. This training was directly applicable to a variety of other RFPD investigations. Council ultimately approved a resolution approving the JPA between RFPD and ICAC.
Chief Cotner stated in July of 2025, ICAC contacted RFPD Police Chief Jason Cotner to report the existing JPA had not expired, however, ICAC had updated their investigative and operational standards since the original JPA was executed. These changes required an update and renewal of the JPA approved in 2023. If this resolution is approved, RFPD investigators will be provided training on the updated ICAC investigative and operational standards.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 47 of 2025 – Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on Behalf of its Police Department Regarding the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 47 of 2025 – Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the City of Redwood Falls on Behalf of its Police Department Regarding the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). Motion passed by unanimous vote.
IT Coordinator Noah Johnson was present to introduce Resolution No. 48 of 2025 – Resolution Approving the Information Technology Service Level Agreement with IT Outlet, Inc.
Mr. Johnson stated Thriveon provided technology services to the City of Redwood Falls for the last seven years. In recent years, there has been a struggle for consistent, timely, and progressive service in continuing to support the needs in the technology space across all city departments. One of the goals of hiring an onsite IT Coordinator was to adjust current utilization of resources and determine what can be reduced from contractors and brought back within the city staffing. Most of the responsibilities that were held with Thriveon have been offloaded to the current on-staff technology department which prompted the discussion and direction of the search for a new technology services provider with a reduced scope of work. In this process, eight different potential service providers were identified. Three of those providers chose not to participate in the RFP process due to a variety of reasons. Two of those providers could not complete the requested materials by the due date or after any granted extensions.
Mr. Johnson stated after discussions with the technology committee regarding the remainder of service providers, the final two were interviewed and additional questions were raised in the specifics of their service(s) and how they would be of value to the City of Redwood Falls. Competitors could not achieve a comparable or competitive rate for the services that IT Outlet is intending to provide. In evaluating multiple providers, IT Outlet offers a degree of versatility that was not available from other competitors. After reviewing multiple providers and options for future technology support, and keeping in mind redundancy and availability of resources, it is the committee’s recommendation to proceed with IT Outlet as the new managed technology services provider for the City’s operations.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 48 of 2025 – Resolution Approving the Information Technology Service Level Agreement with IT Outlet, Inc. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 48 of 2025 – Resolution Approving the Information Technology Service Level Agreement with IT Outlet, Inc. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced Resolution No. 49 of 2025 – A Resolution in Support of MnDOT District 8 Submission of Funding Application to the Minnesota Highway Freight Program to Facilitate a Roundabout Safety Improvement at the Intersection of MN 19, CSAH 1, and Airport Road.
Mr. Doering stated the Minnesota Department of Transportation recently opened a solicitation for freight funding across the state, called the Minnesota Highway Freight Program. It’s open to cities, counties, ports, waterways, railroads, airports, tribal governments, and MnDOT districts. The program is federal funding geared towards any public road, railroad crossing or intermodal facility if the project provides a public freight benefit.
Mr. Doering stated MnDOT District 8 is planning on submitting several potential projects for the funding. One under consideration is a roundabout at the intersection of Mn 19 and CSAH 1/Airport Road in the City of Redwood Falls. As part of the solicitation, they are required to receive letters of support from the local communities if the project includes a local road. MnDOT has a cost participation policy that describes how funding is split between MnDOT and local governments for certain types of projects, including roundabouts. Because the MHFP is federal funding, it requires a 20% non-federal match. As part of the application, District 8 would request the full federal funding allowed (80%) to pay for the project. If awarded, the federal funds would be split with the city and county to help cover the cost of the city and county share under the cost participation policy. It is anticipated that the owner of each leg would then provide the matching 20% estimated at $200,000.00 - $300,000.00. The intent is to utilize municipal state aid funds to satisfy the local match requirements of this $5.6 million estimated project for state fiscal year 2030.
Mr. Doering stated MnDOT is seeking the City’s support pursuing this funding for a roundabout and providing them with a letter of support. Solicitations will close at the end of the day Wednesday, September 3, 2025 and a letter of support should be provided prior to Friday, August 29, 2025. City Staff recommend submitting a letter of support for the project.
A motion was made by Council Member Sandgren and seconded by Council Member Smith to waive the reading of Resolution No. 49 of 2025 – A Resolution in Support of MnDOT District 8 Submission of Funding Application to the Minnesota Highway Freight Program to Facilitate a Roundabout Safety Improvement at the Intersection of MN 19, CSAH 1, and Airport Road. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Arentson and seconded by Council Member Guetter to approve Resolution No. 49 of 2025 – A Resolution in Support of MnDOT District 8 Submission of Funding Application to the Minnesota Highway Freight Program to Facilitate a Roundabout Safety Improvement at the Intersection of MN 19, CSAH 1, and Airport Road. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Public Works Project Coordinator Jim Doering introduced the Reflection Prairie Housing Addition and Reflection Ridge Business Park – Final Pay Request.
Mr. Doering stated City Staff recommend for approval Final Pay Application No. 18 (Reflection Prairie Addition & Reflection Ridge Business Park-Phase I) for $387,421.62. This approval is contingent upon the satisfactory resolution of IC134 reporting requirements. In addition, approval also accepts the original warranty period and pressure pipe system warranty extension. The final contract price totals $13,439,930.80. The original warranty period from final completion date ends on November 24, 2025. By request, Kuechle Underground is extending the pressure pipe systems (watermain and forcemain) an additional three years until November 24, 2028. Any material deficiencies observed during the original warranty period or pressure pipe extension must be brought to the attention of the Contractor, in writing, before the expiration date.
A motion was made by Council Member Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve the Reflection Prairie Housing Addition and Reflection Ridge Business Park – Final Pay Request. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Police Chief Jason Cotner introduced Resolution No. 50 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City.
Chief Cotner stated in Spring, 2025, the Minnesota Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (MNLEAP) began operations. The mission of the MNLEAP office was to offer accreditation to Minnesota law enforcement agencies that meet the management, training, operational, and supervision standards established by MNLEAP. The benefits of accreditation to the City of Redwood Falls is it provides third-party validation of professional practices, reduces legal liability, promotes continuous self-assessment, enhances accountability, and strengthens community confidence in the department.
Chief Cotner stated with the support of City Administrator Keith Muetzel, Police Chief Cotner applied for entry into the accreditation program. For admission to the process there was an initial fee of $1,200.00 which covered the Power DMS accreditation training and program for one year. Afterward there is an annual fee of $600.00. The $1,200.00 fee was paid with existing RFPD budget funds, and the process of accreditation was started.
Chief Cotner stated on July 30, 2025, the accreditation specialist assigned to RFPD, Josh Potts, contacted Chief Cotner to inform him the MNLEAP office had obtained grant funds and, unbeknownst to Chief Cotner, awarded $1,800.00 to RFPD to cover the initial $1,200.00 fee as well as $600.00 for maintenance fees. There is no matching funds required to receive these funds or special reporting requirements.
A motion was made by Council Member Guetter and seconded by Council Member Sandgren to waive the reading of Resolution No. 50 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
A motion was made by Council Member Smith and seconded by Council Member Arentson to approve Resolution No. 50 of 2025 – A Resolution Accepting a Donation to the City. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Mayor Quackenbush stated he attended Minnesota Farmfest, taking place August 5-7, 2025 at the Gilfillan Estate.
Mayor Quackenbush stated the Annual Redwood Area Chamber Fall Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mayor Quackenbush requested volunteers from Council to help staff the booth during the event.
City Administrator Muetzel stated in place of the annual visit from Marty Seifert, the Coalition of Greater MN Cities will be hosting regional meetings this year. The City’s regional meeting will be held in Windom, MN on Thursday, August 14th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
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 Kerkhoff and seconded by Council Member Guetter to adjourn the meeting at 5:38 p.m. Motion passed by unanimous vote.